Wit's End Horsemanship

06/07/2022

Robo and I completed our first NATRC ride in Larkspur over the weekend! NATRC combines endurance riding with horsemanship, and is a great test to see how well your horse does on the trail. For this intro ride we went about 8 miles, had a pulse and respiration check at the halfway point, and we had to complete the ride in a set time frame (not too fast or too slow). We (horse and rider) were also scored on various trail skills, like standing still for mounting at a block, walking calmly down a steep hill, trotting out by ourself, and throwing a jacket over their neck. We had a blast and got 7th place overall! I loved the emphasis on safety, horsemanship, and good sportsmanship during the event!

We met a bunch of like minded riders and I'm totally inspired to try another one and check out an AERC ride sometime soon!

02/28/2022

I may be biased, but I think these are the cutest ears in the world 🥰

02/15/2022

Anyone in the area interested in volunteering for a great organization this summer? Don and I have volunteered for PWV in the past as hikers, and this year I'm hoping to participate with Robo!

Did you know some Poudre Wilderness Volunteers are stock patrollers? If you're interested in volunteering to hike or ride with a purpose, you can learn more about what we do at https://pwv.org/join.

Our 2022 application is open until March 5th.

02/06/2022

We had so much fun today 🥰 Robo and I did our first over fences class! I'm excited to keep practicing! I was so worried that I would forget the course and of course almost missed the last two jumps 😅 I'm so proud of Robo for being as cool as a cucumber in the big indoor and for being brave even when the wishing wells were a little spooky. We got 3rd and 2nd in our flat classes as those are much more our speed, but I can't wait to get out and try jumping again.

Huge thank you to Don for being a wonderful assistant/photographer and for Erika Meet The Charge Horsemanship for keeping us motivated!

01/31/2022

Huge thank you to our friend Erika for keeping us motivated this winter! Robo and I are getting some jumping practice in so we're somewhat ready for a schooling show this weekend. Freedom enjoys the field trips as well! She gets to snack at the trailer while Robo does all the hard work 😉

01/07/2022

Wise words from Jess @ Harmonized Horsemanship! I strongly encourage attending a clinic with her ❤️

💡 Letting go of “should” 💡

How much do you let “should” impact your journey with horses? How does “should” impact your life on a day-to-day basis?

This week, I’d like you to take note of how many times “should” comes up in your conversations with yourself and others in regards to your horse and your horsemanship.

💬 “I don’t want to ask for help. I should be able to do this myself.”
💬 “He’s 10 years old, he should be able to stand still.”
💬 “I should be jumping by now.”
💬 “My mare should act more like my gelding does.”
💬 “This horse I have now should be more like the one I had when I was growing up.”

I hear statements like this so often. People come to clinics and lessons with a list of things they (or their horse) “should” be able to do. The problem with this line of thinking is that it’s laden with 👉EXPECTATION👈 The more you focus on your expectations of how things “should” be, the more you miss what’s happening in front of your eyes. The more you miss what’s happening in front of your eyes, the more you focus on how things “should” be. It’s a vicious cycle.

“Should” is nothing more than a construct. It doesn’t really exist. 😉 Focusing on “should” is just a way to remove yourself from the present. It stops you from having a mindful connection with the world around you. It prevents you from finding true harmony with your horse. Next time you hear yourself getting wrapped up in the “should,” I want you to re-frame that. Get in touch with what is really happening 👏 RIGHT NOW.👏

💬 “Nobody knows everything. Some help can help me get past this roadblock faster.”
💬 “WHY is my 10-year-old horse having trouble standing still today?”
💬 “I’ll jump when my horse and myself are both ready.”
💬 “My horse is who he/she is. I wouldn’t want anyone to tell me I should be more like someone else.”

Here’s a mantra to help you:
♾ There is no should. What’s real is what’s happening right now. And what is happening right now is exactly what is meant to happen.♾

*Thank you to Kris Garrett for this photo!*

01/05/2022

I could play in the snow with the horses all day!

01/04/2022

01/01/2022

Happy New Year! 🎉

12/24/2021

Merry Christmas! 🎄🦌⛄

12/13/2021

🎶"Oh there's no place like home for the holidays"🎶

The lovely Kite is searching for the perfect family!

11/29/2021

Kite vs the tarp wall 🪁
✅First one to investigate
✅Follows me anywhere
✅Sends through "scary" obstacle on first try
✅Super cute
Kite is looking for her right person!

11/25/2021

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 Thankful for wonderful horses and the joy they bring us ❤️

Kite is all dressed up for Turkey day! She would love to find her perfect family for the holidays!

11/23/2021

We upcycled an old pool cover to make a "fun" now obstacle! Kite approves, Robo does not 😂 videos to come.

If anyone local wants to make their own, I have a bunch of material left over!

11/22/2021

We had so much fun yesterday at Lory!

11/19/2021

Their album cover- we need a good band name!

11/16/2021

I've been giving them a treat when I head out for the day... Now we've set expectations

11/04/2021

I always have good help around here 🐎

10/31/2021

Happy Halloween 🎃

10/29/2021

Princess Kite!

10/26/2021

She's the sweetest bumblebee 🐝🐝

10/21/2021

Kite is channeling some serious fall vibes 🍂🍁🍂

She's still looking for her perfect family!

10/16/2021

Kite is getting in the Halloween spirit 🎃🎃 Which is the better look: jaunty witches hat or all business toil and trouble?

10/07/2021

Kite and the tarp 🪁 (edited for when we walked off camera and when she refused to step off the "scary" object 😂)
Every time I walk out to the pasture, Kite's the first one to come up and greet me. She's such a pleasure to have around and loves going for walks at liberty! Yesterday she helped in a long search for her fly mask (which is still missing...). She'll be sporting much nicer new one today 😆
Kite is looking for her right person! Please share with anyone looking to adopt a friendly and willing partner ❤️

09/29/2021

Kite is looking for her new family 🪁

Kite is a lovely 20 year old registered Quarter Horse mare available through the ASPCA / Right Horse program. She's the type of horse to greet you at the gate, help with barn chores, and tag along for long strolls around the pasture. She soaks up love and attention, and absolutely loves long grooming sessions.

Due to physical limitations, Kite is best suited as a non-riding horse and requires shoes on the front. She's curious, unflappable, loves to play, and has shown to really enjoy positive reinforcement and clicker training. She would be a great horse to teach a youngster basic horsemanship or anyone wanting a willing partner to explore clicker training and horse agility. Kite's right person is someone that wants to hang out and play - and brings lots of love and cookies!

More photos and videos of Kite can be found on Wit's End Horsemanship ❤️

09/27/2021

Robo and I at the Colorado Wild Horse and B***o Festival in Estes 🤗 we had so much fun trying a dressage test for the first time!