Dressage by Jayne

12/18/2024

An important and ongoing conversation that we need to continue having in the horse world! So glad to have been one of the contributing voices in this United States Dressage Federation Official Page article.

We learn to ride dressage by letters. Three of the newest - DEI, for diversity, equity, and inclusion - test our flexibility, “forward thinking,” and harmony, not with our horses but with previously underrepresented and overlooked equine enthusiasts.

When it comes to DEI, “How are we doing?” is as complex a question as the aids for an upper-level dressage movement. This macro-level look at the current state of DEI in the horse world is about more than the struggle to fit different kinds of hair into riding helmets; it’s about how historically marginalized people are working to fit in at the barn, the show, and the dressage arena.

In this reprint from USDF Connection magazine, we take a look at where diversity, equity, and inclusion stand in the horse world right now. Read on: https://yourdressage.org/2024/09/24/dei-new-letters-new-tests/

Photo by Taylor Pence/US Equestrian

12/13/2024

Congratulations to Kathy Swalwell and Bingotti ! We all saw how amazing this horse was under Carrie Wilson. He will be standing at Hilltop Farm! I can personally attest to the quality and temperament he passes on to his foals! My two are so friendly, brave and love to learn new things! If I had endless money I would have a whole herd from the cross we did with him and Zarya! 🤣🦄

The link will take you to Gotti's page.

Kjento's exceptional pedigree, attractive type, powerful gaits, and exceptional rideability, have caught the attention of breeders and trainers around the world. Champion of his KWPN Stallion Test, Kjento earned no score less than 8.5, five scores of 9, and a 9.5 for his canter for an impressive tot...

12/08/2024

Baby snuggles from a couple days ago when it was COLD 🥶
These two are so sweet and always love to say hello ❤️
Happy Sunday, everyone!

12/06/2024

This is a great write up about blankets and blanketing. My horses have a pretty wide range of cold tolerance. Binzi grows in less hair and bit later than my other horses, and Raine would prefer to not have anything on, even when it's single digits and windy! Knowing your horse(s) and what they prefer is a big part of keeping horses healthy and happy!

So I know that I'm a "feed guy" but I am also a horse keeper and every winter I see a whole bunch of blanket wars some up in various groups so I thought I would add my opinion and observations to the mix.

This photo was taken yesterday as my three Quarter Horse mares stuffed themselves with free choice hay which, as you can see, they are not shy about wasting.

They are standing outside in a steady 30 mile per hour wind with snow blowing horizontally. This is their choice because 100 feet away they have access to their stalls which are bedded with a foot of straw, heated buckets and a pile of exactly the same hay.

These mares would much prefer to be outside than in. However, if they were not wearing blankets they would most likely be huddles in their stalls against the wind.

I point this out because while it is mostly true that horses will survive the cold weather as long as they have shelter and forage it is equally true that blanketing them can be very beneficial.

Every year I see newbies posting advice on blanketing and so many of the comments are from the "I've been around horses my whole life" crowd advising that "horses don't need no damn blankets!".

There are also many comments spewing myths that blanketing is dangerous and will "make a horse sick".

These ideas are, in my own humble opinion, nonsense.

To be sure over blanketing can be a real problem as it can cause some issues with heat stress. The only problem I ever had with blankets was a boarder of mine who had a OTTB and insisted that if she were cold the horse was too. I was constantly removing heavy second blankets because the animal was dripping in sweat while the temperature was 34 F.

Tossing a horse out in 25 F weather with only a thin sheet can be equally problematic.

In general if you use a sensible strategy of midweight fill blankets you really can't go too far wrong.

But why blanket at all? Wild horses don't wear blankets!

Unfortunately the people with this attitude never have the opportunity to see the frozen carcasses of the wild horses that NEEDED BLANKETS.

The ginormous fat ass on the left side of the two in front is my 22 year old AQH mare, Flair. When Flair was young she would be standing outside grazing while covered with ice from freezing rain and not wearing a blanket. She much prefers being a little on the chillier side.

I noticed that when she turned around 15 she would start hanging out in the shelter for much longer periods.

The fat ass on the right is my 32 year old AQH mare, Skippy the Wonder Horse. She is an older lady who prefers being comfortable.

Would these lovely matrons survive the winter without blankets? Almost surely!

So why do I blanket them?

The first reason is obviously to help them be more comfortable.

The next reason is that they will stay out of their stalls moving around which is great for both their physical and mental well being. As an added benefit for mois, less mucking to do.

The third reason is that they will consume less hay which is a great budget consideration. Why spend money on hay if I can prevent them from burning calories just to stay warm?

The final reason is that blanketed horses will drink more water which avoids things like winter impaction colic.

One horse that is not in this picture is my beautiful Raven. Ray was an OTTB mare, granddaughter of Secretariat that unfortunately, at the ripe old age (for an OTTB) of 28, succumbed to an old tendon injury this past August.

Blanketing for Raven was not optional. She was a typical thin skinned Thoroughbred.

She was 14 years old the first winter she came to me and she grew a luxurious, thick coat as beautiful as any sable cape ever worn. We had one night where the temperature was 40 F with a light drizzle of passing showers. When I went out for morning feed she wouldn't come up to the barn.

Fearing the worst I grabbed her halter and walked out to lead her in. She was shivering so violently that she could barely walk. From that moment on Raven was blanketed any time the temperature dropped below 50 F and she was always a plus one so if the Quarter Horses needed a blanket Raven had two.

In my travels as a "feed guy" I encountered so many owners who refused to blanket their horses while complaining that they were hard keepers. I was forced to stand there with their miserable, shivering horses in cross ties and restrain myself from beating them with a dressage whip.

This message is for the owners who have been shamed or misinformed out of blanketing your horses. Just do it if you believe that your horse will be better off.

If you go to the barn and your horse is huddled in the run in shed or shivering slightly or is a dripping muddy mess blanketing them will be a benefit.

I feel the same way about shoes. If a horse will benefit from them then put them on.

This is only my opinion, other opinions are welcome but I've cared for lots and lots of different horses over the years and I've never had one that didn't benefit from a blanket.

Cheers!

11/19/2024

Trying out my new lungeing and in-hand caveson. Took a couple of (bad 🤣) photos, and that big horse in the first 3 photos is Bravo!! 😭😭🤣 how did he get so big!? When will he stop?! And he looks so much like his mom (final photo)! They get harder and harder to tell apart as the days pass 😂 the biggest give away is that Bravo puts his ears up for the camera 🤣🦄

11/19/2024

Long post, but please read it! And please go book a session with Cat! You won't regret it!

Y'all, I have to shout out my amazing, talented, and wonderful friend, Cat Bradley !! I don't usually post things that aren't horse related on this account, but I really have to share this!

A couple of weeks ago, I had an incredible reiki session with Cat, and I can not recommend the experience enough! I had never had a personal reiki session before, but I was totally floored by the experience.

Cat led me through some breathing exercises and a short meditation before starting the reiki work, but as soon as she started, it was like a switch flipped. It was like my whole body was sinking into the most perfect mattress. I had a lot of visuals of water, rain and rivers, and some very interesting body sensations, including feeling like I was made out of sand... but the highlight for me was after the session was over. I felt so calm and so whole with myself. I felt totally centered and confident in who I am, which is not always an easy thing for me to feel. Quite frankly, I was a little bit nervous to post this because it is quite personal, and I am always hesitant to put too much personal stuff online. But now that I have felt that super centered self assuredness, it is easier to find again when I am feeling less confident and can't thank Cat enough for helping me find that feeling!

I really can't recommend working with Cat enough. She is talented in so many ways and is so gracious and generous in sharing her talents.

If you want to get in touch with Cat, you can contact her through her website or, go to her stories on Instagram to see what availability she has. All of her reiki sessions are donation based pricing through December, and she also offers yoga classes, meditation, and somatic work. Her website is https://www.cathbradley.com/

11/16/2024

Nooooo!!!! 😭😭 🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧

11/13/2024

Hey! I know this pony, Elizabeth Waters Conway ! I can attest that Teddy is much happier both on the ground and under saddle. Anything we can do to help our horses be their happiest, healthiest self is worth it! Dr. Bickle's approach has made a huge and clear improvement with Teddy. So glad she is part of the team that makes it all possible!

11/09/2024

This is a great post! I tell my students all the time that I am trying to help them learn how to ride on their own!

Most of your riding hours are spent unsupervised. You MUST learn to assess your own riding without my voice in your ear. It is hard and never ending, but I guarantee that ever rider you like watching rider is constantly processing every step and deciding if something should be done, what to do and what the potential outcomes could be of each choice they make.

Your trainer is there to help you identify what needs addressing and share their toolbox for fixing those things. It's your job to get those tools into your own head so you can use them to progress your riding.

11/09/2024

Dr. Bickle at Whole Life Veterinary Services made this fun quiz to see what element your horse might be! Binzi, Bravo and Zarya all got fire, and Galio got metal! If you do it for your horse, share your results! I'm curious to see what you get!

Send a message to learn more

11/09/2024

Beautiful weather to ride in the fields this week! Galio and I took full advantage of the sun and got in quite a few hacks around the property.

We were finishing up a ride yesterday and startled this poor bunny who was taking a nap. Fortunately, we didn't step on them, and it didn't seem too bothered, as it didn't run too far and took its time going back under the grass 🤣🐰

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween, everyone! 🎃👻🔮

10/20/2024

Happy spooky season, y'all 🤣🤣🐶 Hank didn't want to miss out on the pumpkin carving on a perfect fall day.

10/16/2024

I've been looking for a fulmer snaffle for Galio after trying a friends, and had one available at a great price! They even surprised us a little goodie! Their house made mint pony paste!

If you're looking to for tack or horse gear on a budget, they are a great local business to check out!

10/12/2024

Late to the game, but seeing the Northern Lights the other night was amazing ❤️🌌

10/06/2024

This mornings peanut gallery for day 2 of the clinic 😂 hopefully she is picking up some tidbits for when she starts her under saddle career 🤣

10/01/2024

This weekend! October 5th and 6th, Paula Kierkegaard will be in Dexter, MI!

Rider spots are full, but this is a great opportunity to audit and learn from one of the best!

Paula is an active clinician both in the United States and overseas. With more than 60 years of experience, she has a wealth of knowledge. including serving decades as a USEF (R) judge (now retired) and as an NAWD judge. She earned USDF medals through grand prix and has produced nationally ranked horses. Her focus is on creating happy, sound athletes that possess true self carriage, balance, and understanding in both horse and rider. Correct, classical basics are the foundation of her teachings. Paula is also a specialist in developing piaffe/passage.

Auditing Fee: $25/day, pay at the door. $40 for the weekend paid ahead. Please bring a seat, lunch, and snacks for yourself.