LK HorseSense

06/25/2025

Pretty neat to hand a horse over to my six year old that used to be a “problem horse” and watch her shrink to her level. Whenever horses come in that are a little too tiptoed around, I always say they need to have Willa mess with them. Because when we are too particular, too quiet or too careful it can make the horse more edgy than they need to be. Kids just flap around and are loud and imperfect and horses need that more sometimes than the ladder. Loud people make quiet horses, and vice versa.

06/22/2025

My long time client was wearing this shirt during her lesson the other day and I love it. Seems so fitting to have on while at the barn or spending anytime around horses. Because it’s so true, there (shouldn’t be) any bad days at the barn. That’s a mind set we learn to live by because with horses we must be present and forget about whatever noise is going on in the world. No bad days!

06/11/2025

Sitting on the sidelines watching everyone after organizing and getting this clinic together was equally hard for me as it was satisfying to be a part of. I’ve known Kip for a while, and after riding with him in a Buck clinic last year I was excited to ask him to come to Rising Hope.

Shortly after we got the dates set I found out I was pregnant with my fourth baby. I was elated, and then instantly sad because I knew I would be too pregnant to ride in it. This is not the first time I have hosted a clinic while pregnant, which presents a host of difficulties in and of itself…But this clinic felt different, I had slew of students in it and a good bunch of our school horses too. I was more than happy to share my host spot with my incredible working student who more than earned it.

I also never mind sitting on the other side of the fence, listening, watching, taking notes and soaking in every moment that I could. And there is always another clinic.

Also, didn’t realize I’d been MIA from my page for almost two months until I went to post this…



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05/31/2025

We visited on this in group this week. Your reins do not control the horses speed, your seat does!

What Happens When You Give the Reins to the Buckle?

When you can confidently give your horse 100% freedom of the reins—dropping them all the way to the buckle—and your horse stays with you, it says something powerful: your horse is on your seat, not your hand. It means they’re relaxed, attentive, and not thinking about leaving.

Letting the reins go is a great way to give your horse a mental break and show them trust. And when that trust is mutual, you’ll find that light contact becomes possible—not because you’re holding them in place, but because they’re choosing to stay with you.

Before asking for lateral movements or collection, focus on developing a forward rhythm that’s relaxed and supple. A horse that moves confidently in self-carriage without rein dependence is one that is ready for the next steps in training.

04/24/2025

Upper Michigan Mohair is going to have some of her beautiful cinches at the Groundwork and Up clinic this weekend!

Hopping on here to say hi to all of my followers!☀️

I have been busy riding and making in stock pieces to bring to the LK HorseSense groundwork and up clinic this weekend, April 25th-26th, at Rising Hope Equestrian Center. Auditors welcome!

04/17/2025

Alice helping demonstrate how scary the tarp is. And how well she has learned to hang out while I’m teaching and walk away from her to get something. Pics by

04/13/2025

How close is too close? When you have a horse that needs support, it seems like they inch up and before we realize it they are standing on top of us. Maybe not necessarily because they are being pushy, but they are looking for comfort, and in those times of need we don’t want to turn them away.

Just like a small child running to their mother when they are afraid, we scoop them up and tell them everything will be ok. Eventually they learn that they can come to us for a snuggle and then go back to what they were doing. And we hope for the same with the horses. I always want them to check in with me, and if they have a moment of uncertainty I like that they seek the closeness for me to reassure them. But eventually they will learn that they don’t need to get into the bubble so often, or for so long. They will know that I will be there to help them in their time of need but their confidence will grow and eventually it will just be to check in. But in the beginning, with one who is unsure, closeness is ok.

03/07/2025

Sometimes it takes thinking outside of the box to get a positive change that you’ve been hunting. This gray horse I have in for training is extremely touchy with the flag when I do groundwork with her or get above her with it in particular. So today I busted out my trusty big mare to help her support her.

Not only did I not do groundwork with Jade before I stepped on her, but I also was amazed at how calm and steadfast she remained while helping Davinia through her fears. Jade herself can be pretty touchy and nervous with the flag, but something switches in her brain when helping other horses through it and she exudes calm and even touches them to help quiet them when they get troubled.

Having her big friend as a bubble and support while using the flag helped Davinia in ways that I cannot on the ground, and I feel like I really got through to her today.

02/17/2025

“The horse you get off is not the same as the horse you got on. It is your job as a rider to ensure that as often as possible. The change is for the better.” Author unknown
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02/09/2025

I really enjoy getting a new horse in for training that I’ve never met. Trying to figure out their ins and outs, their blind spots, their strengths and weaknesses. What worries them, what comforts them. It’s like piecing a puzzle together. Clues that their owners share I keep in the back of my head, but their experiences are often different than my own.
This sweet mare, Davinia, is a green 17 year old that I have the pleasure of working with. I look forward to how she progresses. This is day three of groundwork and checking her out, I couldn’t help getting on her and taking her for a spin.

02/06/2025

Today in group we slowed down in our groundwork and focused a bit more on stretching our horses and helping them soften their bodies before we rode. A little untraditional and a nice change of pace. Our horses work so hard for us so it’s nice to give them a little TLC on the ground and under saddle! We did a lot of suppling, leg yielding and working on self carriage when we rode. Love our school horses.

01/28/2025

A horse’s body language cannot lie, their eyes tell the truth. Their expression is a constant communication of what they are thinking and feeling. Eyes wide open or relaxed? Leg cocked or a tight body stance? Tail relaxed and soft or clenched? Do they look like they are 18 hands tall or 14 hands?

I love doing groundwork with a horse that may start off troubled, and getting through to them in a way that they physically shrink. They seem to soften and melt in your hands, literally changing shape. And in doing so, hopefully I can get them to change the way they think and react and guard themselves.
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