Williams Lake Trail Riders Association

03/03/2025

It’s pretty incredible what a horse can understand

Not just tolerate, but understand.

When we’re gentling young horses, we often think from the perspective of “tolerate” or “accept.” There are a lot of things a young horse needs to learn to become comfortable with, not just to be safe to ride and handle, but for them to be safe in the world we’ve created for them.

Many people today don’t get to experience the feel of a working horse doing a job. A horse who is not only safe to ride or well trained, but has a job they understand and can do- they can think ahead of the rider, read the situation far more accurately and faster than the rider, and be a partner and asset to them. Not only are they comfortable with saddles, flags, ropes and more- they understand their purpose, and know how to be involved with them in the work. They can know when the rope is about them or another animal, they know when to put tension in a line connected to another animal or when to leave it slack. They know when to move forward or remain still.

When we’re gentling young horses, if we understand where a horse can go, we can make exposing them to things purposeful. We can teach them not just to ignore stimulus - the rope, the flag, whatever it is - but teach them what to DO with it. Instead of teaching them to shut out and to ignore the world around them, we can teach them to read us, read the world around them, and know just how to manage their bodies in a given situation.

Not only does this make a safe horse to ride - this gives the horse confidence and resilience. They are not stuck in a box like a trained circus animal, but a participant in the world we’ve created for them. They can remain light while accepting, and not learn to just ignore what’s around them.

But in order for this to happen, we have to understand the purpose of our tools, and know the reasons for what we’re asking. We can’t treat horsemanship like a recipe or a paint by numbers project.

We have to think, analyze, be aware, and participate in the world around us too - not just riding as a passenger.

Photo by Courtney Wheeler

03/03/2025

https://youtu.be/CDZsabD3hbo

What it takes to be in an Equestrian Drill Team

03/02/2025

The indoor arena will be closed for footing maintenance Tuesday March 4 6:00 - 8:00 pm.
We apologize for any inconvenience.

03/02/2025

https://www.horselistening.com/2022/01/24/9-signs-your-horse-is-about-to-or-did-spook/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2tqMqaxwQppYil2KDtcuR8W61clpDf0N4J3ZuM0218ar2yOyLyr67fmw0_aem_HGf_lZ-Aa2GMfpUiHZ6QIg

There are many ways that horses communicate their desire for self-preservation, if only we know how to “listen” to the signs. Here are some ways to know that the horse is about to spook…

03/01/2025

02/28/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/166RNxb4kX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A horse who coughs only during ride warm ups is probably fine, but be concerned if it lingers or worsens. Check out this article to learn what causes a "warm-up cough." >>>https://bit.ly/EQWarmUpCough

02/28/2025

“My horse needs a sugar-free diet.”

There’s no such thing as a sugar-free diet.

While it’s possible to reduce sugars in the equine diet, it’s absolutely impossible to completely eliminate them. Even when removing grass, high NSC concentrates and treats, hay will still contain sugar. Which isn’t a bad thing, since sugar ➡️ glucose 🟰 main energy source for the body.

The important factor to consider is HOW MUCH sugar the forage is providing. Particularly for those with metabolic conditions, having your forage tested (I recommend Equi-Analytical) and working with an equine nutritionist can help properly manage sugar intake to meet your horses needs.

A healthy horse, one who does not have a metabolic condition or associated issue, has the ability to regulate blood glucose levels through proper hormone production.

While sugar intake should be monitored and moderate, a healthy horse, especially one in regular work, requires starch and sugar in the diet to replenish muscle glycogen levels after exercise, and as energy for all non-muscular energy needs including respiration, nutrient digestion, and brain function.

Need help creating a healthy diet for your horse’s unique needs? Fill out a free equine nutrition consultation request form here and one of our consultants will be happy to help 🥰 https://bit.ly/BBconsults

02/28/2025

Introducing Heritage Park’s new open riding schedule!
Our arena is open for open riding or private rentals.
Open riding allows you to exercise your horse or enjoy a relaxing ride.
If you’d rather use barrels, poles, jumps, use trainers or lunge your horse, then renting privately can accommodate this.
Before you ride be sure to:
• Show proof of BC Horse Council
• Sign the liability waiver
• Pay your riding fee of $15 (includes tax)
• It's always good to call ahead.
Saddle Up! We’ll see you here!
Check www.chilliwackheritagepark.com for your riding schedule. Click Booking then Community Users.

02/27/2025

https://equusmagazine.com/behavior/how-horses-perceive-death?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1ai0yWrkwuDRRcTbswt7TzgDoUCHlk6we7r5AwNYKfzW3hjAuZTD3Xf3Q_aem_yDiM-0GAgzVMj6PujkvbBQ

A sad event provided researchers in Portugal with a rare opportunity to observe how feral horses react to the death of a herd mate. Their work provides insights into equine emotions and intelligence.

02/22/2025

LET THEM COUNTER-BEND…

They’re not ignoring us.
They don’t ‘lack connection’ with us.

NEWS BREAK: Not everything is about us.

Sometimes they’re just trying to balance!

Counter-bend is written about extensively in classical texts.

A counter-bend counters centrifugal force, so a horse will use it to stabilize through their outside shoulder and keep themselves in control.

Don’t pull on their head when they do that!

Here, I’m helping a California horse find her balance in the Nebraska snow and get some safe and sane exercise.

I don’t think we fully recognize how imbalance impacts the horse emotionally.

So important to let her make upward transitions when she’s ready, and downward transitions when she needs them.

I occasionally remind her to keep her inside shoulder aligned out on the circle so she doesn’t angle and lean and fishtail and slip.

Those patterns are made by humans, so it’s our responsibility to help counter them. Pun intended.

This is where we really start to see how physically and mentally destabilizing hindquarter disengagements and anticipating turning in are.

And we get a vicious cycle of mental and physical imbalance… the more imbalanced they feel, the more vulnerable they feel, so they’ll often rush even more and brace even more mentally and physically.

They’ll be prone to slipping, they’ll often buck, and balanced cantering will be almost impossible.

Checking in with her mentally is definitely a pre-requisite.

Is she able to self-regulate and accept co-regulation, even though she’s feeling pretty spicy, being cooped up the last week or so due to extreme cold?

Here, I can let my lunge whip ‘horsetail’ over her back at a halt and walk to calm her nervous system to not be so ‘explosive.’

I don’t need to ‘desensitize’ to the tool; I’m using it for touch and noise stimuli to check where she is mentally and emotionally. I should write about that sometime.

Video in the comments.