Cairns Ranch-Equestrian Division

03/21/2025

🐴 Unlocking the Power of the Seeking Reflex in Your Horse 🐴

A horse that understands and engages with the seeking reflex is a horse that’s truly connected — both mentally and physically. This natural behavior encourages the horse to seek forward and down into the contact, promoting balance, relaxation, and self-carriage.

Why is this so important?

✨Balance & Posture: A horse hiding behind the contact often avoids using its back properly, leading to tension and imbalance.

✨Confidence: When a horse trusts the bit and seeks forward, it shows mental engagement and trust in the rider’s hand.

✨Strength Building: Proper engagement allows for correct muscle development over the topline.

If your horse tucks behind the bit, it’s not “light” — it’s evading. Encourage softness, not submission. Support your horse to confidently reach forward into a gentle, elastic contact. That’s where true harmony happens.

02/02/2025

I felt honoured when I received an unexpected surprise in the mail on Friday - my pony and I earned the champion and high point team titles for open second level in the small horse division, thanks to Tango’s entire team.

01/07/2025

Buying and Selling Horses: Shared Responsibilities

The horse industry thrives on trust, transparency, and professionalism from both buyers and sellers. Whether you’re buying or selling, here are some key responsibilities to keep in mind:

Sellers:
• Be prepared! Have clear, well-lit conformation photos and a good-quality video showcasing the horse’s movement.
• Be upfront about price. As a buyer, there’s nothing more irritating than hearing phrases like, “Our prices start at…” or “Make me an offer.” Just name the price of the horse in question, or if selling multiple foals, provide a brief sales list with pricing. Transparency saves everyone time.
• Accurately represent the horse’s age, training, and temperament. Honesty is everything in this business.

Buyers:
• Know your budget and requirements before reaching out.
• Be prepared to answer questions from the seller about how you feed, care for, and manage your horses. Sellers have a responsibility to ensure their horse goes to the best possible fit.
• Ask clear, concise questions about the horse that help you decide if it’s a good match.
• Respect the seller’s time—don’t ghost or haggle excessively if the price is fair.

Remember the age-old horseman’s truth: You can have cheap and sound—they won’t be broke; broke and sound—they won’t be cheap; or cheap and broke—they won’t be sound. Be realistic about your expectations, and you’ll find a better match for your goals.

The art of buying and selling horses is much bigger than this post, but in a nutshell, these are the basics. A smooth transaction starts with mutual respect, clear communication, and proper preparation. Let’s work together to make the horse-buying and selling experience better for everyone, especially the horses!

01/01/2025

🌟 Welcome, 2025! A New Year, New Goals, and Endless Possibilities 🌟

As equestrians, we know better than most that the road to success is rarely smooth. Every stride we take with our horses is a lesson in patience, resilience, and thoughtful development. Goals in this sport are never achieved overnight—they’re built on years of dedication, setbacks, and small victories along the way.

This year, let’s embrace the journey just as much as the destination. Whether it’s training for that perfect dressage test, tackling new heights in the jumper ring, developing the ever steady ranch pony or simply building trust with your horse, remember that every moment counts.

We also know life with horses isn’t without its challenges. Lameness, illness, finances, and even our own health can stand in the way. But through it all, we learn the value of perseverance and gratitude for the partnership we share with these incredible animals.

Here’s to setting big goals, celebrating small wins, and staying committed to the journey—no matter what it looks like. Wishing you and your horses a year of health, growth, and joy in every stride.

What are your equestrian goals for 2025? Let’s inspire one another to keep moving forward! 🐴💪✨

12/24/2024

🌟 What if we all made it our mission to lift each other up? 🌟

Imagine an equestrian community where we focused on making our colleagues, students, and friends better than we make ourselves. What if two trainers prioritized improving each other’s businesses and riding skills, rather than focusing solely on their own?

The result? Both become extraordinary professionals while gaining a trusted, lifelong confidant.

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4

Now imagine the ripple effect this would have. When trainers and coaches create a culture of mutual support and generosity, it inspires their students to do the same. Riders would encourage each other, celebrate each other’s wins, and work together to grow—not just as equestrians, but as people.

And let’s not forget the most important beneficiaries of this shift: our horses. A community built on positivity and collaboration creates a healthier, more supportive environment for our equine partners. When we’re emotionally balanced and working together, our horses feel that energy too. Their emotional well-being improves, and their physical training becomes more intentional and harmonious.

The ripple effect of lifting each other up extends far beyond just people—it transforms barns, riders, and horses alike.

Let’s challenge ourselves to celebrate one another’s success, share knowledge freely, and push each other to new heights. Because when one of us thrives, we all thrive.

What are your thoughts on this kind of culture shift? Could this be the future of our equestrian world? 🐴✨

12/18/2024

💭 Leave Your Emotions at the Door: A Game-Changer for You & Your Horse 🐴

Did you know your emotions could be the reason your horse’s progress is stalling? Research shows horses are incredibly attuned to their riders’ feelings. A study published in Animal Cognition found that horses can recognize human emotions through facial expressions, voice tone, and even body tension. That means your stress, frustration, or self-doubt could be creating roadblocks in their training.

When riders bring frustration or anxiety into their sessions, it can lead to miscommunication, increased tension, and slower learning for the horse. A calm, consistent rider, on the other hand, creates an environment where the horse feels safe and focused, leading to faster progress and stronger trust.

🔑 Here’s how to keep your emotions in check:
1️⃣ Take a moment to breathe and center yourself before stepping into the barn.
2️⃣ Leave external stress behind—your horse deserves your full attention.
3️⃣ Approach mistakes with patience and positivity—it’s all part of the learning process!

Your horse mirrors you. If you stay calm and confident, they will too. 💙 Let’s create a better connection by starting with ourselves.

What’s your go-to trick for staying calm and focused during training? Share below! 👇

12/12/2024

How does one describe Sq**rt. The giver of firsts. The keeper of secrets. The most loved horse in Saskatchewan. This fine horse packed kids since we acquired him in 2008. There are 100’s of children that had lessons or pony rides on this horse. Many learned to rope at brandings off the back of Ol’ Sq**rt. He ran barrels. He did dressage. He jumped. Whatever the kids fancied he did all for love and maybe sugar cubes😉. He made many appearances at Canada Day functions and school for endless pony rides for the town kids. This horse knew how to tell time and he knew how to play jealous little girls against each other for extra treats. Many times over the years one kid would be leading him down to the corrals while another, who had moved onto a faster horse, would be leading her new mount to the arena would beg desperately to change her ride to Sq**rt. He raised a lot of weaner colts who were lonely and missing their mothers. He had the patience of Job and he knew how to drive a hard bargain without ever a bite or a kick. I think this guy is galloping pain free in the heavens with lifelong friend Jesse who has been gone a few years now. Those two geldings were together almost their entire lives. I have never seen a friendship in any species like Jesse and Sq**rt shared. The end of an era here at Cairns Ranch.

12/08/2024

🐴 The Role of Trainers and Coaches in Equine Welfare 🐴

As horse trainers and coaches, we are not just educators—we are advocates for the well-being of the horses in our care. Recognizing lameness, pain responses, and gait abnormalities is a critical skill that goes beyond riding techniques and training programs. Here’s why it matters:

🌟 Early Detection Saves Lives
Horses can’t tell us when they’re in pain, but their bodies do. Subtle changes in movement, posture, or behavior often signal discomfort. Early identification of these issues can prevent minor problems from becoming major injuries, improving the horse’s long-term health and performance.

🌟 Better Communication = Better Outcomes
As trainers and coaches, we are often the bridge between the horse and its owner. It’s essential to clearly and confidently explain any concerns we observe to owners, ensuring they understand the importance of addressing potential issues. Educating owners about the signs of discomfort fosters a proactive approach to horse care.

🌟 Building Trust in the Team
Owners rely on us to prioritize their horse’s well-being. When we take the time to identify and address potential problems—and involve veterinarians or specialists when needed—it strengthens trust and reinforces our role as responsible, knowledgeable professionals.

🌟🌟🌟Remember: A sound, happy horse is a successful horse. Our ability to identify and communicate issues ensures we are doing our part to support these incredible athletes and companions.

💬 What steps do you take to monitor your horses’ well-being? Share your tips and experiences below!

11/01/2024

WC Carino, 4 yo WB x Andalusian gelding. He’s going to be special.

10/19/2024

May the odds be ever in your favor!

10/14/2024

An early morning gather to get these girls on the road.

09/23/2024

How cute is this view?!? We are busy with a ton of fall work so concentrating more on getting the youngsters going under saddle. Frankie is gonna be a super nice little sporty ride. Welsh/KWPN

09/16/2024

09/11/2024

First pasture cleaned out and headed to town this morning.

07/15/2024

What a fun weekend at the Saskatoon Dressage Club show. Rhiannon’s Tango put forward two very good second level tests. No Championship pictures but we have the ribbons and tests to prove it😊my highlight was all the visiting with friends I haven’t seen for awhile.