Hopewood Farm

Beau's favorite activity 😂💙 #sirbeauregard #hopewoodfarm #horsecenteredcare

An informal but hopefully educational tidbit of what life can be like training with R+ (positive reinforcement). I do pause the video while getting her back into place only to keep things as short as possible. It really only took a second! This is so different from much of what I was taught growing up and working in the traditional horse world. However, it naturally and beautifully compliments what has become my personal training style! I am still very new at training with R+ and Kat has had very limited experience with it. But both me and all my horses have been enjoying the journey of adding R+ training into different aspects of our daily lives. I started using R+ with Jasper back in February and I think it was in March or April ('24) that I started introducing The basic concept of the bridge signal (click sound) and the neutral or default head away position for receiving food to all of my horses. I did that specifically to use in this type of situation. I am so proud of Kat for how quickly she learned that the spray can was safe! She is an anxious horse and is easily startled by anything near her neck and head and things that spray (especially after being poked and prodded repeatedly for the past 2 months) if you move too quickly. I really have hardly done any R+ training with her. She really only knows that the click means that she will get a food reward and she kind of knows to keep her head away from me (partly because her anxiety makes her very "polite" and also she really is the best girl 🥰 ), So for her to learn the skills so quickly really surprised me! #hopewoodfarm #horsecenteredcare #horsecenteredtraining #positivereinforcementtraining #coopertivecare #morganhorse

I love this horse! Only his second time following the target!☺️💙 Beau has been introduced to R+ training very sporadically over the past 2-3 months but I have been spending more time on it this month. I wanted to do this because I noticed especially after going (still going) through such a long rehab process that he really dislikes being in the arena. He never really has but especially now. I wanted to work on not only the arena being a more interesting place but I also want to start developing comfort in his own body again in a low stress way. He is recovering so well from his tendon injury and is slowly going back to work in the lesson program! Now I want him to be comfortable and happy in that work no matter how "little" the work appears to be. After a life spent in service pulling buggies and providing a way of life for his people, he deserves to experience work in a whole new way. #highhopessteadyhearts #hopewoodfarm #horsecenteredcare #horsecenteredtraining #horsemanshiplessons #rescuehorse #repurpose #morganhorse #morgansafenet #examishhorse

Jasper and Pixie sharing food 🥹 This has become almost a daily occurrence! And trust me they have PLENTY of food sources, they just choose to share 💚💜 #pixiestick #jasper #hopewoodfarm #horsecenteredcare #morganpony #rescuehorse

💚 Jasper Update 💚 He has been doing so well being introduced to R+ work the past 2 months! He has gained social skills, confidence, and most importantly our relationship has improved! Yesterday was @katiejharty of The Compassionate Cowgirl's second visit. We had had plans of trying to walk Jasper with the target (leading him had become a huge problem back in January/February and while he is much safer to lead now he often gets "stuck" both physically and mentally) but Jasper said that idea wasn't quite working for him and we ended working on stepping forward and backwards with the target. It turned out great! Backing was one of Jasper's biggest struggles when he arrived and I was THRILLED that he not only tried it but even offered it without the target(not videoed unfortunately)! The bonus in this skill is it may lead into the start of his hoof handling skills eventually. These steps look small and insignificant or maybe even just plain silly but they allow us to address all of our horse's concerns at an almost micro-level and create positive associations with their experiences. Jasper may have found a way to get through life for 15ish (not sure his exact age) years but with this training we get to build a "new brain" so to speak! It's a process I find very interesting and actually surprisingly fun! #hopewoodfarm #horsecenteredtraining #rescuehorse #positivereinforcementtraining #newbeginnings

"To the horses we love after losing our childhood heart horse... You are not them, we could never ask you to be. You are your own unique and beautiful soul. While you can never fill the hole we are left with, you are the light that slowly calls our heart out of the shadows. And we will remember that deep relationships are not formed in months or a year, but over a lifetime." ❤️ Missing my boy Scotty this week as we marked both the anniversary of him entering our family and also leaving it 14yrs later. 💔 I think Kat knew I needed some medicine tonight. She was so happy and willing to be ridden! Often she would really prefer if you left her alone but tonight I think she needed it too. Scotty was almost always eager to go ride. He would practically self bridle! Rarely did I have to use a finger in his mouth to encourage him to take the bit. Kat on the other hand is more of a reluctant participant but tonight she walked over to me with the bridle, let me get it situated and then took the bit without second thought! Of course this makes me so happy because she was a willing participant in her work. But it instantly made me think of Scotty and that just warmed my heart a little. If you know Kat, you know she's a little different (many would say quirky). She struggles with all sorts of anxieties and some muscle discomfort, but she has such a kind and gentle soul. I may feel like she's always rolling her eyes at me but there is a reason I call her "Lovey" and it is my goal to get her to live in that sweet girl essence all the time.🫠💕💕 #hearthorse #morganhorse #eqineconnection #hopewoodfarm #horsecenteredcare #horsecenteredtraining

It's a rare day when I actually get to work the lesson horses! 😅 Pixie struggles with her confidence especially when you want her to actually move away from you. She was particularly on edge last night and was more interested in sniffing the new footing so this was one of the best clips. We really haven't worked on free lunging much but our "heeding" ground work lays the foundation for success. Just look at that halt! There was no vocal cue for it, she was just tuned in to my body language. 💜 She's the cutest little doodlebug! #hopewoodfarm #horsecenteredtraining #horsecenteredcare #horsemanshiplessons #lessonhorse #morganhorse #morganpony

✨ Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday ✨ At the holidays I think we often find ourselves taking stock of what has changed since we last celebrated and what hasn't. I often find myself stuck on what hasn't changed. Or how many goals I'm "behind" in meeting. What I've learned this year is that starting is HARD. You feel like you are moving nowhere but things are actually growing more than you think. Projects take so much longer than you think or you overlook a detail because it worked last year but now you have 4 extra horses in the barn and you realize you forgot to install blanket racks on the doors! (hence the blankets set to dry anywhere I can🤦🏻‍♀️) Most of your students are complete beginners and typically fall into similar age ranges so you find yourself teaching the same lessons over and over. Same with training horses to start they are usually young or need better education so you find yourself training the same things over and over. BUT The barn is getting more life to it! Our stalls are full for the winter, there are a few riders starting to break out of the pack and advance more quickly. I have 3 wonderful clients for training and for board. My barn helper is home from college, 2 weekends ago I had 3 girls helping/riding on a Saturday all hanging out singing to Christmas music, the barn is festive and we are ready for a fun week of holiday camps. Slowly but surely it is starting to feel the way a lesson barn ought to! It may not all be where I want it yet, but I am proud of my little barn! 💚🤍🩷🤎 #hopewoodfarm #equineprofessional #horsemanshiplessons #horsecenteredcare

This was too cute! 🥰 Merry playing with Pixie. Yes he can jump out of the stalls anytime either out the window or the front bars. #barncats #morganhorses #hopewoodfarm

It was like the perfect little snow globe yesterday! The ground was only a little frozen so we took advantage of the weather for a fun workout outside. Clara really enjoys the outdoors! #hopewoodfarm #horsecenteredtraining #horsecenteredcare #goodbabyhorse #morganhorse #morganmare

Wow! We sure crammed a whole lot of fun into our Veteran's Day Camp and it was our biggest attendance so far! 5 eager young ladies braved the chilly day and got the barn cleaned from top to bottom and accomplished more outdoor activities with the horses than I thought we would. 💚 Everyone got a little riding lesson on the horses and "Bob the Barrel Horse", as well as learning how to lunge their horses. Stalls were cleaned, cobwebs were dusted off, waters and hay bags were filled, and Beau of course got a good grooming since he is still out of commission. 🩷 Inside we learned about the Morgan Horse breed and made suncatcher squares that had a Morgan silhouette on them. Special thanks to my mom for taking the time to trace all of them! The kids colored them in and added background as they pleased. We had hot chocolate and played the ever popular "Horse Show" game (which is basically an excuse to run around in the arena 😂), and of course everyone got to feed the horses at the end of the day. 🤍 Thank you everyone for coming and be on the lookout for more fun activities in the future! #hopewoodfarm #highhopessteadyhearts #horsemanshiplessons #buildinghorsemen #morganhorses

Pixie says: "EWWW! He touched MEEE!!!!" 🤣🤣🤣 Beau is such a gentleman 💙

He's here! We are very pleased to welcome Scout to our training program! Scout is a 3y/o paint pony here for a driving tune up. He is loved and owned by Joanne Kwasniewski and her granddaughters Reegan and Hadlee Ritter. Miss Reegan started lessons with us back in August and I think we will be seeing a bit more of her now that her special boy is here. 😉 #hopewoodfarm #horsecenteredtraining #horsecenteredcare #raistheminabarn

Miss Reegan rocking her lesson this afternoon! 🙌 #hopewoodfarm #horsemanshiplessons #horsecenteredcare #horsecenteredtraining

Kat loves her lesson kids but she really enjoys getting to strut her stuff and remember she's a champion show horse! ✨Freedom Run Eyes On Me✨

Beau and his newfound musical talent! 🤣

We've had an unexpected visitor the past few days. It got brave and decided to try to hang out with the horses today! 😂

Closing up the barn after a very successful and full day of lessons and training! Everyone is loving this weather too!

Lessons have really been picking up and we are busy getting ready for our first day of camp next week! #hopewoodfarm #clintonnewyork #horsecenteredtraining #horsemanshiplessons #feelslikesummer

🤫 Post turnout naps in session. 😴 Who doesn't love an afternoon nap on a cool day in a freshly made bed. I know I would sure like one myself! 🤣 #hopewoodfarm #siesta #clintonnewyork #horsecenteredtraining #horsecenteredcare #lessonhorse #livintheirbestlives