B. Fex Horsemanship & Equitation

01/22/2025

Here’s to the owners who are outside every couple of hours to monitor their horses’ health in these frigid temps.

Here’s to the owners who are checking waterers for ice. Here’s to the owners who are freezing their fingers to hang up their hose, or bringing hoses inside their house to keep from freezing.

Here’s to the owners switching blankets, double blanketing, or cleaning out shelters for their unblanketed horses. Here’s to the owners who are worried if their horse is staying warm enough with or without their blanket.

Here’s to the owners who are throwing countless flakes of loose hay out while making sure the round bale feeders don’t go empty.

Here’s to the owners praying that equipment starts, and hydraulics work smoothly. Here’s to the owners who figure it out when the equipment fails you.

Here’s to the messy mud room, filled with winter bibs, charged heated vests, boot dryers plugged in, and headlamps charged. Here’s to the countless pairs of gloves you have to swap out each time you venture outside.

Here’s to the rigorous training schedules, riding lessons, and busy barn coming to a halt. Here’s to putting the health of the animal’s first.

Here’s to the part of horse management that isn’t so glamorous. Thank you for all you are doing for the safety and wellbeing of your horses during this time.

Here’s to all of us ❄️🩵

01/16/2025

✨ Feature Week: The Personal Nutritionist Program - Herd Edition ✨

The Herd Program is a bit different as each horse does not get their own individual report, and I work with the facility owner or manager.

However, for boarding facilities on the program there is an option for individual horse owners to upgrade to the Personal Nutritionist Package at a discounted rate.

Here’s what’s included:
🤎 2-hour initial consultation
🤎 Full body condition scoring and measurements of each horse
🤎 Weighing of feed and hay
🤎 A detailed excel sheet showing daily feeding rates, program costs, and body condition of the horses
🤎 Monthly check-ins
🤎 Unlimited email and messaging support to one point of contact
🤎 Ability to add/remove horses as needed
🤎 Monthly program updates
🤎 A complimentary measurement kit

This program is designed with the equine professional in mind so that they can ensure the nutritional well-being of the horses under their care is optimized.

Interested in more information? Send me an email at [email protected]



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01/16/2025

Since I have just now made two posts about the uncomfortable subject of causing stress and pain to horses, I will repeat one other thing that I have posted about many times.

ANY human athlete knows how badly it hurts when the gas tank is getting empty, and they are still having to run, like in track, soccer, whatever.

Horses who are tired and who are being made to keep going are not “happy” horses. They are uncomfortable horses. Now some athletically induced discomfort is a normal by-product of training, but basically riders should be HIGHLY AWARE of trying to not ask horses for exertion too far beyond what their physical fitness allows. If they aren’t fit enough, get them fitter, THEN ask.

I was just watching a Netflix movie, and as in so many movies with horses, all they do is gallop. In real life those horses wouldn’t stay sound for two weeks. There’s so much bad horsemanship out there, and riders need to get educated about simple basics like fit for the task.

01/16/2025

This is what came up when I did some research on stretching---

“Forcing a stretch can lead to muscle strains, ligament damage, or tears, as you are pushing your body beyond its natural range of motion, causing pain and potentially serious injury; it's important to always stretch within your comfort level and NEVER FORCE A STRETCH to the point of sharp discomfort.

Exerting too much energy or going too deep into a stretch can result in a torn muscle. Slowly ease into your stretches. You may feel slightly uncomfortable during a stretch, but it should never hurt. Don't push your body past its limits, and always stay in your natural range of motion.”

Some horse riders and trainers force stretches frequently by usng strong bits, leverage devices like draw reins, bitting rigs, side reins, and when that is pointed out, that it goes against correct stretching methods, they ALWAYS have excuses and reasons why :in this instance” it is an OK thing to do. Some even do barbaric things like tying a horse’s head around to its flank or to an overhead beam and leaving it in that agonizing position for long periods of time.

The physical therapy experts don’t say "SOMETIMES force a stretch." They say "NEVER force a stretch". The horse people who disagree are simply wrong.

Governing bodies get into meltdown mode over a spur rub, while ignoring this kind of REALY bad stuff. It is bad horsemanship at its worst, defend it anyway you want.

Just don't do it, pretty simple.

Edited to add that I used to do plenty of wrong stuff, but I think that I rarely do any more, at least not on purpose. We can learn to be better if we are open to it.

01/10/2025

Found this old graphic and thought it was worth sharing again…

01/10/2025

Winter is the perfect time to try something new!

🌟 Ages 8 and up are invited to our Intro to Equestrian Vaulting clinic hosted by Nation Valley vaulters!
The clinic begins in our heated training room, learning safety and practicing with our mechanical horse simulator. Once ready, we will progress to one of our vaulting horses!
This fun sport is a mixture of gymnastics, dance and horses that will improve confidence and balance as well as harmony on the horse! An experience all equestrian will enjoy! 🦄
Price $60 plus tax

🗓 January, Sunday the 26th 1030am – 12:00 kids group
12- 1:30 teens/adults!

📍Nation Valley Ranch, Chesterville, 40mins south of Ottawa!

📝 register today by emailing [email protected], spots limited!

01/02/2025

"People ask me why I do it.. Why I miss birthday parties, family dinners and any other special occasions. Why I spend hundreds upon thousands of dollars. Why I put a billion of miles on my vehicle running up and down the road. Why I choose to leave early or stay late just to squeeze in those last minute sun setting long trot sessions. Why I haul 3 hours to the vet at the first sign of a issue when I won't spend the money or time to go to the ER myself. Why I wake up early and stay up all night. Why my horses eat on a strict schedule, while I eat anytime, anywhere I can. Why sometimes it seems I'm choosing horses over relationships, people, and everything else in my life. Why do I do it? Why do I put myself, my family, my body, my finances through it? "what is one horse show going to matter?" The answer is simple but not understood by most everyone unless they live it. What I do is who I am. It's not meant to be understood by anyone. It's an addiction, a hobby, a lifestyle and a world only us horse people understand. You won't stop... no matter the circumstances, the bad luck, how much you spent and wasted, the time you can never get back, you CANT stop. You can take a break, sell out, lose faith, leave the horses standing in the pasture, But you never give it up. It's always there, in your every thought, memory and future dream. Goals will change but the desire never will. Months and years may shift how and when you go, how many horses you own and your level of interest. BUT, it never leaves. It's a God given passion to learn from and to use as a tool. When you ask me why.. my answer is WHY NOT?! Why not live everyday like it's my last! WHY not be a example to my family and friends as someone who never gave up!!! WHY not give it my all and see just how far I can go and what I can achieve! Why NOT??? My only hope and prayer is that everyone will find their.. "why do you it?" "

12/31/2024

As we gallop into the new year, remember this: every ride is a chance to grow, and every challenge is a step closer to greatness. The bond you share with your horse is built on trust, patience, and determination—qualities that will guide you both toward success in the year ahead.

Set goals that inspire you to push your limits, whether it’s mastering a new skill, conquering a competition, or simply deepening the connection with your horse. Celebrate every small victory, they pave the path to achieving your dreams.

When the journey gets tough, remind yourself: you are resilient, your horse is your partner, and together, you are unstoppable. Let the rhythm of hooves and the love for the sport fuel your passion, one stride at a time.

Here’s to a year filled with clear rounds, graceful dressage tests, powerful gallops, and moments of pure joy in the saddle. Ride into 2025 with confidence, courage, and an unshakable spirit.

12/29/2024

12/23/2024

Develop Your Eye for Correct Connection in Stretchy Trot - Dressage Fundamentals

12/01/2024

We all need support, our horses are no different.
Just like humans, every horse is different with how he needs to be supported, how he learns, what makes him worried and what builds his confidence.
How’s your conversation with your horse? How quiet can he whisper to you and have you still hear him?

12/01/2024

At the core of their being, horses are experts at responding to weight aids and the changes of our position as relates to them and their body. They are masterful at communicating through feel.

There are many methods to training, and thankfully, a horse is intelligent enough to figure out what we want with enough repetition and motivational tools. You can teach a horse that left leg forward means go right, you can teach a horse that right leg forward means go right. You can teach a horse to obey voice commands. You can teach a horse that a spur means go, or a spur means stop. You can teach them to move to a target to receive a treat.

But when it comes to working with our body positioning, weight aids, and communicating directly in the language a horse is born knowing: feel, we can’t go wrong. This is an inherent understanding every horse possesses.

Horses are born sensitive to these subtle communications. It’s humans and their ways of communicating with the horse that creates dullness and lack of responsiveness, because we ask them to ignore their nature repeatedly and conform to our understanding of communication.

11/26/2024

Always Remember this ☝🏻🙂

11/25/2024

This time of year can be a real struggle, but it won't last for ever...

11/25/2024

Highly recommend this clinician, if you’re in the area!!