Dominique and his stallion, Sedoso MAC at Barbier Farm. Photo by Keron Psillas.
Once again we are gathering together to celebrate the magic that comes from dancing in lightness with our horses! Come and join, June 7, 8 and 9, 2019 at Barbier Farm in Healdsburg, CA.
It doesn’t matter if you have been coming for years or if this is your first time, you are always welcome! And if you do not have a horse of your own to bring, consider auditing or contact Debra for a lesson on one of our magnificent school horses. Riding is space is limited, don’t delay!
As horsemen and women a saddle is one of the most important tools we have to work with. A proper fitting saddle is a great asset for both horse and rider, while an improper fit or balance not only inhibits correct riding, it can lead to injury. The saddle industry brings in millions of dollars in saddle fitting and there are now countless options for flocking, panels, and blocks for your knee and thigh. It can feel overwhelming to find the correct fit with so many options. Here we have broken down the DBarbier saddle design to illustrate the real essential criteria when looking for one of your own.
THE LOST ART OF FLOCKING
Dominique fashioned his own saddle design after the original tree used by Mestre Oliveira, a design that is 400 years old. While training mules in the French military (a story for another day), Dominique delivered horses to the Republican Guard in Paris, where he met the man who would one day become the head of Forestier saddlery. With a tree-maker (arconier in French) in the factory itself- the only saddlemaker to design his own tree and not buy mass-produced trees- the Barbier custom-crafted saddle was born.
With a bit of ingenuity and a little help from the modern age, he has been able to update the materials from wool taken from army socks to advanced padding with the same material used to pad satellites (yes, you read that right. We are waiting for our NASA endorsement) that does not shrink with age. That means no “re-flocking necessary.” Today’s saddles feature leather cut by laser for the cleanest lines and computer-designed balance to ensure accuracy for each saddle.
DBarbier Bison Deluxe model – notice where the lowest part of the seat is
WHAT IS PROPER BALANCE IN A SADDLE?
A saddle tree’s purpose is to help a rider find their position. Let us return to Dressage for the New Age for a moment; a rider’s center of gravity is below their navel, while a horse’s center of gravity is between the knees of the rider. Your saddle should, in theory, bring the two centers of gravity as close together as possible. If you cut your saddle into three equal segments, the lowest part of your seat should be in the front third while your leg hangs underneath you, thanks to your stirrup bars sitting underneath your hip.
Most models today place the balance in the second third, further towards the back, while keeping stirrup bars forward to prevent breakage, forcing riders to either sit in a “chair” seat, or to perch on their horse’s backs. With the knee and thigh blocks, riders legs are forced into “correct” position, though they have no knee mobility, which contracts riders’ bodies, and therefore their horses’ bodies on top of it.
Comfort for your horse is also vitally important. They are, after all, carrying us. Aside from being in correct position with our center of gravity as close to their own as possible, we want to think of how the saddle fits the horse. True to form, Dominique kept things very simple in his design, with the “flexible” tree, available in narrow (for the high-withered horses), medium and wide, a wide gullet for the horses’ back comfort, and the same padding used for the rider’s seat for the horse’s back. The lack of metal in the front allows for extra freedom of the shoulder. By using a single-panel design and foregoing knee blocks (removable blocks are available for the new Working Equitation design), he maintained closer contact to the horse. The end result? Unparalleled comfort for horse and rider.
DBarbier Working Equitation Saddle
Each saddle is handcrafted and made to your specifications using highly-durable, beautiful Bison leather, making each one a work of art in of itself. Functional can be fashionable, too! Our newly released Deluxe in chocolate has been a hit with crowds, and the hand-tooled seats of the working equitation model in chocolate and camel are so beautiful you *almost* don’t want to sit on top of them.
When you buy a saddle, you are investing in your horse and in yourself. It is important to make the right choice. Dominique is happy to answer questions personally about his saddles and can be reached by email at barbierfarm@aol.com or by phone, +1707.480.5598.
You are invited to join Debra and Dominique on the trip of a lifetime in Brasil for the Lusitano International Expo, as well as a whirlwind tour of the very best breeding farms, where you will have the chance to see and even sit on high quality horses under the instruction of Debra and Dominique before choosing one of your very own. They have imported approximately 200 Lusitanos to date, and chosen the top farms to visit. The Barbiers’ talent in matching horse and rider is unparalleled and they take full advantage of their close connections with the breeders around the country to find you the best possible fit.
This is our 18th year in the making, and with the current favorable dollar exchange, prices are incredibly low. It is the best time to come and experience the Brasilian culture and hospitality as well as diving head first into the world of the majestic Lusitano.
For committed buyers, we have special pricing – $1500 of your trip fee will be applied to the Barbier Farms commission, which is 15% of the purchase or $5,000 (whichever is higher). All transportation, importing, and vet checks are arranged for you.
Package includes private coach transportation in Brasil, all hotels, breakfast each day, and some meals while visiting farms. It does not include meals during the Expo, nor does it include international airfare. Please contact us for pricing and options at barbierfarm@aol.com.
The Brazil trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity to rapidly expand every aspect of your understanding of horses in a truly unforgettable and mesmerizing place. Perhaps if you are as fortunate as I was you will also experience the sheer beauty of bringing home an equine being that was always meant to be part of you. – Lauren Schultz, Healdsburg, CA
The webpage for the foundation is up and the video archive and content is growing each week. Have a look and please share with your friends.
We will keep you updated about our latest projects, all designed to bring honorable, compassionate, sustainable and enlightened training practices to equestrians young and old.
And to further your education, make your plans now to join us for the Thirteenth Classical Series Symposium in October. Invite your friends and join us for a wonderful weekend during the harvest here in Sonoma Valley. There are spaces left for auditors and just a few spots for riders after the Symposium. Contact Debra (harbierfarm @ aol.com) for more information and click on the link for registration. https://blog.dominiquebarbier.com/october2016symposium/
Debra and I are headed to Brasil in about ten days. (make plans to join us next year…generally the last two weeks of May…) We’ll be visiting the farms, riding Lusitanos, and watching the International Lusitano Expo. We’ll try to post some Facebook updates. And please, click LIKE on our Barbier Farms and Société pour L’Art Equestre pages. It helps us keep you informed!
Riders from Europe, Canada, Great Britain and the US gathered in Healdsburg for our twelfth symposium. Though we had a bit of rain on Friday, the weather cleared and gave us beautiful California sunshine for the rest of the weekend.
We had good questions from the young riders, reinforcing our commitment to education. People want to know what good riding, what good partnership means. People want to know how to ride with compassion, with sustainable methods, with enlightenment and honor. This tells me that we are following the correct path for our students, for our horses, and for the people who want to find a better way to BE with their equestrian partners.
Our overall feeling that everyone wants to know more about the role of the horse in our growth and compassion was reinforced. They are seeking a greater understanding of partnership and relationship, as well as the relationship between the mental and spiritual connection that our horses offer us.
Of course we had fabulous food from Dancing Horse Vineyard Catering! Thank you, Tianna! Marvelous music from Ramana Vieira…took us right back to Portugal. And as always, a huge thank you to Debra and her tremendous staff in the barn for the organization and work to make it all happen so beautifully!
Join us next time for the fun, for the learning, and for the camaraderie. It’s a wonderful event filled with insights and revelations…with the added gift of our magical Lusitanos.
Coming up soon: A new clinic in Germany! I’ll be in Toppenstedt, GERMANY, with Mr. Heiner Putensen contact: phone +494173500144, email: deegenhoff-lehrgang@web.de on March 11, 12 & 13. I’ll be offering a lecture (on the morning of Friday March 11) in addition to the clinic which will give all new attendees a deeper understanding of the methods and philosophy that have guided me this last 40 years. There is still space available for a rider and of course space for auditors! I hope to see you there! Check the clinic schedule tab above for all the latest dates.
Our intention has always been to create a transformative experience for horse and rider during clinics or the Symposium here at Barbier Farm. We are happy to have this proof of what we know happens here…. Join us for our next event in February 2016. Click the link above!
~Amities, Dominique and Debra
At his clinics Dominique Barbier shares his insights and examples of enlightened horsemanship in a format and learning environment designed for seeking and discovery. The symposiums are set apart by their complement of riding clinic and lectures on diverse topics, with abundant space for questions and answers. A light happy horse in constant partnership and communication with its rider is the goal of this training and what you will likely observe in the clinic portion, where horses from all walks of life perform exceptionally and in relaxation. As a participant in one of the symposiums, I found that Dominique’s expansive response to a single question about my horse’s behavior led to a lasting change in my relationship with that horse, from one of mutual inattention and mistrust to one of quiet confident partnership. Another participant, who rode in the symposium on a Barbier Farm Lusitano, was so moved by the stallion’s generosity that at the close of his ride he was brought literally to tears, and the entire audience with him. This is classical training that synthesizes the theoretical, practical, and empathic, a unique experience that can be truly transformative. Not to be missed.” ~ Jane Otto, New Jersey
