Wild Child Farm

11/23/2025

If you are unaware of the EHV outbreak, please take time to search and educate yourself. We will be limiting visitors to the farm and asking that visitors change clothes and boots and wash hands well if coming from another equine facility. While it hasn’t reached Maine yet (that we have heard) the neurological version is not prevented by vaccination and can be completely asymptomatic until the horse shows signs of paralysis, yet they can shed the virus during the two week incubation period. This webinar will be worth your time to help stop this outbreak before it harms more animals and threatens to cancel competitions and clinics in the coming months.

Amid the widespread social media postings about the current EHV-1 outbreak, please look to credible sources for information. Here is one: a webinar for horseowners this Monday 11/24 at 7PM EST. Sign up (soon) below!

Boehringer Ingelheim is excited to take the next step in supporting our equine community. We’re hosting a special session just for horse owners - because informed owners make all the difference when it comes to protecting our horses. This talk will break down what’s happening, why it matters, and the practical steps owners can take to keep their horses safe and healthy.

Here are the details:

📅 Date: Monday, 11/24/25

⏰ Time: 7PM EST

💻 Format: Zoom *Please register early...this will be a very popular webinar!

🔗 Registration: https://boehringer.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ob0krmkLSX6Yb4Kry7cguw #/registration

🙋🏻‍♀️Questions: Horse Owners Can Pre-Submit Questions They Would Like Addressed HERE - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZZFCLZS

06/30/2025

Wild Child Farm Horse Camp 2025
July 14-18
8:30 am to 3pm
$400

Our week includes skill building in the stable, daily riding in group lessons, lessons in basic first aid, grooming, tack care, etc. plus lots of time for kids to be kids!

We have a few spots left for the week. Most of our campers fall between ages 6 and 13, but we are open to all ages (as long as they are old enough to pay attention and follow instructions).

This is a great option to introduce kids to riding before committing to a weekly program.

Please send me a private message, email [email protected] (put horse camp in the subject) or text 207-485-1070 (due to my schedule and hesitancy to answer unknown numbers, text is the best way to reach me).

I’m happy to answer any questions, so please ask!

05/19/2025

I love this. Taking care of 2 horses is really hard. Taking care of 20 plus requires a lot of attention, hard work and patience. I agree with all of these points. If you’ve never had horses at home, commit to some job shadowing at the barn (not a few hours, a few days). You’ll be exhausted and have a new appreciation for what your barn owner/manager is actually juggling EVERY day.

By JAMIE SINDELL There was a time when I boarded my horse and got heated. I’m talking full-blown righteous fury over what I saw as egregious examples of poor care. Mistakes that made me seethe with rage. But now? I own my own farm. I’ve spent almost three years caring for my own horses. And […...

04/13/2025

We had Toby and Classy who were unicorn lesson ponies and absolutely beginner safe. Two lesson ponies out of many good school horses over the years. So many times I’ve had to explain the reality of horses to people. Good riders make good horses, unless you’re exceptionally lucky and find that needle in the haystack. Any horse can be untrained or soured with time.

Beginner safe???
Instead of asking if a horse is beginner safe, maybe we should be asking how many days in a row a horse is expected to stay beginner safe?
Lots of horses are beginner safe for a ride or two on good days, but that doesn’t mean a beginner could handle them and ride them day after day without that horse stressing out and losing his beginner safe status!!!! And that’s assuming an instructor is still present and deeply involved!!!

Pictured is Lise and Jenn with Dudley. On a good day Dudley is a great beginners horse. On a bad day Dudley can see dead people- and he’s not cool with it. Jenn would probably struggle with Dudley on her own, but with Lise’s help, she can ride Dudley even on his bad days. I have two other students who can also pilot Dudley on his bad days with my help.
They sometimes ride Dudley when I’m not there, and they know that if he’s tense that day, maybe they should not canter, but they are competent enough to do well with him walk and trot.  As long as those three are working with him I don’t have to get on him to work through anything. If any of those three riders owned him and worked him on their own without help, long term, eventually bad things would happen. That said, when this guy is good, he’s great, and we can put certain beginners on him.

Out of the eight horses I am currently using for Lessons, there is only one that I think would deal with a beginner day in and day out for a year or more before I think it would all fall apart. I have horses here that failed other lesson programs, but flourish here…. Because Lise and I know how to keep the horses happy. If we see a horse is getting a little bit beginner sour, we put an advanced student on them and work specifically on  whatever that horse needs to get back into a stable, emotional homeostasis again. (This also is amazing for our more advanced riders because this is real life! Helping horses emotionally regulate is the number one thing that makes a rider a good rider!)

I’m not exactly sure how to quantify all the skill sets that someone should require before riding a horse daily, without instruction, and expect to be sustainably safe, but certainly you should at least be able to walk, trot, and canter competently, have some idea of bending walk and trot, and be able to speed up and slow down off seat ON MULTIPLE HORSES before thinking you should own one and ride it regularly without an instructor there.  

03/26/2025

Spring PSA!

It’s here! Kind of… some days… or hours…

As our barn gathers winter blankets to send for washing, I wanted to give a quick PSA on blanket care to help you all keep those expensive blankets functioning longer.

As tempting as it may be, DO NOT pressure wash your turnouts. Saddle pads, stable blankets, anything non-waterproof can be pressure washed, but not waterproof turnouts.

DO NOT use standard detergents. These can break down the waterproofing. Use a detergent specifically designed for waterproof fabrics or a gentle soap like Ivory.

DO NOT heat dry. Hang them to dry.

Waterproof blankets are made by laminating (gluing) a waterproof membrane to the back of the fabric. This membrane is cool because it allows moisture to pass through from the warmer side to the cooler side. This is what manufacturers refer to as “breathable” and it’s why your blanket is dry underneath when you take it off the horse but annoyingly wet when you go to put the blanket back on. Without the horse’s body heat, the water is no longer pushed out and will settle on both sides of the membrane (why it’s best to let your turnout dry on your horse rather than taking it off when they come in). This membrane has to be on the back of the fabric to avoid damage. If you’ve ever had an old sheet with a ripped lining, you’ve probably seen the waterproof film peeling.

Damage to the waterproofing on your blanket is called delamination. This can be caused by heat, chemicals or intense pressure breaking down the bonds between the fabric and the laminated waterproof layer. Once delamination occurs, you can’t get it back. You can re-waterproof the blankets with wash-in products or use a silicone spray, but these methods won’t give you the same waterproofing and won’t last as long. I was once told by a blanket rep that it may be better not to clean your blankets than to clean them too often.

So how should we clean our gross winter turnouts?

At home, you can wash by hand using a garden hose, an appropriate detergent and a brush to gently scrub away the dirt. Rinse well, hang to dry in a shady place or in the sun for a short time. Make sure your blanket is completely dry before storing.

If you have a washer that can accommodate something as large as a horse blanket, you can wash in cold water, waterproof-friendly detergent and hang to dry. Home machines often don’t get blankets very clean and are prone to plugging with horse hair.

Send your blankets to a professional cleaner. It’s usually a very reasonable charge per blanket and saves you a lot of time. Just make sure your cleaner uses detergents and methods appropriate for horse blankets.

There it is! I hope this saves some of you some time and money! Happy Spring cleaning!

12/21/2024

As a former eventer, position and effectiveness were vital for safety. Now we focus primarily on dressage, and while our daily work is less dangerous (usually), position is just as important as we try to give our horses clear, well-timed aids to develop their bodies. If you don’t sit with balance and a supple position, it’s not possible to feel the horses movement and detect tension. If you can’t feel the horses, you can’t aid correctly. Instead of turning to stronger aids, whips, spurs and stronger bits, take the time and put in the work to develop your position and feel. Riding will be easier and your horse will be more willing as a result!

07/26/2024

People have asked my opinion on the Charlotte Dujardin video. While I do not approve of the video content and do not believe that type of training is productive or fair, I also do not approve of cancel culture and I am appalled by the way this is being handled by the equestrian community at large. This isn’t reality television, this is the life and livelihood of a real human being who has real feelings and a real family to support. Without proof that this is a pattern of behavior, we need to be careful that we don’t condemn people based on a 60 second video clip. If it truly was a loss of patience/lapse in judgement, then there isn’t one person among us who hasn’t experienced something similar, even if not in the horse world. Be kind, be thoughtful, and be upset with the situation, but be fair with your reactions and criticisms. None of us know the whole story.

“I do find claims that this was done to “save dressage” somewhat disingenuous, given that it was timed to cause maximum damage to our sport. However, what will save dressage is how we all respond to this crisis by demonstrating our love and care for horses. “

On the eve of the official opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, members are invited to read a personal message shared this evening from our Chief Executive Jason Brautigam, reflecting on what this week’s challenges mean for us and the future of our sport.

Read online: https://bit.ly/BD-CEOopenletter

07/10/2024

This has been a topic of discussion with many of my students lately. Social media gives us this picture of perfect practice when watching videos of successful riders and trainers. We don’t see the parts that look messy or disorganized or opposite of the end goal. Good training teaches the horse to seek balance, not a headset, so the exercises need to ask the horse questions that challenge balance and then we softly support them in finding the new, better balance. Sometimes that means counter-bend, riding too deep or riding more up, not forever, but as a tool.

Correct bio mechanics are correct biomechanics- but what each horse needs to get there might be vastly different!!!!
Typically you need to start with the opposite of what the horse already gives.
If your horse is head up, U neck, and tight back then I’m going to encourage stretching long and low. But if a horse is built like a western pleasure horse, and is already downhill, then literally the last thing I’m going to do is ask for long and low- that horse I’m going to pick up (maybe into absolute elevation) and really focus on achieving balance over the hind end, even at the expense of creating some tension upfront.

If I’m working with a thoroughbred who is built to run, and they take big steps behind that do not step under and carry, but rather thrust all of the weight forward on to the front end,  then I am going to take tiny little steps- collected walk and baby jog type movements. 
But if that horse has a short little stride and is stuck in the body, then I’m going to encourage forward motion and swing and a bigger step.

 So often people learn one process and try to apply it to every horse…. Which I guess is fine if all of their horses are the exact same type. I ride all sorts of different types, so I need to be knowledgeable in different styles of horsemanship. But honestly, once you understand biomechanics, it’s not that difficult to look at a horse and see what’s the most important right now to bring them from dysfunction into general good health. It’s usually as simple as getting them to do the opposite of whatever their tendencies are. Eventually it gets way more detailed and complex, but even then, there is still hints of “just do the opposite”.

04/21/2024

Tentative camp dates 2024

Hi all, I finally have the preliminary dates for camp this year. We have to schedule around the summer shows and individual commitments, so some years we end up a bit late!

We will only be having one full camp week this year, July 22-26. The cost for this camp is $400 with registration and a non-refundable $50 deposit due by June 15. Camp will run 9-3:30 each day.

We will run an advanced camp June 26-29 which will include an overnight in the barn on Friday and a horse show for family to attend on Saturday Morning. Riders for this camp must be current students or riders who can independently walk/trot/canter. This camp covers more serious subjects and so is not a good fit for very young riders. Cost is $450 and this camp runs 8:30-4 on Wednesday and Thursday and will have an 8:30 drop off Friday and a 10:00 show start on Saturday with riders ready to go home at the show’s completion. Cost for this camp is $450 and is limited for space.

I will try to post a registration document, but until then, please email to [email protected] with questions or interest or message through Facebook!

04/13/2024

Wild Child Farm is looking for the perfect fit to join our crew!

Do you want to start your journey toward a career with horses? Do you need a job that works around your family’s schedule? Your college schedule? Let’s talk!

What is on offer to compensate you:

Board for one horse (or a lease horse is possible)
Lessons
A weekly paycheck
The opportunity to teach for extra income

What is required:

An excellent work ethic
Flexibility to be available mornings and some evenings
Physically capable of repeatedly lifting up to 80lbs
Stall cleaning
Raking/sweeping
Ability to operate basic farm equipment or the willingness to learn
Ability to take direction
Ability to work with people (my people are wonderful. Absolutely NO barn drama)
Reliable transportation

Hours and days are somewhat flexible. This is a farm job involving live animals who are fairly high maintenance, so the work ethic part is really important. This is a learning opportunity with benefits, but like any entry level position or farm job, you have to work to get the most of this opportunity. Full time hours are not necessary, but compensation will depend on the time put in.

Our business is growing, but we need someone with drive to help us push forward. We can help you gain skills, make contacts, build a clientele, find competitive success and enjoy your days.
Please only apply if you have horse experience and are really ready to jump into this world. We are willing to invest in you, but this is a lifestyle that only works if you have drive and passion!

A little about us:

Dana is the owner and head instructor with 38 years of riding/ownership experience and over 25 years of teaching experience. A former Eventer, she now rides mainly dressage and is a USDF Bronze medalist working toward Silver and hoping to become a USDF certified instructor over the next year.

Sydney is the Assistant manager and also a USDF Bronze medalist. She has had the privilege of training and participating in clinics with several top riders and loves to find creative training solutions.

Wild Child Farm has a small barn, family feel that is inclusive and welcoming. We are a barn where growth and learning are valued over ribbons. While many of us do compete, we aren’t a show barn. We are driven by a desire to keep our horses sound and happy into old age and to be better horse people every day. We have clinicians in several times each year to compliment our regular lesson program.

03/02/2024

Truth. I have vices and definitely wouldn’t pass a PPE! I bet most of my horses wouldn’t either, yet here they are in their 20’s still rocking their jobs! And quirks are what make them individual and memorable! My best horses have also been difficult to manage in their own ways, but they had all the heart and were always honest.

Ok friends, let’s be real… We’ve all seen some ISO ads lately that would make any true horseman stop in their tracks…

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ISO Unicorn

Absolutely no spook, quirks, vices, maintenance, special needs. 100% safe.
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Thank goodness they are shopping for unicorns and not horses, because a good horseman knows that is absolutely impossible from a horse.

Personally I spooked at a squirrel yesterday, and I have better vision than a horse and am not a prey animal.

No one can guarantee any activity in your life is safe—-not soccer, not baseball, not tennis, nothing. Those are the choices you make and the risks you voluntarily take on to participate in the activity you’ve chosen and to live your life. We all try to make the best choices we can of course, but any seller that promises any facet of your life is guaranteed safe is selling snake oil.

As for the horse’s quirks and special needs? I’ve owned hundreds of horses in my career and worked with many hundreds more. The five best horses of my career were as follows:

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Horse #5. Vices: Cannot pull mane or body clip without heavy sedation. Must be in front when hacking in group. Why it’s worth it: Horse of a lifetime for his rider.

Horse #4. Vices: Free because he failed his PPE so badly at 5yo. Needs $800 shoes from a top farrier every 6 weeks. Why it’s worth it: Competed at the upper levels of eventing very successfully and reliably for 11 years.

Horse #3. Vices: Poor mover in the trot, extremely hot, needs a very kind rider. Why it’s worth it: Evented through advanced level, national champion at intermediate.

Horse #2. Vices: May rear and buck. Kicks and bites on ground. Will not go in any wash stall. Why it’s worth it: Never once dropped his rider. Evented through advanced level.

Horse #1. Vices: Incredibly spooky, poor mover in trot, chip on X-rays. Why it’s worth it: Successful and prolific advanced horse, sold and exported to a European Olympic team.

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Our horse shopping advice to you? Be a good horseman.

If the horse makes you smile every day, who cares if it’s tough to pull its mane?

If the horse takes the best care of you, who cares if it flinches trotting past a trash can? Use your inside leg.

If the horse does the job you need it to do, who cares if it needs a good farrier? They should ALL have good farriers.

If the horse saves your behind every time you don’t see a distance, who cares if it cribs on a feed tub?

Good luck, happy shopping, and for the love of unicorns, stop seeking things that don’t exist or you’ll never find it.

—Megan Moore, Verona Equestrian
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