High Meadow Equine Center

04/11/2025

This big guy didn't even get a chance to hit the market. Congratulations, Julie, on your purchase of Humphrey! What fun adventures you're going to have! Watch for him in the HUS, as well as out on the trails! What a fancy and versatile horse he is!
Humphrey (Color Me Good) is by Protect Your Assets and out of ColorMe Sonora Straw (Ima Poco Rio X Gem of a Poco)

04/06/2025

I haven't shared any pictures of Scotty lately. He LOVES the camera! Or the camera loves him! 😍

04/05/2025

He finally arrived! We're thrilled! 🥰
The Krymsun Kruzer X Superstition Fiesta (Poco Cha Ching X Superstition Legend)

03/28/2025

Patiently waiting for our very own Krymsun Kruzer foal! Due any minute.

03/22/2025

I actually saw the post about the negative impact on backing our horses. I thought, yah, I ain't buyin it. Done correctly, it's a great exercise for any discipline.

Backing your horse does what…? 🤨

I was scrolling through Facebook the other night and came across a post that’s getting a ton of attention—hundreds of shares, tons of comments. And the problem? It’s not true.

The post claimed that backing up a horse causes lumbar, SI, hock, and stifle issues. That backing goes against their natural movement. That horse’s are being forced onto their hind end causing them to suffer.

Now a good friend of mine acknowledged this person that made the post is a wealth of knowledge so I’m glad this post, despite being wrong on this topic, brought her onto my radar so I can learn from her. Just because we don’t agree on everything doesn’t mean we can’t learn from each other (it’s called being an adult😉). I’m a firm believer that together we all rise.

So here’s the real deal. Backing a horse up does not go against their natural movement patterns, it strengthens them.

The exact same issues blamed on the rein back/backing up occurs in horses that move forward with poor posture.

Because it’s not the back up that’s the issue…

Trail horses, hunter-jumpers, reiners—it doesn’t matter the discipline or the breed.

If a horse is moving heavy on the forehand, hollow through the back, not engaged from their hind end, they’re putting unnecessary stress on their SI, their hocks, their stifles, and creating long-term soundness problems.

The exercise of backing up does NOT cause these issues.

It’s how the horse is using their body—in ANY direction.

When done correctly, backing is one of the BEST ways to strengthen a horse’s body.

And some of the leading equine biomechanics experts and horsemen with real experience developing horses will tell you too back is one of the most beneficial exercises for developing balance, strength, and preventing injuries.

Proper Backing Requires & Strengthens…
- Engagement of the hindquarters (instead of trailing out behind)
- A lifted back (instead of sagging and straining the spine)
- True collection (for many horses, it’s their first real experience of it)

Of course, too much of anything done poorly will cause problems. And too much of anything can be a bad thing.

Backing in bad posture, just like moving forward in bad posture, creates compensation patterns and strain.

But when done correctly, the rein back teaches a horse to use their body properly, builds their strength, and improves their ability to carry a rider forward with softness, better balance and strength.

If you want a stronger, more balanced, more engaged horse, go back them up.

Not just a few sluggish steps—really make sure they are putting in some effort, that they are balanced, reaching (not dragging) with their legs, and engaging their core.

And if you want to see how rein back builds your horse’s top line, I did a YouTube video last fall that many of yall loved where I show the importance of backing. If you comment YES and I’ll send the link to you.

The bottom line? The internet is full of misleading information and I’m always looking for what is principally true.

I try to look beyond emotional language and even those that use fancy words to sound qualified.

The question we have to ask ourselves is- Is what is being said principally true because true principles stand the test of time and all situations.

Now, go back your horse up. Properly.

Together We Rise.

-Colton Woods

03/19/2025

Due to a conflict in Taylor's schedule, this clinic is CANCELED.
I will be issuing refunds. Thank you to those who registered for your support and desire to learn.

03/17/2025

03/16/2025

Maizie got to ride Jordan today! 😁 Just AWESOME!!

03/15/2025

The thing is...if you're buying a young prospect that you want to be a safe, calm, reliable, good-minded riding horse, maybe try buying one who's parents (or siblings) were actually broke to ride and exhibit these qualities. Just a thought.

03/09/2025

Been dealing with a lot of these lately. I'd rather start with an untouched, unhandled renegade.

How to create a spoiled rotten horse (…or kid)

1. Dont hold them responsible for anything
2. Dont make them do anything they dont want to
3. Allow them to avoid all struggle
4. Allow them to do only what they want to when they want to do it all the time
5. Give them zero structure or guidance
6. Pander to their feelings
7. Give them what they want whenever they want it
8. Never set or enforce boundaries
9. Make excuses for their bad behavior instead of correcting it
10. Treat them like fragile glass instead of the capable beings they are
11. Let their emotions dictate your decisions
12. Protect them from every consequence of their actions

The quote “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.” -G. Michael Hopf

Is ringing loud and clear in our horse world and society as a whole.

As horsemen, as adults- it’s our responsibility to LEAD, SERVE, to ensure our actions set our horses & kids up for a lifetime of success beyond when we are around.

Many think they can live in some utopian world with their horses where stress & struggle do not exist- its not true nor possible. Stress is there even when you dont see it or are aware of it.

As leaders for our horses, kids, family & others God has trusted us to serve- we must make sure we are prepared as a leader to lead & then we must fulfill our job through our actions to prepare those we are responsible for.

Some are so committed to ‘protecting’ their horse from stress & struggle that they are doing the very opposite! Avoiding stress & struggle guarantees that at some point they will experience both at a much worse & magnified level because they won’t have control over the environment, stimulus or the emotional regulation and mental understanding of how to regain control of themselves.

The best way to protect is to prepare.

For those who want to ruin horses & kids- above is your quick guide.

For those of us committed to putting the actual needs of others before our own wants & desires- theres a definite list of things to avoid doing.

I’m sure I left something off. Feel free to add to the list in the comments.

02/12/2025

Scotty is his name. Looking cute is his game. 🥰
One day old. I wonder what he and Jack McDermott are discussing? 🤔
Vintage Scotch (Poco Cha Ching X Scotch Bar Envy Time)