CF Equine

15/02/2025

I trust a fresh horse on a cold winter morning far more than I’ll ever trust any man 😜

You’re not single. You’re not taken. You’re simply on reserve for the one who deserves your heart.

14/02/2025

I can pick my own flowers, I can start my own colts, or whatever it was Miley said.

14/02/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day from my favourite man hating horse, when we find one he actually likes then maybe I’ll consider keeping one around 😝

13/02/2025

💁🏼‍♀️

"Wow you're incredible, so determined"
thank you I do everything out of spite

10/02/2025

So true 🥰
credits: Cavaliere Couture

08/02/2025

Horses are allowed to have baggage and nobody’s made me more aware of that than Wolfie, he’s got man issues for a reason and much of how we manage him and keep him happy is shaped by the idea that the behaviours that are hard to manage happen when he does not feel safe, so it’s my job to create an environment he feels as safe as possible in.

I don’t think people realize just how many horses out there carry trauma with them.

With that, I don’t even mean severely abused horses that have been starved, or beaten heavily. There are plenty of those around, and those usually cause a lot of outrage (as they should).

What I am talking about though, is the horses whose trauma is never really recognized as such. The ones who tolerate humans and their requests, but never learned to trust them. Those who get extremely obsessive about food which are labelled as “bossy” or ”dominant”. Those who deal with severe Separation anxiety, which are said to be “dramatic”. Those who cannot self-regulate, or co-regulate and constantly carry tension. Those who try to express their pain, which get punished for it because “just a mare”.
Those who are “perfect” until they finally get a choice.

Between Unethical weaning practices, unsuitable welfare, constantly moving homes & and ownership, and aversive training/handling approaches, most horses at some point experience trauma. And this trauma can present itself in a variety of ways. Some are more subtle than others.
Trauma doesn’t have to be this huge explosive reaction. Just like people, horses can carry trauma and move on with their lives fairly normally. It can shape their personality just like it can shape ours.
However, that doesn’t mean doing so is healthy.

The horse that has been in 6+ homes before the age of 10, and thus can’t cope with changes. That is Trauma.
The horse that has never had consistent companionship and becomes obsessive with certain herd mates. That is Trauma
The horse that has only known corrections when they tried to express their confusion, fear, or dislike, and turns from “a perfect beginner’s horse” to “Don’t touch me” the moment you stop using corrections. That is Trauma.
The horse that never had a chance to learn from other horses or connect with people and thus can’t trust people to make good choices for them, can’t self-regulate or co-regulate, and can’t think their way through a situation. That is Trauma.
The horse who was only ever fed 2 times a day and was left without food for 6 hours each night, and has thus become food-aggressive. That is Trauma.
The horse who experienced highly aversive training techniques, and thus now gets frustrated, tense and severely stressed out anytime they are handled in a similar manner. That. Is. Trauma.

Sometimes, awareness of this can be a frustration and defeating realization. I think as equestrians we are often blind to this reality, because sadly, it’s just so common to see horses like that.
It’s not until you work with young, untraumatized horses, or rehabilitated horses, that you realize: “Oh! This is how it should be!”

06/02/2025

Because I was told in a meeting with the stewards last year my page is being looked at in case I get a little too honest…. Hi guys!!! 😘

me posting stuff on purpose because I know someone is minding my business

06/02/2025

05/02/2025

05/02/2025

Dear cowgirl,

I hope you know it isn’t wrong to want more.

To work harder.

To be louder.

To demand more.

To place more value on yourself than ever before.

To stand up and say when something is wrong.

To make some noise and be proud of how you’ve worked for the dream you are chasing.

Until you start valuing who you are and what you bring to the table first, not a damn person is going to give you the respect you want.

Dear Cowgirl, show up, work hard, go above and beyond.
Demand more of yourself.
And don’t you dare quit on me now. 💕

©Adrian Brannan

05/02/2025

26/01/2025

And for anyone wanting to get involved in racing, please feel free to reach out any time! It makes me so happy when we can get people involved and when people work together and make new people feel welcome.

starlakefarm.com