McClure Equine

05/06/2022

Arena is all drug up and set to go for Saturday! I only have 2 spots left, contact me to get in on the fun 🤩

05/05/2022

Game Day clinic reschedule to this Saturday 5/7, due to rain last weekend. Scheduling conflicts for a few participants opened up some spots if you are wanting to sign up! $50 per participant, $25 deposit to secure your spot 🤠 Fun barrel race at the end with prizes 🎁🎉

04/25/2022

One spot left for the Game Day clinic on April 30th 1:30-3:30. Contact me today to snag the last spot! Hopefully Mother Nature cooperates next weekend or I will set an alternate “rain date.”

04/23/2022

I have a few spots left for my April 30th “Game Day” clinic. Please message me with a $25 deposit to secure your spot! Prizes for the 2D barrel race have been ordered, let the fun begin 🤗

04/13/2022

Well, I have been MIA this winter dealing with multiple family health crisis. Things have now calmed down a little and I am looking forward to squeezing in a little more horse time!

With that being said, I would like to offer up a “Game Day” with a fun 2D style barrel race at the end, with prizes for the top rider in each “D.” All ages and levels of riders welcome. So come on out, knock off the dust on your equipment and get ready for a fun year ahead!

09/23/2021

Had a late night with the horses last night. They are my favorite nights, everything is quiet and serene. Had some time to sit and just count my blessings, even when at first glance they may seem anything but that.

This past year with my horses has been a bit rough. We battled injuries and set backs and I spent most of the summer with a lunge line in my hand, instead of my butt in the saddle. But there is always a silver lining.

A few years ago Belle got a severe case of pneumonia that took about year to recover from. There were many times when we didn’t even know if she would be “useable” again, let alone a performance horse. I prayed every day for God to miraculously heal her, and sought out different vets and alternative therapies. The big man upstairs came through in a big way and she blew me away a year later placing in the 2D against some nice horses her first time entered. It’s still hard to watch videos of when she was sick, and see how terrible she looked. Most times today it’s easy to forget how far she has come, and that she ever had a breathing issue.

When she got diagnosed with a injury this spring I was disappointed that we again were facing a setback. I feel very fortunate to be working with a vet who is extremely attentive to detail, and has real protocols to rehab horses and not just put a bandaid on the problem. She is making amazing progress from where we were this spring and each workout I feel her getting stronger and more cadenced. While it would be nice to head to Champ Show and feel like we’re ready to lay down a smokin run, I don’t think we’re there 100% yet. In years past this would have made really disappointed and feel like “what’s the point.” Maybe it’s having a child and realizing that life is so much bigger than my riding aspirations or maybe it’s growth as a horsewoman, but whatever the reason is I’m totally at peace just going for the experience and to cheer on my friends and students. I’m excited to expose my horse to the hustle and bustle of the fair grounds experience, and just let her set the pace. However fast or slow that might be.

I’ve learned so many things from injuries and setbacks. If I never had a horse with an abscess, I wouldn’t know how to idenetify and treat one. If I never had a horse with ulcers, I wouldn’t know how stress, nutrition, environment and at times pain affect the GI system and how to treat it. If I never had a horse with pneumonia I wouldn’t have spent literally days of my life researching treatments, and trying different therapies. If I never had a horse with a back injury I would be ignorant on that importance of saddle fit, proper strengthening for longevity, and the big symptoms of problem areas. The list literally goes on and on.

So as I finish up my last lessons tonight before Champ show this weekend, I can’t help but be thankful for all the hidden blessings in my life! They have educated me, grown my patience, expanded my empathy for the horses, and have given me more insight and knowledge to share with others. Good luck to all the competitors this week at Champ Show! Enjoy every moment with your equine partner 😊

08/29/2021

Blessed with this amazing footing that holds water so well! I have a couple of spots open for lessons this week and then I am full. Reach out to me to get on the schedule to see how I can help you prepare for champ show or your next event 🙂

08/11/2021

Last nights thoughts while working horses 🧐Had a lot of fun taking my nieces to watch a show this past weekend. If you wanna hear one of the most overused words in barrel racing, you don’t have to spend much time ringside to hear it. Take a listen below and let me know what you think!

07/20/2021

Just finished up a great week helping some of my 4H riders prepare for the Anoka County Fair. Good luck to all the horses and riders, have a blast no matter the ribbon, and stay cool!

07/08/2021

Seeing if there is interest in a “Last Chance Pleasure Workout” Sunday 7/18 1pm-3pm. Bring your horse, your equipment, and your show clothes. I will review equipment and tack cleaning, give suggestions on fit and presentation, review clipping basics, and critique riders in their discipline of choice (English, Western, or Saddleseat). $50 per participant, $20 to hold your spot. Please message me if you are interested!

07/06/2021

Love this! My longest friendships have stemmed from the “horse world,” and just about every friend I have competed rigorously against. Irregardless, I cheer for them each and every time, and am genuinely happy for them when they do well. Do I want to be beaten all the time?? Heck no! But I also don’t want to win based off someone else’s misfortune, poor performance, or lack of confidence. Some of the sweetest victories I have encountered, have been when the stakes where the highest and against the best competitors. Good horsemanship begets good horsemanship. Learning to win and lose gracefully, and maintaining that encouraging attitude is all part of it.

😌

06/29/2021

Thanks Kayla's Bemer and Equine Massage for stopping out today and doing a treatment on Belle! Though this photo doesn’t showcase her excitement 😂, she was so relaxed and loved her treatment.

Bemer utilizes PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) to stimulate cells to open ion channels, which allows better circulation of oxygen and nutrients, and facilitates faster removal of carbon dioxide and waste products. Many clinical trials demonstrate its effectiveness at reducing pain and swelling, stimulating tissue healing, decreasing nerve excitability, and promoting fracture healing. As an RN, I’ve always been skeptical about alternative treatments/supplements with horses because so many of them seem to rely on patient testimonials, with little data to back up the usage. PEMF therapy has clinical data to back up its use AND client testimonials from humans and animals that speak to its effectiveness. Contact Kayla today to get on her schedule!

06/24/2021

Just a couple spots left for a Monday the 28th, message me to join us!

06/23/2021

If your horses aren’t a revolving door of vet and farrier bills, are you really doing it right?? 😂🤣 I preach patience all the time and mine has been tested a lot so far this year!

There was something “off” with my good mare Belle this spring as we stated gearing up for show season. She wasn’t acting like her happy, go lucky self. She wasn’t looking forward to me catching her, she was walking away from me in the pasture, and had a generally cranky attitude. Under saddle she was fidgety and impatient, was pawing when standing, and wanting to step off when I would mount. She flexed, hoof tested, and lunged sound, by all accounts there was nothing “wrong” that would explain these changes in her. Figuring it might be a case of ulcers I went ahead and treated her, and low and behold she got a lot better. Then I went to weekend clinic and while she worked great and actually shaved off a half second on her pattern, something just didn’t feel right and she started swishing her tail. The clinician, who was not familiar with my horse, recommended a caslicks and otherwise commented on how nice my mare was.

Having owned Belle for almost 3 years and knowing her literally inside and out, I knew the issue wasn’t needing a caslicks. As I started thinking back, Belle took a fall at a barrel race last fall and that’s when all these somewhat subtle symptoms started. I had her vetted by a speciality sports medicine equine vet, and low and behold we found she was as out in her lower back and pelvis.

I am in awe of this mare who was working so hard for me, winning checks and ribbons even with an injury! The vet said that’s the “bad thing” about horses like Belle, they are such pleasers they will work for you even when they shouldn’t. For the last month she has been on a strict lunging only protocol, and I was just cleared to start “rehab riding” her again this week. It felt amazing to be back on her tonight with her ears up, and both of us enjoying ourselves. I’m looking forward to this next phase of rehab that will hopefully get us closer to our next competition!

All this to say, advocate for your horse!! If they don’t feel right, even if you can’t put your finger on it exactly, keep searching for an answer. Use your trainer, your farrier, your vet. Get a second or third opinion if you have to. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. We owe so much to these amazing animals who enrich our lives, we need to do right by them. Go hug your horse!

06/15/2021

Who would be interested in a “game night” June 28th from 5:30-7:30pm. Focus would be on Barrels, Jumping Figure 8, and Key Hole. Limited to 8 riders, $50 per person, $20 deposit to secure your spot. We will work on ways to shave off time in the patterns, horse/rider positioning, and things to focus on in practice at home for each rider.

06/02/2021

Biting seems to be one of the most confusing topics for a lot of people. I have found that often times riders don’t know what bit they are riding in, or the reasoning behind using a specific bit. Regarding curb bits, there are literally an infinite amount of mouth pieces and shank variations to consider. Listen below for some curb bit “basics” and the reasoning why you might use a certain bit on your horse. Comment below with questions so we can all learn together!

05/23/2021

I think patience is arguably one of the most important skills to possess as a horseman/woman. In our “quick fix” society, so often we want things to happen NOW, which unfortunately isn’t the way things work with horses. Patience is being firm but fair, trusting the process, and checking our attitude at the door. YOU set the tone with every interaction with your horse, do everything you can to build on your communication and not hinder it.

Looking forward to a great week of lessons, contact me today to get on the schedule! I have a few openings for group lessons, but am fairly full for private lessons. Looking forward to hearing from you 🙂

05/10/2021

Thank you Sara from Ultimate Equine for stopping by and working on Belle this weekend! Sara is great at helping to pinpoint areas of concern and keeping my horses feeling their best 🤗 If your horse is needing some TLC, give Sara a ring and get on her schedule!