Golden Reins Riding School

01/12/2024

Lessons were so much fun today! We took the horses for a little trail ride in the snow❄️

12/26/2023

Go follow our instagram page!

12/05/2023

Repeat after me:
I’m allowed to do what’s best for me, even if it upsets other people ♥️

12/04/2023

Did you realise that your horses kidneys move?
That with each breath, they move approximately the length of a vertebral segment?
That in a single day, with your horse breathing normally, they will move on average 1.6km?

Why? Because they are connected to the diaphragm (as well as other things) via fascia and ligaments.
Look where they are located.. right under the back of your saddle. Poor saddle fit, unbalanced riders (any rider really but unbalanced is worse) will put pressure on this area and because where they are innervated from this can cause the restriction.

A classic sign of kidney restriction is the fidgety horse, that won't stand still. They are reactive and sore to pressure over the tops of the last ribs and it's firm, no give.
Combine that with restrictions at TH 15, 16, 17 and 18, and a change in pelvis angle.. and you will have issue with movement and attitude.

That sore back may have nothing to do with the muscles....
Something else to think about....

Photo: Merck Veterinary Manual (not motivated enough to draw my own tonight sorry).

11/27/2023

CYBER MONDAY DEAL🙌🏻🐴

Have you been looking into putting your child into horse lessons? Well now is just the time! For today only I am offering buy 5, get 1 free! You get 5 lessons and get your 6th lesson free😁🎉

We offer unique horse lessons that cover groundwork, horsemanship, trail riding, and performance work. Weekly private lessons available. PM me for availability. Located in Mayer, AZ!🌵

For ages 4-20! $60 per lesson🙌🏻

11/26/2023

SLOOOOOW DOWN!

SLOW your walking down to 1 step per second with and without your horse next to you.
SLOW your hand movements down as you touch or do things.
SLOW your talking down.
SLOW your breathing down.
SLOW your pulls and pushes down on the leadrope.

SLOW to FLOW!

Humans are WAAAAY to fast for horses and this is one of the leading causes of reactivity and opposition reflex in horses.

Speed = stress.

Let me teach you what speed does...

When the brain perceives a threat, it causes the body to release the stress response hormone cortisol. Cortisol levels and speed go hand in hand.
Cortisol provides the body with the fuel it needs to flee a scary situation or fight against it.

The thing with the mind-body relationship is that the brain feels an emotion such as fear, which create a physical response in the body, but the body can also move at a certain speed or in a particular way and create an emotion in the brain. It can be reverse engineered.

This is how special the intimate relationship is between the brain and body.

The other thing to remember is that, collectively as a social animal, when speed is noticed by another mammal (no matter the species), it alerts the unconscious brain to threat.

Speed is an alarm system in a social system (consciously and unconsciously).

If you walked down a road and everyone started running, you'd find it hard not to run even if you didn't know what the cause was. You are noticing that others are running and in a direction, so you mirror them to increase your chances of survival. You don't need the reasoning part of your brain for this. You just activated your primal (survival) part of the brain.

One other thing to remember: HORSES CAN SMELL CORTISOL. So not only does your speed act as a visual alarm system to your horse, it also acts as an olfactory one!

Would you want to interact with someone who caused you to feel constantly on alert?

These little things are the beginnings of what ripples into chronic stress in both humans and horses.
You spend enough time around someone who is fast in their movement, your nervous system will condition itself to being on high alert.
HELLO 👋 CHRONIC STRESS!!!

Slow your movement down = slow your thoughts down.
Slow your movement down = lower your cortisol.
Slow your movement down = feel connected with yourself, the world and others in it.
Slow your movement down = slow your alarm systems down and eventually they'll turn off.

Slow down so much that it is uncomfortable. It won't be uncomfortable for long, I promise 😉

Happy brain training 🧠
Charlotte 🙂

11/12/2023

Lots of exciting things going on just in time for the holiday season!!! We have had multiple students advance up in their horses and I couldn’t be more proud of them🫶🏻

Lainey moved up to Charlie🎉
Delilah moved up to Gus🙌🏻
Kenzie moved up to Gus🤯

10/31/2023

Happy Halloween🎃👻

10/23/2023

❄️Winter is quickly approaching! Do you want your child to still be active during the winter season?! Well horse riding is the perfect way to do that! At Golden Reins Riding School, it’s more than just riding, we teach all about horses. We offer unique lessons that cover groundwork, horsemanship, trail riding, and performance work. Weekly private lessons available. PM me for availability. Located in Mayer, AZ!🌵

For ages 4-20! $60 per lesson🙌🏻

10/13/2023

This is for everyone who is confused about horse weight, this is not to shame you or your horse. These pictures are only to educate you in a way that would be best understood on what a healthy horse should look like. There are a lot of people, and even some veterinary professionals, that would say the last picture represents a healthy horse, but it does not. Today, because there are so many overweight horses, it is hard to recognize when your horse is unhealthy but I hope this picture is able to give you some perspective.

09/25/2023

After-school horse fun!

Let your child build confidence and skills by working with horses at Golden Reins Riding School. More than just riding, we teach all about horses. We offer unique lessons that cover groundwork, horsemanship, trail riding, and performance work. Weekly private lessons available. PM me for availability. Located in Mayer, AZ!

For kids aged 4-18! $60 per lesson

09/10/2023

Golden Reins Riding School has availability for riding lessons from beginners, intermediate and advanced riders! We offer basic lessons as well as specialized lessons such as barrel racing, pole bending etc! We teach everything there is to know when it comes to horses! Such as, groundwork, horsemanship, safety, care, and of course riding!

📆 Availability & Sign-Up: We offer year-round lessons for ages 4-18. Message me for details!

📍Located in Mayer, AZ

🌵Each lesson is priced at $60 and lasts an hour.

09/10/2023

08/30/2023

Miss Laney came and visited Charlie today on her day of no lessons and she had so much fun!

08/24/2023

Fall Horse Lessons are filling up quickly! I am so happy to announce now that it is cooling down, we have more spots available!🎉

In our lessons we learn key techniques, horse care basics, safety guidelines, groundwork, horsemanship, and various riding disciplines!

📆 Availability & Sign-Up: We offer year-round lessons for ages 4-18. Hurry, only two spots are left!

📍Located in Mayer, AZ

🌵Each lesson is priced at $60 and lasts an hour.

‼️Spaces are limited, so reserve your slot today!

08/24/2023

Hey horse friends!!! At Golden Reins Riding School in Mayer AZ, we offer horse riding lessons for ages 4-18, our experienced trainers and friendly horses make learning fun and safe. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve, join us for a great riding experience.