Softwind Stables LLC

08/22/2024

“Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.” - Churchill

07/27/2024

06/25/2024

This!

05/27/2024

A great beginning with a ton of firsts!

My first show with Linosso was successful in many ways!

Returned to show ring after a 6 year break!
First year as a professional!
Competed in a level I have never shown!(3-3)
Got my qualifying scores for regionals!

My horse is wonderful and besides thanking him for taking care of me, my trainer/coach and mentor Michelle LaBarre gets a huge shout out! She’s perfect for me and I could not have accomplished this first set of goals without her!

My farrier Jason Turk for working countless hours and who is dedicated to his profession.

My vet and friend Dr. Sonya Lawlis who supported Linosso and me all the way!

My Softwind family for being awesome and always routing me on!

My family for never letting me forgot who I am and keeping me positive. Randy Swart
who stays behind and takes care of the farm so I can relax and concentrate! Without his support and love I would never leave my comfort zone!

Esther Mortimer for the opportunity to purchase a horse with an education,
a wonderful brain, a work ethic that matches mine and the kindest horse I have ever known!

I’m looking forward to what lies ahead!

05/17/2024

Softwind Stables has a few openings with Michelle LaBarre on Saturday, June 1st. An opportunity to learn while having fun with a bunch of people that love riding. Large, well lit indoor with great footing. Contact me for more information or to set up a ride. Stalls available and generous parking for trailering in.

http://www.labarredressage.com/

05/08/2024

Words to live by!

03/04/2024

An opening has become available at Softwind Stables! Heated barn attached to indoor (70x140) , 10x 12 and 12x12 stalls with window and fan. Wash stall, and bathroom. Great atmosphere with trainer on site to help if needed. All disciplines welcomed. We offer 3 vet practices, 4 farriers, chiropractic and saddle fitters. Daily turnout and owner/ manager lives on property. Located in Fulton only 1 mile from 481N. $465 and $485

11/20/2023

Truth!

11/06/2023

Linosso getting a body clip today! Contact Pamela Whaley for your clipping needs!!

10/31/2023

Hi! I have limited ship in openings at my barn November 8th for chiropractic, acupuncture and massage care with Excelsior Equine Veterinary Bodywork.

Stall can be available if needed. Contact me thru pm if you would like to confirm a spot.

10/30/2023

I took time for a weekend getaway with my new man! I haven’t left my barn or trainers barn in more then 5 years ! I am so happy to own a wonderful, respectful, educated horse! A huge thank you to my team! Michelle LaBarre there is no way to show my gratitude but I work every day to prove it to you! Sonya Lawlis and Jason Turk for putting in the work, support and encouragement ! Randy Swart for being the other man in my life that supports me in my passion/addiction! Esther Mortimer I am forever grateful that we met! He is a gentleman in every sense of the word! Thank you clinician Agnes Majewska and Houghton Equestrian College for a wonderful experience! I look forward to next year!

08/11/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100093595760253/posts/152676827862175/?mibextid=aE13LE

 Experience excellence Now scheduling appointments in Central and Northern NY Request Appointment Excelsior Equine is dedicated to providing bodywork services to equines of all ages, breeds and disciplines. Veterinary experience and knowing the horse as a whole animal and athlete allow treatments...

08/09/2023

Youth, amateur or professional your horse budget should always include lessons!

02/05/2023

Did you know that a horse that hasn't been how to properly support and carry the weight of a rider will instinctually hollow their back away from the weight of the rider? Many riding horses spend their entire careers going around with hollow backs, even upper level competition horses.

Carrying weight with a hollow back is, at best, uncomfortable for the horse, and in many cases is actually quite painful. Many horses tolerate this discomfort because they don't know any alternative. Other horses develop behavioral problems and become labeled as bad horses.

For a horse to remain healthy and comfortable in his work he must be taught how to support the weight of a rider with first a neutral back and then later on with a lifted back. This is a process that takes time, as you can't rush muscle development.

I've found that the best way to teach a horse to lift his back is on the ground first, through classical in hand work. Without the extra weight of the rider, it is easier for the horse to learn how to lift his back and it is easier for him to develop the strength that he needs in order to maintain a lifted back for an extended amount of time.

Once the horse has and understanding of this healthier posture and has developed some strength, it will be much easier for him to accomplish the same thing with a rider on his back.

The horse will then feel more comfortable and have an easier time performing his job. He will be less prone to injuries and behavioral problems and he will be able to continue doing his job for much longer than if he never learned to move in a healthy way.

As stewards of our horses, we owe it to them to give them the best lives possible. That includes taking the time to teach them how to move in a way that is healthy and comfortable for them.

Want to learn more about the horse's back and how you can teach him a healthy posture? We invite you to join our Healthy Movement through In Hand Work course, available in our Virtual Classroom. You'll learn how you can help your horse to move in a healthier way through the use of In Hand Work.

This work is beneficial for horses of all ages, breeds, and disciplines and no previous experience is necessary.

Learn more and sign up here- https://tuskeydressage.com/register/virtual-classroom/

09/22/2022

A dull horse is a dangerous horse.

Responsiveness is what keeps you and your horse safe in all situations.

It doesn’t matter whether you want to trail ride, arena ride or have a performance/sport horse- your horse needs to be responsive.

End of story.

09/08/2022

And we wonder why dressage is hard! 🤣

07/22/2022

We will continue to support and pray for the men & women of the Rochester Police Department after two officers were shot in the line of duty earlier this evening.

We are here for you.

07/09/2022

Needs to be preached!

06/29/2022

Beautiful night for the trails! Softwind is so lucky to have awesome people who have awesome horses as well!

03/31/2022

03/21/2022

Equine Practice faces a shortage of veterinarians in the coming years as current veterinarians approach retirement and less veterinary graduates enter and stay in the field of practice.

****EDIT: Now that our stories are gone and this post is still being shared, we figured we should update the post and share the background information.

While there is a larger number of veterinary students graduating each year, fewer are entering and staying in equine or large animal practice. Of graduating veterinarians, 1-3% will enter equine practice and of those 30% will leave equine practice within 5 years of graduation. The reasons are multifactorial but the biggest issues specific to equine and large animal practice are the salary disparity and debt:income ratio compared to small animal practice, particularly relative to lifestyle. The long hours, afterhours on call, and 24/7 access by text and cell are just a few of the factors that make small animal more appealing. If your veterinarian is sticking around in equine or large animal -- know that it's because they're passionate about the profession, love what they do, and enjoy working with the horses. Help them enjoy a full life by supporting their efforts to take time away from work. ❤️

As clients, you can help promote a healthy lifestyle fo veterinarians and veterinary staff in equine practice. How?
1. Recognize the industry must change with respect to expectations of your veterinarians time and availability. Think about it, do you have 24/7/365 direct phone access to your family doctor? Understand that you may not always see your veterinarian on emergency but another vet whom they work with.
2. Respect the boundaries that your veterinarian establishes to having time outside of being a veterinarian and value that time. Veterinarians having private time to rest and recharge means they're a better vet when you really need them! Consider whether that text is really necessary or if it can wait until business hours or better yet, be an email.
3. Utilize your veterinarians for routine preventative healthcare. Preventative healthcare and routine examinations by your veterinarian can go a long way to avoiding emergencies AND having an established relationship with your veterinarian can make it much easier to get emergency care when you really need it.

What other ideas do you have in how clients can help encourage retention of veterinarians in equine practice? What questions do you have regarding the crisis in veterinary medicine?