Horse Works Equine Therapy

11/08/2022

Wow!
Incredible 😍

Wow!

11/06/2022

𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒅
Everyone likes to talk about the harm caused when a horse is ridden behind the vertical... but have you ever wondered why?

One (of the many) problems with a BTV position is that encourages incorrect flexion in the neck. In a healthy horse, the head will flex up and down at the first cervical vertebrae. This bone is known as the atlas or C1.

In an effort to avoid excessive pressure caused by a harsh bit, rider or gadgets (especially draw reins) many horses will begin flexing at the 3rd vertebrae (C3). "Broken at the 3rd" creates incorrect movement throughout the body and will quickly lead to pain and damage. Once a horse begins moving in this manner, it is extremely hard for them to unlearn and they may continue this harmful posture even when at or above the vertical.

10/26/2022

10/26/2022

So true ❤️

06/23/2022

I’m sure we’ve all had this moment at some point 🤣

😳😳😳

04/03/2022

What exactly is the point here… 🤷🏻‍♀️
Hahaha 🤣

03/31/2022

While it saddens me tremendously that I won’t get the chance to watch him again in competition. I am glad I had the opportunity to do so on quite a few occasions and those will continue to rank in the top moments of live competition for me. ❤️

Announcing my retirement from competition comes with a lot of mixed emotion. I always fought hard never believing that cancer would get the better of me but here we are. As sad as I am, I'm also grateful that it comes at a time when I am in a position to lead the Canadian Show Jumping Team to great things. The energy and excitement gives me a new focus and a meaningful way to continue contributing all my knowledge to the sport I love. I will also continue to build Torrey Pines Stable into the best in the world with two great riders, Beth and Nina, handling the reins. Thank you to everyone who has played a role in my career, especially my owners for all of their support. bit.ly/3NC8HNT
Photo by Starting Gate Communications

03/25/2022

One of my absolute favourites ❤️
Such an incredible story 😊

11/29/2021

11/11/2021

For all who have served and all those who have fallen… lest we forget ❤️

11/10/2021

Trail ride hack maybe?
Hahaha

Brilliant!

10/15/2021

Winter is coming… 🥶

❄️As the weather gets colder it's important to start thinking about how to keep your horses warm and comfortable throughout Alberta winters!

Always consult with your veterinarian if you're unsure how to blanket your horse without causing them to overheat.

06/25/2021

I see some early rides in my future... 🤔☀️

Save and share, this heat is going to be crazy!!!! Lots of water for you and the horses!!!

06/12/2021

I love this little horse 😊❤️

05/15/2021

Very sad, but this boy had a great life and career. I got to spend a few min with him at Spruce Meadows the year he retired. Such a gentleman, very friendly and a giant 😳 You would never guess this big softy was a stallion ❤️

We think about Beezie and John Madden (Beezie Madden / John Madden Sales, Inc) and the loss of Judgement today.

Judgement left behind a great legacy at Spruce Meadows and we will always fondly remember his bravery and his ability to overcome. He was, and is, one of the "Greats" of the sport.

We invite you to enjoy "The Story of Judgement" >> https://youtu.be/BU29mdGAk_c

03/21/2021

Very interesting 🤔

03/11/2021

Love this plan Killerney has to get people back in the saddle and reconnected with horses ❤️
Is it a fit for you?

Do you reminisce about the days when you used to ride? Are you working from home and need a break from the kids? Family? Four walls?

We are offering a Back in the Saddle program. Lessons in english tack geared towards adults who used to ride before university, family, or simple life commitments took over and who want to get back to riding again.

A weekly or twice weekly committment is required and spaces are limited.

A great way to escape for two hours, one or two days week. Drive through Tims for a coffee, take a country drive, come for a relaxed weekly private or semi private lesson with others like you. Reconnect with these wonderful animals we have spent so much time with in our past. . Breathe in the fresh air and crank up the tunes on the way home feeling rejuvenated.

Contact us for more details.

02/14/2021

So amazing 💕

02/06/2021

Love the explanation and great tips... let’s all be a bit more confident up there 😊

We all have some fear when we are riding. Horses are big and powerful animals and none of us want to get hurt. Fear is an instinct that we have to keep us safe and out of trouble. It’s extremely important when we ride to recognize when we have this fear and channel it into productive energy. Whenever you are riding, you are the leader and you must give your horse confidence!



Here are some tips to help you when you get tense or nervous in the saddle:



Find your confidence button! Our instinct causes us to tip forward when we get tense. The psoas muscle, which connects your spine to your femur, automatically contracts when you get afraid and this causes you to tip forward. This is the worst thing you can do! When you feel your “fear muscle” start to contract, think about engaging your “confidence button.” Tuck your tailbone, rotate your pelvis under, engage your low abs, and lower your center of gravity. This will help you lower your center of gravity and stay with your horse! (Concept adapted from Rudy Horsemanship)
Sing a song- this helps you remember to breathe! We all hold our breath when we get nervous. Horses are extremely sensitive and they will notice you holding your breath and this will cause the horse to get even more tense and nervous! Instead, pick a song and start singing it! My husband does this all the time when he’s on a tricky young horse. He will start singing (quite loudly) “round the mountain, run boys run, devil’s in the house of the rising sun!” It gives him confidence and takes his mind off of the bad things that could happen.
Give your horse a job to do! Don’t just creep around!! When you are in the saddle, YOU ARE THE LEADER! If you are not giving your horse a job to do, they will come up with their own agenda, and usually that does not end up well for the rider. Whenever I feel my horse start to get distracted, I recommend lots of turns and bending lines - this helps to get the horse focusing on the inside of the arena and gets you directing the horses’ energy! , , , , , , , , , , , , , https://www.facebook.com/138507256185858/posts/3775607299142484/?d=n

02/05/2021

Flexibility = soundness

01/31/2021

Love this ❤️

"Remember, the conversation between you and your horse must never be dull or inert. It should be, "Ask, receive, give. Ask, receive, give." Ask with your body and legs; receive through your body into your hands; give primarily with the hands, but also with your body and legs, so that you can ask all over again, receive again and give again. The give is your thanks. If you don't give, you must ask harder the next time, and even harder after that, until you end up with a dead or resistant horse." - Sally Swift

01/28/2021

Whether you’re sharing your feelings with your best friend, mom, dad, spouse, sibling, dog or horse ... just talk to someone if you’re not ok. Because it’s .

01/21/2021

We sat 30 feet away while Arko III competed at Spruce Meadows, just squeaking past Hickstead for the win... that bicycle jump was the equalizer. LOL
He was a brilliant stallion! I hope we get to see many of his offspring when we can return to Spruce Meadows in the future. R.I.P. Arko III ❤️

Today we think about Nick Skelton’s (GBR) great stallion, Arko III. He has passed away at the age of 27. Outside of Olympic Games, European Championships, various Nations’ Cups, and World Cup Finals, Arko III, piloted by Skelton, won the 2008 ‘International’ Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’.

📷: Cealy Tetley