Cornerstone Ranch News

  By Susan Connell, Founding Manager, Horse Trainer, and Instructor at Cornerstone Ranch   If you ride regularly, it’s easy to notice that horses, like people, are not perfectly symmetrical. One horse may bend more easily to the left, another may consistently pick up the same lead, or you might see more muscle on one side. These traits show that horses may favor one side of the body. The key takeaway is that understanding this tendency helps you help a horse move more evenly and train more effectively.   The Mechanics of Side Dominance When a horse walks, trots, or canters, each side of the body works a bit differently. One hind leg may push off harder, while the opposite foreleg reaches farther to maintain balance and turn. This helps explain why a horse might pick up one lead more…

  Blue, the Mule, wasn’t always the most celebrated employee at the High Hopes Ranch. In fact, if you looked at the guest reviews from before the Summer of the Great Bonnet, you’d see more mentions of “donkey” than “delightful trail ride.”   Blue was a one-of-a-kind ranch mule, gifted to the ranch owner, Maggie,…

By Susan Connell | Cornerstone Ranch For many young adults, turning 30 is more than a birthday—it’s a rite of passage, marking the start of a new chapter. Enter the “30 Before 30” movement, which inspires people in their twenties to craft a list of 30 adventures or achievements to pursue before blowing out those…

The Art and Philosophy of Longeing Horses By Susan Connell | Cornerstone Ranch There are many opinions about how to longe horses. One common method has the handler moving around the circle with the horse, which I call “Longeing Aerobics.” Many people think this is the only correct way. My approach is different. I…

Positioning Yourself by a Horse’s Shoulder and Walking in Cadence: A Superior Training Approach By Susan Connell | Cornerstone Ranch | https://CornerstoneRanch.org   When working with horses, the handler’s position relative to the horse is a fundamental aspect of effective communication and training. Traditionally, some handlers may walk in front of the horse, relying on…

True horsemanship goes beyond riding skill or knowledge of tack—it is about forging a partnership with your horse, grounded in clarity, consistency, and kindness. Every moment spent with a horse, whether in the saddle, on the lead, or at the end of a longe line, is an opportunity to practice and reinforce the principles that…

Before dawn on a warm spring morning at Cornerstone Ranch, the air is alive with the aroma of budding flowers and the gentle buzz of anticipation. On this particular Mother’s Day, the ranch celebrates not just the season but the arrival of a beautiful filly named Magnolia. Born to Faye, the striking black and white…

At Cornerstone Ranch, your lesson means the entire riding ring or indoor arena is reserved for you. There are no distractions—no other horses, riders, or onlookers—just you, your horse, and your experienced, Massachusetts licensed instructor. The perfect setting for progress: A peaceful, exclusive space dedicated entirely to your riding lesson Private riding lessons at Cornerstone…

See the most recent Cornerstone Ranch Newsletters: August 5, 2026 Cornerstone Ranch Newsletter June 9, 2026 Cornerstone Ranch Newsletter May 21, 2026 Cornerstone Ranch Newsletter May 21, 2026 Cornerstone Ranch Newsletter May 5, 2026 Cornerstone Ranch Newsletter February 5, 2026 Cornerstone Ranch Newsletter 💕 January 27, 2026 Cornerstone Ranch Newsletter January 20, 2026 Cornerstone Ranch Newsletter January 5, 2026 Cornerstone Ranch Newsletter

🔥 Warm Up by the Fire This January—Student Spotlight & Ranch Updates Inside! ❄️ 🐎 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ MASSACHUSETTS #1 HORSE RIDING RANCH “Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh…” 🐴 James Lord Pierpoint Enjoying the beauty of winter at Cornerstone Ranch! Our horses are loving the crisp air and snowy landscape. There’s something magical about watching them play in the winter wonderland. Hello {{ subscriber.first_name }}, Winter has settled in at Cornerstone Ranch, and with it comes the gift of time—time to continue to work deeply with our horses, especially the young and newly arrived ones who are building their foundation here. Some horses open up quickly; others take years of patient, consistent work before they truly trust us and respond to our gentlest cues. We never rush this process. Our philosophy has always been to create willing partners, not obedient servants—horses…

Step through the doors of Triple Crown Tack Shop at 67 West Boylston Street, and you’re welcomed into a vibrant world devoted to the equestrian life. Sunbeams catch on rows of gleaming bridles, the aroma of supple leather stirs memories of the stable, and the gentle hum of voices reflects the shared excitement of new…

THE INTERVIEW 1. **Introduction:** – What drew you to horseback riding, and what do you enjoy most about it? Since I was a little girl, I always had a love for these beautiful horses God created. It started with my aunt, who owned a large ranch with Standardbreds. When visiting my aunt’s ranch, I was…