Pinehill Stable

06/12/2024

What the heck???

This is wild, sharing something going around social media today:
"This horse was sold out of the Peabody Kill Pen
Turns out after being dna tested it is 100 percent rare PRZEWALSKI. He is a stallion and is needed to help keep the breed going. The government will be buying him from the owner to be put back with his herd. How he was captured and ended up at a auction is a mystery."
What in the world.

06/11/2024

05/28/2024

“Those who overcome great challenges will be changed, and often in unexpected ways. For our struggles enter our lives as unwelcome guests, but they bring valuable gifts. And once the pain subsides, the gifts remain. These gifts are life's true treasures, bought at great price, but cannot be acquired in any other way.”
~ Steve Goodier

Art: Cath Driessen

05/28/2024

Anna Sewell is celebrated as the author of "Black Beauty," a novel that transcends its literary value by profoundly influencing animal welfare. Published in 1877, the book’s depiction of a horse's life under various owners highlighted the cruelty faced by animals, effectively sparking a movement for their compassionate treatment. Anna Sewell was born in 1820 in Norfolk, England. Her life was marked by physical ailments, and by her teenage years, she was unable to walk without assistance. This reliance on horse-drawn carriages gave her a unique perspective on the relationship between humans and horses, which would later be vividly portrayed in her writing.

"Black Beauty" was written during the last years of Sewell's life. She aimed to raise awareness about the humane treatment of horses rather than purely entertain readers. The book was published just five months before her death, and it quickly became a bestseller. Sewell’s portrayal of the horse's perspective was revolutionary, offering readers an emotional connection to the plight of animals.

The novel is structured as an autobiography of a horse, Black Beauty, and narrates his experiences with various owners, highlighting both cruelty and kindness. Key themes include:

- The novel emphasizes that animals have feelings and deserve respectful treatment.
- It depicts the harsh realities of overworking and mistreating horses, especially those used in transportation.
- Sewell subtly but powerfully advocates for better conditions for working animals, promoting empathy and kindness.
- Impact on Animal Rights and Welfare

"Black Beauty" had a significant impact on public perception and the treatment of animals. The book influenced legislative reforms, including the introduction of laws to prevent cruelty to animals. In the UK, the novel contributed to the establishment of organizations like the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

Sewell's work raised public consciousness about the mistreatment of horses and other animals, encouraging a more humane approach. The impact of "Black Beauty" extended beyond the UK, affecting animal welfare practices in the United States and other countries.

Campaigns were launched to improve the conditions for working horses, such as banning the use of the "bearing rein," a device that caused discomfort and injury. "Black Beauty" remains a powerful educational tool, teaching generations about empathy and the ethical treatment of animals.

The book has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and television series, continually bringing its message to new audiences. The themes of animal welfare and compassion in "Black Beauty" remain relevant today, as societies continue to strive for better treatment of animals.

Anna Sewell’s "Black Beauty" is more than a classic piece of literature; it is a seminal work in the history of animal welfare. By bringing the plight of horses to the forefront of public consciousness, Sewell not only advocated for the humane treatment of animals but also laid the groundwork for future animal rights movements.

👉 Please Follow Us on instagram.com/womeninworldhistory✨

05/28/2024

In my experience horses are generally a lot smarter than most people realize. They also recognize when someone is an incompetent bully.

05/06/2024

Really Love THIS

04/02/2024

Words to remember from the past from Steinbrecht:
“The first prerequisite for reawakening a general interest in the art of riding and a contribution in this respect is the main reason for writing this book is to ban from the art everything that is stiff, forced, and pedantic and to overcome the prejudices that a man on a horse must carry himself in strange posture, and that the dressage horse has to walk around as if screwed into an instrument of torture. Instead, the equestrian art is for both the type of natural gymnastic exercise with which it is possible to attain and demonstrate the highest development of physical strength and skill.” Interested readers - this is a young Valegro, and Carl Hester...
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2022/11/the-most-influential-dressage-master-of-them-all-steinbrecht/

03/23/2024

Bahaha

03/21/2024

🤦‍♀️“I’ve been told that my ex racehorse needs to work more from behind”🤦‍♀️

In your ex racehorses first career, the leg is there as an aid ‘to go forward’ there is no: to lift, to engage, to push, to step under, or to move sideways/into. So why do we think that now, as a riding horse, because we have done all of the necessary groundwork, that when we apply a/the leg that we are going to be able to start creating ‘a connection; through their body and get the hindleg to step under and ‘work from behind. ‘

I would like to first point out that it is technically correct that all horses should work from behind-forward. I am not denying this fact, what I am trying to highlight is that in training some horses we have to take into account their previous history, their conformation and how by trying to ‘make the hindlegs work’ it can be detrimental to the development of them in the early stages.

By being told that your horse need to ‘work from behind into the contact’ (which by the way isnt wrong, its just for certain types of horses we have to think about ‘which way round’ to do things) Do you not feel like you could be potentially blocking them into a shape? We have the rein contact to ‘get the neck’ and then we apply the leg, because we have been told/have the knowledge that says ‘all horses must work from behind into the contact. If we were to put this into ‘human form’ would this potentially look like: grabbing and pulling them back by the ponytail whilst kicking them up the backside at the same time?

Some of the questions you need to ask yourself, when thinking, is my ex racehorse at a stage where I can start to ask for them to ‘push from behind’ are:

🐴Can you ex racehorse even lift their back?
🐴Do they have a ‘core’?
🐴Have you been able to create a language that your ex racehorse understands to be able to ‘lift and engage’ said core?
🐴Where are you, as a rider, positioned on them?
🐴Are they comfortable with you positioned there?
🐴Have you considered and understand their natural biomechanics?
🐴Are their hindlimbs strong enough to be able to; carry, support and push’?
�In the early stages of retraining we usually see horses running away from/being sharp to the leg, OR ones that are very behind the leg that cause their rider to turn beetroot colour whilst trying to do a lap of trot, usually accompanied with the phrase ‘you would never guess that he was a racehorse.’ In both of these scenarios there is ZERO chance of being able to create a language with your ex racehorse that your leg all of a sudden, now means ‘ to step under and push along into a contact’

Not only does their previous career lend to this, but also their conformation. First off, when stood up, their hindlegs are usually straight and set slightly behind/out behind the horses-so there is your first challenge. Any form of ‘hindleg stepping under’ is already ‘going against the grain’ and will require both time and patience as you’re asking the body to work in a different way. The domino effect of that, is that we need the WHOLE BODY to be in a place that allows for the hindlegs to step under and ‘carry weight’ without mentally and physically breaking these horses. This requires for your ex racehorse to be not only BE ABLE, but also STRONG enough to lift and engage their core/back and hold it for a duration of time. (This can add in the problem of fatigue) Adding to that, you then have tack and the position and placement of the rider to also consider and hope that that doesn’t impinge on the use of their back. PLUS then the natural flow of energy into the shoulders and the stiff like neck to help balance themselves all need to be in a good, balanced and able place before being able to even consider the back legs…….and this is all before we even have to think about creating an understanding with our ex racehorse as to what the leg ‘means’ (doesn’t seem quite so straight forward, huh?)

“More leg’ doesn’t mean ‘more engagement’, it *usually* in our ex racehorses, means ‘more running onto the forehand.’ This is not our fault in our riding, and nor is it our ex racehorses fault, because their body tells them to naturally do that and since baby years, that’s all their understanding of the leg has been. Through correct training, TIME, an epic home team of; saddlers, vets, farriers and physios our ex racehorses are able to: sit, push, lift and have swing and cadence, but it doesn’t start from day one of ‘working from behind’

www.thoroughbreddressage.com

Retraining of Racehorses Equine Exceed HorseQuestGlaze & Gordon Dengie Horse Feeds

03/14/2024

Ok folks
Has anyone got a lovely well trained older horse standing around doing nothing? Getting fat? We here at Pinehill Stable will volunteer to exercise your horse for you!! All ( experienced) riders will be under the supervision of a senior coach....who volunteers to school your horse too!!! What a deal!!
Your horse will be ridden once a day 5 days a week. We promise to start out with first some lunging, mostly walking and a little trot and will work your buddy gradually to get them in shape before riding. Everything is overseen by the coach!!
Getting your horse back in shape and schooled would cost you a minimum of 1200 a month anywhere else, but we will do it FREEE, you just provide the feed. 😁
Contact Colleen by text
506 872 4913
For more info

03/08/2024

Dear friends in the horse industry, I am looking to lease a large pony or small horse for a 13 year old girl who has outgrown my school pony.
Hailey is working on her Rider 3 and really enjoys going to an occasional schooling show. She is a soft kind rider and will probably never want to jump anything more than a cross rail. If you have an older horse that needs to be pampered loved and not worked too hard this would be a great spot for the season. Box stall and separate turnout provided.
PM me if you want more details.
Lease with a purchase option is possibility.
Thank you!

02/28/2024

Recent studies conducted by the Institute of Heart-Math provide a clue to explain the two-way ′′ healing ′′ that occurs when we're close to horses. According to researchers, the heart has an electromagnetic field larger than the brain: a magnetometer can measure the energy field of the heart that radiates from 2.4 meters to 3 meters around the human body.

While this is certainly significant, perhaps more impressive than the electromagnetic field projected by the heart of a horse is five times larger than that of a human being (imagine an electromagnetic sphere around the horse) and it can influence straight into our own heart rate.

Horses are also likely to have what science has identified as a ′′ coherent ′′ heart rate (heart rate pattern) that explains why we can ′′ feel better ′′ when we're close to them. Studies have found a coherent heart pattern or HRV to be a solid measure of well-being and consistent with emotional states of calm and joy-that is, we exhibit such patterns when we feel positive emotions.

A coherent heart pattern is indicative of a system that can recover and adapt to stressful situations very efficiently. Many times, we just need to be in the presence of horses to feel a sense of well-being and peace.
In fact, research shows that people experience many physiological benefits by interacting with horses, including lower blood pressure and heart rate, higher beta-endorphins (neurotransmitters acting as pain suppressors), decreased stress levels, decreased feelings of anger, hostility, tension and anxiety, better social working; and greater feelings of empowerment, confidence, patience and self-efficacy.~

02/28/2024

Interesting read

Interesting read.

👀🧠🐴 Here are 15 interesting facts about a horse's brain:

1. A horse's brain is relatively small compared to the size of its body, making up only about 0.1% of its total weight.
2. Despite their small size, horses have very complex brains, with a highly developed cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for conscious thought, decision making, and memory.
3. Horses can learn and remember complex tasks, such as navigating a jumping course or performing a dressage routine, through a process called associative learning.
4. Like humans, horses have a left and a right hemisphere in the brain, each with specialized functions. The left hemisphere is responsible for logical and analytical information processing, while the right hemisphere is more involved in emotional processing and creative thinking.
5. Horses have great memories and can remember specific people, places, and experiences for many years.
6. Horses can learn by observing and can often pick up new behaviors and skills simply by watching other horses or humans.
7. Horses have a very sensitive sense of touch and can detect even the slightest pressure or movement on the skin. This helps them respond to subtle cues from their rider or guide.
8. Horses can process visual information very quickly and accurately, allowing them to avoid potential danger and navigate their environment with ease.
9. Horses are social animals and rely on non-verbal communication to interact with other horses in their herd. This communication is facilitated by the horse's brain, which can interpret subtle changes in body language, facial expressions, and vocalizations.
10. Finally, like all animals, horses have unique personalities and individual characteristics that are shaped by their experiences, genetics, and environment, all of which are reflected in their brain function and behavior.
11. Horses have a very strong sense of smell and their olfactory bulb, which processes odors, is relatively large compared to other parts of their brain.
12. The cerebellum, which is responsible for coordinating movement and balance, is also relatively large in horses. This is because horses must be able to move quickly and efficiently to escape predators or navigate difficult terrain.
13. Horses have a very high pain threshold, which is thought to be related to the way their brains process pain signals. While this can be beneficial in some situations, it can also mean that horses may not show overt signs of pain, making it difficult for their keepers to detect and treat underlying health problems.
14. The hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in learning and memory, is particularly well developed in horses. This allows them to remember not only specific experiences, but also general concepts and patterns that they can apply to new situations.
15. Finally, studies have shown that horses, like other animals, are capable of experiencing emotions such as fear, happiness, and anger. These emotions are thought to be mediated by the limbic system, a group of interconnected brain structures that play a key role in regulating mood and behavior.

Info: Megan Bolentini Equine Bodywork

01/20/2024

🤣🤣

12/30/2023

Beautiful snowfall
Dec 29th, 2023

12/18/2023

Somewhere in the world, the 2028 Olympic champion is a foal out in a field. He’s ewe-necked, sickle-hocked, downhill and shaggy, with a club foot and a chunk of mane missing, because his buddy chewed it off.

Somewhere in the world, there’s a young horse that everyone says is too short to make it big. In three years, he’ll be jumping the standards, but right now he’s fat and short and no one is paying him any mind.

Somewhere in the world there’s a 7-year-old who can’t turn right, and a 10-year-old who has not shown the ability to put more than two one-tempis together without losing it, and a 14-year-old who hasn’t yet reached his peak, and all of them will be at the next Olympic Games.

Somewhere else in the world, there’s a rider who is thinking of packing it in. Maybe the bills are getting out of control, or she’s killing herself to get enough help in her own riding development because she’s having to spend all her time riding and teaching to make ends meet and change needs to happen, and she’s wondering if it’s worth it. She’s thinking it’s time to just give up and be a local trainer, to shelve her dreams of international competition. And then she’s going to shake off the doubt, double down, and make a team in the next 15 years.

Somewhere in the world, one of the next great team riders is 9 years old and couldn’t tell if she was on the right posting diagonal if her life depended on it.

Somewhere in the world there’s a future team rider who just got told that she’ll never make it because she’s too chubby, because she’s too short, because she’s too late.

There are horses who will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars that will never amount to anything, and there are horses who will be touted as the Next Big Thing only to be never seen or heard from again, and there are horses who will fly under the radar until suddenly they’re setting the world on fire.

There are riders who will win Junior and Young Rider competitions only to quit riding completely, riders who will be touted as the Next Big Thing only to get stuck in their comfort zones and never come to fruition, and there are riders who will make their first Olympic team at 50, at 55, at even older than that.

And yes, there are the horses that will be brilliant from day one, and there are the riders for whom success both comes early and stays late. But more often than not, history has shown that the unlikely story, the horse who was passed over in favor of his more expensive stablemate, the rider who no one saw coming, is the more likely path to greatness.

Credit and written by Lauren Sprieser at Chronicle Of The Horse

11/23/2023

Hello friends, looking for a winter blanket for my black pony 69-70.
He normally goes through one a season!! 🤣
Anybody got one for sale?

11/21/2023

Gotta love John Wayne!!

11/17/2023

Some ponies are special!!!

Marion Coakes-Mould and Stroller
Marion Coakes and Stroller at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Stroller was the most unique pony of all time having all of his major success in the International Show Jumping world of the horse, even though he only stood at 14:2 hh.

11/16/2023

Great article

11/11/2023

Lest we forget.

I was pulled from my field, from my work, from my play,
Ne'er again to see England, in lands far away,
Through death and destruction, through blood sweat and tears,
I carried my master, along with my peers,
So I ask you to remember a while,
Along with the soldiers, in smart rank and file,
Remember our beauty, the strength of our kind,
As we galloped through danger, without care to mind,
For we were the horses thrust into war,
And we gave up our lives for your peace evermore.

The War Horse, 1914 - 1918

11/05/2023

My horses didn't get the
Time change Memo
🙄

10/27/2023

Rider Level Theory Program starts Saturday morning at Pinehill Stable November 4th at 9:00am.
Registration will be for Rider Level 1, 2 and 3 plus Information session for parents from 9 to 9:15.
Theory/ Stable Management sessions will be held in the barn and in the house twice monthly from November to April. Written test will be held Spring 2024.

Cost for Winter Session
Rider One or Rider Two $250
Rider Three, Four or Five $300
Rider Six $350

Colleen Nisbett, Comp Coach

09/29/2023

My pretty, and chubby, boy 😊