March 2011

Crazy PA weather! 2 days ago I was doing yard work and sitting on the porch and today we have several
inches of snowand cold. As spring fights with winter it reminds us to be more flexible. Saturday was a
good day to do yard work. Today is a good day to do housework. It is not at all what I had planned but
raking leaves that are covered with snow isn't going to work, so why fight it. It's just like working with our
horses. Some days we can go out and enjoy a nice quiet ride on the trail and some days we need to
spend some more time on the basics in the ring. Horses conform to our schedule about the same as
the weather. As you put your horse back to work this spring please remember to be flexible, go slow,
build them up gradually and at first keep your expectations low.

GOOD REPORTS
Congratulations to our PA Horse World Expo drawing winners: Rian Beam, Lorie Smith, Ted Larew and
Linda Reider. They were the winners of our Lesson/Clinic giveaway. Looking forward to seeing you at
lessons and clinics soon.

SADDLE FITTING

It's official. After completing the Saddlefit 4 Life Professionals Training in Florida last month, I have
decided to go on and complete the Internship, be a saddle fitter and an authorized Schleese retailer. My past
experience as a trainer, instructor and judge combined with the Saddlefit 4 Life training has provided me
with a unique opportunity to help even more horses with their people. As always, my focus will be on
education. My mission is to educate each rider why or why not their saddle fits and then help anyway that I
can.
One of the best features of the Schleese saddles is that they can be adjusted to fit the horse as it changes
or to a different horse. Our horses grow in, out, up and sometimes even down. Our saddles need to be
evaluated on a regular basis (at least annually) to ensure proper fit as these changes occur. Some english
saddles can not be changed at all except for reflocking or sometimes changeable gullets. The changeable
gullet is a good thing but it only covers 1 part of the saddle fit. Reflocking is also a good thing but it only
covers a couple parts of the saddle fit. Western saddles can not be changed and sadly most don't fit.

SCHLEESE SADDLE FITTING

Jochen Schleese will be here again on April 3, 2011 for saddle fittings. Riders must pre-register on their
web site.  http://www.schleese.com/SaddleFitRegistration
We will be having a free lecture at 10 am. Everyone is welcome. Bring a chair. After the lecture Jochen will
be doing individual private fittings. Spectators are welcome but please be courteous to the riders.

REMEMBERING TINA
The news page on our web site is where I keep a copy of past
newsletters and note some special events like Fancy's first show or a saddle fitting lecture with Jochen
Schleese. And sometimes I have to report some bad news too. On March 2, our neighbor, good friend
and student lost his horse unexpectedly. We believe she coliced but the cause is unknown.
Tony started working with Tina in 2006. First, he attended a clinic here with Richard Shrake. He brought
Tina over for that but we all quickly realized that Tina wasn't broke! Tony finished the clinic riding Stoney.
Then he started taking lessons with me and trained Tina himself. Every week Tony would come over, I
would check his progress and give him more homework. He did all the work himself. It took awhile but
finally I told him he could get on her. He's been riding her and taking lessons every week ever since.
Tina was special because she was kind and patient. Tony is 70 years old, didn't always understand what
Tony was looking for but she always tried for him. She kept him safe and provided many hours of enjoyable
rides. Hope we can all be so lucky to have a horse relationship like Tony had with Tina.

OUR SPRING CLINIC SCHEDULE
Come celebrate spring with us. The 2011 spring clinics start on the first day of spring March 20.
Sunday March 20, 2011-Kindergarten Clinic (all groundwork)
Sunday April 10, 2011-Level 1 Clinic (groundwork & riding)
Saturday April 30, 2011-Level 2 Clinic (groundwork & riding)
Saturday May 7, 2011-Level 3 Clinic (all riding)
Sunday May 22, 2011-Level 1 Clinic (groundwork & riding)
Saturday June 4, 2011-Level 2 Clinic (groundwork & riding)
For more information about our clinics and an application, go to
our clinic page
Some of the clinics only have 1 rider spot available.

DEFINE GROUNDWORK

I think there may be some different ideas about groundwork so I am going to clarify my definition here.
Any time I am on the ground with my horse at my side, I'm doing groundwork. I lead each of my horses in
and out of it's stall every day. This way they know that I control the food. In horse language the Boss
controls the food so just by leading my horses in and saying ok now you can eat I am reinforcing that I
am the Boss or Leader every day. It also gives me a chance to monitor the health.
When I lead my horses I want them to walk with me (like a halter horse or TB at the track, not lagging
behind or way out in front). I will walk in time with them because in horse language that means I am
a good leader. I will decide how fast or slow we go, again horse language. I will stop with a pre-signal
and then stop so the horse has time to prepare and stop his body without being pulled. If a horse gets
distracted, I will ask for a disengagement with precise movements with my hands and feet. If a horse
gets pushy, I back them up. If I want a horse to stand still, I point my toes towards him.
Remember, every time you are with your horse it is a training session. Hopefully, you are training the
horse and not the other way around.

PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL AGAIN
The best way to reach me is either through email tpeiper@aol.com or my cell (717)609-2822. Everyone
knows I won't answer if I'm doing a lesson but otherwise the cell is the quickest way to reach me. I don't
text or face twit or any of those other things. If you don't get answer within a day or two, PLEASE try again.
Honestly, sometimes I just forget or I remember and the cell or computer doesn't cooperate. I always
have something to say, I will not ignore you so if you haven't heard from me, it's a mistake, please try again.
As always, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of goals with your horse.

TTYS & God Bless
Terry