Honestly Horses

01/17/2025

If you know anything about my program, you know that I’m passionate about providing quality nutrition and support to my equines, and I am very budget conscious! My herd has been on Ramard Total Pre and probiotic, for about 3 months, and we are loving it! I also love supplements from Uckele and MVP. You may have seen my recent article, and know that I am collaborating with the wonderful team at Equine Balanced Support. They are offering a discount on supplements and products, with a special code from me! Check out the link and use the code for 10% off your order!

Code: HonestlyHorses
Here!

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01/17/2025

Super proud of my herd, who stood tied for over 3 hours today. All of them. From left to right, they are 2 1/2, 5, 12, and 2 1/2 years old. The least handled is the 5 year old and she was perfect. The one with the most training is my pony. She struggled the most, while the youngsters stood, quietly. The last guy pictured doesn’t count because he’s just not ready to stand in the line up yet. He’s cute though. He did good, on the pole, after a dance or two. 🕺🏻

My take away is something I’ve been thinking on lately. Sometimes, a horse can have a good amount of training and be missing a key point. What she’s missing is the ability to sooth herself and find calm. Without that skill, her life has more stress in it than it should. She’s not pawing or throwing a fit, but she’s restless and I see it. I know what we need to do and we can fill in that hole now, though. Mr. McFly is lacking this too, but has a list of other things to learn on top of it. That’s a story for another day.

01/16/2025

Yes! If you wonder why I work for hours on, what may seem like, the basics, it’s because they matter the most.

The truth is: many of us are trying to practice above our level, and that is why things feel messy.
Many of us become frustrated or take offense to having the work lowered to a more basic level- we can feel like we are being judged, punished, or held back, but the truth is, working on those basic skills will help our work soar more quickly.
Most people I encounter (and myself included- and this is precisely what I work on with my teachers) need practice on handling their lead rope, reins and tools with better care, learning to sit with better balance and “follow through,” learning to feel the horse better, learning situational awareness, controlling their own thoughts and body around the horse and on -
While all of us want to be working on fun things or higher level things, our work is like a house of cards without control of our bodies, minds, breath - it all comes tumbling down at the first sign of trouble without these hard earned basic skills.
I don’t see these taught to the level they need to be to to the public save for a few rare teachers here and there, including my cherished mentors - and so I find when they are taught to the level needed to the public, people are often startled, offended, or confused. But I believe strongly that this is the change the horse world needs - it needs people to commit to it like their lives depend on it, and trainers to commit to teaching what the public needs above catering to what the public wants: that is what will really make both horses and people’s lives infinitely better.

01/16/2025

I need two volunteers to help us out at the next Winter Woolies Fun Show, on January 25th. No experience necessary! We’re all just winging it, too! 😉 Please message me if you would like to help!

01/16/2025

When your bestie gets saddled and you just want to help him out. 🤣

01/15/2025

Leia Pluemer is going to be in El Reno for anyone looking to sharpen their skills and shave off some seconds on those poles! Info is on the flyer!

01/15/2025

A productive and warmer day was definitely welcomed, today! There’s never a dull moment with a string of youngsters.

01/14/2025

I went to take Eliza’s blanket off and she was napping. I thought she’d get up but she chose to stay there. I decided to join her. This is what it looks like when a horse trusts us. She’s only been here a month and she’s been introduced to some stressful things (for a mostly, unhandled, horse). She’s learned so much, already, but when a horse begins their training, it can often build some tension. I work hard not to leave them there, but it does happen. The most amazing part of her willingness to lay there was that she yawned for several minutes. I lost track of how many times. Such a huge release for this girl, today. It brought us both a lot of comfort, and joy, to just take a few moments to just be. She’s just incredible!

Photo credit to our sweet friend, Laura Golden Shannon. So glad you were here to catch this moment! Thank you! ❤️

01/13/2025

I’m guessing Stevie hasn’t ever worn a blanket, until this last cold spell, where I offered him one. He has decided that it’s essential now, so as the horses started lining up to get theirs back on, last night, he came for his. The only one who isn’t sure he’s a fan is Spot, but he decided, at the very last, it was worth it, and got his on too. I don’t halter for blanketing, so they have a choice. If I ask three times and they walk away, I don’t put it on. It was 15 degrees last night and I’m sure they could feel the rapid drop in temps, as it was dark when I got out there to blanket. It’s always amazing how quickly they learn and can make good choices!

Picture of Stevie in the only thing I’ve got that comes close to fitting his long body.

01/12/2025

Just a little light reading I’m saving for later.

https://www.theequinedocumentalist.com/post/hoof-balance-where-and-when?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3EcLMVzUgB5UPF5lS4qoU-cts-mKks2EKY-uGRR0l1_OVZCPBLeLRACiQ_aem_J5rHmjK76EAXMDGyaQaqMw

Farriery, until recently, has been based on tradition, anecdotal evidence and personal experience, but with the introduction of objective locomotion assessment and importantly pressure plate systems, a new revolution of evidence - based farriery research is taking place (Oosterlinck et al 2019). Sci...

01/11/2025

A little hack around the field with my pony.

01/10/2025

We had a little fun today! Caddy was game, but she said I was too heavy in that snow! We weren’t really sliding. More like awkwardly dragging through the snow. She was a rock star anyway! That’s what it looks like when a young horse has a great mind!

01/10/2025

Don’t let your dreams stay in your head! Put forth the effort! It’s so worth it see your dreams come to fruition. ❤️