LK HorseSense

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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12/31/2024

Hey horse girl, guess what you’re not above? Cleaning stalls. Working on your days off. Noticing when a water bucket is dirty and dumping it out. Picking up manure that someone else left behind. Sweeping. Bending over and picking up a piece of garbage instead of walking by it five times.

20 years this May doing this professionally, and I’ve cleaned stalls those entire 20 years. I’ve fed horses those entire 20 years. It’s not only about riding horses, teaching lessons and going to horse shows or clinics. If you want to really do this, you have to be ok with doing the dirty work. Sometimes when you’re sick, sometimes when you’re pregnant, or have kids you’re trying to entertain while working. And then, horse girl, you’ll be teaching the next generation what hard work is too. And they won’t be afraid or think they are too good to do the “grunt” work.

12/18/2024

“Empathy for the horse is the capacity of a person to be able to feel what the horse feels, to read a situation the same way and to have an understanding of what the horse is going to do in response to that situation.
That’s empathy, or feeling with the horse and it’s a real effective way of learning from the horse. Even before the horse does whatever he’s about to do, a person who’s this way [empathetic] is going to understand the reason a horse does something. It takes time to get that deep knowledge of horses.” - Bill Dorrance
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12/12/2024

One of the best feelings on any horse I get on or work with is when they learn to “walk it out.” For some horses this comes naturally, others you have to work a little harder at it.

Getting in rhythm with their bodies, encouraging them to move their feet. You know you are hitting the sweet spot when the reins and slobber straps get swinging with their walk. The walk is one of the hardest gaits to get good, and I often think it is over looked. So much can get accomplished at the walk, I could work at the walk for hours.

I was happy that Phoebe caught this awesome shot of Alice and I today, hitting that goooooood walk.
📸 Phoebe Moll

12/05/2024

Horses only know how to be horses. They don’t spend their nights thinking how to make your next ride difficult, or how to be a good. They want people to feed them, and provide them with leadership when they are handled and comfort when they need it.

11/12/2024

Phoebe Moll Horsemanship is such a great student, so dedicated and hard working to everything she does! I’m happy to share this world with her and watch her progress.

11/09/2024

How do you make your horse feel?

Does your horse feel safe with you? Secure in your ability to help them if they get into trouble? Do you they look to you when they get worried? When they see you as a leader, and someone that offers them comfort and security, they want to be with you.

When you walk into a pasture, I think it’s a great honor to have your horse seek you out; leave their friends or the round bale to come and visit with you. They will exude a sense of calm and peace. Fall asleep when they are standing next to you, sneeze, yawn and let down when you help them get centered physically and mentally.

They will follow you anywhere, and you would feel like that they would anything to help you. Not turn tail and run away, pull back or leave you, bite when you are grooming them, or kick at you when annoyed. Instead of feeling like a pest, you will be someone they crave to be around. Take notice of how your horses feel. Slow down and pay attention to their cues.
📸 Phoebe Moll

11/09/2024

✨A Heartfelt Encounter at a Horse Show✨

Recently, I found myself at a horse show, and as I stepped outside to grab something from my vehicle, I was suddenly jolted by a chorus of screams and shouts. Curiosity piqued, I walked around my truck to find a scene that tugged at my heartstrings: an adult was struggling to load a horse into a trailer, surrounded by what appeared to be their family. The tension in the air was palpable as they yelled at the frightened animal.

I'll admit, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. The urge to help bubbled beneath my fear, but I stood frozen for a few moments, my heart heavy with concern. It was the heartbreaking fear reflected in that horse's eyes that finally pushed me to take action. With sweaty palms and a racing heart, I approached and offered my assistance. To my surprise, they accepted!

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I gently asked the horse to lower his head and simply stood there, radiating calm. In a beautiful moment of trust, the horse began to walk towards the trailer and, without hesitation, stepped right in.

This experience reminded me of an important lesson: the energy we carry within ourselves can profoundly affect our horses. While I can't speculate on what was troubling that individual, it's a poignant reminder for all of us. If you find yourself struggling with your horse—whether it's loading, riding, or any other challenge—pause for a moment. Take a deep breath and re-evaluate your approach.

Horses are not machines designed to execute our commands perfectly; they are sensitive beings that thrive on connection. To cultivate a meaningful bond, we must look within and refrain from projecting our own frustrations onto them. Let's strive for understanding and patience—it can make all the difference.

11/07/2024

It’s sometimes hard to let your students or horses flail. It’s such an important part of learning, not holding their hand every step of the way. If they never have a chance to search and discover it will hinder their progress.

My best teacher, Alicia, always showed me something and then let me search at it, which often resulted in me failing. And I wanted so badly to find the answer without having to result to asking her for it. It was my goal to try and try and fail and try until I screwed my horse and myself up so much that I finally asked her for guidance, which she would always give. If the horse or I would have ever been in danger she would have offered support, but she wanted me to search. To fail. To make mistakes. Because that’s how we learn.

Mistakes are all a part of learning, growing and getting better. Sometimes we have to fall down in order to get things sorted. Our horses have to not be micromanaged, fussed over and have their hand held every step either, just remember to encourage what you want and gently discourage what you don’t. Before too long they will be filling in the gaps all on their own.

📸 Phoebe Moll

11/01/2024

Why do people feel the need to lie about their horses? “Oh he never does this at home. No, I never hand feed him. I haven’t been riding much since his injury so he’s really out of shape. Oh wow I’m so surprised he is being so good, he’s never had body work. Fluffy cakes didn’t have an issue with the old farrier…”

Instead of “maybe I should put this energy to work since we are out of our comfort zone of home. I do hand feed him but since he’s trying to bite I should stop. I have been riding but don’t have much sense of what to do next. He’s had body work before, but I’m curious what you see and feel! She’s had trouble with the farrier but I don’t know how to fix it.”

Don’t make up lies and excuses for where you and your horse are (or aren’t) it’s ok to be behind. It’s ok to be lost. It’s ok to need help, to ask questions and to need guidance.

Pictured is my five year old. Who I’ve gone SUPER slow with. Because she’s mine. And because I have kids. And I know she should be further along than she is, but I haven’t pushed myself or her and I try not to worry about it. Because life gets in the way of progress sometimes and that is ok too.

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10/31/2024

“My belief in life is that we can all get along together if we try to understand one another. You’ll meet a lot of people and have a lot of acquaintances, but as far as having friends; they are very rare and very precious. But every horse you ride can be your friend because you ask this of them. This is real important to me. You can ask the horse to do your thing, but you ASK him, you offer it to him in a good way. You fix it up and let him find it. You do not make anything happen, no more than you can make a friendship begin.” - Ray Hunt
I’m so lucky to have good friends, who will bring their cameras to the barn and say get Alice out so I can take pictures of you. Get on her. And push me to keep getting better, with especially my own horses. Who ask me questions and believe in me. Thank you for these photos you have a true gift.

10/23/2024

Horses crave balance more than anything. If they feel like they are going to fall they will protect themselves because they don’t want to get eaten. When we can help them achieve that balance, the amount of try they will give us is unbelievable. The same goes if they feel out of balance, it might show up as crabbiness, ear pinning, tail wringing, or them not wanting to go forward. If we can help them get back in the middle, they will start to crave the way it feels. Pictured : and her mare Bailey in a lovely balanced frame after a good bit of groundwork and centered riding.

10/21/2024

Hannah makes great cinches and she’s local! Buy something for your horse loving friends this holiday season!

It's been a busy summer and fall full of riding, but I am looking forward to creating some more beautiful pieces on my loom.

Take a look at this UMM cinch in action at the LK HorseSense clinic this past weekend! Thank you for the picture, Patti!

If you are interesting in ordering a custom cinch or breast collar for a special someone this holiday season, please reach out ASAP! Christmas orders are guaranteed completion and delivery if placed BEFORE November 12th.