Fonteyn Farms

Working with all of my horses to pass the guineas and chickens has been interesting. They are loud, smelly, and weird looking. Jeter was VERY brave for not having seen them since last year when he was terrified of them. I didn’t record the first pass we made so I could be fully present with him. But when we came over the hill he froze in his tracks and started shaking. I stayed calm, talked to him gently, and tried to help him regulate himself by doing gentle redirecting. I didn’t force him to pass them before he was ready. We just waited and took it all in. For Jeter, being patient and letting him adjust to his surroundings is the best method. After a minute, he nervously walked by. We went up to the garden to check out the new flags came back and he was alert but passed them without much hesitation. This time just stopping to look before he started grazing but not trembling in fear. I’ll be honest I don’t like the guineas either. They are loud and annoying. But, nonetheless we have to pass them on trail rides so desensitizing it is. • #fonteynfarms #horsetrainer #hunterjumper #ottb #farmlife #trailride #desensitizing #bravehorse

Meet Jeter, my 10 year old OTTB. I bought him sight unseen almost 1.5 years ago. I quickly learned these things about Jeter: he is opinionated; he is anxious; and he needs a person. When I got him, he hated to be groomed, he didn’t know what personal space was, and wouldn’t back up. I tried a lot of things and unfortunately had to move him around a few times which didn’t help. A few things stuck here and there but he was always so anxious and reactive. I knew he was trying to communicate something but I couldn’t figure it out. Since last June, he has pretty much just sat in a pasture getting fed and just being a horse. And now, he’s coming back into work. It’s slow. It’s a process. It can be so frustrating but it is more rewarding. If 1.5 years ago you told me this horse would back with a wiggle of a lead rope, I wouldn’t believe you. If a month ago, you told me he would walk up the driveway and go work in the ring by himself, I wouldn’t believe you. So here’s what I have learned in the last year and a half: 1. PATIENCE. He has tested my patience so much and ultimately made me a more patient trainer. 2. What I bring into the session is what Jeter will take away. I have to leave my problems at the barn doors. He’s sensitive like that but it’s good for me to be present. 3. Not having a deadline gets results a lot faster than having one. Taking the pressure off of a goal has made us both more relaxed about work. These may seem like obvious lessons and I definitely knew they were best practices but I have never had a horse actually test these parts of me and really my own personal work. It’s cool to watch both him and I grow. I’m excited to see what’s to come and hope he can continue to trust me and grow. • #fonteynfarms #hunterjumper #ottb #ottbofinstagram #geldingsofinstagram #horsetrainer #offthetrack #jeter

North Carolina weather loves to get crazy!! 🤪☀️☁️💨 We went from high 70s/80 to high 50s with lows in the 30s. 🤯 I don’t think the horses care as much as I do but I’ll add some extra electrolytes to make sure they stay hydrated. 💧 • #fonteynfarms #nc #northcarolina #ncweatheriscrazy #ncweather #springtime #horseowner #hunterjumper #ottb

Jumping around with the pretty girls a few weeks ago! 🎀 • • #fonteynfarms #hunterjumper #ottb #marecrushmonday #prettygirls #jump #thoroughbred

My motto as a trainer… ✨ No matter the ultimate goal I love to watch my riders and horses “win” at even the smallest accomplishment. Whether it is to be a top competitor, improve at home, learn how to love horses again, or anything in between, I will always be the biggest cheerleader and advocate for my riders and horses! 🫶🏼 Audio from Relentess.Mentality on Instagram #fonteynfarms #fonteynfam #horsetrainer #smallwins #success #horsebackriding #hunterjumper