08/26/2024
Fall mini meditation days at the farm!
Fall mini meditation dates!
September 29 and October 20
2:30-3:30
Full Circle Farm
Full Circle Farm
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- Full Circle Farm
"Bringing your horsemanship full circle because the journey never ends!”
Welcome to Full Circle Farm!
Full Circle Farm is a full service horse boarding, training facility, and learning community, offering lessons, clinics and workshops.
08/26/2024
Stay cool everyone…the heat is back this week! 🥵
08/25/2024
Rescheduled lunch and learn!! See you on 9/10!
Attention!
This week's Lunch and Learn has been rescheduled to September 10 at 12pm
We are also working on an option to attend virtually!
08/24/2024
Tomorrow's mini meditation had been canceled.
We look forward to seeing everyone on September 29!
08/22/2024
This Sunday is our final summer mini meditation!
Fall dates will be announced soon.
08/19/2024
This month's Lunch and Learn is next week on Tuesday!
Join us as we expand on last month's discussion on Consent by exploring how we handle when our horse says no
Please RSVP! We do need a minimum amount of participants to hold this event.
08/18/2024
Our 3rd annual clinic with Dr. Susan D. Fay is coming up September 20th-23rd.
We still have opening for more auditors on 9/20 for Susan's demo day. She will be working with horses from the farm herself and explaining her techniques!
We only have 2-3 private lessons left during the rest of the clinic, so don't delay! Claim your spot now!
08/16/2024
I find myself continually falling in love with teaching the basics…the foundation!
Nothing else matters unless your foundation is strong!
How are you building up your horse’s foundation?
Here I’ve been focusing on exposure to new things, standing still, squaring up, wash rack confidence/manners, and more!
What life skills are you working on with your horse?
08/12/2024
Are you a horsewoman over 40? Join Sara Rietsch LPC, CAADC starting this Friday night for a support group!
Reminder- this Friday August 16 we have our first Women's Peer Support and Networking group for horsewomen ages 40ish on up.
Come join our growing supportive community of horsewomen who are committed to improving their relationship with their horses, each other and themselves!
6:30-7:30pm
$15
08/11/2024
A great day of lessons with Michelle Knapp!
It’s always fun to see my students getting coached by my wonderful colleague! Her fresh perspective and attention to detail was very insightful.
Having a supportive community, but not an echo-chamber is a key to keeping your horsemanship balanced and progressive! Thankful Michelle is a part of our learning community 💕
08/10/2024
The August workshop for the Reciprocal Horsemanship Series was one full of education and fun!
Michelle Knapp joined us as a guest instructor for the day. Her insights were a great addition for the students, and as always, I love co-teaching with her!
Our focus was putting purpose to the connection and foundation we have been building thus far.
The group’s interests and needs led us to practicing important life skills such as trailer loading and confidence in the wash rack during our morning.
In the afternoon we explored what play might mean for each partnership at liberty. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun at a clinic! The humans were laughing and the horses were truly engaging!
Then we took the fun outside and explored new environments and challenging landscapes like the hill with the tree tunnel out back.
I can’t wait to follow-up with the participants in their monthly lessons!
08/09/2024
Valentino would like to remind everyone not to take their horse time too seriously…
I introduced a whip to him today as a novel object and this is what he came up with 🤣
Love this young horse and his fun yet old soul!
08/07/2024
So often the answer with horses is “it depends.”
Being your horse’s advocate is often full of detective work and experimentation.
Today a horse who was showing some tension and displaced behavior about moving off after mounting turned out to need to be reassured about halt to walk transitions. We of course considered many options in the process…pain, saddle fit, etc.
This is why it’s so important to listen to your horse and not assume the answer is always the same!
08/05/2024
More learning opportunities with Sara Rietsch LPC, CAADC at FCF!
I’ll be teaming up for a lunch & learn with her at the end of the month again :)
August events at Full Circle Farm
Message me here or at 248-970-1362 to register or with more questions.
08/05/2024
July got busy, but we are back to adding new content on Patreon in August! Here is an update on Valentino as he explores the farm and builds important life skills like stabling and getting hosed down in the washrack.
Join for just $6/month to access our full video library!
Get more from Full Circle Farm on Patreon
07/31/2024
Another step closer to unveiling overnight stays at the farm!
Stay tuned…
Whether you want to spend a relaxing night surrounded by horses with friends or family, you want to enjoy a retreat with mini mediation (and more!) or you want to come for a horsemanship intensive, we can set-up the perfect farm stay for you!
07/30/2024
It was so good to be a part of this new and growing community! Unico and I were able to do a demo talking about and showing consent in horse and human interactions. It’s truly not a black and white topic, but one with lots of nuanced grey depending on the individuals involved. What does consent look like for you in your life with horses?
07/29/2024
Let's talk menopause and horsewomen.
Did you know that some statistics show that the majority of horse owners are women between the ages of 45 and 59? And for a lot of us this is a time of increased life stressors and hormonal changes.
Depression and anxiety increase during perimenopause and menopause. Evidence suggests that su***de rates have risen for women between the ages of 45 and 54. And 1 in 10 women experience suicidal thoughts during perimenopause.
Why is this?
Estrogen and progesterone levels drop during perimenopause, which can trigger mood swings and make it harder to cope with things. Estrogen also feeds serotonin, a brain chemical that promotes feelings of well-being, so when estrogen levels drop, serotonin levels also fall, which can contribute to anxiety.
Many of us find healing and solace with our horses. But we may also find ourselves overwhelmed, isolated (even in a busy barn), and sometimes in toxic environments. And we may start to have anxiety about things we didn't use to have anxiety about. Our bodies, priorities and values may be changing.
So what do we do?
Social connection reduces anxiety and depression and social support has been shown to boost resilience.
Starting August 16 at 6:30pm I will be facilitating a women's support and networking group for horsewomen 40ish and above.
The goal is to create a space where we can process these concerns, collaborate, and begin to create the connection and community we need to navigate this stage of life.
Cost is $15
07/28/2024
Another wonderful peaceful afternoon with the minis at FCF! Join us again next month :)
07/28/2024
Opportunities for learning and growth are everywhere!
07/27/2024
Tonight’s lecture with Sara on emotional regulation for equestrians was so timely and impactful!
I wish all equestrians had this knowledge and awareness before entering into clinics.
Stay tuned as we will likely host this lecture again in the in the winter! Be sure to attend!
07/26/2024
Join Sara Rietsch LPC, CAADC and I for our first collaboration- lunch & learn- next Tuesday!
We will be doing this monthly as a way to support the community! Open to all. You don’t have to be an equestrian to benefit from the learning and fellowship :)
Our first Lunch and Learn is coming up on Tuesday! This month's theme will be consent. Courtney will provide a horsemanship demo followed by a discussion led by Sara on the mental health aspects of the theme. Bring a lunch and join us for some learning!
Full Circle Farm
07/25/2024
07/25/2024
Feeling like we could all use a dose of positivity this evening!
Comment below with your favorite recent horse picture 💕
Here’s young Valentino exploring the farm and getting braver today with repetition and patience!
07/24/2024
Today the Reciprocal HMS Series had a group call and our topic was putting the connection & foundation to a purpose.
Connection and foundation work is very much “in” right now as it should be, but it seems a lot get stuck in those two things.
The thing is if you’ve got those two things functioning it’s not only good for your horse’s brain, but it’s also fantastic for their bodies to put it all to purpose!
Purpose could be important life skills, liberty work, obstacles, new environments or even a sport.
An emotionally fit horse without physical fitness (if they are not prevented from work by a soundness issue) is only a half fulfilled horse…
So don’t feel guilty for “working” your horse. If you keep their well-being at the fore-front, it’ll only increase your bond and their happiness!
07/22/2024
Our second day with Movement alive - Karin Miles was a day of big growth for many students!
They tried new things, pushed themselves outside their comfort zones, and had fun doing it!
See you in October Karin! We’ll be practicing 😁
07/21/2024
Join us on 7/26 for our Emotional Regulation for Equestrians class!
At Full Circle Farm
We will be covering:
- what are emotions and how to identify them
- fight/flight/freeze/fawn and rest/digest (sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system)
- regulation and coping strategies
- what is co-regulation
This class will be an overview on how to manage the big feelings that can come up in our relationship with horses.
$25 at the door or contact me to pre-register
07/20/2024
We had a wonderful first day re-connecting with one of our favorite instructors Movement alive - Karin Miles in some really awesome lessons!
Bodywork, in-hand work, riding lessons and all sorts of tips that helped us either improve what we were already doing or got us unstuck from our current challenges.
Today it was clear each horse and human needed a unique recipe for success and Karin guided each pair expertly!
So excited for tomorrow!!
07/19/2024
We have such an awesome barn family!
A potluck made a long farrier day yesterday a fun time to share in each other’s company and eat good food! Plus we had a belated birthday celebration 🥳
07/17/2024
Overnight experiences are coming soon to FCF…
Whether you just want to get away and enjoy the farm ambience or have a specially tailored experience…we can offer you that!
Private mini-mediations (midnight timing maybe even ?), horsemanship intensives, or retreats for you and a few of your close friends will all be options!
Stay tuned for details and comment below if you’d like to have an overnight stay at FCF!
Address
Full Circle Farm, 5180 Grange Hall Rd
Holly, MI
48442
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8am - 9pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 9pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 9pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 9pm |
| Friday | 8am - 9pm |
| Saturday | 8am - 9pm |
| Sunday | 8am - 9pm |
Website
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Videos
Valentino reminding us that learning can be fun!
This week we have been filming a lot! New Patreon content…and the first installment of video tutorials for the Reciprocal Horsemanship Series! I can’t wait to dive in with the series students as we start our journey together focusing on connection and emotions! Filming this content really reminded me that it all comes down to your breath, intention and patience. If you’ve got that, the skills will follow! #fcfequine #horses #horsemanship #education #horsetraining #patreon #reciprocalhmsseries
We’ve been raising our first litter of Carolina Dogs (ethically bred, raised, and placed in outstanding homes with health tested parents titled in conformation and sports!) and this week they are spending time up at the barn each day to see and experience new things! Raising these puppies has really made me think about how we raise horses and how much room their is for improvement in common practices! #fcfequine #fcfcds #puppies #carolinadogs #ethcialbreeding #ethcialtraining #younghorses
Valentino is getting prepared for his big trip north to Full Circle Farm in two months! His breeder Movement alive - Karin Miles and her assistant are taking the best care of him and calmly introducing him to life skills like trailer loading. Wouldn’t it be lovely if every young horse had a start like this? Experiences young horses have last them a lifetime, so who you get your young horse from matters! #fcfequine #horses #younghorses #horsetrainin
The more I work with horses, the more I realize the importance of holding space. To me holding space is acknowledging the feelings and thoughts of another being without judgment or direct influence to change them. For a lot of people the idea of holding space is really uncomfortable. For some it is uncomfortable because they want to “do” something to change the other being’s behavior. For others it’s uncomfortable because it requires you to feel acceptance and contentment with both the concept and yourself. Dr. Susan D. Fay was the first teacher who really helped me begin to understand and be comfortable with holding space. Each time she visits our farm, I find deeper meaning in this connection with horses. Next time your horse shows a response or behavior you find concerning. Take a moment to hold space with them and see what happens! #fcfequine #horses #horsemanship #holdingspacean
You know you’re a true horse person when even on the worst weather days you can’t imagine your life without horses! Are you with me? Hope everyone stayed safe in this winter storm!
Today might have been a bit too “winter,” but we have some exiting news coming!! Stay tuned!!!
Sometimes this is what training looks like… You can’t train through pain or health issues. You’ve got to treat them first whenever they arise! Likewise we need to work on trust and cooperative care so we can help them when needed. I’m thankful to have had time to build a relationship with this mare before we had to treat her! She was a very compliant soaking patient. Now if the rain could stop and the ground would freeze- life would be great! If you live in the north at this time of year, you know what I’m talking about ;) #fcfequine #horses #horsecare
Sometimes persistence pays off! Not deterred by any negative reactions, Kitty patiently pursues every horse (and human) in the barn till they are friends. A good reminder to not give up on what you desire, but remember the timeline is often not up to you! Frustration melts when you stop trying to control time! It’s something I need to keep getting better at myself. Goals always used to seem to come along with a timeline, but not anymore! Things sure go better and feel better when I take the time it takes instead of watching the clock 👍 #fcfequine #horses #blmmustang #selfdevelopment #time #patience #persistence #barncats
Marilyn Monroe loves her scratches! Its a great way for me to show her care and affection to keep our bond strong. There used to be a time I didn’t know if this sort of relationship was possible with her. I’m so glad I stuck with it and formed a bond that withstands time. #fcfequine #horses #horsetraining #equine #blmmustang #mustangs #mare #scratches #cutehorse #strawberryroan #relationship #bonding #care #affection
The journey with Kisses continues! Here’s a short clip of one of our sessions yesterday. Some will say you can’t ever let a horse in your space or engage with their mouth, but I disagree! Horses like Kisses love to be close to and interact with people. Why shut them down for connecting when that’s what we want in the end? Instead, one needs to simply communicate “no thank you” if the “up close behaviors” are feeling too pushy in a moment. Horses can learn how to engage in a way that is both polite and safe meeting their needs and yours. For the full video of Kisses’ groundwork evaluation, visit my Patreon. Link is in the comments! #fcfequine #horses #horsemanship #patreon #horsetraining #boundaries #connection
Introducing Kisses! Handsome, playful and kind, he’s already got a fan club at the farm :) Would you like to follow along as I restart Kisses in-hand and undersaddle? Listen to the video for his story and let me know in the comments below 👇 if you’d like to follow his training journey! #fcfequine #horses #horsemanship #restart #inhandwork #riding #education #videoseries #arabian
Day 3 of the Connection Retreat was focused on carrying the participants’ new mindsets of giving and receiving into the saddle. It was amazing to see how the connection they’d been building all week resulted in lovely postural changes undersaddle in the horses! Then we ended with some quiet group liberty time to close out the weekend. Be sure to join us next year with Courtney Trares & Michelle Knapp! #fcfequine #horses #equine #summer #michigan #connection #horsemanship #retreat #horsetrainer #clinic #selfdevelopment #horsebackriding #horseridinglesson
We had a fantastic time at today’s “Riding with Confidence: Patterns, Obstacles & Trails” Workshop! We played with patterns, obstacles and group riding exercises in the arena before a very successful trail ride! This workshop was also filmed so once I get to editing, there will soon be 2 FCF virtual workshops available! Stay tuned! Attached is a video of one of today’s group riding exercises. #fcfequine #horses #horsemanship #trailriding #virtualworkshop #confidence #obstacles #ridingpatterns
Skye has a history of biting when saddled and when mounted. Today I helped one of her owners learn how to listen and acknowledge Skye’s feelings about the process so that she doesn’t feel like she has to escalte her behavior to protect herself. Skye had some wonderful releases and was willing to accept the rider stepping into the stirrup today! A big communication milestones for this pair! #fcfequine #horses #horsemanship #horsetraining #consent #listening #feelings #behavior #communication #mountingahorse #horsetrainingtips
Skye didn’t need to be changed, she just needed to be understood and accepted as she is. From this place, beautiful conversations have taken place. Don’t fight with your horse! Listen and find ways to work together. More to come on what Skye has made clearer to me about horse training… #fcfequine #horses #horsemanship #horsetraining #problemhorse #trailerloading #communication #listen #equine #horsetrainingtips
This is your reminder not to take your horsemanship so seriously that you miss out on the joy of having a relationship with your horse! Unico has been turned out for 6 months, and this week he and I have restarted our journey together. Each day the connection has been stronger and yesterday he wanted to play energetically so I embraced it! To me this connection is more rewarding than any task itself that we may accomplish. Share your joyful moments with your own horses! #fcfequine #horses #horsemanship #joy #happiness #play #connection #mustang #horsetraining #relationshipbasedtraining
Week 2 update on our training horse, Skye, who is here for some trauma rehab and then re-training. Moving to our farm was a big change for her and while she intially handled it well, this week she started to release some intense emotions which made it necessary to move her into a different pasture. So we revisited the work of week 1 and ended on a good note expanding her comfort bubble a little bit. Hopefully next week we make it to the barn 🤞 Today’s weather wasn’t conducive to filming outside (rain, wind, snow/sleet), but hopefully next week I’ll have some footage of some of the exercises we have been doing to share! If you have any questions about the process so far, comment below👇 #fcfequine #horse #equine #horsetrainer #trauma #rehab #connection #release #relationshipbasedtraining #update #horsesofinstagram #horsetrainersofinstagram
Meet the inspiration for my post earlier this week about meeting the horse where it is at…. We’ve had several moments of connection and release this week. I’m hopeful that I can be the person she needs to trust and let go. It will be her choice to make though. It’s my job to set her up with the opportunities to make this choice and wait. #fcfequine #horses #horsemanship #trauma #traumarelease #connection #relationshipbasedtraining #journey #trust #introduction #horsetraining #equinerehab
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FULL CIRCLE FARM
"Bringing your horsemanship full circle because the journey never ends!”
Welcome to Full Circle Farm! Full Circle Farm is a full service horse boarding, training facility, and learning community, offering lessons, clinics and workshops. Full Circle Farm provides high quality, personalized horse care and natural training methods for all disciplines and breeds both on the ground and in the saddle. Full Circle Farm welcomes all riding styles with recreational or competitive goals.
Located on a paved road, Full Circle Farm is surrounded by Holly Recreation area, has easy access to I-75, and is a 15 minute drive to Ortonville Recreation horse trails.
Owner and Head Trainer/Instructor: Courtney Clarke
Other Holly pet stores & pet services
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48442 -
Platinum Jewel Performance Horses
Shields Road -
N Saginaw Street
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Lahring Road
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Academy Road
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Oyster Lane
