White Fences Equestrian Center

08/09/2024

In business and across all professions, but especially in the equestrian world, the journey of learning is ongoing. In dressage, this is particularly evident—mastery is a continuous pursuit. Whether you're a Grand Prix rider or just beginning, each day is an opportunity to refine your skills. Having a good coach can elevate your performance from great to extraordinary. And when you reach that level, you have the chance to give back and support others on their own journeys.

How do we improve in the face of complexity? Atul Gawande has studied this question with a surgeon's precision. He shares what he's found to be the key: having a good coach to provide a more accurate picture of our reality, to instill positive habits of thinking, and to break our actions down and th...

07/30/2024

❤️ Happy Friendship Day! ❤️Friendship is the glue that holds us all together. We are so grateful for the wonderful friendships formed through our love for horses. Here’s to celebrating the bonds that make life sweeter, both in the barn and beyond. Cheers to old and new friends! 🐎🌟

07/29/2024

An athology in mushrooms...oh, the many mushrooms 🍄 that have popped up on our trails!! I can't help but highlight these not vegetables, not mammals living things.

07/28/2024

🌟Join Us for Horseback Riding Lessons!

Are you ready to embark on an equestrian journey or elevate your riding skills? Our expert instructors at White Fences Equestrian Center offer comprehensive lessons in both dressage and hunter/jumper disciplines.

🐴 Why Choose Us?

Awesome facility!
Well-trained, gentle horses
Customized lessons for all skill levels
Focus on safety and FUN
Close to Austin, Texas

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced rider, we have the perfect program for you. Join our passionate community and experience the joy of riding!

📅 Book Your Lesson Today! Visit our website: www.whitefencesaustin.com

07/26/2024

Chase Your Dreams!

There's something magical about pursuing your dreams...
Let us help you chase your horse riding dreams. Every ride brings us closer to our goals, whether it's mastering a new skill, building a stronger bond with our horse, or simply enjoying the freedom of the ride. 🐴✨

No dream is too big when you're in the saddle. Let our expert instructors guide you on your journey, helping you chase and achieve your equestrian dreams, one stride at a time.

📅 Join Us and Chase Your Dreams Today!
www.whitefencesaustin.com
512.865.8281

07/24/2024

🌟 The Journey to the Half-Pass: Part 3 - Mastering the Half-Pass

Now that you’ve built a solid foundation and worked on intermediate steps, it’s time to tackle the half-pass:

🌟Start with a Good Setup: Begin with a shoulder-in to establish bend and lateral movement.

🌟Maintain Consistent Contact: Use your inside rein to flex your horse’s head in the direction of movement and your outside rein to control the shoulder.

🌟Coordinate Your Aids: Your inside leg at the girth maintains forward movement, while your outside leg moves behind the girth to encourage lateral movement.

Practice Patience and Precision: The half-pass requires time and practice to perfect. Celebrate small improvements and build on them.

Congratulations on reaching this stage! Keep practicing and refining your technique. Happy riding! 🐎💪

07/22/2024

🌟The Journey to the Half-Pass: Part 2 - Intermediate Tips

Building on the basics, let's dive into some intermediate steps on our journey to the half-pass:

🌟Shoulder-In: This movement enhances your horse’s lateral flexibility and strength, preparing it for more advanced lateral work.

🌟Rhythm and Balance: Maintain a consistent rhythm and balance in all gaits to ensure your horse is prepared for the coordination required in the half-pass.

🌟Response to Aids: Your horse should respond promptly to your leg, seat, and rein aids for clear communication.

These tips will get you closer to mastering the half-pass. Don't miss Part 3, where we put it all together! 🐎🌟

07/22/2024

🌟 The Journey to the Half-Pass: Part 1 - Basics:

Before attempting the half-pass, it’s crucial to establish a solid foundation. Here are the basics:

🌟Straightness: Ensure your horse can move straight on both straight and curved lines. This maintains balance and alignment.

🐎Leg Yield: Practice moving sideways away from leg pressure while maintaining forward motion. This helps your horse understand lateral aids.

🌟Bend and Flexibility: Your horse should be supple and able to bend evenly to both sides.

Master these basics, and you’re on your way to a successful half-pass! Stay tuned for more tips in Part 2. 🐎💪

07/20/2024

🌟 Horse Tales: From White Fences Equestrian Center! 🌟

We're thrilled to share a heartwarming journey with all of you! Meet Falauna, a beloved member of our barn family who we've had the pleasure of caring for as her mom recently moved to Spain permanently! 🐎💕

From the tranquil grounds of White Fences to Dallas and now to Spain by air, then ground again to her final destination, Falauna is now on her way to reunite with her loving owner. It's a testament to perseverance, patience, trust and the enduring bond between horses and their people. While we'll miss her dearly, we're overjoyed to witness this beautiful journey. Thank you for trusting us with her care. It was an honor!🌍✈️

07/19/2024

🌟 The Journey to the Half-Pass: Three part series

The half-pass is a beautiful and challenging dressage movement that showcases your horse’s lateral flexibility and responsiveness. I've been a victim of thinking I was doing a half pass when in reality my horses neck was just bent and we were doing a diagonal line...:(

But how do we get there?

Follow our three-part series, 'The Journey to the Half-Pass,' to learn the essential steps and tips to master this advanced movement.

07/17/2024

Escape the hustle and bustle and join our wonderful community of equestrians! We have plenty of trails for relaxing rides with your favorite barn buddies. 🌳🐎

Experience the beauty of nature, make new friends, and enjoy the peaceful connection with your horse. It's the perfect way to unwind and embrace the joy of riding. Our facility offers horse boarding, training, and horseback riding lessons, complete with a covered arena, covered round pen, and miles of scenic trails.

07/16/2024

🌟 Quick Tip for Beginner Riders: Basics of Mounting and Dismounting

Ensuring safety from the start! When you first start with our riding program, this is one of the first things we teach.
Learning how to getting on and off your horse is so important. These are essential skills for every beginner rider. Did you know that using the right techniques can prevent injuries and help build a positive relationship with your horse?

👩‍🏫 Our trainers are here to guide you every step of the way, making your riding experience safe and enjoyable.

07/15/2024

Kids and horses, what can be better? Safety is our priority!

Our safety protocols and horsemanship, along with our riding arenas and trainers, ensure a safe environment for young riders. We start teaching at eight years old, as studies show that children at this age can follow instructions better and have increased body awareness (Payne & Isaacs, 2012). Wearing helmets is mandatory for all our riders, and we have safe, reliable school horses. We make learning safe and fun for all riders, from young to young at heart. 🐴💖

If you want to have your child experience the joy of horseback riding, check us out! wwww.whitefencesaustin.com
[email protected]
512.865.8281

07/14/2024

Excellent and insightful article on the importance of contact. Even if it takes a lifetime to achieve, every dressage rider should be working towards this goal. It's crucial to work with a trainer who understands the essence of this connection and knows how to teach it effectively. How do you work on building a deeper bond with your horse?

The FEI definition states:
"Contact is the soft, steady connection between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth. The horse should go rhythmically forward from the rider's driving aids and 'seek' contact with the rider's hand, thus 'going into' the contact. The horse seeks the contact, and the rider provides the contact."

There are a few key points in that definition that we want to break down.

1 - “…soft, steady connection…”
A correct connection is consistent and elastic. Only if your contact is still can your horse respond to the lightest of the rein aids. A 'busy' contact (where you fiddle with the reins) will make it difficult for your horse to decipher your aids due to too much background noise.

2 - "The horse should go rhythmically forward from the rider's driving aids and 'seek' contact with the rider's hand…"
The contact is created by your horse moving forwards into the contact. It is not created by you taking a tight hold of your horse's mouth, creating backward pressure on the bit or downward pressure on the poll.

3 - "The horse seeks the contact and the rider provides the contact."
When the contact is established correctly, it is your horse that 'connects' to the bit and your hands, not your hands forcing a contact on your horse.

From our latest book, available on Amazon
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Stock image from Shutterstock.

07/13/2024

🌟 Set Your Competitive Goals for Success! 🌟
At White Fences, we help every rider reach their goals. Whether you're aiming for your first dressage competition or working towards advanced levels, setting clear, achievable goals is key to your success. Here’s how to start:

🌟Define Your Long-Term Goals
🌟Break It Down
🌟Track Your Progress
🌟Stay Motivated

Let’s make this journey together! Remember, we have some amazing trainers to help you along the way! Share your goals with us and tag us in your training posts. 🐎✨

07/12/2024

Perfect Recipe for Success:
Our amazing, functional, and cool dressage arenas are designed to help you reach your competitive goals! Combined with the expertise of our exceptional trainers and the dedication of our amazing ranch staff, we provide the ultimate environment for you and your horse to thrive. 🌟🐎

07/10/2024

Your unique journey makes you and your horse stronger.

07/08/2024

People say to always listen to your horse....
White Fences Equestrian Center has Boarding, Training, and Lesson spots available for all levels! Whether you're a beginner or an advanced rider, we have the perfect program for you. Join us and let's ride to success together! 🐎💫

contact us to schedule your facility tour:
512.865.8281
[email protected]
whitefencesaustin.com

07/07/2024

We regret to inform you that one of our beloved trainers, Emily, experienced a fall from her horse yesterday and unfortunately injured her hip. Emily will need surgery and will be unable to ride for several weeks.

Please join us in wishing Emily a speedy recovery and a successful surgery. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we navigate this situation together.

If you would like to help Emily with her medical financial burden, please do so; We don't know yet how long her recovery will be and the cost of her surgery, physical therapy etc. Anything is appreciated and helpful.

Dear friends, family, and horse-loving community, Yesterday, our beloved tra… Silvia Speyer needs your support for Help Emily Overcome Her Medical Hurdles

07/07/2024

🍫🐴 Happy Chocolate Day! 🍫🐴

Do you like horses? I mean, chocolate... or both? 🤔😄 Celebrate today with your favorite treats and maybe a sweet ride at White Fences Equestrian Center! Whether it's indulging in some delicious chocolate or spending quality time with your amazing horse(s), we've got you covered.

07/06/2024

Grateful for the bond we share with our horses. They teach us trust, patience, and the joy of living in the moment. Here's to celebrating the friendships that enrich our lives, both human and horse. 🐴💖

07/04/2024

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at White Fences Equestrian Center!

As we celebrate our nation’s independence, we’re grateful for our wonderful community of riders and horses. Wishing everyone a safe and joyous holiday filled with freedom, fun, and no fireworks :)

07/02/2024

Raving Reviews from Our Riders 🌟
🌟"I love the personalized lessons! My horse and I have improved so much.",
🌟"The boarding facilities are excellent. My horse is always well cared for."
🌟"The dressage training here is unmatched. I've grown from a beginner to an advanced rider. My horse has gown from first level to fourth level in three years. Amazing experience while having lots of fun."

07/01/2024

🐴😂 Happy National Tell a Joke Day! Here's a horse joke to make you smile! 😂🐴

Why did the pony get sent to his room?

Because he wouldn’t stop horsing around! 🐴🤣

06/30/2024

As the summer heats up, it's crucial to keep our horses' safety in mind. .org and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) have shared key tips for handling the heat:

Heat Index Guide calculated based on the actual temperature PLUS humidity - What it feels like on our weather app.

Quick Tips:

Monitor: Keep an eye on horse and rider health.
Stay Hydrated: Ensure everyone drinks plenty of water and stays cool.

Signs of Heat Stress in Horses:
Elevated temperature (105-107 °F)
Rapid breathing and pulse, Stumbling or weakness, Dry skin and dehydration.

IMPORTANT: Cool overheated horses with water, provide fluids, and seek shade or fans. If they don't improve within an hour, contact a vet immediately.

All our school horses (and personal horses) are on electrolytes year round, it's an easy top dressing to encourage horses to drink water.
Stay safe and enjoy your summer rides! 🌞🐴

06/28/2024

Covered arena! We’re truly craving, in this super hot sunny Texas weather,
Even horses dodge the sunny sliver present in the mornings,
Dressage dreams, here they unfold,
Horseback lessons, stories told.
Boarding, training, all in one,
Join us under this beautiful shade,
Grateful for this equestrian delight,
Ride with us, from morning till night. 🐴💫

06/26/2024

Looking back on some unforgettable moments from a past horse shows! The thrill of competition, the support of our barn family, and the bond with our amazing horses will always hold a special place in my heart. Grateful for these moments and the wonderful people and horses who made them so special. Here's to the memories that keep us smiling! 🐎❤️

06/23/2024

📸 Then & Now: Transforming Our Barn!

Over the years, we've invested in countless amenities to make our barn not only more functional but also a beautiful space for horse AND rider to enjoy. It's easy to forget how far we've come! Take a look at our covered round pen – from its humble beginnings to the stunning structure it is today. 🏇🌟

Thank you to our amazing community for being a part of this journey. Here's to many more years of growth and improvement together! ❤️

06/21/2024

🌟 What I Wish I Knew Earlier About Horse Riding 🌟

Looking back on my journey with horses, there are a few things I wish I had learned sooner. Whether you're training, riding, or showing, these tips can make all the difference (Part 2):

Quality Over Quantity 🏆 - In training and showing, it’s not about how much you do but how well you do it. Focus on perfecting the basics before moving on to more advanced skills. Remember that thing about patience??

Stay Calm and Confident 🌿 - Horses pick up on our energy. Approaching each ride with calm confidence helps your horse feel secure and willing to work with you.

Never Stop Learning 📚 - The world of horses is vast and ever-evolving. Stay curious, seek out new knowledge, and learn from every experience.
....and thank your trainer and horse :)

06/21/2024

It's official!