Ridequine Ranch

01/10/2026

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The Equestrian Academy

01/08/2026

Can’t think of a better way to bring in the year of the horse! New Year’s Day lessons. Missing pictures of a couple ladies. Sorry Stephanie and Charlie.

01/05/2026

Christmas party was pulled together pretty last minute, But it was so nice to get to see everyone out of their barn clothes and eat some amazing food. We are so grateful for this barn of the best people. Thank you Kami an Alyssa for making it happen so smoothly. 🫂

12/31/2025

This is what ride number 4 looks like, it’s not fancy, it’s not explosive and it should be the farthest thing from entertaining. It should be boring. Thats when you know all the bricks are placed correctly in the foundation.
But one of the biggest mistakes I feel a lot of people make with training horses is not taking into account the extra weight and balance shifts of the rider.
That is a huge consideration for a horse to go from an unmounted horse to a ridden horse and the first handful of rides on my young horses is all about getting them to trust, relax and balance on all 4 legs equally through motion while holding the weight of their rider in a positive way. And the only job of the rider is simply to guide and follow the horse with their seat and a very light contact to the mouth with exceptional connection through following hands. The horse needs their head and neck to have a full roll through the spine, and its that roll through the spine that creates moments of suspention. Its when we start to block the neck and atlas from extending that we loose the freedom of the shoulders and the gate is not longer a smooth equal 3 beat count and turns more to the “dear bounce” when all 4 legs seem to hit and leave the ground simultaneously, which is what we see in lots of these horses with sore backs.

That’s right, I said all 4 legs EQUALLY! Horses are naturally built to carry more weight with their front legs. It’s unacceptable for us to just assume they should start moving in an uphill balance as soon as we put the weight of a rider on them. I want them to first learn to lift the weight of the rider in between their front and hind legs, then we can work on a more uphill balance. Thats not to say you shouldnt get moments of suspention with a more uphill frame but thats with the help of propulsion.
But if that process is rushed faster than fitness, that’s when with get breakdowns and injuries.
Ride number 4 and he has been nothing but a big puppy. All about the cuddles.🥰

I don’t even know yet if I ever even have an interest in stepping into a big dressage ring but this learning process sure is going to be fun with this handsome man by my side!

Cheers to 2026 and stepping outside your comfort zone!

Thank you Nightly for the amazing help as always!

12/21/2025

Animal therapy at its finest!

Hard to deny these little cuties breakfast in bed with this weather. Even though their bale is 5 feet away from the shelter.

12/18/2025

When it’s pouring rain in Dec, followed by an 8 hour blizzard, we have a spay day inside. Fresh clean ponies, for their fresh new jammies! It’s a full house tonight.

12/16/2025

It’s impossible to debate the elevation in fitness training you get with pole work.
If your training isn’t at least 50% focused on fitness it’s not a matter of if your horse gets an injury it’s when!
Bo had a broken rib this spring so bringing him into fitness has been a long process as there could be no forced frames or collection, which in my opinion is the only way to true fitness. It might not be the fastest route but it sure is the truest.

If your wanting to kickstart your winter training to have your horse in top condition for spring competition shoot me a message. I would love to work with you and your horse where you are! If that’s a virtual fitness plan or in barn training.

12/13/2025

What does your -35 degree Celsius day look like?
Around here it’s, extra straw, extra hay, extra cubes, extra concentrates for those that cant eat hay and loose salt.
Same amount of exercise for the horses as this stimulates their thirst, and colic is the thing we worry about the most in these cold snaps. Not so much in the pasture horses as they are constantly running around with free access to hay and heated water. But the ones that stand alone in a pen don’t exercise, therefore get cold and then they stop drinking.
And then when everyone is happy outside we warm up by the fire and drink tea and eggnog!
Tiss the season.

n

12/07/2025

Baby Stallion stalled across from all the ladies. And not a care in the world.

12/03/2025

Looking for recommendations on equine solariums. Wanting to install one in the wash bay. Is it worth it to try and make one or does anyone have good experience with one type or the other.
Thanks so much. I’m sick of the winter already!

12/01/2025

First day you could feel it was winter. Kept warm with a little pole fun.

11/29/2025

Dressage meets Cutting!