Heritage Stables

10/18/2025

The arena turned out really nice with the big load of sand added one wheel barrel at a time! We are ready for winter riding🐎

10/18/2025

10/14/2025

We sure have fat ,shiny and happy ponies ❤️

10/02/2025

Tom is coming back to the Midwest and Deanna Hertrich is willing to share him with our barn! We will have riding spots on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning available! Also day and overnight stalls ! It will be closed to auditing to ensure the best learning environment for riders !🦄

10/02/2025

You can’t force it, or fake it. You just have to show up, every single day and keep chopping the wood.

The most meaningful part of training horses isn’t the big wins or the picture-perfect moments.

It’s the quiet work, the everyday moments where a horse chooses to trust you a little more. When they soften, when they breathe, when they realize you’re not going to rush them and you're in this together. That’s when the magic happens.

09/23/2025

Celebrating Maureen s Birthday 💖🐎

09/22/2025

There's just something about a freshly dragged arena🐎

09/17/2025

I see many riders who think they are being good horsewomen because they "love their horse." They pat him, tell him constantly "What a good boy!" he is, feed him treats, buy him all kinds of supplements, blankets, boots, and gear.

The way to be a really good horsewoman? Ride him systematically, 5-6 days a week, calmly, quietly, and turn him into a fit, sound, prepared athlete who is well prepared to handle the work he`s asked to perform.

Don`t just tell him you love him. Make him strong enough to deal with being ridden so that the things you ask him to do are not causing him stress and discomfort.

09/11/2025

Ah, the struggle bus. It happens to all of us. The question is, how do we handle it?

If I go to the gym and am struggling to do something, I’m not going to magically do it better because my trainer hit me with a whip, I just need to embrace the suck until I get stronger.

Remember this idea when your horse is struggling with something and ask yourself:
❓Am I clear in my aids?
❓Does the horse understand or do I need to water down the exercise?
❓Is he truly strong enough to perform the exercise well?

Assuming you’ve ruled out a physical issue or saddle fit questions, usually it’s just a matter of chopping the wood: Choosing the correct exercise or paring it down to something the horse understands and can do well, but also sometimes allowing the horse to be on the struggle bus a little bit and give him a chance to really learn.

We need to develop our patience, and remember that the horse sets the calendar. It’s up to us to allow mistakes and appreciate when a good effort is being made.

And horses ALWAYS do the best they can for us!

09/10/2025

For all my fellow hummers keep doing what you do 😘

Did you know there are so many benefits from humming?

There has been scientific research done on humming and the physiological effects it can have on the body. Some of these benefits include:

- increase oxygen in our cells
- lower blood pressure and heart rate
- increase lymphatic circulation
- increase levels of melatonin, enhancing sleep and easing depression
- reduce levels of stress-related hormones such as cortisol
- release endorphins
- increase levels of nitric oxide (NO), a molecule associated with the promotion of healing
- release oxytocin, the trust and kindness hormone associated with lowering stress and anxiety
- increase vagal tone, enhancing the parasympathetic nervous system and the body's ability to rest and digest

Think about those benefits for a second. What would happen if we started humming around our horses? While we are riding? Humming is a wonderful way to help ground you into the present moment while you are with your horse. They feel that vibration in their body as well, helping them ground, relax, and come back into their bodies. It can also be subtle enough to help ease tension or anxiety while doing a dressage test! (I know I have done that before)

Next time you are riding or at the barn or, heck, at the grocery store, hum! No judgement on yourself. Feel how your body responds. Are you more present? Do you feel that sacred vibration ease a blockage in your body?