RE+ Arena & Horsemanship

10/01/2025

In Regina!

We are now taking consignments!

Start the year off fresh by bringing your gently used equestrian items to us for consignment!

We’re currently accepting:
✔️ Bits
✔️ Bridles
✔️ Saddles
✔️ Equestrian show cloths ( jackets, shirts and breeches)
✔️ Equestrian Footwear
✔️ high end horse boots, half pads, etc

Please note, we are not taking:
✘ Helmets
✘ Horse blankets
✘ Safety equipment
✘ Wraps and bandages
✘ Grooming tools
✘ Stable equipment (buckets, forks etc)

🛠️ Only items in good clean condition will pass our inspection—items needing repairs will not be accepted.

Let us help you find new homes for your unused items while making space for new adventures in 2025! 🐴
Drop off on Tuesdays and ask for Joy!

01/01/2025

✨️ Happy New Year! ✨️
Thanks for a great 2024!
Let's Ride!

(💥 I love sassy red mare vibes!! 💥
They're so confident & ready for anything!!)

24/12/2024

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
May this holiday season be a blessing to you, your family, friends and all your 4 legged fur babies!

17/12/2024

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬 - 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧!! 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝟓𝟎% 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝟕𝟐” 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟖𝟒”!!

That’s $175 in savings! Tell and share with your friends - this deal is a limited time offer only. This is the best deal to upgrade your horses wardrobe with quality and durability at a smoking price. 🔥

2100 denier Rip Stop outershell, 300gram fill, detachable full neck piece, adjustable front and surcingle straps, plus reflective piping makes the AJ Equine Supply Duke winter blanket a superior choice for our Canadian winters.

Order pickup available in Sherwood Park, or shipping is available by UPS. Visit our website at ajequinesupply.com Pricing is already reflected on sizes 72” and 84”.

16/12/2024

So very true!

All relationships are built on trust.

12/12/2024

👏👏👏👏 yes, Yes, YES!!! 👍👍👍👍
When you understand this, everything becomes easier!

Comparative neurobiology of horse and human.

Horses and humans are both mammals.
Our brains may not be the same size, but they are almost identical in their structure and function.

Why can our brains look so similar but our behaviours and sensitivity to the world look so different?

The area in the picture highlighted is the prefrontal cortex or the (PFC). Its job in humans, horses, dogs, dolphins, elephants, cats, mice, rats, all mammals, and even birds is to carry out "higher executive functions" such as:

🧠 problem solving
🧠 decision making
🧠 reasoning
🧠 risk assessment
🧠 forward planning
🧠 impulse control
🧠 intention

Obviously, these executive functions are more advanced in humans than in other species of mammals, but this part of the brain plays a pivotal role in higher levels of learning beyond primal behaviours and learning survival skills.

So why aren't we seeing these higher executive functioning skills and behaviours in horses as much as what we see them in dogs, dolphins, elephants and even birds?

Ultimately it comes down to safety!

The latest neuroscience research suggests that when the brain feels unsafe it causes the body to produce stress response hormones and these stress response hormones cause the PFC to go "offline".
This means that subcortical regions of the brain (deeper parts of the brain) such as the primal brain (AKA limbic system, survival brain, flight/fight brain) completely take over to increase the chances of survival.

Feeling unsafe causes the feeling of fear and it is fear that gets this party started.

So behaviours come from two areas:

1. The PFC, carrying out problem solving skills, reasoning, impulse control, forward planning etc. that may be interpreted as "obedience" and "partnership".

2. The primal brain, carrying out reactive survival behaviours. This brain does NOT carry out impulse control, forward planning, problem solving, etc. It just reacts to the world. This brain heavily relies on patterns and consistency. This brain will cause freeze/flight/fight behaviours such as shutting down, bolting, biting, rearing, bucking, kicking, barging, etc.

Which brain is the domesticated horse spending most of it's time in?
It's primal brain!

This is why we don't get to see their full intellectual and cognitive potential because most of the time, domesticated horses are perceiving their world in a fearful way to some degree.

We can help our horses with this!

Feeling fearful is the OPPOSITE to feeling calm.
If we want to help our horses access their PFC then we MUST do whatever it takes to help them feel calm.

☝️ ONLY when a brain feels calm can it slow down enough to develop TRUE confidence. Only when the brain feels confident will it access TRUE cognition (PFC).

☝️ We first need to understand that when we get "bad behaviour" from our horses, it's not intentional or naughty or rude. What you are seeing is either a horse that is just reacting to the fear they feel or they are carrying out their "coping mechanism" in response to their anticipation of feeling fear.

☝️ Try to remove expectations that your horse should "know better".
"Knowing better" implies that all behaviours are coming from the PFC and there should be some impulse control and reasoning. Unless your horse feels calm, they can't access the PFC to "know better".

THIS STARTS WITH YOU!!!

You need to be consciously aware if YOU feel calm first. If you feel calm, your horse will have a better chance at feeling calm. Expecting them to feel calm when you don't is unfair.

The best way to create calmness is to intentionally be SLOW!!!
SLOW EVERYTHING you do down.
SLOW your movement down.
SLOW your talking down.
SLOW your walking down.
SLOW your breathing down.
SLOW your horse down.
If you feel too slow, then you're going slow enough.

Calmness is slow, not fast.

This will help you and your horse to connect and feel safe together.
When the brain feels stressed, the stress response hormones cause the body to speed up.

Stress = speed

We can reverse engineer this process and create a calm mind through slow intentional movement and a relaxed posture.

The by-product of a calm brain is confidence and cognition (PFC access).

Happy brain training 🧠
Charlotte 😊

Photo: Credit: Adult horse (equine) brain, sagittal section. Michael Frank, Royal Veterinary College. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

08/12/2024

❤️❤️❤️

🔥 Lionesses of the Reining World: Witnessing History at the NRHA Futurity

As I sat in the stands of the historic Jim Norrick arena, watching the NRHA Futurity finals unfold, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride and hope. Beside me was my 9-year-old daughter, her eyes glued to the arena floor, captivated by the performances. She’s reining-obsessed and, like many little girls, dreams of one day stepping into that same ring.

For me, these moments are about more than just the runs or the scores. They’re about the people—the women—who step into these arenas and defy stereotypes every time they saddle up. Women like Kaci O’Rourke are blazing trails in a sport that often demands an impossible balance of strength, skill, and grit.

People like to talk about why women “can’t” make it to the top as professionals in this industry. I disagree. It’s not that we *can’t*. It’s that women were designed by God to play so many roles simultaneously—daughters, sisters, wives, mothers. We love big. We feel deeply. We carry so much. And that strength, that love, comes with sacrifices and challenges, especially when climbing the ranks alongside the boys.

Yes, men may have physical strength on their side, but let’s not forget: lionesses lead the pride for a reason. It takes incredible heart, instincts, and feel to excel in this sport, and women have all of those in spades.

This year, my daughter and I followed Kaci O’Rourke and The Fireman through social media and competitions, and finally got the chance to see them in action over these past two weeks. There’s something indescribable about witnessing the kind of connection they share. It’s magnetic, electric, and rare. When you see it, you know you’re watching something extraordinary.

And on this night, in front of a packed arena, Kaci and The Fireman delivered a performance for the ages. From their breathtaking run-in to their massive stop and lightning back, every move was precise, powerful, and perfectly timed. Their circles were like clockwork, transitioning into small slows with the grace of a figure skater. And those stops—the kind that leave you breathless—had people on their feet cheering before the pattern was even finished.

Kaci made history as the first woman to win the Open L4 NRHA Futurity, and she did it in a way that will leave an indelible mark on this sport. It was fitting that her win came in this iconic arena, just before it’s set to be torn down. A historic performance in a historic place.

As we walked out of the arena that night, I looked at my daughter, her face lit with excitement. For her—and so many little girls watching that night—this moment will be unforgettable. Kaci O’Rourke didn’t just win a title; she showed the next generation of girls what’s possible.

To all the lionesses out there climbing, grinding, and loving this sport with everything they’ve got: keep going. The next generation is watching, and you’re inspiring them every step of the way.

Congratulations Kaci, Jack, and the whole Pond Hill Team as well as owners Morgan Reiners! What a night it was! Well deserved.

Photo credit: Carolyn Simancik Photography

28/11/2024

Some great tips on here!!
(Under the resource library tab)

www.horseIQ.com

12/11/2024

Rememberance Day has me still reflecting and grateful.

So here's a sappy appreciation post. Sorry!!

To everyone who has come to the RE+ or has asked me for help with your horse... Thank you!

I've been doing this for 5 yrs now and I still
dont believe in myself as much as you do! ... I have learned so much from teaching people and training horses. Thank you for your trust!! I am so grateful!

I like to stay hidden LOL But, I have had so many amazing opportunities come to me that stretched me out of my 1 on 1 comfort zone: I've been able to watch kids grow up and develop their horsemanship skills and passions in 4H, and I've also been able to share my experiences with a womens group (that will forever leave a mark on my heart) as we talked about trust, relationship, respect, boundaries and overcoming challenges/obstacles and how it applied to life.

I've had some people and horses come here that were labeled or defeated and we have tackled the lies and fears they believed and worked on building confidence. The skill and maneuvers just came with clarity.

To all those that board or haulin here, sent horses for training here or have bought a horse or taken a lesson or mini session here... Thank you, its never been about business... I've made many friends, I've been able to give back to my community and others in need (10% of all RE+ income). I've been able to enjoy what I love most... people and horses...

I'm a better person and horsewoman because of you. ❤️

May I always remember those that make this possible.
(and Thank you, Lord, for this grand adventure) I can't wait to see what next year brings.

08/11/2024

Good reminder!
We all have those bad days, keep your chin up!

Don’t let one bad day turn to a bad week …

07/11/2024

Fun times!

03/11/2024

100% agree!

That's why methods like Flooding are absolutely detrimental and can only create a state of Learned Helplessness...

31/10/2024

Last year, Shine had to learn to be a cowhorse on short notice. This year, she had to step up to the Open bridle classes... The challenge looked very intimidating, but we took our time and chipped away at it...

We entered 3 shows and got 3 paycheques and Shine added another $1114 to her earnings.

The last show was definitely the most rewarding. Mykenna had hardly ridden all year because her mare had a foal and she missed showing! So she catch rode Shine in Ponoka and won the aggregate in the ASHA Youth 14-18 boxing ! To say I'm a proud momma is an understatement!

Thanks for the rides Shine.
Thanks to my friends and family who are the best encouragers.
Thanks to Dale Clearwater for the help and coaching
And thanks to my hubby for the amazing support and farrier work!
Forever grateful, and feeling blessed! 🙏✝️

26/10/2024

Very true!

SLOOOOOW DOWN!

SLOW your walking down to 1 step per second with and without your horse next to you.
SLOW your hand movements down as you touch or do things.
SLOW your talking down.
SLOW your breathing down.
SLOW your pulls and pushes down on the leadrope.

SLOW to FLOW!

Humans are WAAAAY to fast for horses and this is one of the leading causes of reactivity and opposition reflex in horses.

Speed = stress.

Let me teach you what speed does...

When the brain perceives a threat, it causes the body to release the stress response hormone cortisol. Cortisol levels and speed go hand in hand.
Cortisol provides the body with the fuel it needs to flee a scary situation or fight against it.

The thing with the mind-body relationship is that the brain feels an emotion such as fear, which create a physical response in the body, but the body can also move at a certain speed or in a particular way and create an emotion in the brain. It can be reverse engineered.

This is how special the intimate relationship is between the brain and body.

The other thing to remember is that, collectively as a social animal, when speed is noticed by another mammal (no matter the species), it alerts the unconscious brain to threat.

Speed is an alarm system in a social system (consciously and unconsciously).

If you walked down a road and everyone started running, you'd find it hard not to run even if you didn't know what the cause was. You are noticing that others are running and in a direction, so you mirror them to increase your chances of survival. You don't need the reasoning part of your brain for this. You just activated your primal (survival) part of the brain.

One other thing to remember: HORSES CAN SMELL CORTISOL. So not only does your speed act as a visual alarm system to your horse, it also acts as an olfactory one!

Would you want to interact with someone who caused you to feel constantly on alert?

These little things are the beginnings of what ripples into chronic stress in both humans and horses.
You spend enough time around someone who is fast in their movement, your nervous system will condition itself to being on high alert.
HELLO 👋 CHRONIC STRESS!!!

Slow your movement down = slow your thoughts down.
Slow your movement down = lower your cortisol.
Slow your movement down = feel connected with yourself, the world and others in it.
Slow your movement down = slow your alarm systems down and eventually they'll turn off.

Slow down so much that it is uncomfortable. It won't be uncomfortable for long, I promise 😉

Happy brain training 🧠
Charlotte 🙂

04/10/2024

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