This is a pretty common question. Often when we start into something new, we’re eager to get past that first awkward and potentially embarrassing stage and get onto looking like a badass as quickly as possible. I have two answers to this question: 1. About one year. This isn’t when you’ll be a complete badass,…
Working at the front desk of the world’s largest western swordfighting school for half a year has led me to observe something. When it comes to most weapons and styles, people have preferences that are based on a number of different factors, ranging from their training background to their childhood fantasies. Generally speaking no one seems to particularly dislike one…
Today as we remember those soldiers who have sacrificed their limbs and lives in war, remember also the horses, donkeys and mules who went with them. Over 8 million equines died in the first World War. The horse has been at our side through almost all the wars of human history. No other animal has…
Sometimes a lot of failure can be easier to deal with than a little. Failing at something that you feel you "should" be able to do can have some sting to it. Failing at something that is downright "impossible" to do is expected and can thus seem less risky from a psychological or social perspective.…
Read More... from Taking on a Ridiculous Challenge May be Easier Than a Small One
Horsemanship Level 3: Coolout Procedures Just like you, your horse needs to cool down gradually after strenuous exercise to avoid stiffness. Unlike you, your horse, with his larger mass to surface area ratio, is especially prone to overheating. A very hot horse that isn't allowed to cool down properly could go into shock, colic, or…
Horsemanship Level 3 - Grooming For Horsemanship Levels 1 and 2 you needed to show how to use the basic grooming kit, which included the hoof pick, curry comb, dandy brush and body brush. For Level 3 you need to demonstrate: 7. Use and knowledge of full grooming kit First of all, to review your…
Today while teaching a class on falling I had a funny exchange with one of my students; we talked about how much toddlers fall down in the process of learning to walk and be stable. Each time they fall, they get right back up again. Generally there’s no crying or interruption, except if they’re tired…
Read More... from Be As Resilient as a Child When Dealing with Failure
Horsemanship Level 3: Feeding Horses are creatures of habit and do best on a regular feed schedule. As a Level 3 Horseman you are expected to: 6. Know the feed schedule and amounts for your own horse. If you don't own or lease a horse, you should be prepared to answer questions about the schedule…
I have just delivered an easy thrust toward my student’s chest. It is the action that she has been setting herself up to take advantage of, but, for the third time, instead of deflecting my sword aside and striking with a counter attack, she has thrown her weapons sharply to the side. This panicked movement has left…
Read More... from Training Out the Fight-or-Flight Response in Sparring
Horsemanship Level 3: Bits As well as knowing your own horse's tack, at level 3 you will need to: 5. Identify common bits and their uses You only need to know common English bits including snaffles, curbs and pelhams. However, it's good to recognize some Western bits as well, simply for familiarity. Snaffles Our school…
Horsemanship Level 3: Saddlery As a Level 2 Horseman you were asked to be able to tack up independently with properly adjusted tack. For the most part this entails doing up the girth and throatlatch to the holes that show the most wear on your horse's saddle. If everything else is straight and in the…
It's been a busy summer, but at last we have time to offer Open Barn again. Come out to Red Colt this Sunday, 28 September and take advantage of the horsey version of Open Floor. Groom a horse, do some sworplay, bring a bow and shoot the haystack, or get a practice ride in between…
Our next round of Beginner's Courses are just around the corner! Celebrate the start of Fall by swinging swords and pulling punches. We offer three different courses which cover different avenues of Western Martial Arts: Fight Like Sherlock Holmes Bartitsu is a complex martial art with many interlocking skills. Our four-week Fight Like Sherlock Holmes course…
It can be tempting in your school or practice group to hide your martial weaknesses and keep a book of the holes in your partners’ defences. The more secrets under your belt, the easier it is to stay on top. But this is a limited view that keeps you from truly expanding your ability as…
Read More... from Reveal Your Martial Weaknesses to Improve Faster
Martial Arts have meant many things to me over time. Here are some of the excellent outcomes I feel are found within the Western disciplines we practice at Academie Duello: Personal Growth Martial arts help us test our capabilities, push our limits, build our confidence in our physical and mental selves, and face challenges of…
Unless you plan to do all your equine activities within a few miles of your stable, you will eventually have to deal with trailering horses. For level 3 we don't expect you to demonstrate hauling, but we do want you to: Describe how to lead in and out of a trailer There are many videos…
This post is part of a series on the Segno of Fiore that displays 4 animals each representing a different martial trait the lynx, tiger, elephant, and lion. “I am the lion: nobody carries a more courageous heart. I offer everyone battle.” Tom Leoni translation - Fior di Battaglia, Getty Museum To stand across from…
“I’m the elephant, who carries a castle as freight. I never kneel or lose my stride.” Tom Leoni translation - Fior di Battaglia, Getty Museum To harness the ideals of the elephant in your martial form you must consider: Structural Alignment Placing your body in optimal positions to apply and resist force. Finding the ground…
Read More... from The Elephant and It's Castle - Structural Strength in Training