Twin Pines Performance Horses

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Twin Pines Performance Horses

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01/07/2025

If there’s one thing that my horse training career has taught me it’s this…

If you think there is a problem, there probably is a problem.

I’ve seen and experienced so many pain and behavior issues in horses that it’s an unfortunate “knack” that I’ve acquired.
Within the first 5-10 minutes spent with a horse I typically can tell if something isn’t right. This was even more brought to my attention more recently when I had a horse come into training with some very severe and dangerous behavior issues which were extremely similar to a horse I had a few years ago. Sure enough they both had the same vertebrae‘s in their necks out of place which can only occur from them having flipped over or being cast. Their behavior from the pain and lack of being able to use their bodies properly was something never recognized as pain issues, just written off as dangerous and explosive.

And the even more unfortunate part is that these problems are becoming more and more common.

Horses that have been ruined by other professionals or even harmed by the professionals themselves.
The owners think they are doing the right thing by getting professional help and end up with a bigger issue than they started with.

Many times a professional will tell you there isn't a problem because they don't have the skillset to see or find it.

The close mindedness or lack of awareness in the horse industry is disgusting.

There are many trainers that won’t take a horse that’s been started or maybe I should say attempted to be started by someone else. They want a blank slate and rightfully so. I’ve thought about that as well, it can be extremely time consuming and emotionally taxing to help these horses work through there issues but then what becomes of these horses that aren’t seen or heard by other professionals? What about their owners who paid good money for their horse to be broke to the saddle but ended up with a physically and emotionally broken horse instead?

I’ve been the last chance for many horses in my career. Horses gone thru trainer after trainer and their owners telling me that I’m their last chance… the next step is to humanely euthanize them… All because no one could see there was a problem until it became dangerous.

Horses don’t owe us anything, they didn’t ask for any of this. We brought them into our world for our own use. The least we can do is do right by them.

12/23/2024

Merry Christmas from all the horses at Twin Pines Performances horses!

11/30/2024

Horses can teach you so much about life if you’re willing to listen.

Having a collection of horses in training right now, all from different backgrounds and walks of life can be pretty rewarding. Much like us humans.

One of which had been forced into frame and to work “correctly” despite her attempts to tell the humans that she was in pain.
Tighter nosebands, more circles, maybe a crop or spur when her pain was interpreted as “naughtiness”.

Another had been conditioned that he would be punished for every step or noise he made that wasn’t “acceptable” in the eyes of humans. The humans feared him so in turn he was handled harshly and never given the opportunity to learn to be soft and gentle, instead was labeled “studdy”.

Instead of humans taking this as communication, many times it’s taken as a threat to the human ego.

Why is so hard to help them, the ones who have been mishandled or abused, rather intentional or not, to feel safe?

When their response is to fight, our instinct is usually to try to control, cram, jam, kick, spur or whack.

They expect the human to fight back. But our instinct needs to be the opposite.

There are many times that my instinct when something goes wrong or is scary for me that I want to immediately take contact or grab the reins. But so often if you just stay calm and don’t do what that individual horse has been conditioned to believe how their rider or handler will react to their “fight” or reaction, the problem goes away on its own!

We all have standards, or should.
Horses standards are usually to feel safe. Safe in their body, safe in the experience, safe in life.

So how does this relate to life?

You are entitled to your opinions and concerns and the standards of which you have set should be respected.

But wait that’s crazy talk right?

How often are we called crazy?

Probably about as many times as horses are called crazy, aggressive or dangerous.

What got them labeled that?

A lot of the time it’s disrespect, misunderstanding and a lack of empathy.

They listen more when you speak less.

11/04/2024

If you have a hard time letting your horse go into someone else's care let me share with you what makes us a bit different.
Horses have access to hay 24/7 all through slow feed hay nets.
We know how important it is that they don't go long periods of time with empty stomachs.
Horses are kept in individual paddocks with shelters, no stall life here!
Horses are able to get out of the weather if needed but also able to soak up the sun!
Hay is tested and we offer three different types of hay to keep them all happy and healthy.
If you opt for our full feed program, horses are fed a forage based/anti inflammatory diet with supplements vitamin/minerals and heathy fats all without inflammatory ingredients as well as herbs for individual horses needs.
Lastly we are a small facility so that means we give very individualized care!

10/27/2024

Yesterday I went to my second sorting competition.
I talked my friend and former assistant Emma to come to the sorting competition today. It was my second competition and her very first time, she's never even been to a practice. We entered the beginner class as one run as a team and the rest of our runs as draws. We had some super good runs with all of our draws and didn't really think about our ride together. At the end when they announced the 1st place winners and said our names together we were absolutely shocked! We won buckles together after riding with each other in many different disciplines for over 10 years. So we both walked away with a buckle and a decent check.
There were definitely some tears shed in the midst of laughing but it is a day that both of us will remember forever ❤️

10/24/2024

And what I know is that there's something deep inside of me that keeps nudging me forward. Pouring dreams and ideas and possibilities in my mind for what could be. It tells me that I haven't yet reached the edges of my limits. That there's still a world of potential inside me that I haven't yet explored. That as well as I think I know myself, there's still so much more to uncover. And what I know is there's something deep within me that wants to find out what else am I capable of? How brave can I be? Can I stay true to what feels right and real and genuine? To the voice within that says, this is for me. And what I know is that I don't want to look back one day and say I wish I would've. I know I don't want to think about the roads I didn't travel because I was too afraid. I don't want to close myself off. I don't want to plant roots in soil that I'll soon outgrow. And maybe I know nothing. Nothing about tomorrow. Nothing about the path ahead. But still, I have to find out. Still, I have to give myself a chance. Still, I know I have to try.

10/18/2024

Some of the horses had a surprise guest today at school!

10/11/2024

A couple of the new kids in school!
Welcome Vintage and Raj!

10/08/2024

The last cutting show of the year! Definitely weren't on our game for the boxing but that's part of it! Always learning and always growing!

09/30/2024

Another weekend, another horse show! Placed 3rd in the Reining, not bad for a cutting/sorting horse 😂
Our cow work was a little rough but there's always room for improvement!

09/24/2024

Had a great time last weekend at the Central Oregon Cutting Horse Association show in the boxing. Had a super spicy cow but we boxed our little hearts out!

09/19/2024

I've been a little behind on posting but this 3 yr old mare came in a week and a half ago to get started under saddle. Yesterday she had her 5th ride!

09/16/2024

What an absolute blast the second day of the Intro to Liberty Clinic was! Everything clicked for both horses and owners, everyone was successful at putting the pieces together without a halter and lead rope. Some amazing connection between horses and their people! Everyone was so encouraging to everyone else when they had their little wins on things they may have been struggling with yesterday! I think this was the most rewarding clinic to date! Thank you to all 12 horses and handlers for showing up and being willing to learn.
Thank you Sierra for all your help and taking charge of the cameras for these beautiful pictures!

09/15/2024

We had an awesome first day of the Intro to Liberty Clinic! Everyone made some amazing progress! Looking forward to seeing everyone for day two!

07/19/2024

✨Norbert✨
9 yr old Registered Gypsy Vanner gelding. 15hh and takes up a lot of leg! Loaded with mane, tail and feathers.
He is very friendly, loves attention! You can do just about anything on this guy! He's carried flags, been trail rode, you can dally and drag off of him, he also really enjoys being ridden English and jumping! Would be a super fun ranch versatility horse or even a dressage horse or 3 day eventer!
He is an easy going guy, has a good whoa but also has a decent motor. Really a great horse!
Please message for more information! Serious inquiries only!
Low ✖️✖️,✖️✖️✖️
Currently located in Wickenburg AZ but can go to Oregon in a couple weeks.

Address

Bend, OR
97701

Website

http://www.twinpinesequestrian.com/

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Videos

I've been a little behind on posting but this 3 yr old mare came in a week and a half ago to get started under saddle. Yesterday she had her 5th ride!

Rivers first time liberty lunging in the arena! For a horse that was extremely shut down when she came or would try to go back to her pen if you took her out, I was so shocked with her willingness and try today with trying this in the arena for the first time. We've been working on it in the round pen and she even struggles in there sometimes with keeping her circle right around me but today she was so happy and willing to engage ❤️

A little positive reinforcement work with Big Booty Judy with working on side passing up to the mounting block and her first sit!

When I say training isn't a one size fits all, I definitely mean that. One minute I'm training a Reiner to go show, the next minute I'm working on helping a mustang work thru past trauma. This girl has a fear of saddles, a fear of things on her right side and a fear of things behind her. All of those things were forced on her, she was forced to be ridden when she wasn't ready and her way of expressing her fear was thru bucking. I went to pick up the saddle today to put on her and immediately she got wide eyed and snorty so I said ok we'll do something different. I call this side leading, it is her responding to vocal cues (forward and whoa) while walking beside her and having her side pass up when changing directions. She nailed it!

A few years ago when I taught one of the horses how to do "crunches". A great way to strengthen your horses core and self teach a half halt to rebalance them.

Doing some ground driving out of the arena! Love this for letting them problem solve and listen to both voice and rein cues.

Some trainers may post their young horses with not many rides doing some "exciting" things. Not around here, no reason for the excitement if you prepare them properly from the ground. Loving this Metallic Cat granddaughter!

Just be as you are 🌠 #horsetraining #reining #horsetrainer #positiveenergy #beasyouare #reinedcowhorse

A little exposure training for some of the colts today

This 3 yr old stud colts first attempt at flying lead changes 🙌🏻

Counting down the days to The Cactus Classic🌵🏜️

Hoobie got to learn the basics of liberty today and put together some liberty circles for the first time. He tends to get a little anxious with normal lunging and wants to rush so I figured why not teach him to soften and figure out tempo a different way.