Great Heights Stable

01/24/2025

01/23/2025

🌿What is Zoopharmacognosy?🌿

Broadly speaking, this is the interface between evolution and health. Animals have evolved to roam the wild to seek out plants and minerals they instinctively need, both for nourishment and for medicine.

⚕️ 🫏 🧠 Simply put, this lovely big word is made up of the Greek roots meaning the science of knowing (cog) medicine (pharma) for animals (zoo).
So animals knowing their medicines....Easy-peasy!

Other ways to describe this:

🌟 Innate Botanical Selections
🌟Self-Selection

👀 Watch our page for more information on what this amazing field is and most importantly... how it can help you and your pets!

01/23/2025

🕰️ It is Time Wonderful Families! 🕰️

❄️ While it’s hard to imagine Summer with this cold snap and snow… many folks are already thinking summer scheduling for their children!

We’re excited to announce that our 2025 Summer Horse Camps are coming soon, and we’ll be offering even more weeks of camp than in previous years!

🌻 Here are the dates:🌻

June 23-27
July 21-25
July 28-August 1 *already 3 sign-ups
August 4-8
August 11-15 *already 3 sign-ups

I am happy to say camps are 7+.

Camps run from 9-3 Monday through Friday each week.
We can accommodate early or late stays, this just requires an additional fee.

✅ I am offering an early bird discount:

1. If you sign up and pre-pay before March 1st: normally $650/week we are offering $600 for this limited time ⏰Ω

🏅 Our camps will align with our Levels Program, so campers can look forward to a progressive approach to both mounted and unmounted horsemanship. Each camper will be working on benchmarks within their level, learning exactly what they need to in order to make the most progress possible. Ribbons, anyone???

🐴 We’ll also be introducing a new liberty curriculum! This means campers will have the chance to work on specific benchmarks during the week, earning badges to celebrate small wins and ribbons to celebrate mastery once they've completed all the necessary steps—though please note, this process typically takes more than one camp week to achieve. So please feel free to sign up for more than one or all of the them!

🌿 As always, we go beyond this within our days here and this year a big emphasis will be on connecting your child to nature. We will be playing forest games, doing grounding and breathing techniques that they can use during the busy and often stressful academic year; we will be sneakily working on literacy and writing, a bit of math and lots of science (natural world).

🌹 We will also be working more on plants and how these relate to our animals, with lots of foraging, gardening, and making teas, sniffing essential oils, and understanding how these help us all feel our best.

To ensure we have enough campers to run the program, we’ll need a minimum of 4 participants per week. As long as this requirement is met, we’re good to go! If you have signed up for a week that cannot run, we will try to move your student to another week that works with your schedule.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

🗓️ Message now to reserve your spots:
*Let me know the date(s) you are interested in and the camper(s) names

*If you would like to pre-pay to secure the discount ask and I will send you methods of payment

We look forward to an amazing summer of horsemanship, fun, and learning!

01/20/2025

Snow day tips!

🌨️ There is nothing prettier in New England than fresh, fluffy white snow. 🌨️

BUT.....

at some point all of that fluff is going to cause issues. Either we get a deep freeze and it stays there with ice chunks 🧊 for a potentially annoying amount of time or... worse... it will make MUD **gasp*** 🌊

💡 So I have some tips on how I work to prevent/minimize the future mud-tastrophe!
After all, the fine print of owning horses is being an expert in water management and mud prevention!

1. Get That Snow OUT: plow out the main areas, included under overhangs, by the water troughs, around hay feeders, and the major paths. ☃️

2. Clear out Drainage Routes: during the year, observe how your land handles water. Where does it go? Does it follow a particular path? I obsessively notice and gently influence this. So when we get snow I make sure the snow is cleared of those low areas that create bowls for water to accumulate. Bowls of standing water = mud.. NOOOO! So keep those spots clear. If you clear the gates, make sure the snow behind and around it aren't just going to melt into this lovely cleaned area and then make a puddle of mud. Gross! 🌞

For us, the most important spots are around the manure pit, by the gates, and making sure the roof melt has places to go that pull water away from the barn and walking areas.

3. Long term Management: just because you plowed today, doesn't mean you are done. As things melt and get stepped on, I like to make sure that there is textured, yet smooth surface everywhere the critters go. This helps with less slipping, but also less ankle rolling on chunky, uneven surfaces. Not just for the horses too- it also helps with us humans, particularly when pushing those wheelbarrows! 🦵

🫏 Donkey would like to add, that creating zoomie paths is a MUST. How else will a little fella get his exercise?
But seriously- weird shaped paths, loops, and twists make the best instant track system. There is something about a path that just makes a body want to walk down it. Horses (and donkeys) and dogs definitely agree! The paths encourage movement, which stimulates the lymphatic system (immune system center) among other things, equating with so many health benefits so it's a no brainer! Just because it's cold does not mean we should shut our animals up in a cozy cell.. I mean stall... Movement is so unbelievably important, particularly for horses, that we risk so many other complications if we neglect this piece.

If they are stuck inside... get them out on a good hand walk a few times a day to get that blood pumping, body stretching, and mind engaging. 🏃 Both of you will feel better after!

4. Adding Winter Appropriate Forage: 🌲 Now is the perfect time to start adding bark- tree branches and logs to your paddocks for horses to browse through in addition to their hay. This, plus some of the coniferous tree needles are a great way to add some slow seasonal appropriate nibbles to their day. 🌲

🍭It is NOT a good time to load up on grains, sugars and other high content carbs. While it might seem like a good idea to us (ask me how I know this 🙈), it is not how your animals was designed to handle winter. See... Robin's been studying since last year.....🤓 📚
Their entire system, from stomach and gut, to immune and vascular system, works differently (and importantly slower) in winter and if you load up on those sugary yums now, you can seriously impact their ability to handle the spring grass and sugars and actually deal with the cold.
So- hay in slow feed wander about style (nets and various stations), diversity of branches to strip bark from, and herbs or teas if you can can positively compliment their simplified winter food. 🪵 🌿

Anyone do anything that helps their animals thrive this time of year?

These are some of the tips that took me A LONG TIME with lots and lots of mistakes mixed in to learn. I hope this helps someone out there do better for their pets!

💞 If we know better, we can do better and thus feel better after all! 💞

01/20/2025

01/19/2025

100%
Not only this but understanding why our animals have changing needs in the winter is unbelievably helpful in informing our care.
Just since diving deeper into the physiology changes in winter for horses, I have a theory about Nova’s cough. This helped me adjust a few things out there and 2 days in and he is (whisper and knock on wood) NOT coughing!

01/17/2025

🌿❄️🐑🐑🐑🐏

I got to work with Sheepies today!! See these fluffy little pilllows melt my heart!

My friend’s sheep is very ill with what could be anaplaosis. She’s not responding well to regular antibiotics, so we decided to explore marrying western and eastern medicine to support her in every way possible.

My friend, a skeptic, had her mind blown 🤯 when she personally felt drawn to rosemary and peppermint oil. Having a sickness that impacts her muscles that was flared up that day, I was not surprised. But after our session my friend felt so much better herself she started asking questions! Sometimes experiencing this stuff first hand is where we open up to a whole new world out there 🌎

Back to sheep: 🐑 We have done three sessions so far. The first session, sick sheep engaged very little. She did breath in a lot of St. John’s Wort, a cursory sniff at calendula and then rosemary essential oil. She spent a good bit of time sniffing Oregano oil. Her healthy friends and a barn cat loved nettle, calendula, and a slew of other herbs and oils, nibbling, licking, and sniffing away happily.
Day 2 sick Sheepie finally started to chew cud but was still not eating, only drinking water.
By day 3, sick Sheepie actually ate nibbles of calendula and then a few mouthfuls of nettle!! She then promptly stopped and ate walked away. I opened the oregano oil and she looked at me across her paddock- I went over and after I knelt down and opened the bottle she stomped over and grabbed the dropper, taking a good ol’ lick! That’s strong stuff! But very very good for infection!
When I left Sick Sheepie was EATING hay!!!

Wonder if the herbs helped her forgive me for helping give her shots? She’s so fluffy we had to cut a patch of wool off to access her skin!

💕💕💕🌿🐑🌿💕💕💕 Wowzer

01/12/2025

I get to study with this amazing lady and turn my passion into to a career so I can bring this modality of healing to our area!!
💕💓💓🌿🌹

🌿 Exploring the Intricacies of Applied Behaviour and Herbs 🌿

Did you know that all animals actually have a fantastic ability to self-medicate by selectively choosing specific plants and herbs to address their physical and emotional needs? Zoopharmacognosy is a method that uses applied behaviour to assess the relationship between animals, behaviour, and natural medicines.

Applied behaviour in animals involves studying how their actions and responses can be influenced by various factors, including their environment, training, and overall well-being. By understanding and addressing their behaviour, we can create a more enriching experience for them.

🌿 Herbs, including the natural forage they have available, play a significant role in behavioural and emotional health. Through enrichment and applied behaviour animals have been observed to seek out specific herbs to address various issues such as anxiety, stress, and digestive discomfort. Chamomile has been found to have calming properties, while many floral herbs with volatile oils promote relaxation. Nettle helps to clean the blood and hawthorn helps protect the cardiovascular system. Valerian root has been studied for its potential to reduce anxiety and restlessness. All super enriching herbs and all have wide safety margins. 🌿

Have you ever incorporated herbs into your animal's routine? If so, what did you use and how did they react? Which specific herbs have you found to be effective and beneficial?

https://www.animalbotanical.co.uk/HerbalShenanigans1

🌿✨

🌿✨

01/07/2025

Nova and Roman both do this on R+ sessions and the feeling being physically with them is engagement and relaxation, not stress. I love that I have science to now present to people!
Hmmm… can I send it to my virtual judge for my last tests where they were dropped during their pattern work?🙈💁😂

01/03/2025

🌿It’s Beginning to Look at Lot like Herb-mas!🎄🌿

🫖 Getting ready to make the New Horse and Human Tea making Station at the barn!

✨Horses and humans (I am definitely guiltily raising a hand here 🖐️ ) do not consume enough water in the colder months. This can cause all sorts of sneaky health and mood issues for both of us.

Teas are a great way to engage with your senses, inspire your pallet and sneak in extra water (caffeine free of course!). 🍵✨

👀Stay posted to see how it starts coming together!

01/02/2025

Once you know other options exist, it’s hard to “un-know”

It's not abnormal for horses to "unravel" when they come to AVL. Or rather, they come alive.

Often the traditional keeping of horses in a strict routine of stabling and individual turnout leads to a shut down horse, who internalises their stress inorder to cope, giving off the impression that your horse is "fine". That, or you get the stereotypical behaviours that develop in order to cope, such as weaving, door kicking, cribbing, wind sucking, pacing etc that people will find a gadget to try and stop from happening rather than see it as a cry for help and address the root cause by adjusting the management.

When a horse arrives here and joins the herd, they all go through a process of adaptation. Every horse reacts differently, some find it hard to understand that the humans no longer make every decision, and will hang around up the top near the barn, and sometimes call to us rather than be with the herd. This is normal, and over time they learn to go out and get their own resources and build relationships with the other horses.

Some horses go absolutely wild. Lots of bombing about, playing, bucking and farting both on track and when owners are trying to work or ride them, and this is what I call the "unravelling".

Suddenly, your horse is allowed opinions on what he does with his day. That pent up, shut down coping behaviour starts to fizzle out and your horse WAKES UP!

It can be a bit of a shock to owners sometimes as they haven't seen this side of their horse and initially they think it is bad and they want their "dope on a rope" back. But that dope on a rope was a ticking time bomb.

The best bet is to set them up for success in time off of the track. Ask less of them, don't expect to be able to ride straight away or on days where they may already be trigger stacked from weather or flies or goings-on.

Give them time to adjust, keep your handling and work consistent but set them up to succeed e.g. Don't grab them in and throw tack on on a windy day after 6 days off and go out for a hack an expect a positive outcome. It's an unfair expectation and will likely end up with you both in a bit of a state.

Sometimes this 'unravelling' also shows us health conditions that where underlying and maybe missed before. Common ones discovered are ulcers, or lameness or grass related issues that where previously hidden by shoes.

Sometimes they might not want anything to do with you to start with, because all their needs are being met on track, but as long as you offer positive experiences outside of the herd, they'll soon come seeking human interaction. Sometimes they are the opposite and have lost sense of being a horse and are so human dependent that they aren't keen to leave your sight.

Give your horses time to adjust to their new way of life, expect less, listen to them and set them up for success. And be prepared for this to take anywhere from a few months to a few years.

And thank you for being brave and making the change, for the sake of your horses mental and physical health being better in the long run. It might seem hard now but I promise you, it's worth it.

12/27/2024

Happy Boxing Day🎁📦🎄

12/25/2024

🎄☃️❄️🐴❤️Merry Christmas!🎄☃️❄️🐴❤️

12/23/2024

🤔What’s the problem with horses who are cuddle monsters?

Taking picture are hard- their nose is always “helping”!😂

Atlas was looking so handsome in yesterday’s light but I couldn’t capture it!!

12/22/2024

This is SO TRUE!! 👏
Investing in horse time is investing in your whole being or your child’s being from head to toe. In an era where our investments are scattered in various meaningless plans contradictory places (🙋🏻‍♀️raise hand if you’ve bought nice cookies, eaten said cookies, now are at the gym where you’re a member working off said cookies 🍪🫣🤣). Let’s remember how to prioritize whole life values and promote them within ourselves and our children!!

🤠 it’s always a good idea to come hug a horse🐴

➡️ Why I Choose Horses for My Kid: Lessons Worth Every Penny

People often ask me, “Why do you spend so much money on horses for your kid? They’re just ‘money pits,’ emotional heart-breakers made of tissue paper that can kick your lights out. Why?”

The answer is simple: because horses teach kids more than any iPad, social media influencer, or textbook ever could.

Yes, you’re right—horses are relentless in every way. They demand your time, energy, and finances. They can test your patience, challenge your emotions, and consume you entirely. But look at what they give in return.

⚡️ Lessons That Last a Lifetime

Horses teach my child skills no technology, trendy outfit, or peer group could ever provide:

• Nonverbal Communication: Learning to “speak” with a 1,200-pound animal without words develops awareness, empathy, and understanding.

• Responsibility: Early mornings, late nights, and putting the needs of another being before their own teach kids accountability.

• Confidence: The triumphs and struggles in the saddle or barn instill self-belief and grit.

• Emotional Intelligence: Handling setbacks, managing fears, and celebrating successes alongside a horse build emotional resilience.

• Decision-Making & Problem-Solving: When something goes wrong, as it inevitably does, kids learn to think critically and act swiftly.

• Goal Setting & Consistency: Progress with horses comes through small, consistent efforts—a powerful life lesson. swiftly.

• Value of Networking & Mentorship: The horse industry molds kids to be coachable and open minded to collaboration with their peers. Success in this industry requires a network - they learn that quickly.

Beyond the tangible skills, horses bring kids closer to nature, science, and even spirituality. There’s something deeply humbling and awe-inspiring about working with these magnificent creatures. I know for a fact they bring you closer to God as well.

🔥The Physical and Mental Challenge

Many don’t believe equestrian activities qualify as a sport. To that, I can only say: spend a day in the barn. The physical demands of mucking stalls, lifting hay bales, and conditioning a horse are real. Riding itself is a full-body workout that requires balance, strength, and coordination. These kids spend more time practicing their skills than most athletes on the planet.

But the mental aspect is just as significant. Equestrianism teaches kids how to master pressure, manage performance anxiety, and handle adversity with grace. Those are skills they’ll carry into every aspect of life.

👉 A Priceless Investment

I would rather my child be so consumed by the living, breathing responsibilities of horses than searching for validation on social media, in peer groups, or, worse, through harmful substances.

Horses are an investment—not just in riding lessons, vet bills, and show fees—but in my child’s future. I’d rather spend my money on building her character, teaching her discipline, and giving her life skills than on fleeting trends or technology that will soon be outdated.

Yes, horses are expensive. Yes, they’re challenging. But they’re also one of the greatest gifts I can give my child. Because when I look at her, I don’t just see a rider—I see a confident, capable, compassionate human being. And for that, horses are worth every penny.



Shared from Blue Thunder A Unicorn Story