MKL Equine Starting and Training Program

10/23/2024

Two weeks+ old baby c**t (Hocus Pocus x SSF Loki)…being sassy and wild on a beautiful day! 🌼🌞 We’ve got a lead change already💪 But of course lunchtime naps are good too. And Hocus being the best mom of course💜

08/31/2024

Feel this in my core starting young horses but also why I love what I do! So well said.
“Nobody warns you how challenging it truly is” …
“As tough as they are, they’re absolutely worth it”💜

Working with young horses is tough.

And not just in the "hold on and hope you stay in the saddle" kind of way.

No one warns you how challenging it truly is. How often you'll doubt yourself, wondering: Am I doing this right? Am I moving too fast? Too slow? Is this too much? Not enough? You'll constantly be questioning your approach, trying to figure out the best way forward while tuning out the opinions of the trainer down the road or the livery next door, who throws judgmental glances every time you do groundwork.

No one tells you how, on some days, you'll feel like you're failing. You'll question if this horse would be better off with someone else, convincing yourself you're either wasting their potential or outright ruining them. After all, there are four-year-olds excelling in young horse classes while yours is still struggling to trot in a straight line.

No one tells you how attached you'll become. This horse is your baby, maybe one you helped bring into the world. Every setback feels personal, like a wound to your heart. You care so deeply about their well-being that it physically hurts when things go wrong. You’ll also become fiercely protective—God help anyone who dares to criticize your horse.

No one tells you how humbling, even brutal, these horses can be. They'll expose every weakness you have and practically shout it from the rooftops. While they are forgiving, they have a way of knocking you down a peg, reminding you there's always more work to be done.

No one tells you how these horses will change you. They'll force you to look inwards, to question everything you thought you knew. If you thought you had everything figured out, this horse will quickly show you that you don't. But they'll also ignite in you a fierce determination to prove everyone wrong and show them what you saw in this horse from the very beginning.

No one quite tells you how difficult young horses can be, but anyone who's been through it knows...

As tough as they are, they’re absolutely worth it.

03/30/2024

Having a bad day? Go pet a bebe 🥰 Love this mare of one of my favorites I’ve had the pleasure to work with. So awesome to see Ellie as a mom with her beautiful baby c**t!! 💜

06/03/2023

There’s a new kid in school! Ellie, a 3yo Canadian WB (Oldenburg/Hanoverian), first time working with a saddle on! Managed to capture sections from start to finish, it’s so important to cover all the bases so there is enough relaxation to make this first experience as positive as possible. And as seen in step 2 that the cinch at this stage be done up SLOWLY. Ellie certainly got a little sassy once I turned her loose but she took it all like a rockstar! 🌟
**Disclaimer there were other steps from previous sessions to prepare her for this**

04/09/2023

Happy Easter! 🌸 Taking a break from fancy prancing around so Legend could play with an umbrella in protest of the weather the past two days ☔️☔️ and make you smile💜 Hope everyone has had a good holiday!

04/03/2023

I’ve been behind on Ping updates…but someone is putting on her big girl pants! Giving her the space to figure things out on her own is paying off in her self confidence and willingness to take direction now that she is moving along! Can’t wait to see where this horse goes. So much attitude in all the right ways!! 😝
One step closer to The US Young Event Horse Futurity!

03/09/2023

Someone got jealous of the 2yo during her training and wanted to join in our session! Always nice to take a moment to have a silly moment with the horses in the midst of a busy day💜

03/07/2023

Welcome! MKL Equine specializes in starting young horses teaching them self carriage from the very beginning of their training both on the ground and under saddle, and focusing on helping horses build confidence in themselves while also instilling both trust and attentiveness to their rider/handler.

Offering training in breaking in under saddle, behavioral issues, and continued education of green horses. I’ve started and worked with young ones geared for dressage, eventing, hunter/jumpers, and polo.

Message me with any questions I’m happy to chat more about what I do!

Merideth Leonard