iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 25/09/2026

A few minutes after the blooper I posted below, Romy does his first real step of leg yield. It’s a nice thing about using R+, a five year old horse can gain confidence and focus even after a big spook. #dressage

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 25/09/2026

Bloopers. And why we always wear a helmet even at liberty! (Romy thought I was delivering his reinforcer and closed his mouth on the target handle-horses can’t see right in front of their nose-he pulled back in surprise, I still had the target which made it suddenly rise up toward his eye.)

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 31/07/2026

WE HAVE A BADGER. Strangely this news didn’t make it into the newsletter, so I don’t know what kind of newsletter this is to be frank

a beautiful badger with a white stripe down its nose and a lovely gray striped coat sits on a mound of dirt outside a burrow. The evening light turns the soil to gold and emphasizes the colors of badger and desert vegetation.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 23/05/2026

When you’d really rather not listen to the latest barn gossip.

a very tall black horse leans WAAAY over a pipe fence to nuzzle the ear of a tri-color dog mostly hidden behind bushes. The dog is turned to the side, listening with a bland expression.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 04/04/2026

We don’t post often, but when we do, it’s on behalf of horse welfare.

A newspaper print page from the onion with the headline “I Work Very Hard, and I Would Like to Try Cake” with the byline By A Horse. Lots of small newsprint in 3 columns below which is hilarious but too long for alt text

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 02/01/2026

New Year’s Resolutions Around the Barn, 2026 edition: Skylark (pinto mare with an active family lifestyle): I resolve to make Ana give up that Outlook calendar and go full analog so she stops double-booking our lesson times with my turnout! Ana! Not again!” #equestrian #dressage #equestrianBSKY

a pinto mare in a jumper saddle peers closely over the shoulder of a human writing on a whiteboard schedule. Rider in helmet, boots, blue shirt and blue breeches.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 02/01/2026

New Year’s Resolutions Around the Barn, 2026 edition: Taos, Heidi and Grover: “We, the Members of the Board, vow to be less judgmental in 2026. But guys, …did you SEE the grooming job on that one?” #equestrian #dressage #equestrianBSKY

Three dogs—a spotted cattle dog, an elderly golden retriever, and a gray and white terrier—sit on chairs at a table with a bulletin board behind them. They all look at the camera with serious, disapproving expressions.

a golden retriever looks back with major side eye from watching three pinto, bay and chestnut horses in an indoor arena.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 01/01/2026

New Year’s Resolutions Around the Barn, 2026 edition: Snoopy and Woody (ageless glam minis): “We vow never to use one of those cheap Groupon deals for a day spa glow up again.” #equestrian #dressage #equestrianBSKY

two pathetically naked miniature horses stand with their handlers against a backdrop of bare ground and juniper trees.

a black and white mini looks at the camera in dismay at their wild stand up static mane and forelock. crossties with black rubber balls attached to halter

a pinto mini horse peers from under a crazy fluffy forelock at a human handing them a treat

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 01/01/2026

New Year’s Resolutions Around the Barn, 2026 edition: Eeyore (miniature burro of advanced age and wisdom) does not hold out any hope for 2026, but considering how 2025 went, they’ve already made an appointment with their therapist. #equestrian #horse #resolutions

Gray burro with sad airplane ears looks mournfully through his rough forelock at a blond woman in a black jacket who is kneeling at his eye level. She appears to be taking a deep concern and interest in his troubles.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 31/12/2025

It’s that time again! For the 3rd, 4th, wait-what-year-is-it-again? presenting NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS AROUND THE BARN. Stay tuned to this channel! As you can see, the horses have opinions about 2026. #equestrian

In a large indoor arena, a human in blue shirt, black vest and black beanie waves their left hand at 3 bay horses, each with a different goofy expression. Two horses have their tongues out, one is lifting their muzzle and upper lip in flemen. They all look silly and disgusted when asked their thoughts about the new year ahead.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 25/12/2025

And a Merry Christmas boop to all!

a bay horse with a long black forelock wears a red and white santa hat while booping the camera close up

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 23/12/2025

I was searching our dropbox photos for something Christmasy and found this one of our training pavilion decorated a few years ago. The AI popped in out of nowhere, claiming it knew the answer to “What caused the fire in the Pavilion?” …

a stone fireplace with a crackling fire burning inside, two stockings hung on the wood mantle, a stuffed Santa doll in the middle. A Navajo rug in orange, red, greens and golds hangs above the fireplace. Two deep, cozy window seats on either side. Some deep brown chairs and a little bit of Christmas tree on the right. Very warm holiday scene.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 20/11/2025

Thanksgiving means new friends at the table! Mac (big guy), Tango and their herd of grazing #goats are joining us for the holiday weed buffet. The goats promised to bring manure, but they won’t clean up. Mac (bass) and Tango (tenor) will bark as entertainment. #greatpyrenees #maremma #newmexico #lgd

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 07/11/2025

Road Trip! We’re headed to Temecula for Carl Hester dressage clinic this weekend. The team was scheduled to fly but ATC delays horrendous. So the intrepid crew has decided to drive it, 12 hours, what’s that? Nothing stops #equestrian #eqsky #eqbsky from going to see horses!

2 young women in front seat, 3 in the backseat, all laughing for selfie. Driver has sunglasses on. Top of Golden Retriever’s head visible in the middle of front seat.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 26/10/2025

Just thinking back to our visit to New Zealand for the International Society for Equestrian Science (ISES) conference in 2024. What a trip! We made a special detour to meet Geoffry the Conquerer, world famous miniature #horse and his mini #donkey pal. Baby kiwis!

miniature roan horse in halter with his muzzle resting on a wooden table. He’s looking longingly at a place of cookies. there’s a small-medium golden dog sitting next to him, and a human’s bare leg up to the knee in the photo

the roan mini seems blase with his fans, 5 women under a big blue sky, standing on green grass. Tucked under the left hand of the woman on the far right you can just see a miniature donkey stealing a pet;

two women giggle over a baby kiwi that the woman on the left in blue top is holding. The woman on the right is looking down at the baby kiwi and squealing in delight.

big blue sky with sun and reflections over a blue harbor in the distance, tucked among green hills with New Zealand bush vegetation in the foreground

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 21/09/2025

When even the horse can enjoy competition. Smiles all around at USDF Regionals! More to come from our R+ team Orlando, Vicki (rider) and Gilly(coach). #dressage #equestrian #eqbsky #eqsky

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 03/06/2025

Playing PORTL really gets people talking! And understanding much more about how positive reinforcement and shaping work together. Check behaviorexplorer.com for more information about it! 4/4

Four women at a table, facing one another in pairs, manipulating small toys between them. The table has papers and a baseball cap on it. One young woman stands near an easel board with writing on it.

four women at a table, facing one another in pairs, two of them are writing scores on paper. the table is scattered with paper and small objects. One woman on the right wears a cowboy hat. Light coming through tall windows in the background

A young man focuses on a group of small objects being manipulated by a woman in a purple shirt. Notebooks and a water bottle on the table, a chair and french doors with shades down in the background. A tent card shows the name Jesse Drent.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 03/06/2025

Our VN team Deanna, Clara, Ana, Dhyana, Jasmine and Hannah in conference, making sure all horses were ready for their demos on time, even when I kept changing the schedule at the last minute! 3/

6 young women gathered in intense discussion around a coffee table with papers and water bottles on it. One gestures with her hands to explain something.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 03/06/2025

All our workshops have been great, but this one was a truly memorable gathering of people interested in #positivereinforcement training for #horses. From the academic world Prof Paul McGreevy and Nat Waran; dressage judge Dolly Hannon; liberty riders Alizee Froment and Jesse Drent + more! 1/

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 23/04/2025

“Hey, new guy! It ain’t bad here at all. You get paid in carrots, and they never hit you if you’re going slow or make a mistake. They just try to explain it better so you figure out how to get the treats. Yer gonna love it!” Guapo (Gypsy Vanner) gives new arrival Romantic from Holland the lo-down.

A black and white horse with a long white main and forelock nuzzles a dark bay horse as if he’s whispering a confidence. Bay horse seems to be listening intently.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 08/04/2025

“Ohhkay, now where are we?” Both new kids lookin’ like they took the Red Eye. (Which they did, got here 1:30 am last night.)

bay horse w white blaze and black main and forelock, right white sock, looking bleary-eyed

bay horse looking out of stall, a small bit of redness showing in the white of is eye, looking tired.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 08/04/2025

Speaking of two really nice horses, they finally arrived last night! Meet Revolutionary (aka Rebel, mare, white blaze) and Romantic (aka Romy, gelding, bay), both 4 yo. They have both accepted their first cookies. More as soon as they recover from the jet lag and our high altitude!

bay horse, named Romantic, poking head out of stall looking toward camera

bay mare with white blaze, standing in run outside beige barn. Dark brown fence railing. Her official name is Revolutionary.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 24/03/2025

A little puff for ourselves…Santa Fe #Dressage Association Year End Awards last night! Imagine VN 3rd Level Open Champion Incredible 4th Level Open Champion Prix St George Open Champion Here’s Imagine, ridden by Gilly Slayter!

Bay horse with 4 white stockings in extended trot. Rider in white breeches and red jacket. White fence and white painted judges stand in the background. Dressage letters E and E visible. Puffy clouds in a blue sky. Small trees and brown hills in distance.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 15/03/2025

We’re at #Clicker Expo in Chi town getting *bathed* in #positivereinforcement. @maryhunter.bsky.social gave a great talk on Reinforcement Systems!

6 women sitting smiling at camera at a table booth with Via Nova Training displays in blue and white, white silhouette of trainer feeding horse on displays

slide from Mary Hunter presentation 1) make a plan 2) find and assess a teaching environment 3) find and assess a reinforcer 4) teach the learner to collect reinforcers 5) teach a reinforcer signal 6) put your reinforcement system to work

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 12/03/2025

if/when you come back, know that I had the same, but it has been conquered by blocking every cat. Here’s a horse and dog tho

tri-color aussie dog and chestnut horse in blue blanket exchange greetings through a wire fence

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 01/03/2025

When you get a chance to meet your favorite band SNAXX but you’re kinda overwhelmed by the fame and talent

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 19/01/2025

New Year’s Resolutions Around the Barn: Wally (mustang gelding of indistinguishable age) - I had planned to give up my pacifier in 2025, but I am re-thinking this resolution. Clearly I’m going to need it.

bay mustang in black fly mask, carrying a stuffed blue gecko toy in his mouth. Walking in barn aisle past some stalls

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 18/01/2025

New Year’s Resolutions Around the Barn: Imagine (11 yr old KWPN gelding) - Now that I’ve reached 4th level in dressage, I vow to grow a mustache worthy of Tom Selleck. If you think I’m too young to know who Tom Selleck is, Boomers, I googled it. 👨‍🦰

muzzle of a bay horse with white blaze, showing highlighted “mustache” hairs.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 17/01/2025

We’ve got one of those in our barn! She’s a darling. #drumhorse #eqbsky

black and white horse with blue eye and feathers, braided mane, standing in front of a trailer and ramp. Girl in helmet standing next to trailer. Handler on far side of horse.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 15/01/2025

New Year's Resolutions Around the Barn: Pooh (lead brayer), Pickles (bass), Tinkerbelle (drummer) - Our band SNACCX be dropping our Christmas album on Spotify and Apple Music by July! We swears it, long as our fans keep dropping the snaccs in our feed trough. Love ya all!

3 mini donkeys, white, gray and pinto, in a muddy, snowy landscape with a fence

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 15/01/2025

New Year's Resolutions Around the Barn: Sadie (TB mare old enough to be considering an ear lift) - This year I resolve to hire a new stylist because I'm tired of being featured on the annual "Fashion Don'ts" list. I knew I shouldn’t have let Rafael talk me into that plaid with electric blue. 😤

bay mare in plaid winter blanket and a bright blue neck cover crooked and sliding up over her ears. She looks disgusted with life.

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Via Nova Training @vianovatraining.com · 13/01/2025

We’re #positivereinforcement training for horses and #dressage. And we’ve got some minis too, who just laze around!

three mini donkeys, white (left) gray (right) pinto (back) in muddy, snowy landscape

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