Raydiance Eventing

09/24/2025

I’ve probably shared this before, but it’s worth reading again. Always evolving and learning on this journey with these forgiving animals.

The toxicity of the “ride them through it” and “be a gritty rider” mindset…

The horse world has built a culture around the idea that the epitome of being a good rider is being able to ride a horse through anything.

A refusal to get off.

That endangering yourself (and in many cases, also the horse) is a badge of honour.

That it’s an inherently admirable trait to evade groundwork and try to do everything from in the saddle, even when the horse is showing you that they are struggling.

This belief system has led to many people growing up putting themselves in unnecessarily dangerous situations with their horses.

I was one of those people.

I took immense pride in my ability to ride through horses broncing, rearing and otherwise panicking.

I am lucky I didn’t end up with worse injuries than I have. I put myself in a lot of dangerous situations that were avoidable.

All because I was taught a narrative that to get off the horse is to be weak.

That dismounting was a failure. That it was letting the horse “win.”

But, training isn’t a battle.

And if your training resembles a battleground, you’re doing something wrong.

Creating lasting confidence in horses often involves meeting them where they are, not forcing them to work through increasing stress until they either fatigue physically and stop fighting or mentally shutdown.

We should be encouraging riders to know when to stop when they or their horses are struggling with anxiety and lack of confidence.

We shouldn’t be trying to push people to ignore the alarm bells that their brain is sending them and ride through it anyways.

Ground work is a powerful training tool.

Getting off the horse, even if just for a short pause, can be a powerful reset.

It can allow both horse and rider to regulate.

We need to do away with the archaic “cowboy on” mentality that leads people to believe that they need to endanger themselves in order to become a good trainer.

The best trainers and riders are the ones who learn to operate in a way where they avoid stressing horses to the point of explosives.

Where they can develop a horse without the extreme anxiety.

The best trainers make training look quiet and easy.

Sure, it might not be as entertaining and dramatic to watch.

But it is infinitely better for both horse and rider.

09/23/2025

Thank you! 🙄

09/23/2025

Woohoo! New tests to work on!

USEA and USEF Roll Out New and Improved Dressage Tests for 2026 Eventing Season

08/13/2025

🤣🤣🤣

07/29/2025

It was a treat to compete Finne Klaas at the Woodbridge Farm dressage show this weekend. He was a gentleman inside the arena and out. He will make an extraordinary partner for some lucky rider!

07/19/2025

Fun day on the playground. Isaac and Milo did a fantastic job showing Tango how much fun you can have on a cross-country course!

07/15/2025

I’m a recovering workaholic. I used to live, eat, and breathe everything eventing and horses. I still absolutely love my job and work my tail off, but am happy to say that I find joy and connection in other areas outside of the horse world. The best part? I’m a much better trainer and teacher because of it. Let’s normalize taking vacations and holidays off, sick days, and 5 day work weeks. Our horses and community will be better for it.

Trainers. Grooms. Farriers. Veterinarians. Riders. Writers. Barn managers. Therapists. Many of us live in the space where passion meets pressure, and the result is often burnout that looks like devotion from the outside. The very people who are keeping this industry going are often barely surviving....

07/10/2025

Happens all the time 😂

07/04/2025

Yes!

Sometimes the crash comes AFTER the stress

You bought a horse that seemed sound, well adjusted and well trained. You get it home and the poor thing is lame and crawling out of its skin.

Were you conned ?

Maybe

But there are two other possibilities

1- the horse was adjusted to a certain routine, manner and frequency of riding, diet, etc and is now struggling outside of that routine that has helped to keep going - now the horse might feel like a border collie in an apartment without enough opportunity for movement.
(lots of articles have been written about this and it’s well worth looking into)

2- the horse was under some form of stress that has now ended and turned into another -
The stress of decompressing.

Brains are wired to keep us alive. Bodies are made to keep going.
Horses are incredible survivors - they can keep going and being pretty athletic under incredible duress. They are wired to not stop and say ouch at every pain and tweak, even with lameness and developing dysfunctions - because they NEED to. They can look sound when they are under stress. All you need to do to understand this is imagine a lion chasing a horse and know they will run until they are caught or free - and if the lion is the training, the lifestyle, the expectation, they will hold together until they can’t anymore .

So then they are purchased and pulled from this intensive lifestyle and now living in the lap of luxury - they have no reason to be stressed, so we think -

Now they face the lengthy decompression period. Compensation mechanisms are falling away and the horse is left naked here. They don’t know what to do. What to expect. Everything is upside down. The compensations that have kept them tight kept them safe too, and now they are wobbly, insecure and naked.

This is where they need HELP, not just supplements and bodywork and kindness. They need time, sure, but they need guidance. Not knowing what to expect can drive a horse half crazy.

They need some form of structure. A stable herd. A stable guiding hand that can clearly show them the new ropes. Not too fast in expectations but don’t wait too long to show them the new ropes either.

Your language is likely very different. Maybe your goals totally upside down from the training they’ve had. You might be changing everything from head to toe, thinking you’re offering a soft landing, which you likely are - but think of the confusion in their upside down experience - help clarify, guide, explain, show, and support.

And of course, continue giving them supports- maybe the gut needs help right away, or some dietary changes. And of course it can take time, but there are some things that can be helped and should be helped right away.

07/02/2025

For Your Consideration: Finne Klaas is an 8-year-old, 16.2hh, imported Friesian gelding. Finne is everything you could want in a horse and more: he has 3 uphill, adjustable, and correct gaits, an honest work ethic, extensive professional training, and the friendliest, in-your-pocket temperament.
Finne has competed in dressage and also enjoys cross-training over cavaletti, hacking out on the trail, and has been trained to drive! He is sound, fit, and ready to show today. He is confirmed at 1st level, nearly ready for his 2nd level debut, and is schooling 3rd level work, with unlimited potential to continue moving up the levels. He has great lateral work and a tremendous ability to sit, collect, and extend in all three gaits. He has an incredible amount of power, but is also light in the bridle and agreeable for any type of rider.
Finne has the most fun, outgoing, sociable attitude. He loves every person, horse, and dog that he meets. He loves to travel and will get in any open trailer, if you let him. He is excellent for the farrier, vet, clipping, grooming, etc.
Please inquire for more photos, videos, and price. Asking mid-5 figures. Owner reluctantly selling due to their health issues. A 5-star home is essential for this special horse.

06/24/2025

Many of us can relate to this post. Knowing more and doing better for our horses every day.