Golden Reins Equestrian Center

01/20/2025

Happy Monday!

It's definitely a cold one this week but I thought I'd update you all.
Lessons are doable this week if your child wants to still come, we can discuss reschedule options also.
The arena has been cleared and hopefully the sun will help even more, driveway too!

We can do lots of things in hand with the horses, in the barn too, thank goodness for a heated tack room. There's so many things to be learned not on the back of a horse.

Personally riding in the snow is one of my FAVORITE things to do so it's definitely worth it if you can handle the cold temps.

If we haven't talked about your lesson this week reach out and let me know your thoughts.

Have an awesome day!

Pic of Lilly Last night ringing the doorbell at home to surprise Macy. 🤣

01/15/2025

I'm taking a second today while I'm inside and warm to say thank you to everyone who has stuck with us this far into winter.

It's never dull here on the windy hill, and I can't begin to tell you how many people have said, "It wasn't this windy at home" when they get to the barn. 😆

We've done a lot of rescheduling and moving things around to make sure our horses are safe and comfortable, too. It's not fair for them to be working on frozen solid ground, and until I strike it rich, I don't see an I door in the near future. 😉

I can't even believe it's time when parents start thinking about summer camps. In order to better prepare, I created this form to see what interest we have if you can take a few seconds to fill it out.

In the past, we've offered a tiny trotters 4-7 and older groups for the 8 and above kids.

https://boards.com/a/12FZNS.YfGRRz

01/09/2025

Someone just mentioned the book Chop wood, Carry water to me tonight. 😍

Who has read it or even heard of it?

01/07/2025

I often say horse people are crazy but they are also some of the most dedicated people out there.❤️

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

*thank you to whoever wrote this! Not my words, but certainly a shared sentiment!

01/02/2025

Relationships with horses and people share many parallels, emphasizing trust, communication, respect, and patience. Here’s how they align:

1. Trust is Earned Over Time

Horses: A horse must feel safe and understood before it trusts you. Building trust requires consistency, gentle handling, and positive experiences.

People: Trust in human relationships also grows through reliability, mutual respect, and time spent together.

2. Non-Verbal Communication is Key

Horses: Horses respond to body language, tone of voice, and energy. They can sense your mood and intentions even without words.

People: Much of human interaction relies on non-verbal cues, like facial expressions, posture, and tone, which can convey more than words alone.

3. Respect Goes Both Ways

Horses: A relationship thrives when there’s mutual respect. Pushing too hard or ignoring their boundaries can cause resistance or fear.

People: Healthy human relationships also require mutual respect for boundaries, emotions, and individuality.

4. Patience Leads to Growth

Horses: Training or bonding with a horse is a gradual process, requiring patience and understanding of their unique personality.

People: Personal growth and relationship development with people also take time, especially when navigating challenges or differences.

5. Clear Boundaries Foster Security

Horses: Horses feel safer when there are clear, consistent boundaries; they understand what is expected.

People: Similarly, boundaries in human relationships create clarity, respect, and emotional safety.

6. Presence Matters

Horses: Horses live in the moment and respond to how you show up emotionally and physically. Being present is crucial for connection.

People: Being present and attentive strengthens human relationships by showing care and genuine interest.

7. Empathy is the Foundation

Horses: Understanding a horse's fears, motivations, and needs helps create a deeper bond.

People: Empathy—putting yourself in someone else's shoes—is vital in human relationships to create understanding and compassion.

8. Forgiveness is Essential

Horses: Horses forgive quickly if you handle mistakes with kindness and adjust your approach.

People: Forgiveness in human relationships allows healing, growth, and moving forward together.

Both relationships remind us that connection stems from understanding, patience, and a willingness to adapt to the unique needs of the other.

12/17/2024

We offer pony experiences for all ages. Available in 30 and 60 minute sessions for all levels of interest.
First time rides, family outings, work team building activities, we can pretty much customize something for you.

We also have gift certificates available upon request.

*4 week sessions deal is available for new clients only. Must be paid and first lessons scheduled by Dec 28.
*current clients buy 4 lessons get $15 off christmas special through Dec 24.

12/13/2024

I've seen some interesting posts today about some of the champion barrel racers at the NFR and their foot/stirrup position. Not long ago, I actually had a friend ask me why so many of them have their feet in the stirrup so far. I went back to look at pictures of Lilly and some other riders, and yes, it's definitely common. Some are saying that's the best way to stay centered. Others argue it's super dangerous.

Here's a bit of my take on it. One thing I don't obsess over is HEELS DOWN. It's really not about how far down they are, but where are you putting pressure or carrying tension. Many beginners have a hard time learning to not stand up from their toes in a rising trot, I read a great post breaking this down the other day from a fellow local instructor.

So when it comes to stirrup position, no it's not ideal to be riding with the stirrup in your arch, but when it's seen, it often serves a purpose. Go watch a few professional cutters, and im pretty sure you'd have a hard time finding a lot with the balls of their feet on the stirrup.

I went back and cropped out a bunch of Lilly to see and compare for myself. What I see in her is her stirrup is in different places during her runs. One thing I'll give her credit for is its SUPER rare she even loses a stirrup, too.

What I'm seeing, though, is that running at speeds these barrel racers are running requires a different use of the stirrup and if that's where they find their center, ultimately it's better for the horse that way. Because isn't that our goal? To help the horse do its job. Now riding a dressage test or trail pattern? There wouldn't be a need to move that stirrup anywhere but on the ball of your feet.

I think the biggest thing I learn from reading comments is how many people have an opinion but likely have never ridden a barrel horse at top speeds either. I have yet to do that myself honestly, but again, going back to the stirrup, what IS important is whether or not that stirrup is the thing keeping you in the saddle, balances above your horse.

I'd love to hear feedback on this one.
Where do you struggle?
What habits do you see or hear that need fixed?
What does your trainer tell you?
Or even how are you interpreting what your trainer is saying about this topic?

12/11/2024

Good stuff!

12/09/2024

This time of year isn't always when people want to commit to long-term activities outside, but I can tell you the ones that stick with us don't ever regret it!!
With this in mind I want to offer 4 week sessions with no long term expectations or commitment.
The only requirement is proper footwear and to dress for the weather.
We have room in our schedule to get started before Christmas too!

Send a message to chat about scheduling and pricing options!

The promo below is only available for 1 hour lessons. Bring one or bring three kids!
*promotion is for new clients only

12/09/2024

If I was a writer I think my brain would have put this together a few times over. I may not be the best of the best but this truly speaks something I discuss with my riders and parents often. 🐎

Some pondering on teaching riders, and the difference between a lesson program and a riding school -

I think one of the biggest issues with current riding instruction is we teach people how to control the horse before we teach them to FEEL and RIDE the horse. These are very different skill sets leading to very different outcomes.

Generally, a beginner horse is one who is safe enough to be ridden by a beginner. And often, they are stiff, likely halfway lame, and dull. So if you put these two together- a newbie rider, and a stiff and tolerant horse, people learn to over aid, squeeze, pull, and “make” horses do things. It’s pretty hard to learn subtle feelings and find the horses body underneath you when you have to kick to make them go and pull to make them turn.

Add to that normalizing the feeling of stiffness and half-lameness to riders, and they will really struggle to learn what a horse SHOULD feel like.

In clinics, I am often faced with the dilemma of teaching a rider and horse pair who have 99 problems but a seat ain’t one : I have to decide the most urgent problem- out of control horse brought to safety, or teaching a seat. If we had real riding SCHOOLS, riders could be taught a seat BEFORE learning how to control the out of control horse, and later, the seat would be one of those tools to help guide the horse with much more ease and significantly much less pulling, kicking, and bending horses heads up their butts to stop out of control forward motion.

What would a riding school look like?

It would have straight, supple well-trained horses for students of all levels to ride on

It would prioritize FEEL and the seat, giving students lessons in finding their seat until they could manage solo - then teach them AIDS.

It would not cater to the students wants or desires but instead stick to an understood progression of developing skill.

This reduces wear and tear on lesson horses dramatically, with no pulling and kicking on tolerant saints of lesson horses, while an instructor guides the horse to move well on the lunge for the student to memorize this feel. Of course, instructors would be riding them to maintain their fitness and responsiveness to aids, but these horses would not be repeatedly degraded for the sake of teaching beginners.

What’s the downside ? Who has a string of supple, straight horses for students to ride?
And who can afford to open this school?
And who has a list of clients begging to learn the hard way and get no immediate gratification who will stick to learning long enough to produce skill?

This may be an imaginary pipe dream anymore

12/05/2024

Good read about humans and horses

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)

11/22/2024

Just in case you want to pamper your horse for Christmas 😍
Shop here ⬇️
https://michelle-fisher.bemergroup.com/en-US

11/18/2024

Love this!!

"Advanced training is just the basics done really well." - Ken Ramirez
+
"Training often fails because people expect way too much of the animal and way too little of themselves." - Bob Bailey
=
"Please just do your homework." - Fred

11/15/2024

I love when barrel races are nearby!

$700 Added $$, Sponsors and an Official Photographer; WOOT WOOT! Mark your calendar: rain or shine, indoor arena. 11/24/24, Shale Knoll Arena, Annville, PA. 9 am exhib. Redeye Rodeo .hostetter First KLAS Equine Mary Ann Newswanger .muddy.pup Shetron Manufacturing Maryland Equine Dental, Inc.

11/12/2024

Super thankful for these arena lights that allow us to ride and teach lessons after dark this time of year.
Last night, all 3 of my girls were on horses, and the big kids had all kinds of fun jumping. We don't do a lot of it, but we've been working with some or the school horses more over jumps recently for a change of routine.

11/12/2024

11/11/2024

I've been thinking about getting tags for the lesson horses halters and saw a post today for this small business, and lucky for me, there is a sale through midnight tonight. I grabbed a few to try, and you can too, plus you can use my code MF10 and save an additional 10%.
https://equitagz.com

These would be great stocking stuffers for sure!!