Reflections in Still Waters

Blog articles by Sarah Orloff that explore the art of horsemanship, the science of equine biomechanics, and the profound connection between horse and rider.

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to kindled." - Plutarch

Sarah Orloff

A Shift in Perspective

What type of relationship do you want with your horse? Do you want a relationship that is filled with Passive Agreements? Contractual Obligations? I say this, you do that response? Has your horse been...

Jan 15, 2022

0 264

Sarah Orloff

Confidence in Connection

We all struggle with connection and confidence at some point. Just as we gain confidence in one thing, we may lose it in the next thing. Sometimes we feel a connection in one moment and then lose it i...

Jan 2, 2022

0 264

Sarah Orloff

Learned Helplessness

*Below are my thoughts based off of another article. There is a link to the original article. This article really hits home for me and the education I try to offer horses. I see it time and time again...

Dec 14, 2021

0 259

Sarah Orloff

Will I ruin my horse's mouth with contact?

Simple Tip : You will not ruin your horse by picking up the reins and adding some contact to your ride. How is a young horse supposed to learn HOW to carry a rider? Do they just figure it out? Is simp...

Dec 8, 2021

0 275

Sarah Orloff

Suppling the horse is UNIVERSAL

Tip of the day (more like lifetime) - Suppling the horse is UNIVERSAL. It doesn't matter what type of riding you and your horse do. What type of work or play. You don't have to be tall, short, big, sm...

Nov 18, 2021

0 264

Sarah Orloff

Taking Your Horse to the Trainers 101

You might want to pull your horse out of the pasture a few weeks before they are scheduled to see the trainer. This might ensure that you could check them for things like ~ Mud Fever, Rain Rot, Wounds...

Nov 12, 2021

0 231

Sarah Orloff

Foam - What to Look for and Why

How much foam is the right amount of foam? Let's think about the tongue, throat, and jaw. What happens when the horse's jaw is relaxed and the tongue is free to move about the mouth? What happens when...

Oct 30, 2021

0 256

Sarah Orloff

Bridges

I imagine we all hold a unique terrain within ourselves. Some are mountainous, some are meadows with lush grass, some are lave scorched lands just waiting to regrow. With each horse that enters our li...

Oct 11, 2021

0 250

Sarah Orloff

Proof is in the White Hairs

Take a good look at this picture. Does your horse care about saddle fit? Does your horse care about the rider's balance? Who was crooked first, the rider or the horse? Who is responsible for influenci...

Sep 20, 2021

0 231

Sarah Orloff

Conditioning & Repetition vs Education

*For the sake of this article, we are going to call any and all people that work with these hypothetical horses “trainers”. There is a common trend in training that if you do something long enough, th...

Sep 5, 2021

0 252

Sarah Orloff

The Forgotten Gait - the WALK

The walk is the most influential gait that the horse possesses. It is the most overlooked and under-credited of all gaits. Simple and slow, this powerful tool of a gait deserves to be explored. The WA...

Aug 6, 2021

0 262

Sarah Orloff

Are horses here to be OUR therapy?

“Horses are my therapy” This topic comes up quite often and it is something I feel warrants a conversation. Why do we put our mental health needs onto the horse? Did the horse sign up for the job of c...

Aug 4, 2021

0 247

About this blog

Reflections in Still Waters is a space where Sarah Orloff shares her passion for equestrian education and her love of thoughtful reflection. Dive into articles exploring horsemanship, equine biomechanics, classical dressage, and the psychology of horse and rider. With a lifelong dedication to learning and sharing knowledge, Sarah offers insights to inspire growth, connection, and deeper understanding in every partnership.

Reflections in Still Waters

About this blog

Follow Us

Archives

Follow us