A. Hope Equestrian

09/22/2025

A wonderful day at the Tewksbury Trailpace! One of our favorite days of the year 🤩

Tewksbury Trail Association thank you for a great event, as always!

09/17/2025

Great read ❤️ Tacking up should not be like washing your car… they are not machines.

Also… I’m not sure I know any horse person who washes their car so maybe a bad analogy 🤣

You can’t move quickly and erratically while tacking up, and get on and have a soft, smooth ride

Often folks move as if overly caffeinated around their horses. Their lead ropes are tangled up, they pet (or slap or scruffle) meaninglessly and erratically. They brush roughly, cinch up quickly, bang eyes and teeth and rumple ears in bridling. Their thoughts are racing, they aren’t organized in their approach and they are rushed.

This isn’t to say you should sneak around your horse, but moving thoughtfully and purposefully around them goes a long way. A horse has to deal with all this frantic and meaningless energy- some become nervous and antsy, some tune out. People go to describing their behavior as rude, nervous, evasive, whatever- when this same horse might be completely different with a calmer and more organized person.

Challenge yourself to have your thoughts and equipment organized before you step into the pasture or stall. Have your lead rope prepared and ready, take a few minutes to tune into your breath. Know what you’d like to accomplish, and then approach the horse. You’ll be amazed at the difference in them.

09/05/2025

Great Read!

Many equestrians used to think of pulling shoes as just for a horse’s retirement or time off work, but that is no longer the case. More and more owners are interested to see if their horses would do well barefoot, but might not know where to start to ensure a smooth transition out of shoes. Some horses walk out of metal shoes as if they never had them in the first place, while others struggle to handle the adjustment without a bit of help. When the horse does not transition well, many people are quick to assume their horse “can’t be barefoot” and that their horse absolutely needs shoes. While it’s true that the horse might need additional protection to be comfortable, a horse who remains sore once out of shoes is raising a red flag that something beyond the feet may need to be addressed.

There are a few fairly simple actions to take before pulling your horse’s shoes that can make a huge difference in their comfort level during the transition and beyond. Incorporating these changes will ensure a more successful and comfortable adjustment.

A diet sensitivity and/or mineral imbalance are the two main causes of hoof sensitivity, weak hoof wall quality, thin or flat soles, weak frogs, and an overall weak laminae connection. It’s not hard to believe that diet alone can affect a horse’s comfort level; if you have tried an elimination diet for yourself, you likely experienced a marked improvement in your overall body soreness, relief from aches and pains, headache relief, and an improvement in your level of fatigue.

Feeding a horse a diet overloaded with starch and sugars or one with an imbalance of proper nutrients and minerals can lead to systemic inflammation, which can show up as problems within the hoof capsule. Too much iron or manganese, for example, competes with the absorption of copper and zinc in the diet. Copper and zinc are needed for healthy hoof wall quality, tight white lines, healthy frogs, keeping thrush at bay, and helping build a better laminae connection, which allows the horse to grow the best sole depth possible.

Adjusting to a forage-based, mineral balanced diet 10-12 weeks, or 2-3 farrier cycles, before pulling shoes can kick start healthier hoof growth and improve comfort levels when it comes time to pull the shoes.

🔗 Continue reading the article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2021/08/03/going-from-shod-to-bare-a-hoof-care-pros-tips-for-success/
📸 © Andrew Ryback Photography

08/18/2025

Nothing makes me more happy than this picture of three of the best young ladies I have had the pleasure to teach and hopefully play a small part in the wonderful people they have become ❤️

Thanks for keeping all the horses ridden while I take some R and R.

Nina McManus, Nadia and Jess you are the absolute best!

07/28/2025

Great ride with Nina and the bay mares yesterday!
Carolyn Giordano, Nina McManus

07/28/2025

A perfect morning☀️

Now, let’s guess, who’s ears? 

05/20/2025

Today Violet rode… and wouldn’t get off.

Bro Bro the warrior ❤️

05/19/2025

Some fun over fences after drilling dressage for a couple of months 😝

05/19/2025

Check out my cuties showing up in matching attire for their group lesson! ❤️❤️

05/17/2025

Thank you Dover for letting our Somerset Hills Pony Club members raise money for Summer Camp at USET this year!

The best learning week of the year ❤️

Day 2 of Tent Sale! Stop by to shop great deals and get a sweet treat or flowers from Pony Club!⛺️💐🍪

02/04/2025

02/02/2025

Let’s do some playing in this weather! 🥶 😍🎉🐎