How a Quiet Upper Body Facilitates Connection with Your Horse

March 2, 2024 by · 8 Comments
Filed under: Personal Performance 

Over the past few weeks, our Cutting Master Class has been studying preparing yourself and your horse and herd work.

I’ve noticed once again how a quiet upper body that remains that way, no matter what’s going on at the moment (whether it be quick response steering or moving quickly across the arena on a cut, working a cow, etc.) sets up numerous positive results: accurate present-moment perceptions, communication with our horse and using our hands and feet independently – to name a few.

This idea is not unique to cutting. It spans all disciplines.

Again, it’s not a new concept, but it did jump out at me, loud and clear, and I saw how powerful it is as we watched great riders ride.

A quiet, soft, yet pliable upper body facilitates focus, engagement, and the ability to feel your horse.

It takes time and focus to develop. So be kind and patient with yourself, my friend – but do cultivate it.

There’s not a transcript this week.

Please leave your stories and thoughts about this idea on the website.


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So Much More Is Possible

February 24, 2024 by · 6 Comments
Filed under: Personal Performance 

Hey, it’s Barb and Nic.

And you can see Jax is hanging out over there. Oh, and there goes Abby. So everyone in our family’s here but Tom. It’s a beautiful day in Texas. I’m so grateful to have such nice weather.

I have a quick message today.


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I Didn’t Know This Was Coming

February 17, 2024 by · 8 Comments
Filed under: Personal Performance 

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Click here for the Thinking Differently Mini-Podcast Series and Transcripts

The Small Things

February 2, 2024 by · 14 Comments
Filed under: Personal Performance 

The other day, I was reminded of how important it is to celebrate and recognize the small gains we make and not disregard them as insignificant in the big picture of striving to improve.

It’s so easy to wait to celebrate until we get a huge gain, but whether it’s with our horses or with ourselves, seeing the tiny steps is a big secret of positivity and clarity about what’s important to focus on next.

I took a ride on Nic on a gorgeous Texas winter day. (-:


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The Beauty of Vulnerability

January 19, 2024 by · 7 Comments
Filed under: Personal Performance 

Hi, my friends,

For some reason, this week was a challenging one.

There was a lot going on, including the weather (I know, any of you Northerners or Mountain folks have no sympathy for our Southern winter complaints (-:)

Business-wise, there were simultaneously challenging and exciting things happening. On the exciting side is launching a new Master Class for Cutting. I always love these classes. They are some of my greatest joys. My favorite part is the interaction with the students I get to know, and of course, I always learn, too.

On the challenging side, this past week included empathy for a friend going through the hell of a lifetime.

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A Ride In The Fog

January 13, 2024 by · 21 Comments
Filed under: Personal Performance 


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Ensure Your 2024 Endeavors Persist

January 5, 2024 by · 12 Comments
Filed under: Personal Performance 

Happy New Year! Woo-hoo! The last time I saw you in a video was last year. (Oh man, the corny jokes. 🤩)

I’m delighted to do this video. I always feel like I’m with you, and I love that feeling.

I hope you had a great holiday. I enjoyed laying low a bit over the holidays. But now, I’m excited for 2024 – excited for a new year.


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Another Beautiful Story #4 – You

December 9, 2023 by · 6 Comments
Filed under: Personal Performance 

This video talks about how unique and incredible we all are, with the potential to keep writing our own story as we can imagine we would like it to be.

But is that true? Where do we start?

And this is a particular time of the year to reflect and decide what we want to focus on next year.

That’s what this video is all about, and it walks you through some compelling ideas to consider.


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Beautiful Story #3

December 2, 2023 by · 8 Comments
Filed under: Personal Performance 

Hey, it’s Barb, and this is video number three in a series of talking to you about people who inspire me.

This story is about a woman named Audrey Griffin. You may have heard me talk about her before. She also happens to be in the Cowgirl Hall of Fame.


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“How to Sit Deeper, Part 3”

April 11, 2019 by · 9 Comments
Filed under: Cutting 

This video is one more in my “finding your seat” series of video for working a cow. I talk about why it is so important for you to be grounded in your center of balance as you put your hand down after making the cut and before working a cow.


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“How to Sit Deeper, Part 2”

January 10, 2019 by · 1 Comment
Filed under: Riding and Showing Elements 

Previously I did Part 1 about developing a deeper seat as you work a cow.

This is Video 2 in that series. While it’s for all who work cattle (cutting, reined cow horse, and ranch cutting riders, etc,) there’s a message here for riders in all discipline.

I also focus on the role of using the horn in cultivating a deep seat.

This is the second video in a series for developing a deeper seat.

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“How to Sit Deeper, Part 1”

September 22, 2018 by · 6 Comments
Filed under: Riding and Showing Elements 

One of the biggest challenges of cutting and cow horse riders is to find and maintain a “deep” seat.

If you’re like many riders, try as you may, you just can’t seem to master a consistent and deep connection to your horse through your seat.

Perhaps, you don’t feel stable in the saddle when you work a cow.

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