Liz Graves

My way of relaxing

2012-01-02T21:31:00.000-06:00

Every 2-3 years I indulge myself and take some time in the winters to work on something art related in the evenings and I love trying different mediums.

This is an Angora Goat skull I did 5-6 years ago and decided to integrate a silver piece in these works as a kind of signature for my pieces.

This is a Javelina I recently completed

This is a steer skull I just finished and love his horns in that each had their own direction which does not show well in this photo angle. Folks always seem to want them the same, and I like the uniqueness of these.

Wish I could get more skulls just not easy for me to come by, so many ideas rolling around in my head I'd love to try.

Liz

A time of Passing

2011-12-10T15:52:00.000-06:00

The Greatest Horsewomen

Lessons from My Mother

The Greatest Horsewomen always tend the stock before themselves.

The Greatest Horsewomen share their experience, knowledge and wisdom so that others may have success, if they want it.

The Greatest Horsewomen feel no jealousy, yet thrive on true sportsmanship in healthy competition.

The Greatest Horsewomen see into all the souls they meet human and horse. Always trying to work confidently, yet gently as possible to bring them understanding and peace.While knowing their risk of not always having success in doing so.

And where do the Greatest Horsewomen go?

They go home to all the horses in heaven they once knew in life.

How do I know?

One of the Greatest Horsewomen I know told me so!

Written by: Elizabeth Graves. December 2011

Give all our old horse friends there a big hello hug from me Mom.

Liz

Guess which Team Pretty Boy Floyd is for?

2011-12-01T15:01:00.001-06:00

A True Fan!

Yes once Again!

2011-11-30T15:26:00.011-06:00

The controversy over what saddles to use and how to use them has always been and will always be.

I have always kept and held true to my opinion through my experience on this subject and yes I have put my neck on the chopping block many times over willingly and taken my public and private verbal whooping like a big girl . I have done so in that through my life time to date and many thousands of horses now, I have always looked to what the horse has taught me in what works best for them, not for me. I refuse to allow my self to be held hostage by marketing techniques, regurgitated words, and yet a product never performs as the words were spoken. I refused to be held to what is popular or the saddles being status symbol to own, only by what is best for the horse. Below is from an e-mail I was sent yesterday on a study conducted from a source that I hold in high regard and have learned much from over the years.

I know in some situations a treeless saddle is the only option for some horses just due to shape and a tree for that shape can not exist unless custom made so there is and can be a place in those situations. IME I see no place for a bar-less saddle though.

I am also aware of the issues that exist in conventional saddle fit, but this is a human problem in the industry due to lack of tree manufactures and saddle builders being educated enough, and willing to learn more about the horse in it's true conformation and how the body needs to function properly in carrying a human and performing what we ask. This should not be IMO, with all the avenues in technology we have to research and expand the overall knowledge base on this topic. It should be more than just make the sales pitch sound great, but must also perform great. The saddle owners DO hold a huge responsibility in this also, in how to use the products properly as well as applying good horsemanship skills. When big money, ego's and politics enter into anything the true path gets blurred and we have to do our homework which takes time and brain power. We should not allow our selves and our horses to become victims of it all. Saddle and tree manufacturing is an art but the artistic pretty or fancy saddle also holds secondary place to function, pretty will not keep your horse sound , your horse safe, you riding properly and you safe as well. Be sure it fits and functions first, and then one can chose what the appearance can be.

Liz

Treeless vs. Conventional Saddles: Back Pressure Evaluated

by: Christa Lesté-Lasserre

November 23 2011, Article # 19191

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Treeless saddles are often said to be more "natural," more comfortable for riders and/or horses, or more universally fitting for all equine back shapes and rider seats. But according to a leading equitation scientist, the tree still seems to serve a very important purpose: regulating pressure distribution.

"What you can see with the treeless saddle is a very definite concentration of pressure right underneath the rider's seat bones," said Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Dipl. ACVSMR, MRCVS, Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University, during the presentation of her study at the 2011 International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) Conference, held Oct. 26-29 in Hooge Mierde, The Netherlands. However, that's not the case with a well-fitted conventional saddle, which pressure mats reveal applies much more even pressure with lower peak forces across the horse's back, she said.

"That suggests that the tree is indeed doing what it's supposed to do, in terms of spreading the force over a larger area of the horse's back," she said.

In her study Clayton fitted eight purebred Arabian horses with pressure mats under their saddles and had them ridden at a slow, sitting trot in a straight line by the same, experienced rider. The rider rode each horse once with a treeless saddle and once with a conventional English saddle custom-fitted to an Arabian horse. The saddles weighed exactly the same, and the rider rode without stirrups.

What Clayton and her colleagues found was that the conventional saddle was much more effective in spreading out the pressure on the horse's back caused by the rider's weight, Clayton said. Generally the treeless saddles resulted in higher peak pressures, and more sensors detected significant pressure levels (higher than 11 kilopascals--a number that's significant in the appearance of clinical signs of back pain and injury, according to Clayton)--meaning a larger number of high individual pressure points.

"For the conventional saddle the loading was approximately equal across all thirds (of the saddle from front to back), whereas for the treeless saddle we had a very definite concentration of loading in the middle third (where the rider sits)," Clayton said.

Pressure would be even higher with a heavier rider (the study rider weighed 125 pounds) and at faster gaits, she said.

Learn more about successful training from weaning to early under saddle work in the gimmick-free guide Understanding the Young Horse.

Even so, conventional saddles are not necessarily ideal, according to Clayton. "The tree is a somewhat rigid structure, and the fact that it is rigid means there is need for the tree to fit correctly both to the horse and to the rider," she said. "A lot of riders have become very frustrated because it has become difficult to find a tree that does fit comfortably on both the horse and the rider."

Thus it's important to ensure your saddle fits your horse and isn't causing him back pain, and a saddle fitter or experienced horseman can assist in this task.

It would be interesting to see in further studies if a treeless saddle might still be an improvement over a poorly fitted conventional saddle, Clayton said. Additional studies should also test different kinds of treeless saddles.

Fortunes Lost but Family Gained

2011-11-20T19:43:00.008-06:00

Meet Rosewood! Cousin of the Woodpile gang.

Now she comes from those big city woods in the family not the common woods like our loved gang here on the ranch.

Rosewood has had a very nice life knowing luxury and comfort to the fullest.

Indoor showers. Not the outdoor kind like here at the ranch.

She has had all the conveniences of life.

The sad news is that with the economic crash and the fall in demand for the fine woods, her close family fortune has been lost.

Sooooo what does a smart, tough, city woods kind of gal do????

She picks up her stick , takes up her roots and does what she needs to with pride in tact and starts sewing some new seeds!

Welcome to Shades of Oak Rosewood!

Liz

Equine Affair MA 2011

2011-11-18T21:04:00.007-06:00

Oh what an amazing weekend it was!

First a bit of history in that Equine affair started in 1994. This is their 18th year, and their 14th at the MA location. I did the first one in OH in 1994 when it was held in Dayton, OH when I still lived in VA , I was the sidesaddle clinician.

It has been a wonderful working relationship I have had with the staff over the years and am still in Ah of how well and easy they make my job at each event.

I would also like to thank friend Zeke Taylor and friend and family Sue Graves who I handed my camera off to and they did a wonderful job of getting photos for our memories.

The EA arena staff and I always have a lot of fun with each other and this year they started calling our session participants " Liz's Calvary". Oh little do they know our gaited family and how much they love to have a great time!

The last session of the weekend on Sunday evening the riders got together and decided to enter bearing the American flag and enter in formation. Steve 1st as flag bearer, Jen 2nd,Bob 3rd,Bonnie 4th and Kate 5th. The crowd and the staff were delighted!

Now in this photo I will have to point out a little about it for folks to understand.

Take notice of the white blob in front of Jen's horse Ranger her which I'm standing next to laying at his left front hoof. Also notice my face and hunched posture. Seems my razzing my east coast friends about not snowing here while they were receiving a very destructive snow storm made for a bit of revenge. Steve saved and made snowballs from that very storm and froze them in his freezer just for this event.

Yep they did!! Steve handed snow balls during the session , my having not a clue about what was about to happen. I got blasted!! Snowball storm indoors and the coolest part beside it being fun, but every single horse did not react to the snowballs flying, now that speaks loud and clear for our breeds and the quality of horsemanship and training of this group of horses. The spectators loved it!

Now this is a special photo to but I have to direct your eyes again to Steve first in the Red, white and blue shirt. Now notice in his hands is a longe whip with a piece of twine tied to the lash and along the right side of his horse DJ's head you will see a carrot tied to the twine. This seems to be a new and up coming big game sport called deep arena fishing. Steve had very good luck to as he caught Bobs Horse Bud the sorrel on the left with the carrot on the twine. I also saw them doing this at stalls out back and I believe in that case it's called deep stall fishing. Again the spectators were thrilled with the fun being had along with the education going on, but Bud was the happiest since he got the carrot.

Once again Jen dressed Ranger in Leopard print saddle pad and leg wraps knowing it's my very favorite print from my childhood in spending a lot of time around Oselot cats belonging to an adult friend of my Mothers. Never will I tire of that print.

Everything always comes together when our gaited horse family can get together and relax at the end of a great day of fun and work around a meal together. I had escargot and scallops which were awesome and made my taste buds dance.

Take note of the new woodpile member center table!

More to come later on that new adventure.

Signing off with a big smile after a great time!

Liz

Lots Happening!

2011-11-03T16:06:00.015-05:00

It's been very busy here so I am just am throwing up a bunch of photos this time of happenings.

This is such a little part of whats been going on here during a very perfect fall and I hope yours has been a wonderful.

Jeanne Learning the art of bosal on her mare Fancy

Liz with Major up

Liz with Stryker up

Jeanne with Fancy up

Jeanne riding our Quarter Horse mare Candy Cow Cody

Tony & Sissy with Marty playing in their pile of toys

Jeanne riding our TWH Mare Super Mans April

Jeanne & Pretty Boy Floyd all taped up keeping body alignment Maintenance happening

Wendy, Val & Marty , horse gals relaxing

Cordura/ leather saddle Dave just finished making

Pop Wagner & Dave spending a day in the shop working and playing with their dogs.

Wylie,Sissy and Tony

Liz

Knowing horses from the outside in!

2011-10-27T10:05:00.002-05:00

Here is a beautiful done video of an equine dissection.

It is about 46 minutes long and even if your not into this kind of education this one will hook you. How can we ask our horses to move if we don't know how the body functions.

This will be a very fast 46 minutes.

videozer - Inside.Natures.Giants.S03E04.WS.PDTV.XviD-FTP_gr0wl

www.videozer.com

Liz

Placement and Strapping on the Saddle

2011-10-06T10:31:00.004-05:00

This is a video Dave and I did off the cuff yesterday for a gal making the transition from an english saddle to a western saddle and how to position and strap it on. May be helpful to others doing the same.

Liz

Photos From Smartville, CA Clinic

2011-10-03T14:50:00.007-05:00

smartville clinic">

From hats eat horses, to Oh don't I look good in one? It's all in how we present and help over come fears.

I am so behind and just now getting photos gone through and I had over 1400 from the last 3 events. One more to go and I'm caught up!

Here is the slide show from the Smartville , CA workshop in Sept.

http://lizgraves.com/smartville_2011/index.html

Lots of old faces and so many new ones this year. I loved how the regular crew took in the new folks with warmth, sharing and so many smiling faces on people , horses and the dogs! I don't know about the pot belly pig though , it was to hard to read it's expressions!

Once again we also had the treat of Gail's homemade ice cream to cool off in some very hot weather. Bob did his famous barbecue also. Always warm of heart and a happy a place to be.

Baby Boy Pine I see had a blast while I was not looking too!

Liz

8th Annual PA Clinic

2011-09-30T13:35:00.004-05:00

Link to Clinic Slide show.

http://lizgraves.com/pennsylvania_2011/

The slide show gives a good feel for the depth of work at this clinic.This group of 14 was very ready , and had progressed too and were very open in their desire in doing this kind of deep work. Awesome riders! Not all clinics are ready for this kind of work but my dream is that folks will get to this point in them selves to seek it, finding that higher level of horsemanship. This is the fun stuff and the results in our horses is aw inspiring. Knowing just how to touch our horses is a must and knowing it's OK to do so is that first big step through the door. Through this we can communicate with clarity, feel in softness and find the fluidity in our own bodies to help our horses preform the same. All in turn clearing their emotions to hear our intent and open their willingness to listen and just give us their try.

This is the world I love to live with horses and want to share with you on how to also!

Warmest, Liz

2011-09-27T00:13:00.002-05:00

Good Bye for now my long time and very dear friend Gertie, who passed 9-25-2011 in Winnipeg Canada

I hold close mine and many others special memories of playing with the horses and sharing roasted marshmallows around many a campfire with the young people just starting their journey in horsemanship.

Most important I will keep close those late night conversations we had about life, living it fully and your experienced wisdom in helping guide me in my life journey.

Thank you with love for an honest real friendship.

Liz

Scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-19T19:24:00.003-05:00

Dave and our new used toy and ranch machine!

I'm still to chicken to drive it, if it does not have a mane or tail I'm just not very comfortable with things like this!

You can bet I'll have a helmet too before I try it also!

Liz

HORSE BURGLAR APPREHENDED!

2011-08-31T13:12:00.009-05:00

Law Enforcement received a suspicious "character on the hoof" call at 9 am today.

The call was responded to when received by an employee from AAC Feed Mill, Stewartville, MN

Although the horse burglar was disguised in a new mask, officers immediately knew this was their suspect from the Shades of Oak robbery held in Spring Valley, MN by the cash stashed all over his body.

When feed mill Manager was interviewed we asked what made them suspicious to make the call to police?

The manager Mr. Grainbin stated they had the feed mill listed for sale for quite some time and several previous offers had been made by on the hoof prospective buyers and the asking price is 3,000,000.00 USD. When the suspect offered 5,000,000.00 with made in China money we became suspicious.

The exchange rate we could have gotten for the 5,000,000.00 of made in China money would have been around in 31,000,000.00 USD, it just did not add up. One could buy a lot more than one feed mill for that kind of money in USD.

Another employee when interviewed, Ms. Cornshuck did say that the suspect did have yellow hair and you know what that means, wink, wink!!!

Suspect has been identified as "Perfectin Gold Stryke", The name says it all in that he would be led to a life of crime in pursuit of money, any kind of money!

Although the Woodpile Gang is still deep rooted in mourning over the loss of partner and friend Stix . Baby Boy Pine did state that they just don't grow hard woods like Stix any more and he was green treated so it was one of those relationships that lasts forever.

Liz

Crime on the rise in Spring Valley , MN

2011-08-29T19:44:00.008-05:00

Photo of Suspect Captured on Stable Cameras

Law enforcement was called to Shades of Oak Ranch with the report of robbery in progress!

1 death incurred as hero 'Stix" of the Woodpile Gang gave his wood grain in fighting off the suspect when the suspect was caught red hoofed in the barn safe stealing the money from the Woodpile Gangs second summer job of dancing evenings at the Lumber Yard Club. It's estimated that 5 million of made in China cash was stolen. The suspect is still at large.

Identity has not been confirmed as of yet but hoof prints and hair samples are being run through Codis data base .

Much of the fight between the suspect and Stix was caught on barn cameras with photos below.

WE CAUTION: Viewers of the violent nature of the photos below.

Stix fought hard before falling to his injuries

Suspect was last seen gaiting away from the scene of crime after stashing the cash on his body.

Services for "Stix" were held at Compost Cemetery.

In attendance were the remaining members of the Woodpile Gang with blood shot eyes and still in evening dance costumes. In a Statement taken from the Gang they said" Their hearts are absolutely splintered over the loss of their partner and friend".

Liz

2011-08-26T10:31:00.003-05:00

Our thoughts are with all of you on the east coast getting ready to experience Irene

Please be safe !!

Dave and Liz

Young people and horses just go together.

2011-08-25T12:44:00.002-05:00

Enjoy!!!

Liz

Finally Perfect summer days

2011-08-17T20:49:00.002-05:00

Our Quarter Horse Mare " Doodle Annie" watching me bring in her best friend Floyd in from the pasture for the day.

All in Fun!!

2011-08-10T21:54:00.004-05:00

What do you do when you can't hit the broad side of a barn with a bow and Arrow???????

You volunteer to be the target!!!!

Lots of practicing going on in the evenings as they do mounted archery instead of shooting, since it's the law you must have 2 feet on the ground to shoot fire arms in Germany.

Down Under Stables is always doing something fun to put everyone's horsemanship skills into practice.

Please help us all learn!

2011-08-02T10:43:00.005-05:00

The Gaited Horse Study being conducted over the next few years has me so excited!!!

It's a world wide study of all breeds of Gaited horses from all over the world and they are in need of as many participants as possible. No limit on numbers of horses needed.

All information and participant instructions and forms are on the web site link I will post here.

Please take some time to do this for our breeds and to be a part of something to benefit us all in expanding our knowledge base.

Those that learned to mark up and see key conformation components from Lee Z and myself over the years should find the measurement portion easy and takes maybe 15 minutes to complete. Get groups of friends together if needed to get photos and video done for submissions.

Please share the link and spread the word!!!

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/brooks/study_intro.html

Liz

Horse Skeleton

2011-07-24T17:06:00.002-05:00

For those that knew and have asked about the exhumation of the horse Bubba we are going to be rebuild the skeleton of, we did complete the digging today. What we found after 2 years, is that MN is better at preserving than composting.

The body had composted very, very little. We were able to remove some parts on the right side and I will complete the rendering of those. We decided to add some bacterial cultures to help things maybe get better started again and reburied and will try to bring the rest up in a year or 2 more, hoping it does compost down.

I did get my pony finished this spring but will not rebuild as a full skeleton as it's nice compact size makes it easy to use as a teaching aid in separate systems.

Glad our Mothers are not around or they would not have allowed either of us near the house but the dogs thought we smelled and looked wonderful.

Will I have nightmares tonight, yes probably, but it's in the name of education.

This horse I started myself as a youngster and owned until he was 33 years old, so any thing I do find abnormal in damage, I was responsible for and no excuses for that from me. I will hold myself accountable for what I find and learn from it and hope others learn from my mistakes so they do not have to make them on their horses.

Liz

Free to ride in comfort, Thank you Vicky for showing me the way!

2011-07-14T15:14:00.003-05:00

Free to be me!

If Vicky from CA can be comfortable enough in her own skin to ride in fancy PJ's and her knitted ski cap, then I discovered I should be able to do the same in my favorite riding clothes!

Ahh the freedom not to be held hostage in wearing:

Silver,

Rhinestones,

Brand name jeans

Sweaty cowboy hats

Chinks

Belt buckles the size of manhole covers

Rag scarves

Yokes on shirts

Name brand riding gloves

Form fitting English britches that make you feel your butt following you!

Freedom, freedom freedom!

Hot New Stable and Ranch Fashions!

2011-07-01T11:43:00.003-05:00

Excessive heat warnings today of 110 makes any ranch gal plan for comfort!

Baby Boy Pine opted for the birthday suit !

Happy 4th of July Weekend everyone one, be Safe but have fun too!

A good question & Answer to share.

2011-06-27T22:24:00.013-05:00

Below is the link to the post I wrote last year in which the question below comes from.

http://elizabethgraves.blogspot.com/2010/08/working-back-to-front.html

The Question:

Hi Liz,

At David's recco. on the esi forum, I read your blog about collection - I've also attended a talk you gave last spring at equineaffaire, and attended Dave's saddle-fitting seminar in ShadowHills CA in April, before we came east for the summer. Anyway I'm hoping you can answer this question for me (if it's answerable, in words):
You say:"Collection to me is working from the back to the front of a horse.
This when astride means I work from the center of the horse first when asking for it.
By this I must be in a centered, balanced position with an open pelvis and ask the abdominal muscles to lift up to me through my pelvis and leg aids. This in turn raises the loins of the horse , engages the pelvis ,while opening up the hind quarters of the horse to reach well under its self, and raising the spine upward.
This puts the horse in that desired weight bearing posture."
I fully understand , and of course agree with, the philosophy - and the emotion, mental, and also physical preparation we need to give our horses.
My question:
When you say "ask the abdominal muscles to lift up to me through my pelvis and leg aids..." please, could you possibly say a little, just in practical terms, about what the pelvis and legs are actually doing?
I mean if that's possible. Thank you.

The Answer:

I’ll do the best I can, it’s fun stuff and we just had a workshop this past weekend working on this very thing.
In person it’s easier as I can point out the positive and negative results as they occur.
Your pelvis should remain neutral doing nothing if it’s in the proper position it will be level and open. This means NO stirrup pressure. Stirrup pressure tells the spine to drop away. Heels should be level not down or up as these positions also tell the spine to drop away from your pelvis.
If your horse responds well to leg aids I’ll roll my legs on to the horse abdominals ( not Lift or bend the legs upward or back or this shifts the riders pelvis). I softly flex my leg muscles in a feathering motion asking the horse to use its abdominals and lift up to my pelvis. It’s a small squeeze release motion of the legs. If the horse holds its abdominals then I make my legs aids quiet. If the horse does not sustain the body position I ask with the legs, then I again engage leg signals again and continue the process until the horse is clear that when I am on his back I want him to have more muscular tension on his underline than his top line all the time when I am on his back. When you can see a line of demarcation along the horses abdominals you know he is engaging his rear end. In my head I’m thinking the words “ too me , too me” This creates a pulling upward energy from my own body the horse hears my intent and raises to it. From astride one can feel the horse lift up to your pelvis and when your rhythm is in time with the horse it feels

like two toilet plungers stuck together, it’s a hooked together feeling and you flow together in every stride.

Not sure if this helps any but it is hard to describe the feel but easy to say the mechanical aids used to achieve something.
Liz

Woodpile Gang having Identity Crisis!!

2011-06-22T20:24:00.003-05:00

An old quote of mine is : Don't humanize your horse,

and your horse will not horselize you!

Another great Quote not mine most are familiar with is:

We fear what we do not know.

It has been my experience that not truly finding a complete understanding what a horse is and what drives it's whole being in instincts, emotions, its purpose known to a horse as a specie and defined as a horse would define it, to you a human may be very different than what we as human have defined it. More often we have defined the horse in terms we understand and can accept but one that horse does not know and thinks very differently than we do.

So often we in what we are get in the way of seeing the horse as it truly is, be it fear, ego, narcissism, jealousy, competition, power, the need for control, so many of the things that drive humans that horses dont understand but are the recipients of in the way we treat, train and interact with them.

When one really learns to understand as best we can in what a horse really is and needs to be, then at that time the door to finding true horsemanship in it's completeness can actually be achieved but this is also a path in looking into our selves and seeing our own weaknesses, yet also learning of our own strengths .

When we see this and learn to see the horse, it will know you see it and accept it for what it is, and work with in those parameters.

The horse will then hear you, and give to you in all it is capable of understanding.

So my Final quote today many have heard me say so many times over the years:

It's not about me, it's about we, you and your horse!

Now the Wood Pile Gang has a one question quiz to help all on their understanding of defining what things truly are!

Woodpile gang question:

What is the Woodpile Gang??????????????

Scroll down to Answer below:

A bunch of sticks in the MUD!!!!!

BaaHaa!!

Liz Graves 2011

FREE SADDLE FIT WEBINAR!!!

2011-06-19T17:19:00.003-05:00

David Genadek President of About The Horse Inc. Will be conducting a free saddle fit Webinar on line Tuesday June 21,2011 at 7 pm central time.

This is the link for instructions to down load the program to partake in this interactive webinar.

http://aboutthehorse.com/webinarflyer.pdf

This is not a movie or video but a live on-line interactive presentation between all logged in at that time.This is as always with Dave not a selling of product session but one to empower all horse owners with knowledge. It's a great presentation and have your questions ready and notebooks on hand for note taking as the information is vast.

Also here is a link to a short video done for last years Iowa Horse fair that explains what the webinars will cover.

http://youtu.be/pGgrC5chMJg

Time Fly's!!

2011-06-09T15:55:00.003-05:00

Baby Luke Little

Baby Luke Big!

7 years ago a client purchased a RMH mare and foal , Monica being the Mare and Luke, 2 months old and had them shipped directly to me from WV. I was to do a riding evaluation and tune up the mare and teach the foal all the baby basic of being touched all over, pick up hooves to clean, tie, halter, lead , etc.

As you can see Baby Luke and I spent much time smoozing it up and I always called him Baby Luke and he is the foal in my Structure videos running around and sniffing up the camera.

Such fond times and memories for me and he is a grandson of RMH Buddy Roe who I had the honor of riding in a halter and lead rope in KY at Carl and Wanda's so long ago now and Buddy Roe has long passed now but Luke brought back so many fond memories as a foal of special days spent in the KY mountains with special folks for me.

I did a clinic recently in Watkins MN and Broken Wheel Farm and one of the participants came up to me and said," I have a horse you may remember". Well upon seeing him I did not and his now owner Dianne told me who he was and the work I had done with him as a foal, my heart just melted for the now big horse I knew as Baby Luke.

When calling home that evening to let Dave know I had arrived safe and well, I told him of Baby Luke and he asked if he remembered me, as it's common most horses I teach do but was sad to tell him that Baby Luke did not.

The next day during a wonderful clinic and during our ground work session as always I pulled out my bottle of lavender to help relax and introduce myself to the horses in a positive way, a tool I have used for over 16 years now. Wow that turned on the light bulb for Baby Luke as at that moment he remembered me!! It was hard to keep him away from me !

To see him so happy, healthy and well with his owner Dianne who did all his saddle work her self and do a great job, while give her new home work to advance his skills such as lateral work. He loved the new work and took to it right off , with my self to be able to ride him and experience him as an adult horse was one of those highlights that sticks for ever. He will always be Baby Luke to me and have a place in my heart!

Liz

The Minesota green Gang!

2011-06-01T22:06:00.007-05:00

This is one happy crew, they have waited 6 months for the glorious green stuff!

TWH Stryker the rubber band boy he's so elastic. Cant believe he has not got his legs crossed to get closer as it's not uncommon for him to do so!

TWH Major who has to be on very sparse grass due to his Thyroid.

Love his big old time walking horse head.

TWH April, daughter of Millers Superman, a line I love. My very multi gaited girl!

Quarter horse Lassie who who is 26 this year and have had her since a few months old.

What a great mare she is!

RMH Pretty Boy Floyd falling in love with the MN green!

I did not get a photo of Doodles today but will.

This is my horse

family that are my friends, my healers when life gets hard and my partners in work!

Liz

How NOT to injure Humans and horses with a big stick!

2011-05-13T13:24:00.004-05:00

The Teachers

The Student

Link to slide show

http://lizgraves.com/doma_vaquera/index.html

An Adventure in the Art of Doma Vaquera

Learning the Art of Garrocha

Although I have been home several days from my trip to CA to conduct a clinic and treat myself in my favorite pass time of being a student, I have waited even with inquiries, as to how it went. This experience was something I needed to absorb, relive in my mind, practice and relish while being greedy for myself for just a bit. This is the best way I know to express how it made me feel and this was as special as learning from the elephants in Thailand. The best part is I can keep working, learning and strive for better each and every time in that horses are in my daily life and I’m not having much luck finding an elephant on Craig’s List to hone those skills..

This will be a bit long but I so want to share what I think are some important notes and observations on my part in learning this very challenging skill .

I have always had an admiration for those I have seen conduct demonstrations with the Garrocha but never took it seriously as something I would do, remembering how lethal I was to anyone around me in taking baton lessons as a child. The only times I find rhythm and timing in my own body is when astride a horse and was taught from a very small child in applying and refining that but not holding any extra paraphernalia such as a Long stick!

It became a possible reality for me when Dave gave me as a gift for a birthday the DVD “The Art of the Garrocha” John Saint Ryan released 2 years ago. I think Dave knowing John and in that John helped film and produce his saddle fitting video so long ago, brought it closer to me as a possibility. The Instruction of the video was excellent and as one educated as a teacher myself, I saw how John could make this possible for me through his teaching methods. Doing something well and actually being able to teach it are 2 different things, and John did both fabulously.

So my adventure started, and I started with a simple broom handle working on the ground knowing my past experiences of the baton close in my mind and making sure I would not bean a horse in the head first. Eventually I started carrying that broom handle while astride and working at it, and the horses were great in accepting my fake Garrocha, I was just not very good at it myself. The horses were doing better than I was.

So at my age we start thinking of our as I call it “Kick the bucket list” not just bucket list as I’m going to be kicking as I go. On this list was, one day taking lessons from Master John Saint Ryan. That opportunity presented it’s self in scheduling a clinic for Barb and Chris Ryan also being friends as Dave is with John. On the book it went, lessons for myself, I could not believe this was going to happen!

It was time to get a long, real pole to practice with, and practice I did! I now need to purchase a new DVD as I’ve worn my first one out.

So the big day arrived and I had been on a plane all morning and went from a 45 degree temperature here, to 90 degree temperatures at Red Rose Ranch in the desert. So I know, drink water, and drink more water, it’s so dry you don’t sweat, it just evaporates off of you. We did wait till later in the evening till it did cool down a bit and some evening shade had begun. John asked me many questions getting an idea of what I had done so far and where I was , I simply told him I was no ballerina but had been practicing, but not confident I had done so correctly in any way. I was not hitting horses, myself or other people with the Garrocha so that was a pretty important start.

My lessons started with going through all the ground work exercises which was huge in clarifying and refining how one uses our hands to the Garrocha. It was huge in getting step by step instruction repeated as I needed it do learn all the varying hand positions to move and manipulate the Garrocha around yourself and a horse. There are a lot of great close up photos in the above slide show of John demonstrating these very important moves. The Garrocha in no way is a tool in which you manhandle, one must learn to develop a softness and feel for moving and working around the Garrocha , this was a giant part of the lesson I need to learn. It needs to become almost a part of your own body and one has to find the comfort in, which John demonstrated beautifully.

It was time to now get to know the horse I would be riding and start working astride with the Garrocha and I think you could have pulled my jaw out of the sand when I saw what horse he was giving me the honor to use for my lessons! That being his own competition horse, an 8 year old PRE Andalusian Stallion Siroco who is a son of the great Indiano. Magnificent best describes this horse, personable, beautifully mannered and High School trained. The saddle was a traditional Doma Vaquera saddle so you were instantly put into a level pelvis and balanced seat and how very important it is to have that very seat in doing this work. Bracing in stirrups with legs forward is not going to save you when doing this kind of work; one must ride the horse, not ride the saddle.

Siroco was very patient with me as I call it “ finding the horses ears on their sides” as in each horse they can be a bit different and in a short time I found them and everything I asked he did, even when I asked wrong. The slide show tells pretty much the rest of the story as my lessons progressed and the second day when I thought we were finished with the Garrocha work you will see John shared the treat of learning some Doma Vaquera work with his bull cart. Wow, Wow, Wow, it was fabulous, and of course I do not have the skills to do so with a Garrocha yet but I can envision in the future possibility of doing so here at our ranch, just chasing Dave around with the Garrocha, using him as my bull!

Understanding the history and the purpose of this great art really brought its importance into perspective for me as the Garrocha is a tool in working bulls in a real ranch working situation, very dangerous work where man and horse MUST be a team to get the job at hand done and not being killed in the process. It takes a very trained horse and rider, there are no short cuts in being good at this art, you just can’t “cowboy up”, muscle, haul and hack on your horse to do this and that is even in just the Garrocha work in demonstration and show. Softness, feel, timing, rhythm between rider and horse are a must, good equitation has to be in place. It takes dedicated time, practice, patience, and focus, but the right practice over time, poor practice won’t get you there. I also see this as a great application in teaching horses and riders to excel to the higher levels so many strive for.

A final observation is, I learned I can baton, just need a longer one and have to do so on the back of a horse, easy!

I would like to Thank Chris Ryan for working as photographer, something he is such an expert at from his years in the business.

Also thank you to John and Joyce Saint Ryan for their gracious hospitably, in sharing their lovely ranch with me. I will be going back for continued teaching as John is the perfect teacher for me in this art, and life sometimes is just knowing when you find them, and being like a dry sponge and soak it all up and practice. I am one very lucky gal to have had some of the greatest teachers of my time to learn from.

Liz

Easter Celebrations!

2011-04-19T19:58:00.003-05:00

The Woodpile Horse gang have put in a long hard winter of diligent work and are thrilled to have spring finally here.

Their good friend Blubber Duck just migrated in so they are all getting ready for the big Easter egg hunt on Sunday!

This is my very special non horse family.

Sissy the Gordon Setter, Tony the Australian Shepard,

and the cutest Bunny Boy on the planet Dave.

Fun when they come back all grown up!

2011-04-14T15:26:00.005-05:00

Below is" Keeper" who is a half brother to" Joker" who was here earlier this winter.

It was very hard though getting pushed back inside with rain to ride after 3 glorious spring days riding outside.

Keeper was here a couple of years ago as a youngster and now is back just for a little spring tune up and getting him started on his next assignments in his advancement in training.

I grew up owning, training and showing a lot of Appaloosas and they still are one of my favorite breeds, I love the brains they have, smart, athletic, fast learners. I've just found them very easy to work with, live with and teach.

Liz

2011-04-12T20:34:00.002-05:00

Below is a link to an article on a study done in France on pain related behaviors in horses.

Also pain issues I have found will change herd dynamics as well. A horse in pain will often act as the herd dominate and/or stay farther distanced from the core group in trying not to move or be moved by the other horses in turn being aggressive . When the pain is reduced or removed they can change from being an aggressor in the herd dynamics.

http://aboutthehorse.com/Chronic%20Pain%20and%20Aggression.p

Liz

It's all on our shoulders!

2011-04-04T13:58:00.005-05:00

It's spring again and folks are starting to head for their horses and it is sad with every new year I get the tight feeling in my gut knowing what I'm am going to start hearing of tragedies in accidents and sadly deaths.

All to often the horse gets blamed and pays with it's life and it was humans who let the horse down, not the horse that let the human down.

Many different scenario's will be become all to real in the coming season.

Even when we do everything right things can go wrong.

Many will be of horses that have sat all winter and were working well last fall. But understand they have been standing all winter and on what we know as unemployment and have again established strong herd dynamics and we all to often think because we want to ride them now they should willingly do so. This is not alway the case and it is wise to go back and review ground work and establish your old relationship getting them back to work.

Also get them conditioned for the work expected, don't just tack up and head out for 2 hours first ride and expect them not to be sore the next day. It is all to often I see folks year round not ride their horse 6 times all year or just before a big weekend ride of 4-7 hours per day and wonder why their horse got sore or was unsettled. Often we see white marks later with next new seasonal coat growth show up from this too and it's not that the saddle did not fit but the back was not conditioned to carry weight again, hence the back gets sore and white marks from saddles. The horse has not been conditioned to carry it's self in a weight bearing posture.

Sometimes a horse does not want to go back into work as it just says no from having bad experiences it with the rider before and just zoned out then and is not willing to now.

From my own experienced in a case.

I rode a horse that was not mine but had been recently purchased by the new owner after a clinic on a trail ride. I knew where the horse had come from and who had trained it. I was right and it was a well mannered well trained horse and had a great ride.

Knowing the new owner it ran through my mind that this one she could not have messed up already.

1 year later I rode that horse again on a trail ride and it was a mess, scared of everything and would spook and spin, kick out at other horses, it went down pinning me to the ground till it got up and continued on. In one year the wonderful horse had lost all confidence and was fearful of the world and nothing I could do on that ride would fix it. She was a rehab horse that was going to take much training to bring her back. Sad thing was she was sold as a brood mare with the new owners not knowing her new fears and problems believing she was the same horse I had ridden the year before.

Hence my dislike for horse jockeys that are just good marketers and not horseman.

Below is a link to a pdf file on a recent e-mail I shared with a new owner of a young horse. The names have been removed as it's not about who people are but the willingness of a good owner to ask the right questions and the value in the information I shared back to help . Just another scenario that can and has thousands of time before taken place.

I love how he later stated he was glad saying he did not listen to his friends as his BS detector was telling him not too.

http://lizgraves.org/rocky_issue.pdf

So in closing here, sometimes those of us that teach are not the most popular of teachers.

OK sometime we receive hackles up just because of what I term the claw factor, jealousies or even just competitions no matter what we say it's not OK ,but about pure individual issues inside themselves and we pay the price through their bad mouthing and slander along the way and they love to bully others into believing they are right, the more followers they get the more they feel empowered in their convictions. Other times folks feel threated by teachers in that they are so honest in delivering information to save your selves and your horses and it's not alway conducive to the fantasy the people want to hear.

Often folks just are willing to do steps A,B, C and are not willing to also do E,F & G hence their failure and then it's our fault.

So just know ,for a good teacher it's not about us, but you, your horse and your success.

Teaching honestly not a popularity contest , it's a service to our communities in which we care deeply about and we care deeply about you!

We don't alway tell you what you want to hear but thats not our job, but it is our job t share what you need to hear weather it's received well or not.

So all be safe this year, use your common sense and don't ever be afraid to get help or ask questions.

Liz

Goings on!

2011-04-02T20:57:00.007-05:00

Nancy Jurgensen , RMH Johnny, Tom Leventure

So much going on and some horses have gone home now.

Today Johnny graduated from basic training and went home with his owner Nancy.

Tom finished his training internship and was a delight to teach and have here on a daily basis, Dave and I both enjoyed him.

Sad news it seems everyone that comes here a lot ends up losing weight, so I'm sorry Tom and Eric to for turning you both into skinnier guys.

Teaching astride from Mia the Fell Pony

Thursday was Chiropractor day, so shown is Floyd getting his adjustment.

I really do encourage Chiropractic check ups on horses by quantified Doctors for horses.

Next week it's the hoof trimmer.

This is a Back mapping Tom and I did today on one of the horses. A great tool in learning to see and understand our horses bodies, also to track progress in physical rehabilitation's too.

Liz

Paddy's Day and It's Getting Warmer!

2011-03-17T21:07:00.007-05:00

RMH Pretty Boy Floyd and his new halter

Of course this is one very smart horse having great taste in football teams and being a fan of the Irish in green being his favorite color!

I'm so proud of the work this boy and I have done together, he better than ground ties, he knows Stand and Stay, no lead needed!

How do you explain when you share souls with a horse?

Thank you so much Joanna Swartz for this custom made gift .

I know it was very hard for you being a Steelers fan, so Pretty Boy Floyd and I will very much cherish it.

One more layer of cloths gone, spring is on it's way!!

This is SSH Tcyoiya, a new arrival just in for some Shades of Oak spa treatments and a spring tune up getting ready for the new riding season.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day and a soon to be spring everyone, I feel like I'm blooming!

Liz

Pockets behind withers!

2011-03-11T14:32:00.004-06:00

This is driving me crazy so I have to just say something here.

Those pockets as termed, of muscle depressions behind a horses withers are not a natural element to a horses shape and conformation!

Poor fitting saddles, improperly placed saddles, improperly strapped on saddles and/or poor horsemanship create these pockets and they should not exist on a horse.

In my over 50 years in this business, have I ever ever created these pockets on any horse and work hard to build a horses shape back up to eliminate them on the training horses that come in with them. I would kick my self into a ditch if I did, feeling so bad that I had created this to happen to any horses back.

Also no saddle should be fitted or shaped to fit a horse that have these pockets, but have enough flare to the front of the tree bars that the horse can build these muscles back up in proper condition filling that space.

It is so sad that what was known as" wrong" and undesirable in the industry is now thought of as right today. This ignorance has got to be stopped to help horses, in turn keeping horses from being in pain and riders from getting hurt and/ or thrown. When a horse is in pain and discomfort, I never think of that as a safe horse or one that is completely open to any teachings. . When a horse is to the point it has pockets then the whole spine and body need to be addressed by the proper practitioner.

Another myth that has evolved today is that gaited horses have more curve to there spines that their non-gaited counterparts. This is not true, and another sign indicative of saddle issues and or poor horsemanship practices in the industry.

I am just trying by this to help folks and their horses, this is not about me, but about you, keeping you and your horses safe, sound, so you can save money and heart ache in the end.

Don't be a follower of the crowd but get educated, open your eyes, help yourselves.

Please don't chose to learn this the hard way folks.

Liz

Busy, Busy and Fun!!!

2011-03-08T17:52:00.007-06:00

Spotted TWH 'Rocky"

RMH" Pretty Boy Floyd"

RMH" Johnny"

The new girl just in" Mia" a Fell Pony

It may be winter still but that's not slowing me down.

I have had the best bunch of training horses coming and going all winter.

These are some of the string I'm working now.

Life is great and I'm doing what I love the most, teaching horses and people.

Liz

2011-03-02T08:48:00.004-06:00

The Ribbon

Oh the brightness of a new day in the beautiful Colorado landscape, an exciting day. One she had been waiting for, yet was nervous about as well. The work she had put in getting ready for the big day, the fun and friends she had made along the way. It was all coming together at one time with her parents coming to see how well she had used her time in riding lessons with Col. Robertson , retired US Calvary.

The year is 1958 and all the parents of her fellow students will be there.

It’s a “Fun Day” to share how well all the students have done in their young journeys by way of the horse.

She brushed her little mare extra today and whispered kind, gentle words to her lesson mare reminding her of the relationship they had developed over time. She tacked the mare up just right checking everything twice. All the children were giddy with excitement and each so proud of there learning’s under the expert instruction of the Coronal. The big event of the day was the speed event though. Who had the fastest horse!

The winner would be whoever’s horse was fastest to the tree with a carrot placed in the fork of the tree to entice the horses.

Her turn had arrived, she takes her small 9 year old hand and places it softly on her mare’s neck and the electricity of understanding passes between her and the mare, they both know how badly they want to get to the tree.

She and her mare line up into position, all at the same time she urges her mare forward, with her little legs squeezing her mare to go, the mare hears her communication clearly. She feels the air pushing on her face, making wisps of her hair tickle her face and neck, and to the tree horse and girl fly.

THEY DID IT!!!

THE FASTEST TEAM TO THE TREE!!

Oh the pride, the pride in the mare and the pride in herself.

The prized blue ribbon is hers to cherish for a life time to come, just one important event to build a career upon by way of the horse.

It was an event that gifted so many over the years with her dedication to be a student first and teach so many along the way and share in her passion of understanding the horse.

That little girl was Lee Ziegler and the ribbon above is the very ribbon she won that day.

Missing you Lee!

Liz Graves

Back Mapping, Wither Tracing, Back Tracing

2011-02-15T16:02:00.011-06:00

A Clarification!

In the year 2001 I started teaching an application I termed" BACK MAPPING".

This application evolved from another application used in the saddle fitting world being

" BACK TRACING" in which I learned from David Genadek from the company "About the Horse" which was a means of recording a horses back shape for saddle fitting. The method of 'BACK TRACING", not wither tracing was developed in 2001 by David Genadek and Frank Woll to capture the 3 dimensional shape of a horses back, to properly define a horses back to create correct fitting saddle tree bars in the manufacturing process of building saddle trees.

From the application of back tracing I realized with added steps in recording the shape of a horses back not needed for saddle fit but needed to see and help horse owners see the shape of their horses functioning back. With my added steps I could show an owner how their horsemanship was influencing their horses back shape, the good and/or the bad.

It also revealed if a horse had any physical problems that may be needed to be addressed in straightness and corrected through applying proper horsemanship applications, or

misalignment's or injuries that may need to be addressed by a vet, chiropractor,acupuncture or massage therapist.

I started teaching horses owners all over the world through my clinics how to do these "Back Mappings" and the proper means of interpreting them on their horses as a tool of continued evaluation of their horses progress in rebuilding the body correctly. Also as a tool to help the horse owner know when changes not clear to the naked eye may be occurring over time in working with their horses and can correct as quickly as possible.

It has now come to my attention that this term "Back Mapping " instead of" Back Tracing" is now being used by saddle fitter/manufacturer as a means to change their game with no understanding or respect for what it's original meaning or intent was . Purely to impress the public and sell product in very competitive times ,while still not fitting properly.

There are some great saddle fitters out there and many others that are just simply good talking salesman/women that can't actually apply the proper science, just make a good sell.

Granted one tries to get used to our work being plagiarized, copied, misunderstood or redefined from it's original intent. But when it's pure and simply used with no benefit to the horse or the horse owner and is no different in it's application by the new users and just the same back or wither tracing it is very bothersome.

It's time for those that work so hard to do things for the right reasons and defend against those using our work for the wrong reasons.

A wonderful Quote I recently heard and agree with is: If the practice of responsible and good horsemanship was actually being practiced as a majority in the horse industry today, most of the saddle and bit manufactures would no longer exist.

Added note: In my experience a wither tracing is an absolutely worthless

means of fitting any saddle. This experience comes from a life time of fitting saddles myself, while actually taking part in building the designing some saddles even before knowing Dave and having a very successful business at one time restoring side saddles. I have also learned so much more along the way about the entire science.

Happy Bunch!!

2011-02-07T12:28:00.002-06:00

Well the Wood Pile Gang was up all night celebrating the Super Bowl win of their Green Bay Packers!

They needed a cool down time and this is what I found, all head first in the snow!

Had to educate them about the dangers of wood alcohol as they were close!

Sometimes this gang makes me nervous just to walk in the barn!

YEA PACKERS!

Baby Boy Pine Hits the Road

2011-02-06T20:47:00.004-06:00

Oh to see palm trees in February was heaven!

Weather was perfect at Equine Affair California!

The long johns came off fast!

Baby Boy Pine helped teach the "Smart Gaited horse Shopping" session and of course had to spread the word of his favorite team!

He loves to make folks laugh, what a comedian!

Liz

Gooooo Green!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-24T13:31:00.003-06:00

As any Football fan knows yesterday was a big one for Steeler and Packer Fans.

For the Woodpile Gang it was pure joy being their 2 favorite teams.

Being first and foremost long time Packers Backers with a long dry spell since 1997 they have stayed true so their hopes are put on them to win, but wish both teams a great game!!

For Baby Boy Pine this is a new experience and he's very excited !!!
Liz

2011-01-22T15:06:00.002-06:00

Photo By: Viv Gluzinski of Newark, Ohio

As hard as this winter has been for so many around the country , we often feel in survival mode. If we just take a little time, beauty can be found even in it's harshness.

Liz

2011-01-13T21:22:00.005-06:00

Woodpile Gang hosts " Beat the Winter Blahs" event!

The Gang wanted a rodeo and since around here we don't break horses or bust them, but actually teach or fix them , using horses was out of the questions for bucking stock!

So they chose a Whale Bustin!

Long time friend of the Gang "Leonardo D Leopard", Champion Whale buster from waaay back, was their choice for Judge and official timer for the event.

Chompin Chestnut showing very good form here, but only made a 7.655 second ride.

Stix got a little busted up on his ride but a little wood glue, gauze and vet wrap and he'll be mended up in no time. The Gang made him a crutch since they have not found a health insurance company to cover them having a pre-existing condition of splinters..

Sir Cedar had a bad ride, did not make it 2 seconds before going head first in a snow bank. He'll be fine and his flat head will puff back up in no time! Just cant get the Gang to wear helmets!

Our winner was a new comer to the sport though, being "Perfectin Gold Stryk ".

No one could deny his excellent technique in bringing this whale into control!

A great time was had by all and looking forward to next winters event!

Maybe a Monkey bustin would be fun?

Liz

Gossip

2011-01-11T14:54:00.006-06:00

OK once again I have to step up and dispel rumors!

I HAVE NOT MOVED TO TEXAS!

OK Maybe some in this state hope I would, but certainly have not, and had no intentions to do so.

So lets put this one to bed folks!

Might be good to realize it's a very small world and I may not address every ridiculous rumor or gossip that comes back to me but it does get here eventually.

It's not a trait I view as complimentary coming from educated , respectable adults, but more a junior high school behavior some never grow out of.

How we behave also can be a big reflection of just what kind of friends, businessman, horseman and horsewomen people are.

Liz

Woodpile Horse Gang starting 2011 off right!

2011-01-05T19:19:00.008-06:00

Baby Boy Pine tries his hoof at training. He insisted on a Rocky Mountain Horse as his first try.

So I let him have the reins of this youngster we are just starting here.

I'm going to have to give him the breed snob lecture, but did not want to put a cloud over his first time out.
I feel the kid has a gift in being able to convince such a dignified breed to wear a cone on it's head and look happy about it is a good start.

Stixs of the Woodpile Horse Gang landed a gig modeling T-shirts.
The ear muffs are not a part of the merchandise but it was a chill day.
He was warned though he would have to work on reducing his Booty.
It's that little bit of Quarter Horse coming out in him.
We feel a diet of wood shaving will get it down some though.

Happy 2011!!
Liz

2010-12-30T10:14:00.003-06:00

Are you making your Horse Deaf or Noise Sensitive?

Our horses can only be as good as what we bring to the saddle or are everything we bring into the saddle.

They can be made deaf through over use of hand, seat and legs aids that make no sense to them.

The opposite effect can be what I term as a horse getting on the high side, meaning nervous , unsettled or reactive.

The presence of each effect is going to depend on how a horse is wired and/or the history an individual has had in it's life experiences, from the environments they live in, to the training and/ or breaking they have received.

Note: Physical pain can also bring about either of these behaviors.

Time and time again I witness situations when a horse is in pain for many reasons such as ill fitting or pain inducing equipment, poor horsemanship, lameness issue, etc.

Yet the owners time, and time again will argue that nothing is wrong when the horse is screaming through it's body language and /or physical shape .

So who is really the deaf one here??

Another common factor that effects a horses listening abilities is what are the emotions is one bringing into the saddle and communicating through their aids to the horse.

Horses are wonderfully emotional creatures and I have learned are the best of listeners when everything is honest, fair and has clarity in meaning.

It's all to often the horse gets the blame for what happens when working with them , so who really is the over sensitive one?

It's the bigger person inside that will step up and ask '' what am I doing?", and try to correct themselves to help the horse perform better.

Liz

New Career

2010-12-26T13:37:00.004-06:00

The Woodpile Horse Gang

left to right: Chompin Chestnut, Sr. Cedar,

Mr. Walnut, Baby Boy Pine, Birch Bark & Stixs

The Wood Pile Horse Gang, embark on new career.

Their goal , to be back up singers for the hit new single ' Horse Outside" !

2010-12-18T13:33:00.002-06:00

The Woodpile Horse Gang

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
From Myself and all the critters at Shades of Oak
Liz

2010-12-14T10:51:00.004-06:00

Jill Davis long time horse owner

also known to many of us as "Beeswood" a very well known and talented Artist as a leather tack painter.

The post below was one that Jill wrote and posted on a forum, the subject being " Do we over analyze our horses".

I loved it and found her insight was so worth sharing with others so I asked her permission to post it here.

By Jill Davis

Many who now own horses have their 1st horse 'later in life' - when they have finally been able to afford their dream. I am so NOT KNOCKING this, but it's fact. Along with that first horse thrill AND being a wiser, more 'responsible', educated adult, comes the desire to it all "right". We have awesome clinicians these days that offer a huge leg up on understanding the equine thought-pattern, we have excellent saddle makers/fitters who offer close-to/custom saddles for pretty fair prices, and everyone is concerned about health and safety - so riding helmets, 'perfect pants', etc. are all part of the package. People do their best to set up a Win/Win situation from the start. Nice idea, commendable... ...Then the over-thinking comes into play, and at times the Little Girl Who Communes With Horses fantasy edges in - because having the chance to LIVE your childhood dream is AWESOME! Only problem is, it doesn't always work the way we "dreamed it" and we are so accustom (as adults) to being able to buy/get exactly what we want when we want it, that we have forgotten the all important ingredient of TIME with PATIENCE. We don't want to admit we don't know it all...or can't DO it all...yet. There is an ENORMOUS learning curve with horses - each one is different in some way, so what one may learn in theory doesn't always 'fit', and you have to improvise. If your knowledge is 'just book', not experience, it's going to be frustrating. Bottom line is that THERE IS NO SHORT CUT. But so many don't want to see that, they just want to buy the next video, go to the next clinic, get the next gadget that promises "success". If people would just chill out, quiet down, and be patient (I think) they might begin to learn stuff from the source itself..the horse. I also think a lot of folks are over mounted - be it out of vanity or honest ignorance. No one should be embarrassed or ashamed of a 'less than perfect' horse, because THAT horse is going to teach you things like trust and forgiveness...be it you to them or they to you. Everyone thinks they 'need' a young horse to grow old with, when often times owning a steady-Eddy 15 y.o. for a few years could build confidence, teach you so much, and set you up for someday choosing that long-term horse. It's not a bike, and activity or a sport that we can control 100%, EVER. Nothing is perfect. Your Lifetime Horse is probably NOT going to be one of the first ones you own, so get that straight right off the bat, and you're that much closer to it. Anyway, I know there are those who will 'beg to differ' with me, and that's fine, but I've been watching this for about 50 years. In that time I have had 3 'nearly perfect' horses for those times in my life. Currently I am fortunate enough to own #3, but it wasn't without many, many others in between!!

2010-12-06T11:35:00.006-06:00

Anna Up, On Spanish Mustang Salsa

I never did have time to share this summer that my friend Anna From Germany was able to come for a visit here at our ranch.

It was a delight for me to return some of the hospitality that Anna and her family have shown me on my trips teaching in Germany at Down Under Stables.

What a wonderful guest she is and more so for me is to spend time with a fellow horsewoman as passionate as I am about riding and our journey to get as good as we possibly can.

It was fun to see that familiar twinkle in her eye every time I would ask" Would you like to ride this horse" and each and every time up she went with a smile on her face.

Reminds me of me!

Only difference is I'm old and get up slower.

One of these horses was a Spanish Mustang owned by Zen Cowboys and Anna's first experience with this breed . Anna just wowed us all with her skills in bringing Salsa who was feisty this day into collection in Bosal being Anna's first time using this type of equipment. Good horsemanship is good horsemanship regardless of the tools we use, and Anna demonstrated this beautifully.

Dave and I were able to get a little time away and show her some of our state as well ,a treat for us too.

Dave and I think of her as "Our Anna" and look forward to many return trips from her in the future and next time she will have a 60 meter Dressage arena to ride in.

So much to look forward to and Dave will have to bring us our meals up at the arena.

Heads up Dave!

Liz

2010-12-03T18:00:00.002-06:00

Rita with Sharon up

At times in our lives we are so blessed.

Blessed by the contact of those special beings.

They touch our lives in extraordinary ways.

They guide, and teach us to be better.

They accept us as we are.

They teach us about relationships.

They teach us about dignity without arrogance

Rita was one of these beings.

She had the magic as I say.

Not only as an advanced performer,

but in the grace she lived her life.

Thank you Rita for allowing me the honor to share your space.

Thank you for being Sharon's partner and friend.

Thank you for touching our lives.

Thank you for being you!

Liz

2010-11-30T15:40:00.003-06:00

This 57 second Video Dave put together from some of our Pryor Mountain Mustang trips.

To so many of those in our close circle they really get it and understand the importance of the message put so well into words by Dave.

We are finding it interesting though that some folks just don't get it at all.

Others do, but don't care.

Some do and are working so hard in getting it all to happen for them in their horse/human relationship.

Some don't get it in reality, but know the message is of value to bring in the possible client to sell their wares with no intention of actually enacting lessons learned in this message into their own horsemanship, I call these"Those that walk the grey line".

Very telling in that many folks have different reasons and goals in having horses and I understand that.

No matter the choices ,we are each so different and that's what makes life so interesting.

For the horses I wish more would get the message, if even not for themselves , then in that the horse deserves fairness and quality of life as we expect in our own.

Liz

Excitng New Designer Horse Breed!!

2010-11-18T20:57:00.007-06:00

The Graves /Greenwood Woodpile Horses
After several Years of hard work, research and planning we have developed the fool proof breed anyone can enjoy and certainly everyone knows someone that this breed is the perfect match.
If you have ever been told you need a 4 wheeler not a horse, the Woodpile breed is for you.
Benefits if this breed
1. No more saddle fit or bitting worries.
2. No need for Farrier, vet or dentist.
3. Nutritional needs non existent.
4. Can be ridden from front to back.
5. Adjustable changes from uphill to downhill conformation preferences.
6. Never worry about collection again, always carries it's self in a neutral spine.
7. Guaranteed no behavioral issues such a resistance or aggression.
8. No riding skills needed, heavy hands welcome.
9. Handles abusive humans perfectly, always willing.
10. Can also be used as a walking stick.
11. No need for hoof boots or winter blankets.
12. Comes in many colors.
13. Easy to transport, no expensive trucks and trailers needed.
14. No training needed.
Of coarse any horse with such a vast list of attributes is not going to be inexpensive so be prepared to pay a premium price for such a versatile breed as the Woodpile Horse.

This is a reverse situation in that the initial investment of the horse will be the most expensive part and zero expense thereafter.
This years lovely seedling foal we named "Pine"

Warning: It is recommended not to pasture your Woodpile horse with horses that are known to be wood chewers!

We also recommend a helmet if you are known to trip over you own 2 feet.

Liz

2010

Color, color color!

2010-11-13T21:17:00.002-06:00

As you can tell I'm no fashion diva in my riding attire, it's about comfort for me, not how cool I look and as of today that meant some layers in clothing.

The horse is named Joker and an Appaloosa that's in for continued education and he was born in good cloths.

What cool colors and pattern, the same in his mind, one neat, fun horse to shape and mold , emotionally and physically.

Training is like getting Christmas gifts, there is something different in every package to discover and enjoy!

OK most of the time , sometimes we do get those unexpected surprises that you would like to send back to the store but not often.

Liz

2010-10-26T14:23:00.005-05:00

Doc Holly Golly

Barn Name Scott

May 1979- Oct. 25Th 2010

Scott Daughter with foal

Scott Daughters with foals

It is in sadness to bring the news of Scott's passing.

Scott had been with me 21 years of his 31 years, and Dave's favorite horse here on our ranch.
Scott had a successful career as a reining competitor and money earner until a stall accident
injuring a front leg ended it. The the rest of his career was as a proven producer of NRHA and NCHA money earners,. Numerous AQHA performance point and ROM earners in a variety of events . He was the sire of Holly Mona Lisa, 1988 European Reining Champion and Sports Holly Golly, 1991 Reserve world Sr. Reining horse Champion.
He was enrolled In the NRHA sire and Dam program for many of the years I stood him at stud.
I would like to thank all those over so many years that believed in and supported my breeding program. This great stallion made it all possible, yet was more a part of my horse family in always being the gentlemen while a quite, affectionate and social ambassador of a breed that is my roots and am still so very tied to in my passion of horses. Working quarter horses are one my delights and at one time only dreamed of having such a stallion in my life.
I am grateful for the years we had together.
Liz

Toads rule because Toads are cool!

2010-10-18T22:57:00.002-05:00

I thought is was so interesting that this Toad had the similar color of the arena footing of sand and ground up tennis shoes!

Toad in Camouflage!

Liz

The Perfect Fall!

2010-10-12T22:40:00.005-05:00

Beau Beau & Liz, Chappy & Laura

Friends, Horses and trail riding!

Does not get much better than this!

The Gift

2010-09-29T21:30:00.006-05:00

Hi- Hats Bubba

This sculpture was an extremely moving and emotional gift to me, commissioned by my long time friend Joanna Swartz in memory of Bubba.

I cant even express in words the emotional release and the feelings I lost control of, that ran through me when I pulled it from it's tissue paper wrapping.

I knew it was him before I saw the brass name plate.

It was Bubba's big beautiful Walking Horse head I knew so well.

The sculptures artist is Barb McCay of Colorado

I hope she does not mind that I post her info here.

This work is her calling in what she captured in my horse, one she had never even met.

I could see she knows horses and knows them well, she has to be one of those that knows how to touch a horse, it shows to me in her work.

To view more of her work it can be found on her blog

http://sierrasundust.blogspot.com/

It is now one of my goals to meet her someday and spend some time sharing something I feel we have in common., that being we can see horses for what they truly are.

Thank you so much Joanna for a gift like no other, I will cherish it always.

Liz

2010

A good student

2010-09-20T14:27:00.001-05:00

Miss Dusty the Fox Trotter taking in her next instructions!

To be a little girl again!

2010-09-16T21:36:00.002-05:00

You betcha!!

It really is the same Champion many of us rode as a kid and begged those nickles from our parents to ride again and again.

Never did I dream I'd ever see another one as an adult, let alone one that still works too.

I had the time of my life riding Champion again.

Liz

Strong message I know, and just dont care!

2010-09-08T21:48:00.004-05:00

Whatever God or Higher power you may believe in, the Horse is a special gift. Given to us all to enjoy and helps us in many ways.

I don't believe the intention was to:

Neglect

Abuse

Misuse

Exploit

for greedy, sick , narcissistic or selfish purposes.

Especially being done so in the name of who ever your God may be.

Liz

Just not possible!

2010-08-23T16:49:00.004-05:00

No matter how hard we try

It cant be done
You can fool yourself you can
But you only fool yourself
I cant do it, you cant do it

What it is it?

Nothing is better at being a horse
As a Horse

Liz Graves
copyright 2010

Gravity!!!!!!

2010-08-16T23:21:00.004-05:00

It's about being comfortable together in it.
It's about knowing the risks, and finding our comfort zones in them, yet having the freedom
and feeling the freedom when we reach our goals

I love to ride to music and when the song " Gravity" was released by John Mayer on his continuum CD it became my favorite. It says so much about how I feel and the challenges that we work with to be good riders. One of the important lessons I teach in my travels is how we and our horses must work together in the world of gravity we live in to create the emotional and physical shapes of the horses and ourselves. Both are needed to get to the finest place possible in our work of getting there.

The road to learning this is just the best to me!

Liz

Let it move us all!

2010-08-16T21:54:00.001-05:00

Something we should do more among our own specie.

Discovering Collection in the Beginning

2010-08-08T14:53:00.012-05:00

Below are before and after photos of a private one day workshop I conducted here at the ranch yesterday. It's purpose was learning Bio-mechanics, locomotion and collection.

Of coarse the after photos are just a start for these horses and riders and none are in finished, refined form. In 1 day we made big changes through riders discovering what the shape of collection is, what the human, and horses body both need to do to create it, not make it.

Added to this is the saddles must fit,be placed properly and strapped on properly to allow a horses body to function properly. Headgear must help support when needed, not create discomfort or communication from hand to head gear will be compromised. They must be used properly with hands that can feel.

This was a super group of people, in that they came with their minds open and wanting the best for their horses in turn making the best for themselves.

I love people like this and none were afraid to work.

Morgan Horse before

This horse is a true ewe-necked horse in that the s-shape his cervical vertebrae create a small S-curve at the top and a long S-curve at the bottom

the higher he elevates his head the more evident this is. A neck like this can naturally incline a horse to be inverted and collecting these horses for life time of back health and soundness is imperative.

Morgan Horse After

Chestnut Quarter Horse before

Chestnut Quarter Horse after

Bay Quarter Horse before

Bay Quarter Horse after

Fjord Horse before

Fjord Horse After

Liz Graves
Copyright 2010

Working back to front

2010-08-04T09:54:00.008-05:00

TWH in collection in downward phase of head shake, would be in neutral position in upward phase of head shake.

Being ridden with no hands, horse is in self carriage of gait.
Fox trotter in bosal in collection at the fox trot
with soft support of aids
Foxtrotter in a collected flat walk in side pull
I am guiding, directing and supporting at this time with aids
.
Foxtrotter in collected fox trot in side pull
He is in self carriage of gait.

I have been asked a question about collection, types of head gear used to get it and self carriage in gait. So I thought my blog may be a good place to answer it for anyone that may be having the same very common questions, and how I see it, and answer it.
Many people have a lot of opinions of what collection is and how to get it.
I will answer in how I work with it and how I see and achieve this.

As to head gear used this is a personal preference, I am one who believes less is more if I have done my home work and taken my horse through all the proper phases of teaching starting from the ground work up.
I work on teaching a horse collection from the ground first before I ever get up.
Everything in my ground work relates to making communication easy and clear so when I get on a horse, much is already done.
Yes, this takes more time to start but saves me time later,while avoiding holes in a horses education that later would have to be gone back and repaired anyway to get where I need to in the best performance, physical health and emotional well being for the horse.

Keep in mind a large amount of my career has not been breaking horses, but fixing them after they have been broken.
In my opinion and experience, yes you can achieve collection without a bit, as shown in a few of the photos above. Longitudinal work can be done in bit less head gear.
Collection to me is working from the back to the front of a horse.
This when astride means I work from the center of the horse first when asking for it.
By this I must be in a centered, balanced position with an open pelvis and ask the abdominal muscles to lift up to me through my pelvis and leg aids. This in turn raises the loins of the horse , engages the pelvis ,while opening up the hind quarters of the horse to reach well under its self, and raising the spine upward.
This puts the horse in that desired weight bearing posture.
The secondary aid is through my hands to head gear, asking the poll of the horse to relax back to me. There is a difference in having a poll relaxed back to you when asked rather than pulling the poll to you and flex with tension.
In the poll that relaxes back to you, the jaw is also relaxed on the horse and in turn the horse will lift the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae, this is what lifts the horse off the front end, raises the root of the neck. The horse should give you it's poll, your not taking it.
This creates the horses total weight to be distributed more evenly through out the body rather than by nature, be heavier on the forehand.
This opens up the front leg assembly to now be able to achieve maximum reach and/or lift and fold that is in an individual horses structure to achieve.
Yes we do need to know how a horse is built to know how to maximize what is achievable in performance, yet not ask it to do more than it's capable of .
It does baffle me that so many want their horse to perform what they want, yet know nothing of the structure and demand in asking or forcing horses to do what may not be possible for them no matter how hard they may be pushed.
Teaching self carriage for collection takes time and it is all in knowing how to :
1 Guide
2. Support
3. Direct
It has to be done properly and a horse must be worked from the mind first in keeping it open to you through trust, in you being reasonable in what and how you ask something of the horse.
A horse has to be emotionally sound and healthy first before it will give you it's body to fully guide , direct and support. If they hold back in emotional discontent you will never get the very best a horse has to give you.
It's not about controlling the mind, to control the body.
It's about asking for the mind to work with you and in turn it will trust you to bring the body in the proper shape needed to execute collection and maintain it.
Know that collection done properly feels good to a horses body and is a healthy shape for a horse to carry it's self and you at the same time when they know how.
Remember they are not born knowing how to carry people , we have to help teach them this.
Conditioning for self carriage is also a very important factor to have in place also .
One cant just expect, because we had our horse working in self carriage of collection last fall , and it sit all winter doing nothing, that in the spring it can bring it right back. Just as any athlete and a horse is just that, we have to bring the conditioning back into place. This is not just in how long we can get our horse to work, but what is the quality work we are asking. The 5 Essentials of Horsemanship must be worked on again and brought back into place.
When all is in place then working in self carriage is ready to be asked for and achieved.
This means asking the horse to be in the right shape of collection, and then not engaging your guide, support and direct aids even for just a brief few seconds and see if the horse will hold it for you on it's own. Be quiet when doing this, no big moves or just throwing away your aids, it's a subtle softening of them. When the horse falls out of the shape of collection you can immediately guide , support and direct where you need to to bring them back into collection.
I start with my seat and legs first, rein aids second only if I need to.
I try to keep the horse going and knowing it's doing it properly, through my own emotions of positive energy. A verbal reward or even just a slight touch to the wither with a finger and say the word "yes" . They may not know the word but they do know the positive emotion I deliver the word with, and in turn horse wants to please. When they know they are doing well they want to keep trying to find what made you pleased with them.
So I'll stop here for now, but know, yes, it does take lots of work, and lots on your part, but a horse can only be as good as what you bring to the saddle as a teacher and a rider.
It's in our body's and attitude, if and when we succeed in finding collection.
Once found,
beware you may become very addicted to it, as there is nothing that feels better when on the back of a horse and it's something you earn ,making it all the more worth while.
Liz

It's Humming bird season

2010-08-03T09:43:00.002-05:00

This is the Rufous Humming bird

The most feisty of them.

The most difficult thing for me to photograph is the hummers and I just keep working on it.

I love the challenge and the joy they bring every year.

Liz

He's just so special to me!

2010-07-31T09:11:00.004-05:00

Liz up on MFT Lucky, 7-2010

He may not be my horse, but I love him as much as if he was.

Lucky is the rehab horse I wrote about on my blog back on 9-1-2008.

Titled" Let it be a thing of the past".

He was almost lost to us all last year after I left him on my 2009 trip.

Lucky flipped a section of his colon and by some miracle without surgery it got re flipped back in place but not without some compromise to the circulation. So up until 2 months ago he was having many minor colic episodes.

It seems now the damage to the colon has rectified its self and he is doing great once again. It was a long year hearing the reports on his progress and I feared the worst in that he would not be with us this year when I went out to work with all the horses on this ranch.

How does one describe a relationship such as the one Lucky and I have?

He remembers me each and ever year, he gives me in return a loving greeting and to work we go.

We just get so absorbed in each other, we are just both so open to each other. What I ask he just gives 100% with no misunderstanding or resistance, the communication between us is so clean, clear.

Each year I add more to his knowledge base and he works so hard at finding it, getting it and executing it.

When we work on the ground or under saddle we are just one!

My heart just sings when we are together and when we finish each session he wraps his head and neck around my body like he is trying to hold me close.

Yet I still get very teary each time I look at the corners of his mouth seeing the cut scares from life in his past from bits used with mean, angry hands that just never understood or wanted to see how great and giving this talented wonderful horse is.

Why has he opened up to me and let me be his teacher and share our short time together each year, he has the right to have kept his door closed to all humans forever.

I know I have received a great gift and continue to from this very special horse named Lucky.

Liz

2010-07-29T14:49:00.002-05:00

Lee Ziegler up on her TWH mare "Sarah"

"Greet the light, joyous one,

Feel the promise that brings of warm days and soft nights,

of gentle green wrapped Spring.

But 'til those promised,perfumed breezes blow,

Greet the light and Dance upon the snow."

Written by : Lee Ziegler late 70's or early 80's

Upon my return from working in WY, was the sad news of Lee's TWH Mare Sarah's passing at the age 20

Liz

When its HOT share a sprinkler with a freind!

2010-07-18T18:39:00.003-05:00

Life and Times

2010-07-17T20:21:00.007-05:00

The Greatest Horse Ever

This amazing piece of art named Rex stands at Sarah O'Dell Fredrickson of "Saddles That Fit"

on her horse training facility.

It's the amazing horses that bring us together!

Peggy Cummings, Liz Graves, Sarah O'Dell Fredrickson, Marty Tadtman

A rare occasion for all of us to spend a relaxing evening

sharing lots of good, a little bad , a little ugly and tons of magical in our adventures.

I think I ate until I almost busted of tapas, piaya and finished off with Chocolate torte served with drizzled caramel and a dusting of grey sea salt.

I now love grey sea salt!

A wonderful evening polished off with a shopping trip to the International market.

Thank you Sarah for making it all possible!

Marty and Sarah on main street Poulsbo, WA

Marty giving us the grin!

Main street Poulsbo WA

Life is great most of the time!

Just keep the crazy people away!

Liz

Holiday Weekend

2010-07-02T08:21:00.003-05:00

Happy 4 Th of July to All !!

Have fun and be safe!

I don't often get this weekend at home and will be spending it here with a long time friend visiting Dave and I.

Of coarse will be riding horses!!!

Liz

The Lady of the House

2010-06-29T22:28:00.004-05:00

Sissy ,the epitome of sweetness
Sissy the athlete

Sissy the hunter

It's been a fast year to realize our Gordon Setter Sissy has been with us a year now.

She to us is a beauty queen, the sweetest and kindest dog friend anyone could ask for.

She lives her life wide open and wow does she love to hunt and point birds.

I love spoiling Sissy and Tony both.

I say often, I am a trainer of horses ,but a wrecker of dogs.

They own me thats for sure and I love every minute of it too!

Liz

Sad to Learn

2010-06-28T13:59:00.004-05:00

Pryor Mountain Babies

It was very sad for me to get home and learn of Senator Byrd's Passing.

I had the honor of meeting him while in collage when he came and taught the Equine Law class for my Equine management course.

Very distinguished gentlemen with so much knowledge to share.

He introduced me to the "K.I.S.S." ( Keep it simple stupid) method in Law.

I have several family members that are also lawyers and have helped me over the year to be come better educated in this field as well.

I love learning about law almost as much as I do about horses,
and have spent many an hour in the legal library in government centers studying the books just for the fun of it.

The State Statute books being my favorite as they can keep you busy for hours!

A good Minnesota winter pass time.

Liz

The Family

2010-06-22T16:56:00.005-05:00

I'm home for a day here before I head back out to Washington State, but wanted to share some fun photos I took.

When on this trip in WA I just came home from I was able to spend some time again with our dearest Tony's Mom and Grandmother who live in that beautiful state surrounded by what is called the fingers of the Rockies.

I will get the clinic photos up from that clinic as soon as I can.

This is our Tony, now 4 years old

This Is Tony's Mother Annie now 8 years old

This is Percy Tony's Grandmother now 12 years old.
Percy and Annie live next door to each other and share each others ranch visiting back and forth each day

Liz

Only at our House

2010-06-15T15:27:00.002-05:00

This is a photo Dave took this morning, and I asked what are you doing?

He responded "Only at our house would I walk in and see a horse skull on the kitchen counter".

I had not thought about it and he made me laugh once again.

I had just finished processing the skull of a whole skeleton I'm working on and had to bring it in to scrub off the peroxide residue and simply had not gotten it back out to the shop with the rest of the pieces.

One never knows around here, a little scientist I am and will always be.

But more interesting is every skull and skeleton tells a story of a life and what it has been through physically.

Life is good!

Liz

Real Horsewomen Rule!

2010-06-14T19:19:00.004-05:00

Anna Holstermann of Germany just completing a flying counter canter

lead change on her amazing stallion TWH Ya Hoo's Coin.

The busy season has begun, the new addition this year is I am carrying a much better camera that I love using and am working at getting photos of every event this year to share. Links to the slide shows of each event can now be found on the Clinics Highlights page of my web site. www.lizgraves.com

The Photo of Anna is special to me as so many have never experienced what was required to achieve in the youth Horsemanship classes of my youth and that was the execution of the counter canter, counter canter changes, and lead changes on a straight. Oh how we have reduced the standards of good horsemanship practices to accommodate egos and fears rather than advancement of our skill to be the best we can.

Before the clinic in Germany Anna was working on her counter canters and was what she wanted to work on with me while I was there, the signals required for departure and how to then do the flying changes.

Normally it would take a very long time for someone to learn this but for Anna who has grown up and lived the true lifestyle of learning, riding and running a truly successful ranch through her parents, it took less than a week to achieve this skill and do it beautifully in style and with grace on a TWH. I have never to date had someone learn it so quickly.

I believe I am her biggest fan and supporter, behind her parents of course. I see great things for this talented young horsewoman that has NOT marketed her way into the industry, She is NO "professional armature" as I call the players, but worked, and worked hard while doing so honestly in every sense of the word to be a true professional and a REAL horsewomen.

She has chosen a very difficult profession, not only in the labor of the work of a trainer, equine dentist, riding instructor and running a very busy breeding program but in what the human element will bring her in challenges. I am proud of her, yet feel sad for some of what she will be experiencing as well.

I hope her journey is easier than mine has been, and will do all I can to help that happen.

Liz

2010

Starting Us Young

2010-06-02T20:36:00.002-05:00

Riding Tandem bareback on Dad.

That's my brother up front 14 months younger and was a great rider him self but has not in many years now, but when chatting with him I hear the itch in his voice to do so again.

Liz

More Memorial Day

2010-06-02T08:25:00.005-05:00

Steve Luoni up on his TWH DJ with his TWH youngster Pavo

I so loved this photo Steve shared with me I wanted to share it with everyone else.

This is Steve giving tribute to soldiers past and present at the Brookfeild NY Memorial Day Parade.

I have known Steve many years now as a clinic participant many times over and he has become a friend. What moves me about Steve is he is passionate about doing , growing and learning with his horses. It has been thrilling for me to watch him evolve upward in his journey of discovering his continued advancement in his journey of Horsemanship.

He works hard and knows that is what it takes to get good and he has.

I also have to say Thank you to Steve for taking what I have had to offer as a teacher seriously and others that have inspired and influenced him to be the best he can be.

He does amazing things with his horses that keep us waiting for more.

Liz

A Day To Remember !

2010-05-31T19:09:00.004-05:00

A day to Honor all the service Men and Women that have given of themselves to make our lives in the United States of America Possible.

My 5Th Great Grandfather
William Sanford Pennington.

Served in the Revolutionary war, became 6Th Governor of New Jersey and finished as a Lawyer being a appointed Federal Judge of The United States.

My Grandfather Robert Pennington Evans

Enlisted and served 2 years US Calvary and his dream then became true to be United States Air force and was a 2ND World War Veteran.

He retired Air force and could not stay away from those airplanes and served under the employment of the Federal Civil service working around the world developing Military Airbases until his final retirement.

My Father David Nelson served U.S. Army.

He went on to become a tile contractor.

Horseman, fisherman, hunter, gardener and adventure in that he always looks still for a challenge and now in retirement has climbed Mt. Rainer, competed in Triathlons and what ever else his body will allow him to do at age 75.

Liz

Copywrite

2010

Childhood Memories

2010-05-16T22:11:00.003-05:00

This is one of my Favorite songs from my childhood titled "The Blizzard".

We have a local gentleman here in the Cowboy Church in Cherry Grove that sings this same song so well and brings those watery eyes every time I hear it.

Liz

Pop and Darin about Mohair

2010-05-15T21:34:00.002-05:00

Here is a Fun and informative Video of Pop and Darin talking about what Mohair is at the Minnesota horse Expo last month, with Dave once again, movie camera in hand and editing skills put into play.

This made me laugh!

Liz

How to clean those mohair cinches!

2010-05-15T11:47:00.002-05:00

Above is a video Dave did of Darin Alexander from ArtCords explaining the proper way to clean the mohair cinches.

Liz

Yep, I think I Got Him to Relax!!!

2010-05-13T09:31:00.003-05:00

Words to Think About

The only thing standing between

developing self respect,
building good character ,
while achieving the highest standard of horsemanship
is
Yourself!

Liz

Fantasy's are just that, a fantasy
But dreams can come true
It just means you have to work for them.
But they really only have meaning
if done with the highest of standards.
Not by deception and stepping on others
along the way to get there.
Liz

A positive attitude, is a positive life!
Try to find even just a little good in every experience
when one can.
A hard lesson learned or even a painful one has some good.
It can just take a bit of time to know this.
Liz

Life with Tony

2010-05-11T18:33:00.004-05:00

Tony's nose getting to close!

I think he's getting a whiff of the Banana chocolate chip bread Jane brought from the Brick Oven Bakery!

Both of these photos were pulled from video with my Flip video recorder
and I'm thrilled with the quality.

A inexpensive and easy way to record
so much, handy and small.
It's going to be perfect for horse video and photos.
Thank you to the North Dakota gals that each had one to show me how,I'd never even heard of them until they each showed me theirs, each being a bit different. Cool toys!
Liz

I can't live by all Gaited

2010-05-08T18:47:00.005-05:00

Laura & Chappy
Mark & Bobo

Nancy & Cara

Above are a few shots from our Gypsy Vanner Clinic

in Polo Illinois.

Did we have fun, worked and laughed till we could take no more.

Most know my addiction to the breed and every time I'm with them my addiction grows!

Gee and Her Friesian Mare

What a team and honest relationship these 2 had. Many could learn from these 2 in what it's really about in every good and positive sense of the word!

Gee works a 600 acre cattle ranch with this very versatile mare, although it sure made the scenery around here even nicer when they were here!

Liz

Fun For a Great Cause

2010-05-03T22:16:00.002-05:00

The Late Night Blues Brothers Band

Doing a benefit performance for the Granny Rose Animal Shelter

in Dixon Illinois.

This group was just amazing and had friends Laura, Nancy, and myself just rockin and singing in our seats and even getting up and dancing a bit, not bad for a few middle aged babes!

Thank you Mark ( Laura's Husband) so much for getting we horse gals out of the barn for a bit!

It was hard to leave those Gypsy horses, but it was worth it for just a few hours!

Liz

2010-04-20T22:11:00.004-05:00

Myself Pondering the world and life in one of my favorite places on the planet, that being sitting in a Crow Vision quest in the Pryor Mountains of Montana.

Below is a poem sent to me today from Jeanne Fox that pretty much says exactly how I feel about a good horse and life!

Liz

'HEART'
I spoke to a friend just the other day

Who's got lots of opinions and plenty to say.
We discussed what we both like to see in a horse...

His requirements and mine were different of course.
He likes a clean throat latch and a long skinny neck

And requires that their hocks are set close to the deck.
Short backs and hard feet and a clean slopin' shoulder

And a gaskin that looks like it swallered a boulder.
He likes a short face and a big ol" eye,

And says these are the horses he's likely to buy.
Well when he'd completed his lengthy discourse on all of the attributes of the quality horse.
He asked my opinion,

And where do I start,

And I said that

I... just want horses with heart.

I said I want heart, above all the other...

I don't care if he's Smart Little Lena's full brother,
Or just how much money that his grandmother won,

Or whether he's roan, palomino or dun.
But give me a horse with some grit and some try,

Some heart and some guts and that's the one that I'll buy.

And I've found it's the same with a woman or man,

The good ones won't quit you when the shit hits the fan.

By Monte Baker

Some Fun Projects going on!

2010-04-14T22:15:00.003-05:00

Dave at one end!
Pop at the other!

Dave and Pop recently worked their skill in making mohair cinch cord.
It was fun to watch how a lot of long string to me turned into amazing cinch cord.

This is the newest cinch I completed.
Pop taught me how to do a Vaquero style cinch this time with
a checker board center bar.
Dave will get the cinch safes made for it and I'll be ready to use it, but not sure which saddle I'll put it on.
Hmm maybe I need more saddles??
A gal can never have enough horse tack.
Liz

2010-04-07T09:55:00.003-05:00

Above is a new Video with one of our Trainers that has served 2 trainers internships here at the ranch. This year Gail completed her advanced level and will next work towards her Masters level.Working with the interns feeds my soul as much as I try to do for them.
They are very special to me.

Thank you Pop Wagner for allowing us to use your wonderful music in this videos production.

http://www.popwagner.com/
Liz

Sigmund has passed

2010-04-05T16:51:00.002-05:00

It is sad news in that we are sharing one of our family members has left us.

Sigmund our Dachshund, although only 10 years old, ruptured a disc in his spine and became paralyzed in the hind legs. We gave him the last week hoping for a miracle in that we were advised may not happen with this kind of injury and common in this breed due to their inherent structure.

Many will remember him from visiting the ranch and for many years he was Dave's companion at his saddle fitting clinics. Sigmund loved to travel and being passed around from person to person at the clinics.

Sigmund was also a very important companion and friend in Dave's life during some very difficult and painful events in his life.

We will miss him immensely and life is once again changed but we know how lucky we were to have him and how much joy he brought.

Dachshunds create smiles and laughter and Sigmund did for us on a daily basis.

Liz

Busy Spring Days

2010-03-25T21:55:00.005-05:00

Sarah realigning my Quarter mares Lassie's first rib

Sarah Doing a cranial sacral realignment

Well it's very busy around here and some winter horse hair is starting to fly finally. Picking it out of our teeth is not fun but glad to see this sign of spring.

Its very busy as we have human trainers here serving internships, saddle fitters learning just what it takes to build a saddle from the ground up. The horses are getting their spring work ups. Today and yesterday Sarah Odell Fredrickson from Bainbridge Island, WA worked on some physical issues on my 24 year old quarter mare Lassie from a kick she receive to the shoulder and head.

I've watched Sarah work her skill on so many horses and she is the best IMO, experienced in body work.

I'm cooking for lots of folks every night and no one has complained or gotten sick yet, horses are happy and doing their work beautifully and the students are looking very brain dead at the end of the day, so I take that as a great sign things are going well.

The added bonus with all this is my dogs are getting loads of extra treats and scratching from the added human population here at the ranch right now.

Life is busy, but so good too!

Liz

One of THOSE days!

2010-03-17T16:39:00.014-05:00

Thank you Gail for this card yesterday, as it prepared me for today!

It was just one of those fabulous spring days here in MN, we certainly could be having a blizzard instead.
I've worked my horses, moved hay, raked my flower beds, gotten a lot done early.
I'm positive, happy and warm instead of shivering for a change and decide to go the 2 miles to town and pick up Dave's favorite rotisserie chicken for supper and wash the winters crud off my car.

So I'm busy in the car wash and through the door next to me in the next wash bay I watch a man back his horse trailer in the bay loaded with two horses.
In my mind I think"He's not going to do what I think he is?".
I poke my head in his bay and ask what he's up to?
He's going to unload his horses on slick surfaced,wet concrete and wash his horses with the pressure washer. Now this is a rickety rig at best and when he opened the trailer door to lead the horses out the trailer is full of old sloppy wet poop and rotten hay up past their fetlocks. Not a healthy looking couple of horses on top of it all.
This gentleman also is in no physical shape to handle these 2 very scared horses to get this job done.
Now in my work I've learned over the years to be patient and diplomatic with people, Ok to a point!
Even I have my limits when plain old stupidity presents it's self.
So staying calm I ask him if he knows this is a car wash , not a horse wash?
Calmly he answers back, yes he knows that.
I tell him he cant unload those horse on to that kind of surface and scare those poor horses more by hitting them with a pressure washer.
He said he did not care what I thought about it and he was going to do what he wanted with his horses. I'm envisioning these horses falling down at the least on the wet pavement, or worse and getting hurt, getting away from him and running out on to the busy highway out front of the car wash.
I'm having no effect on this fellow being calm and diplomatic.
Now you have to understand I'm 1/2 English, 1/4 Swedish and 1/4 Norwegian (the stoic part) and an introvert on top of it.
I'm in my head asking "how am I going to stop this?".
Others see now what is happening and I have no cell phone , I barrow one call the police and tell him I have done so. He does not stop and the first horse won't come out, thank goodness. No one could reason with him, so out appears the "inner Liz, my viking side" I did not know I had in me.
I start screaming at him at the top of my lungs like I'm being killed that it's cruel and in humane what he's about to do , bla , bla, bla with a few special words added of coarse. Loads of folks come running including the car wash owner.
The owner got him stopped and said he could not wash his horses in a car wash.
I didn't know I had that in me but all turned out Ok , at least for now for those 2 poor pitiful looking horses. I sure did not like that "inner Liz " though, scared myself!

This one I'm going to put up there with the fella that was going to teach his horse to load in a trailer with a skid loader.

Also the fella who pulled in our driveway with his mammoth mule tied to the back of the horse trailer. Having just jogged 6 miles tied there because it was smart enough to know it could not fit in the single horse trailer built for a quarter horse around 1950.

And last the woman who had a custom saddle build for her narrow built horse, put under the tires of her UPS delivery mans truck to run over it to make it wider to fit her other big tube shaped horse.
What next ????
Liz

2010-03-08T20:55:00.008-06:00

Class 2010

2010 Illinois Horse Fair

The Gait of Fox Trot/Liz Graves Clinician

A Big Thank you to Troy Tolan of http://www.troytolan.com/ for filming the above You Tube for all of us.

This past weekend was my second time doing the Illinois Horse Fair and once again it was a wonderful experience for me.

I have to say Thank you to Stacy Bowman again for doing a wonderful job of being Clinic coordinator and getting everything in order and making it run so smooth once again while making my job of teaching easy. I have not only enjoyed working with her but enjoy her company and have come to respect her as a wonderful ,very experienced horsewoman in her own right.

We had a great group of clinic participants once again and to watch them come together, have fun while learning, and making friends among each other at the same time makes it all the better.

I know I worked them very hard and they were pretty cooked by the end of 2 days but they never complained they were up for it as were they their wonderful horses.

This was a very good group of folks!!

Thank you to all the kind folks that came to our sessions and asked great questions that benefited everyone.

Liz Graves

Friendship starts with a solid foundation

2010-03-03T21:40:00.013-06:00

Lee & Liz Conducting Clinic Together

Lee up on her Fox Trotter "Morgan".
I think Lee and I about rode the hair off her horses Morgan and Sara this weekend in her arena.

Liz up on Lee's Fox Trotter "Morgan".

Ours was a friendship started in finding each other in a very lonely place in our passion about horses and helping them.
It was a time when people were pushing hard once again to define and protect the Naturally Gaited TWH. For Lee and I who were primed and ready to serve the cause, but found we saw it different than many others though and it always kept us on the outside of the main body of the movement. I laugh now as it was the time of typewriters and carbon paper and a long distance call was 10 cents a minute so we wrote lots of letters not having the funds for long distance calls, my living in VA and she being in CO.

First and foremost we have always been for the horse, and not in name only. We never ever went the wayward direction and then later claimed to have seen the light and reformed our methods in teaching and working with horses. We always remained clean of using gimmicks and gadgets accepted even in the so called naturally gaited circles.
It was these strict rules set in ourselves that kept us apart of the masses in the movement, we hated the playing of the political games, the manipulations, standing on the grey line was not for either of us.
Soring was not the only unacceptable methods to each of us but so was the fast growth of mechanical manipulation in the flat shod movement.
To us anything less was not acceptable in building character, credibility and self respect in ourselves in which we could live a lifetime with. We saw this in each other and it was what brought our friendship together and made it last the test of time and even through some of the toughest of challenges.
Our own education and sharing it with others was the key for us both, we believe honest straight forward education would empower the horse owners to make the right choices in having success and helping the horses have quality lives at the same time.
Our friendship was not always smooth, we certainly would criticise each other and challenge each other as well.
Lee was tougher than I was and I being 10 years younger was more naive and lacked 10 years of experience that Lee had on me as well . Lee also had a much more advanced academic education than I did.
She worked hard on toughing me up to it all and she said I helped her soften her edges as well.
We would argue but not as silly school girls but with true passion in disagreements in definitions or applications in training refinement. Sometimes we worked them out and came to a consensus and sometimes we didn't, and it was accepted by each of us when this would happen it just took awhile sometimes. This also is what created that rock solid respect for each other.

I feel the biggest challenge to our friendship was the coming of the computer age though, when e-mail and chat lists came in to being. This was the perfect venue to reach large numbers of people seeking help. The hole in it all was often the opportunist would pretty much suck us dry at times and also worked at putting us against each other as well, sometimes it worked too until we figured out the games they were playing. In the end it always came back in that we both knew we had the same foundation in our passion and naughty people could not even break that and a phone call to each other would bring about the truth in each matter.
Lee's passing has been a challenge in many ways, first in my own guilt of not getting to her in time.
My last e-mail from her on Feb. 15th was as follows:

"i will be needing home hospice care very soon. can't stand walk or talk now-- nott a good way to die, by inches. only one fing er works to type. "

It is just as she typed it, upon receiving it I called and asked if she wanted me to come. Her answer was yes and I made the reservation to fly out for the 6th of March being the soonest I could not leave the ranch here due to a difficult load of training clients, not the horses, but the owners at that time. I was 4 days to late getting to her. The pleasing of those clients was not worth the guilt I carry still.
Second in that I have not had her to work with, to stand up to the poor horse handling/training practices that just keep rearing their ugly heads and always will. Two voices are always better than one when you speak the same language in being honest, real and for the right reason.
Third and lastly is this last 6 month I now find I am having to fight to keep her legacy of education going in that there has been some action in trying to bury it.
So as I close in this blog post that may bore many, but is a release of thoughts for myself I will say Lee's work is timeless. It's not about being in fashion, politically correct but of true experience and her own self discipline to get it right and never hold back anything to help others, even if she had to scream once in a while to get her message across.
I my self am still learning from her and value the friendship we had that is also timeless in that it was also real, honest and solid in it's foundation.
My wish for everyone is able to learn the difference between a true friendship and what an acquaintance is. There is a world of difference in knowing just one true friend means so much more than a million acquaintances in a life time.

Liz Graves
copyright 2010

2010-02-15T21:57:00.001-06:00

Ok Thats it, More Snow!!!!!

Frosty your not welcome here till next winter.

We give, we have had enough!

2010-02-11T09:43:00.005-06:00

Direct link to the page http://lizgraves.org/lee_zieglers_classroom.html

All articles contained are in PDF files so an Acrobat reader program will be needed to view.

Lee's Work has been compiled for the Public

This had been a huge undertaking, done in a rather short amount of time.
The push was from a very heart felt statement made by Lee's Mother in that she said" We don't buy green bananas any more".
We did not get it done in time for the Lt. Col.s birthday but we were close.
It is their dream to see her work always made available to the public in as complete as form as possible.
Although we had hoped it could be done through her web site it was not to be.
Since her old Domain name has been made open to public offers for purchase,Lee's parents did make an offer but the counter offer was $18,000.00 which made it impossible.
So the above link to her work is what we came up with to make their dream possible.

There are people to thank as well for making this possible:
Lee Ziegler's Parents first and foremost.
The Law Firm I use in that they did a part of the work needed Pro bono.
The Owners and Editors of Gaited Horse Magazine
David Genadek for his long nights of work creating the graphics and putting all her work together on the web page.

Lee Ziegler's Classroom will remain available on the web in that the legal arrangements have been made through my estate that all management and funding will be maintained well after I am ashes to the wind myself.
Please note for those negative thinkers, that no outside contributions were accepted for this, but will be funded through what I have contributed to my estate souly.

Additions to the knowledge base will continue in that Lee was a writer and did a lot of work that was not published. As I can go through all her files and compile more of her work we will be adding it to her Classroom.

Liz
Copyright 2010

2010-02-06T17:31:00.005-06:00

The photo above is from my flower bed last year and I post it for all those on the east coast getting blasted with the snow storm to think Spring!

I have a new article up on the "articles page" of my web site at our new URL being www.lizgraves.org

Also can be found on the articles page are many You Tube videos .

The "Gaits and Conformation Standards of the Natural Tennessee Walking Horse" can also be found on the same page as well as our home page now.

All the article's now also work and we have received permission to publish all article's written for Gaited Horse Magazine on the site as well.

You will also find all dates and details on the clinics page updated and corrected.

There is now a link to a slide show of photos under elephant photo on the home page.

The reason for this URL change is that the last 8 years we have been paying for the lizgraves.com domain name,yet the manager of that site did not register it in our name , we are working to correct that also.

We still have a lot more work to do on the site but the major things have been addressed and all updates now can be done here at the ranch in a timley manner.

Liz

2010-02-02T15:29:00.005-06:00

Oh Those Saddle Whoa's Again!

The above video is an ad for Dave's educational sessions at the Iowa Horses Fair this year. These are not about selling saddles, but pure, real education to empower the horse owner in their choices.

I am working on a rather lengthy article once again on all those troubles plaguing the horse owners on saddle fit which I work with in my travels !

Most know I endorse no saddles brands, not even Dave's. It's not about what the saddles out there are or are not but a matter of ethics on my part in knowing there are to many variables to do so. Each horse and owner combination must be addressed on an individual case basis.

I DO though endorse those that put forth honest, real education to help the horse owner learn, so I do endorse Dave's educational program. He also now teaches large groups around the world Via webinars on line. When he teaches at clinics, horse fairs and through his webinars he is not selling saddles. You can schedule the webinars at http://www.aboutthehorse.com/

I'm amazed at the myths and those even put forth by those representing themselves as experts.

Here is the start, and that's to stop relying on just wanting someone, anyone, to tell you what to use. The most common asked question I am asked, even when having no indication what what they have in the horse they own.

You cant fit a horse you have not seen in some type of media, if not in the very flesh.

The biggest tool I can give you is "GET EDUCATED" to understand it yourself. It's not rocket science in the basics. The horse owner actually has the easy part, yet getting folks to actually learn and understand the basics seems hard to get them to do.

The tough stuff is development in manufacturing, if it's a manufacture that is actually caring about fit and function to horse and rider. Not just regurgitating the terminology they have learned from those before them, most of it plagiarized material in which they redefine to make their own with no clear understanding, just make it sound great and look like a saddle!

I know the the funds spent here in Dave's research and development exceed $100,000.00 to date.

So hopefully this new article will not be much longer in its final state and I will post here when it's complete. I so feel each and every persons frustration on this topic and we just have to make it better for the horse owner and the horse.

Liz Graves