Heritage Stables

11/29/2023

We can all do our part to help the horses 🦄 Be selective where you put your money and applause

I haven’t really had much time to write lately. I usually have posts for this page scheduled out a week or so in advance…and I’ve got nothin’ written down. It’s all in my head. 🫠

But you see, that’s because of all the time we spend caring for each individual horse. We don’t have an assembly line. We’re family owned and operated. Each horse gets nose kisses and a leg hug from my toddler daily. I only have 11 horses on my farm. And honestly, lately, I’ve debated building on 2 or 3 more stalls to help more horses, but there’s only so much time to go around. The verdict is still out on more stalls, we’ll see.

This Operation X/Helgstrand thing has rocked the dressage world, maybe even the horse world. I don’t really know, I’m in my own bubble over here.

It’s hard to watch, I can’t watch the videos. I know what it is, I know the abuse is out there. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I’ve left horse shows when management did nothing about blatant abuse in the warm up rings. I’ve quit countless clients. I quit my very first job when I was 16 because of it. Heck, I don’t frequent horse shows because I’m so accustomed to fixing and helping abused horses that I can typically recognize it, even when things are going well, in the moment.

But even to me, who has seen it, recognizes it, has horses who are forever scarred from it, I have been blown away by the increasing amount of rough handling, aggressive riding and lack of empathy for the horse that I’ve learned about this past week. I feel grateful to be in this bubble of mine, but so sad that so many have lost track of why we do this in the first place.

It’s time for a change though, for the love of the horse. It’s time for us as consumers - of training, lessons, horse purchases, etc. to stop supporting these individuals. If we see something that’s wrong, we stand up for what is right and take our money elsewhere. Those businesses cannot exist without financial support. And that comes from the consumers and sponsors.

The horse first.

The journey second.

Anything else is just gravy.

Just my 2 cents. For whatever it’s worth.

🌻 Cara

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

11/27/2023

Sadly both Dr Reiner Klimke and Susan Hayes Woods are no longer with us, but this edited interview from 1995 is a pignant reminder that modern dressage started to go wrong over 20 years ago...

SUSAN’S INTERVIEW WITH DR. REINER KLIMKE AT THE AACHEN CHIO JULY 1995

Susan: I was watching you as you schooled Biotop in the indoor arena this morning, and it was wonderful. I noticed you were working him in a fat snaffle, and I wondered if you could talk about the importance of working in the snaffle for upper level horses.

Klimke: I ride at home only once a week on the double bridle.

Susan: Do you mean for most of your Grand Prix horses, or for this one especially?

Klimke: All. I want to have them very light in my hand. It is easier when they are really “through”, and they take the bit and take your hands. Then they are not afraid to come out to the double bridle.

Susan: Biotop seems to be very “out” to the bridle–there is not a lot of overflexing.

Klimke: And when he goes in extensions, the neck and frame extend too. And yet there are horses who make their extensions with overflexed necks and they score just as well…

Susan: Can you explain that?

Klimke: Well, when I tell you this, I don’t want to sound jealous, but I live for classical riding. Classical riding means that the horse must go: that is, the energy must come through and the horse reaches forward. But the judges don’t always mark accordingly. I don’t mind; I know what is right. I have been in this sport for nearly 40 years.

Susan: I also saw today that you were doing a lot of work on the basic paces, and simple transitions.

Klimke: Yes. The horse must go forward and he must be happy. If the horse is happy and he trusts you, then you can teach him. If you punish him, that is wrong.

Susan: They never forget. Is there any place for punishment in riding?

Klimke: I hate to punish a horse. It must not be. It can happen to anybody. Sometimes you lose your patience, you try to make the horse a slave. But it is not right. Sometimes you see riders blowing up, even here, with top riders. I say to myself, “Poor horse, I wouldn’t like to be in your stable.”

Susan: Why does it happen? A lot of these riders will teach and talk about riding classically, and mean to do it, but then it is different here. Is it the pressure?

Klimke: I think everybody wants to win. Perhaps they think if they make a horse tired it will be submissive. Sometimes it may work, but if you really look you can see what is wrong. Some judges don’t have a really good eye, and they judge by punishing mistakes, like too many or too few strides in a pirouette, for example.

Susan: Too much counting and not enough…

Klimke: Yes. The principle is: how is the walk, how is the trot, how is the canter, how is the acceptance of the bridle, how does the back work–all of these things. And in addition, the figures. But they deduct too much if a figure is not 100% okay. You see? If you make a pirouette and the horse really uses his hindquarters, and maybe the pirouette is a little big, you should not be given a 5.

Susan: That’s a little extreme.

Klimke: Yes. It can be at least a 6, can also be a 7, when the horse really canters classically. Even if the circle was too large, remember that you must deduct from 10. The judge must be able to see the main achievement of a horse and rider, in a movement.

Susan: This brings up another question, and that is–there are some amazing equine athletes here, and some of them get a lot of points because of that. Where are the places in the Grand Prix test where the talent can’t cover up the problems with the training?

Klimke: I look only at the way that the horse moves, in all three gaits. He must come from behind, with a swinging back. The head and neck must seek the bit. I hate it if the horse comes behind the vertical and stays there. When the horse is really “through”, you must be able to open and close the frame, and keep him reaching into the bit. And right now, in the judging, in my opinion, this doesn’t count for enough. But sooner or later, good riding will be rewarded. You must not lose your patience, you see. And don’t give up.

https://woodsdressage.com/ for the full interview and about Susan Hayes Woods

Concordia Equestrians.
Register as a Friend or Professional and help us make the world a better place to be a horse www.concordiaequestrians.org

11/26/2023

This weeks documentary expose at Helgstrand dressage has shocked the equestrian world, Except, it hasn’t really. Everyone knows this way of producing horses goes on everywhere in the horse industry. In dressage, in racing, in reining, in eventing.

It’s hidden in plain sight. And actually, half the time it’s not even hidden, it’s normalised. I often pass people hacking their horses in draw reins, martingales and gag bits, you can get them at the local tack shop. I don’t know why we’re surprised people use them, it’s all just there to buy.

This can all feel a bit depressing and leave you wondering what to do. Here are some ideas - you may have more of your own.

1. If you’re a coach or riding instructor set out your stand about your principles and celebrate them with your students. Help people understand what the vertical looks like and why it’s important for their horses. Be proud of saying, ‘Let’s take all this kit off this horse and learn a better language’, Be part of a vanguard of change and prioritise ethics over rosettes (although both are possible). The more people in our industry really do it (rather than just pay lip service to it) the less it will be considered the ‘alternative approach’.

2. Companies can change the images they use to sell us stuff. They could use horse models without nosebands, with their faces in front of the vertical, showing signs of what a happy athlete actually looks like. Many incredible vets, scientists and ethologists have long lists of indicators to help identify these attributes, these are freely available on your local social media page - you don’t have to look far.

3. Magazines, do the same as above. Put these horses on your front cover. People can be what they can see, Show riders without loads of equipment on their horses, demonstrating healthy posture, riding in a way that allows horses to see, breathe, move. Include articles about how horses need to move to stay sound and happy based on classical principles of biomechanics grafted to our modern understanding of their minds and body.

4. If you own a livery yard, along with the sign that says no smoking or heavy petting, include a list of welfare practices for how horses on your yard will live and be treated. Friends, freedom, forage. No need to lead in chifneys we can help you learn how to lead your horse well without one. No shouting at horses on your yard, please.

5. If you hire out a venue you can do similar to the above. As part of your contract outline how horses need to treated on your property. Encourage and celebrate teachers who have respect for the horse at the heart of what they do. Explain that as a visiting rider if you need draw reins there are coaches here who can help you find a better way, Be clear about what you welcome and don’t welcome at your venue.

6. If you run a riding club or pony club then focus on education~ there are plenty of amazing people who will come to talk to members about horse welfare, behaviour and how horses learn. People who can explain that when horses buck or rear or nap or spook they’re doing it for what they consider to be very good reasons, and require our support and compassion rather than punishment. They can help your members recognise pain and discomfort and be on the side of their horse. People want to do better when they know better, I believe.

7. We can all collectively not buy horses who’ve been started under saddle before they’re 4. We can push dealers to find horses who’ve been left to grow up and haven’t been sat on or loose jumped while their young bones are still maturing. We actually drive the market, if we say no to horses started too young and pushed too fast, things will change. We may need to pay more to ‘wait’, but we pay less in the long run.,

8. Those of us who ride can be braver about poking our heads above the parapet and demonstrating, ‘There is also this way of doing things’. Even though it may, in the first instance, open us up to criticism as it doesn’t ’look’ like what has become the norm. We can support and encourage our colleagues and peers who are trying to do things ethically with horses; even if it’s not exactly what we’re doing.

This is only a very small starter for ten. The call is also of course for judges to judge differently, but that is really the tip of the iceberg. If we, as a collective equine industry, don’t start to insist on change wherever we are then we may find the public taste for letting anyone ride a horse is significantly reduced.

Change is possible, you may have other ideas for where practical action can take place right where you are now. Please do share your own ideas. it’s amazing what individuals can do.

11/18/2023

Napping in the warm fall sun with Cash watching over❤️

11/15/2023

11/09/2023

No horse is wasted, just being a horse.

They bring happiness and peace, ridden or not.

Sometimes, I think we forget to see the forest through the trees and remember how lucky we are just to be in their presence.

🌻 Cara

11/04/2023

Happy November 🍂

10/31/2023

Happy Halloween 🎃 . Who's got the spirit Casey and Cash do❤️💙

10/29/2023

Cost of Board: Labor of Love

The cost for board has been fairly consistent over the years, yet everything from groceries, to grain and gas prices are rising every day. Yes, board has gone up some and it’s higher for some barns who offer top notch care and show barns who offer high level training. But what about barns who just offer a place for people to be able to keep a horse? If barn owners raise board prices, even a small amount, horse owners expect “get more” or see big improvements around the barn. Some feel the need to point out imperfections in the barn or care.
I’ve heard of barns closing because they can’t get the barn help they so desperately need. I’d like to talk a little bit about what it costs to pay barn help or the income for a barn owner caring for the horses. My goal is to hopefully help horse owners understand where the money goes and just how little their board actually is for the time and labor it takes to take care of the horses and why board prices are rising.
Let’s take a look at a 10 stall barn with each boarder paying $550/month and includes a stall, private pasture, hay, grain and bedding. That’s a total income of $5,500/month for the barn.
Monthly expenses for necessities (grain, hay and bedding) for the horses are roughly $3,350. That includes bedding in the form of bulk sawdust. If bagged shavings are used, it would be an additional $1,000/month. I’m going to stick with the lower number for bulk sawdust.
Subtract the $3,350 form the $5,500 and there is $2,150 left over.
Other expenses for the farm like electricity, (people leave lights on all the time) propane, diesel fuel, equipment maintenance, replacing broken tools or other equipment like water troughs, horse farm insurance, or other monthly expenses can easily add up to be “over” $2,000. I still haven’t included a mortgage!
Caring for 10 horses can easily be 6 hours per day when things run smoothly. That’s feeding, turning out, doing the barn chores, bringing in and feeding, not including night check at 8-9:00pm. This is 7 days per week…the barn owner doesn’t get weekends off. They don’t ever get to sleep in. They don’t get paid vacation days. They don’t get sick days or any holiday’s off and they are generally “on call” all the time. If they need to travel, they have to pay someone to do their job.
Now, let’s look at paying the caretaker $15/hour. Six hours/day at $15/hour comes to $2,700/month. That’s a job with a value of $2,700/month and your barn owner is likely putting the time in for free! Nobody can or would do their day job and not get paid for it. The barn owners are doing it for the love of the horses.
But wait! There’s more work! There are arenas that need to be dragged and watered. Pastures and trails that need to be mowed. The yard needs to be mowed. The total time it takes to do ALL the mowing and w**d whacking can easily be well over 15 hours. What about when 8 wagon loads of hay need to be put up? In the winter, it can take hours to plow snow. Changing blankets adds a lot of extra time. It takes 4 ½ hours to scrub, rinse and fill water troughs for all the pastures. Running the manure spreader to maintain the manure pile can take several hours. The list of extras is infinite and adds more time on top of the daily necessary work. Physically, it’s not possible without hired help. Hired help is not possible if board is not high enough.
In order to successfully run a boarding barn with top quality care, pay barn staff, pay for utilities and farm expenses, board would need to be “at least” $850/month. That’s $3,350+$2,000+$2,700 divided by 10 boarders and that’s still not including paying a mortgage! It doesn’t matter if it’s a fancy new barn with all the bells and whistles (the price should be even higher!) or a 30 year old barn. The cost to care for the horses doesn’t change. If your barn is charging anything less than that, your barn owner is literally paying for the opportunity for you to keep your horse.
My hope is to be a voice for barn owners and help horse owners to truly understand what their barn owners may be going through. My suggestion is to find some way to show your appreciation for all the work your barn owner is doing for you. Thank them for doing the everyday work and keeping your horse safe. Compliment them for doing a great job. If you are at the barn, offer to help. Offer to help walk some horses in from the pasture. Offer to help sweep the aisle, not just your little square at the cross ties. Offer to help dump grain to all the horses. Offer to help with the daily work in any way you can. Offer to do night check if you're at the barn for a late evening ride. Give your barn owners some relief. Offer to do chores so your barn owner can get a day of rest or maybe get away. And for Pete’s sake, when you’re done, TURN OFF ALL THE LIGHTS!

By Dana Hongisto
Owner/Manager/Trainer of Dancing Gaits Farm LLC

10/01/2023

Happy October 🍂

09/30/2023

A reminder that grumpiness is not a personality trait, but a sign of a horse needing mental and physical balance.

Neurosis is not who your horse is, anymore than anxiety is who you inherently are- it is an imbalance requiring attention. The underlying horse is what nature made, the behaviors are what people made.

09/22/2023

Did you know fall grass could be just as dangerous as spring grass for a laminitis-prone horse?

Most horse owners know they should be wary of lush spring grass, which produces large amounts of sugary substances to give the pasture energy to grow. What you may not know, is that fall grass also accumulates high levels of soluble sugars and carbohydrates, due to the combination of warm days and cool nights, as well as increased precipitations.
For horses at higher risk of developing laminitis, this refreshed grass may be enough to push them over the edge.

While the exact mechanisms by which the feet are damaged due to laminitis remain a mystery, certain precipitating events can produce the condition. Although laminitis occurs in the feet, the underlying cause is often a disturbance elsewhere in the horse's body (like overfeeding).
By learning more about this condition, you may be able to minimize the risks of laminitis in your horse or control the long-term damage if it does occur.

Learn more about laminitis on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/laminitis-prevention-treatment and, as always, contact your veterinarian for more information and advice tailored to your horse's individual situation.

09/14/2023

Happy Fall 🍂

08/20/2023

Happy Anniversary ride Casey and Cash ⭐⭐