Louise Shaw Equestrian

03/06/2024

Working on improving proprioception ✨

After talking to a few people and doing some research I got curious about these foam blocks! After chatting with Comet’s mum who was equally curious, she went and got one made and we got to have a play. At first Comet was unsure, and wanted to step over it or not put his weight on it. However, very quickly he started to press his weight down and stand on it and then quickly found him relaxing and enjoying it. It’s so fun to bring these little brain challenges to the youngsters & help them become confident and more aware of their body 🙌🏽💪🏽

Safe to say, I’m sold! Definitely one to add to the tool box.

23/05/2024

The cutest, fluffiest Orio absolutely loving adventures of his ridden life ❤️

15/05/2024

Blaze absolutely flying 🤩🤪

I had grand plans for my goals, horses & competing this year. However, as life often does, my plans got thrown out the window. As much as I didn’t compete the horse I had hoped to & the heights I was aiming for, I had the absolute privilege of taking Blaze to his first comp post his racing career.

And it was SO MUCH FUN. Actually one of the most fun comps I’ve done. The atmosphere, the people, the encouragement and this horse were all so special!
The Wallangarra Adult Riders Club committee came together to pull off a brilliant day, I’m so proud to be a part of it all!

We walked away placing in all three classes, 5th, 3rd then 1st & with High Point SB of the day (BIG THANKS to Off the Track WA ). By far the best part was feeling Blazes confidence grow each round, was so cool to end up with some placings on top of that!

Extra thank you to for trusting me with your special boy. Now that I’ve been the test dummy - you’re up for the next one 🤪

📷 Secret Womens Business WA

12/05/2024

Here’s to the mums ❤️
And not just in the typical sense of the word. In my job I am so privileged to be surrounded by women who carry a mother’s heart. One that is kind, one that is nurturing, one that goes above and beyond for those they love and of-course one that so deeply loves their horses & treats them with the highest of respect and care.

I am grateful to horses, for being the bridge that has allowed me to meet and do life, with so many inspiring women (some pictured, many not pictured!), and see what it is to love abundantly and be kind.

Happy Mother’s Day to the horse mums & to those that inspire me daily.
Love Lou ❤️

06/05/2024

What a brilliant bunch 🙌🏽

What an epic weekend at the ARCA Autumn Challenge 2024! Huge gratitude to everyone who made it such a roaring success! 🎉

First off, major kudos to our incredible Wally committee: Madam Secretary Meredith Kessell (aka scary boss lady), President - Sara Vroom; sponsorship gurus - Tina and Jane; canteen - Pixie, Frida, and Sue. Arena hoon, I mean grader - Stacey... Katherine, Louise, Claire, Carolyn, Carole, Beth, Belinda - thank you for all of your help and efforts! 🙌 Hey Meredith, ARCA - Adult Riding Clubs Association of WA ODE next, right? 😉

Massive shoutout to our awesome judges M'Lis Henry, Wendy Boyle, and Denelle Kennedy - your expertise and support for all riders made the event even more special! 👏

To all our club members who pitched in and volunteered, and to those hubbies who lent a helping hand - THANK YOU! 🙏 Congratulations also to all of our members who rode and kicked personal goals. Wally also took out the ARCA High Point Trophy - Well done everyone!!!

To all of the other ARCA - Adult Riding Clubs Association of WA clubs who participated, but particularly those of you who had long drives, we hope you enjoyed the weekend, and all made it home safely. We appreciate the extra lengths our country crew have to go to make it to these events.

And of course, a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors for their invaluable support - you truly make these events shine! ✨ Please ensure you thank our sponsors if you were lucky enough to receive a prize.

One of those being Secret Womens Business WA who were there snapping away the day - be sure to keep an eye on their page for photo uploads.

Platinum Sponsors:
Tesselia Park
Executive Conveyancing Services
EQUI MOVE - Sven Targett

🥈Silver Sponsors:
Oakford Stockfeeds
Interwell
Budget Stockfeeds

🥉Bronze Sponsors:
Secret Womens Business WA
Beci Equi Couture
Hygain Mitavite WA
Spooks Riding Australia
Lawnswood Pet Cremation & Cemetery
Gage Roads Freo
Hugh Jones MLA
Poseidon Equine
Off the Track WA
Bling It On Horse Gear & Accessories
Equine Therapy Products
LaNoir Equestrian Saddleworld

🎖Supporters:
HB Horsewear
Pimp my Pony - Tack and Horse Care
Equinade
Equestricare Equine Sports Therapy
Thompson and Redwood
Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Co.
Louise Shaw Equestrian
Sharon Jarvis PLY
Carolyn Meighan - Horse Riding Instructor
Kessell
Kennedy
Hendrie

24/04/2024

Mid-ride pause for Blaze to educate Comet on what it’s like to be a ridden horse 🤪🥰

14/04/2024

Give me a TB who’s willing to learn any day! First session for this guy last week and he was a joy to work with… but also check out the clouds 🤩

17/03/2024

He’s just the prettiest boy 🥰

Kelly Thomas Productions

10/03/2024

WHAT A MORNING 😮🤩❤️
What a privilege to take Comet’s to his first show. Safe to say this 2YO Drum gelding absolutely blew us away. He started overwhelmed and unsure, but quickly settled and came away with some epic placings & lots of lovely comments from the judges.
So proud of him, and so lucky to be trusted by his wonderful owner Claire Stubbs Hurst ❤️

As always wonderful shows like today’s Summer Heavy horse breed show, can’t run without sponsors.
Biggest of thank you’s to these guys for sponsoring the classes & prizes Comet won today:
SonoVet
Just Magick
MRK Equine
Equine Soap Co.
EquineLuxury
Stance Equitec Australia
Ranvet
Chaff City
Milne Feeds

Absolutely more Comet spam to come over the next week, he is such a pretty boy. I didn’t expect my first show of the year to be with him, but safe to say I had an absolute ball, so fun seeing the fruit of our training sessions ❤️

03/03/2024

These two are absolutely smashing goals this year - very proud of this new pair! Always such a joy to coach ✨

09/02/2024

Some helpful tips for this relentless heat!

OTTWA Tips & Tricks | Supporting Horses in Extreme Heat

This weekend will see parts of Western Australia reaching extreme heat levels of 43 degrees and above. Here are some important tips to ensure you and your horses are prepared for extreme weather and the increasing heat risks.

♨️ Know the signs of heat stroke in horses and monitor stock carefully. These signs include heavy sweating, increased heart rate, lack of appetite, dehydration, muscle weakness and increased body temperature.
🐴 Electrolyte supplements can replenish any essential nutrients lost through sweat.
💧 Horses cool through sweat evaporation, so ensuring they can do so effectively is key. Removing rugs can assist in allowing sweat to evaporate as high humidity and low wind decreases the efficiency of sweat evaporation in horses, whilst low humidity and high wind will assist in the cooling process.
🚫 Avoid activities such as travelling or exercising horses during peak hours of heat.
💦 Hosing horses off can provide cooling relief. Leaving horses wet without sweat scraping allows bodies to cool through evaporation effectively.
🏠 Ensure horses have plenty of fresh cool water and shelter to avoid direct rays.

Familiarize yourself with the Equestrian Australia Hot Weather Policy to stay up to date:
https://www.equestrian.org.au/sites/default/files/EA_Hot_Weather_Policy_13042018.pdf

29/01/2024

It’s time! By popular demand, I’m doing another shirts order. Ladies shirts come in blue, sage (as pictured) & a new colour - navy! Men’s shirts come in Navy. If you’d like to order one, flick me a message.

Special thanks to my models & Rolly and & Comet 🥰

25/01/2024

Any one else’s horse like to roll in the ocean!?!
Having an absolute cackle at Fringe’s water antics. Surely he just wanted to be eye to eye with the ponies!?

14/01/2024

Isn’t he just the cutest! Orio being a pro for his first time at the beach. And of course I had my full of pellets, at the ready to make sure he knew he was the bestest boy!

07/01/2024

My absolute favourite thing to do, and these two making it such a delight. Can’t deny how good a bay TB gelding can be! All the thankyou’s to .tapper for capturing these gems ❤️🥰

21/12/2023

Eek Christmas came early 🥰
So very grateful to have done this wild and crazy year, and feels very fitting to end it with something I’ve worked hard for. I’m beyond excited for what 2024 will bring! And of course big thanks to the support crew of wonderful horsey friends, for being on the lookout for floats for me & constantly sending me the good stuff, while I’ve been busy rounding out the year - could not have done it with out you all. Can’t say it enough, so grateful!

17/12/2023

There’s just something about a child’s love for their pony that is just so special 🤍

24/11/2023

There’s a new kid on the block 🤭

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21/11/2023

Some super tips, for this hot week 🙌🏽

🔥It's going to be HOT this week, and keeping your horses hydrated and their core temperature down is going to be very important - especially for those competing at Equestrian in the Park this weekend:

1️⃣ Make they have access to cool and fresh water all the time, they might reduce intake if water is too warm.

2️⃣ Offer their feeds soaked, and even add more water than normal to encourage extra water intake.

3️⃣ Offer salt and electrolytes, to keep their system balanced and to encourage the drinking reflex.

4️⃣ If training or competing, cool them down promptly and efficiently.

HOW TO COOL THEM DOWN:
There are 2 main strategies for cooling - EVAPORATION or CONDUCTION.
💧 Evaporation >> when you apply water then allow it to evaporate to remove heat from their body. It is slow but efficient and uses less water so is ideal for keeping horses cool.
💧 Conduction >> when you continually apply cold or iced water until their body temperature comes down into the normal range. It is a quick process and used for when rapid cooling is needed.

Which method your horse needs depends on how quickly they need to be cooled down. Conduction is often used for after intense exercise (or between rides like in endurance), or when a horse is already suffering from heat stress and their body temperature is higher than the normal range (above 38.5°C).

A few important things to remember:
- MYTH: leaving the water on their body causes it to heat up and do harm – BUSTED! Research has actually shown that horses with water left on the body had a significantly lower temperature than those scraped. The more water on the body, the more evaporation and consequent cooling that can occur.
- Sweat works to cool the horse through evaporation too, so always make sure they are sweating normally through work. If they stop sweating under high heat conditions talk to your vet immediately.
- Evaporation can be impacted by humidity. If humidity is too high, evaporation is limited because the water is already ‘saturated’ making the cooling process ineffective.
- For both methods, but especially conduction, apply water all over the body, not just the large muscle groups, veins and arteries. Cooling them down actually works by cooling the blood that flows blood vessels throughout the skin. So, the more of the horse you cover with water the faster you can cool them.
- Research has shown that ice cold water is safe to use when cooling horses.
If you’re interested in reading more about managing and training horses in hot conditions, the FEI has published a great paper on the subject:

https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/Session_6_Optimising_performance_in_a_challenging_climate_SUPPORTING_DOC.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0wtZn47e49NYj_qSJrdDs_qO1fwGSb5djqEHK-ttsJ5aCbyIyr3YhSfS0

05/11/2023

Can confirm the little legs couldn’t keen up with the long legs on our trail ride 😂🙌🏽

28/10/2023

This guy turns 2 today 🥳
Such a special gelding, he’s a joy to train & takes a good selfie… if he ever goes missing, you’ll probably find him in my paddock 😜

16/10/2023

Decided to pull Danny out of the paddock & bring him to the beach! I knew the cold water would feel lovely on his joints & that it would be my last opportunity to do so before he heads up to Bakers Hill to live the life of a companion pony! He is such a dolphin, happily stood in the water and smushed his face in a bunch. We kept it very chill and easy & with only a small amount of walking and a short sit on him 🤍

25/09/2023

All the cuddles, scratches & treats for Orio today for the first time having a rider sit on him with a saddle. So fun working with this dude who calmly takes everything in his stride! And grateful for his little rider who is so stoked to help me with the process 🤩

19/09/2023

Have been sorting through all my favourite Danny moments over the week & found this one! Such a testament to Danny’s character, absolutely pouring with rain for his first round of 60cm jumps & he had not a care in the world, listened so well and gave the best feel. Will forever cherish these moments 🥰

04/09/2023

Comet can quite often get nervy and strong, so the focus at the moment is sloooooowwwing down, practicing standing still & rewarding correct behaviour with treats, because training is fun! When horses eat, their brain produces dopamine (the happy hormone), which in turn leads to relaxation. And that’s the goal, having relaxed & happy horses who are eager to do what’s asked!

31/08/2023

Cuddles with this tiny pony… called Biggie! I love what I do 😍🥰

23/07/2023

Little throwback of Thunder! When he came to me he was green broke, with some really weird quirks that I’d never come across before! He was afraid to turn right. Yep, sounds silly, but a little bit of right rein pressure would send him bolting left. Being a Clydie x he was quite different to train and work with than what I was used to (TBs & ponies!). This had me go back to the basics of horse training, and really question how to was the best was to train horses, so they not only understood what was being asked, but they were able to do it calmly and willingly. I will be forever grateful to who introduced me to clicker training, which really changed the game for Thunder and cemented his understanding in what I was asking of him. Within a year he went from a bolting horse, to a horse who was happily showjumping at 70cm & now he is living his best life at ag school, helping a young rider build confidence and skills! This horse was such a pivotal part in my learning to be a better horsewoman & will forever be thankful for the things he led me to learn.

10/07/2023

“Excuse me, I know the treats are in there” - Orio 🤪😂

This guy has been going super, and has been great to train and at the same time is making me a better listener! Orio for the most part is such a dude & loves to learn new things, he’s willing to give anything a go (especially when there’s treats involved). As all horses do, he gets nervous, but Orio’s cues are small - he starts to breathe faster, slightly tense up & become a little less responsive to aids. When I don’t acknowledge this, the session becomes unproductive & he almost seems to go backwards in his training. When I do & we take a moment to stop & breathe or finish the session, he is a much happier, relaxed & easier horse for it. It’s amazing what stopping, listening and paying attention can do for our horses & their well-being ❤️

26/06/2023

Post ride pats, always! We have had a bit of a taking it easy kinda month, with Danny having some soreness that we are getting sorted. Lucky boy has a week off this week, and feeling much better after his massage from today (thanks for coming to our rescue)! Of course the week we aren’t riding is lovely and sunny… On the plus side it means more time for lessons and training sessions, so if anyone wants to sneak in a last minute session this week while the sun is shining, let me know 🙌🏽🤩

15/06/2023

We may have got rained on this mornings enrichment walk for Jade, buuuut we also got some epic rainbows, so no complaints from me! 🌈