Llano Horsemanship

09/10/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/dZZcNDKkNBiXKMqB/?

TGIF 🤪

08/26/2024

It’s Dog Day! Here’s Emma. Let’s see your pups!!

08/21/2024

Spirit says Hi!!

08/17/2024

It’s been quiet around here, Ms. Kelly and ponies have been on vacation! It was a great time from mountains to the ocean and visiting with her son.
Lessons start next week!

$180 four times a month OR
$90 twice a month.
Discounted rates for 6 and under private classes:
$120 four times a month
$60 twice a month.
Text Kelly to schedule!
210-846-7777

08/05/2024

🌟 Strengthening Your Horse’s Core for Optimal Performance 🌟

Hey, equine enthusiasts! 🐴

Did you know that a strong core is essential for your horse’s overall health and performance? Just like in humans, core strength in horses is crucial for stability, balance, and preventing injuries.

Why is Core Strength Important?

🔹 Improved Balance:
A strong core helps your horse maintain better balance, especially during movements like jumping, turning, and galloping. It’s essential for keeping your horse steady and secure.

🔹 Enhanced Performance:
With a strong core, your horse can perform at their best, whether it’s in the dressage ring, on the trail, or during a barrel race. It allows for smoother transitions and more powerful movements.

🔹 Injury Prevention:
Core strength helps protect against injuries by supporting the spine and surrounding muscles. It reduces the risk of strains and helps your horse recover faster from physical exertion.

How to Strengthen Your Horse’s Core:

1. Cavaletti Exercises:
Walking or trotting over poles helps engage the core muscles and improve coordination.
2. Hill Work:
Walking up and down hills naturally engages the core and builds strength.
3. Backing Up:
As simple as it sounds, backing up exercises the core and hindquarters.
4. Carrot Stretches:
Encourage your horse to stretch by reaching for a carrot. It’s a fun way to engage their core and improve flexibility.

Regular bodywork sessions can also play a vital role in maintaining your horse’s core strength by ensuring muscles are relaxed and free from tension.

💪 Let’s help our equine friends stay strong and healthy by focusing on core strength! Have you noticed a difference in your horse’s performance with core exercises? Share your experiences below!

08/02/2024

Great story and example of horsemanship!

The Ecuadorean flag-bearer Julio Mendoza Loor has enjoyed a fairytale journey to compete in Olympic dressage, with his bargain-buy horse Jewel’s Goldstrike

08/02/2024

07/29/2024

Instructors’ and helper’s turn for lessons! We had a wonderful mini clinic with Melissa Jesurun this weekend!
Starting with an informative biomechanics presentation Friday evening and followed by practical learning on and off the horse Saturday, a productive and insightful time was had by all!
She will be back in September and there will be more slots open to ride this time.
If you are interested set it up with Kelly. 210-846-7777
We can’t wait for the next one!
Auditors welcome!

07/23/2024

I’m so thankful we had nice weather all summer for horse camp!! It’s been raining steady all morning and was thundering and drizzling yesterday.

07/22/2024

Spirit wishes everyone a happy Monday!

07/18/2024

Popsicles and goodbyes

07/18/2024

What’s as fun than horses and water? Rocks!

07/18/2024

07/18/2024

Pretty much sums up horse camp. 🤪
What’s wrong with the jeans?😂😂

07/18/2024

Lucky Cloud, a new girlfriend! Maybe he’ll lose his crush on Megan. 🤣

07/17/2024

Barefoot and bitless, way to go Houston PD!
As a child riding through the neighborhoods and crossing streets, I felt so much safer with my barefoot pony.

The Houston Mounted Police Patrol Unit has been gaining global attention recently and is being acknowledged as a leader in the natural horse movement.

The Houston Mounted Police Patrol Unit has been gaining global attention recently for its leadership in the natural horse movement. After transitioning to barefoot years ago, the Unit has now also opted to go bitless.

The mounted unit herd was previously managed in a very traditional manner, however, the officers soon realized that they were frequently faced with hoof issues and other ailments that could be attributed to the use of metal shoes. Metal shoes on asphalt create concussive force that travels through the hoof and up the leg of the horse. In 1984, the Swiss Cavalry at the University of Zurich conducted a study on the effects of metal shoeing. The research revealed that the impact force on a shod hoof on hard ground is 10-33 times greater than that of an unshod hoof. The vibration caused by the shoe in the hoof is approximately 800 hz, a level that is high enough to cause damage to living tissue.

The metallic footwear was impeding the natural flexibility of the hoof under pressure, consequently reducing essential blood flow to the hoof and lower limb.

As a result of these challenges, the unit concluded that it was worth trying something different. In 2004, they decided to experiment by allowing one horse to go barefoot. The outcome was extremely positive, leading them to transition their entire herd (40 horses) to barefoot. They observed a significant improvement in the health of their horses, resulting in a 50% reduction in vet bills. Moreover, they noticed enhanced traction on slippery surfaces, contributing to a sense of safety for both the officers and horses during patrols. It is difficult to dispute the benefits of these changes! Furthermore, the force has recently made the decision to transition to Bitless equipment, which has been met with great success.