Sand Hill Stable

01/15/2026

Mother nature's sunset tease this evening

01/14/2026

Worth a re-share!

It's OKAY... to have large gaps of time in between training sessions with your horse.
It's OKAY... to not feel like doing anything with your horse because you are dealing with life or big emotional things.
It's OKAY... to say it's too hot, cold, rainy, etc, and choose not to work your horse
It's OKAY... to take a break if you are getting frustrated or are stuck in a training rut.

I used to feel guilty for not riding every day or doing something regularly with my horses, as I've watched clients diligently train their horses almost religiously. However, what I've learned is that my horses will generally pick up where we left off, and often, they are even better than when I last worked them. Why? Because their brains are still working even in between training sessions no matter the time frame. It takes the same amount of time for new neural pathways to form in the brain when learning something new, regardless of the frequency of the lessons. And the same can be said for me as well. Sometimes, stepping away for a bit has allowed me to come back to riding & training with a refreshed mindset and an even deeper understanding.
Don't be too hard on yourself. You can always begin again.

01/13/2026

It's a beautiful morning!

01/11/2026

"What is your addiction?"
This question gave me pause a few years back. I don't smoke, only drink occasionally, don't do drugs, yet here was someone asking me what my addiction was. What behavior I acquired to help me cope with the stresses I've faced. I sat quietly for a few moments thinking about this question. When I finally spoke, my answer was that my addiction was acquiring animals. My answer surprised me as well as the person who had asked the question.

In the time since that moment, I've reflected on that response quite a bit. I used to feel so excited at acquiring a new horse or other animal, and those around me would be excited, too, helping further fuel that elated feeling. Then I'd bring said animal home, thrilled to get to know this new creature. But then everyone else would interject their opinions on things, and that elated feeling would start to fade away. It was no longer my new exciting moment , it felt like others would steal it. So then, the cycle would start over with the next prospect...

What I realize now, is that I was trying to fill a void, to feel when I mostly felt numb. This journey of stepping out of a long held fight or flight state has been an interesting one. I never would have had this awareness of the addiction I had, had that person not asked me that question and given me the space to find the answer. The act of speaking my truth in that moment brought a clarity I had not had before. In that moment I had to face something in myself that I had been avoiding, but it wasn't until I started delving into improving my emotional and physical health that I could start making different choices and step out of that coping cycle I had created for myself.

We all create patterns of behavior to help us cope in challenging circumstances. However, there comes a time when that behavioral pattern no longer serves its purpose and becomes harmful. Disrupting it can be a difficult process, and it starts simply with awareness.

01/08/2026

I love these full bale bags we have transitioned over to this past year! The horses seem much happier and calmer with this arrangement.
There was one afternoon that I had to fill up all the hay bags. The horses were all restless and agitated. Then one by one the energy shifted. I would bring in a netted bale into the stall, and by the time I had finished tying it up, pulled strings off, and walked away the horse would sigh and I felt an subtle shift. I felt this shift with every single horse.
Each shift was subtle, but it felt profound by the end.

01/07/2026

Just me over here enjoying my circus!
Every day is just another adventure! 😁

Photo credit: Ariel

01/06/2026

"Freedom is found on the other side of the gate"

Moving into the new year has me reflecting upon this message I received from one of my late horses. I opened the gate and stepped into a new truth, and at first it was scary. Then in the middle of last year I was starting to second guess myself. At the point of my deepest doubt, was when things began to shift. And as 2025 neared it's end the shift accelerated. I crossed a threshold from a year of scarcity into what already feels like a year of acceptance, abundance, joy, and deep gratitude. I did not walk this path alone, I had many people supporting me and holding space with me as all of this unfolded. I am deeply humbled and filled with gratitude for my barn being full again! There is so much freedom and happiness in this new venture, moving towards being a more holistic facility providing species appropriate care for our equine friends.
I am deeply humbled and filled with so much gratitude for my barn being full again!

My question to you is - What is holding you back!? What "gate" is keeping you confined? What will you choose to do to find your freedom?

01/05/2026

Gidget still likes to supervise from time to time

01/04/2026

I was once diagnosed as being allergic to the cold! And I know I'm not alone on this, as I've talked to other equestrians who have experienced similar allergies.
When we first opened the barn and I worked my first few winters taking care of horses and cleaning stalls, I developed weird symptoms. My fingers and toes would swell, turn red, and be very itchy. Fearing it was the start of an autoimmune disorder, my mom urged me to go see a doctor. The general family doctor referred me to a specialist and words like rheumatoid arthritis and raynauds were being tossed about. The specialist took xrays of my hands and all was fine. He told me I was just allergic to the cold and should take an over counter allergy medicine to reduce symptoms. I was in disbelief that being allergic to the cold was a real thing! However, the next few winters when I started feeling the symptoms come on, I'd take the allergy pills and things improved.
Here is where this gets interesting, I no longer experience symptoms, and I no longer take the allergy meds in the winter months. What changed you ask? I stopped drinking soda. I used to drink 1 to 2 cans of mountain dew almost daily, so much so that clients would literally gift me cases of mountain dew for Christmas. It has taken me quite a few years to let go of the habit of drinking soda. But when my first attempts coincided with cold weather, I noticed my allergy symptoms were almost nonexistent. My body was so inflamed with excess sugar and chemicals that it literally couldn't deal with cold weather!
Making small changes can have huge impacts on your life & health!