Sunday Stables

09/20/2024

09/20/2024

09/20/2024

09/20/2024

09/20/2024

09/20/2024

09/18/2024

09/16/2024

Visit the updated website
https://www.appalachiantrainerfaceoff.com/
to see Hopkins with Hoofbeats TC Hannah Fowler as our new landing page image (taken by Marissa Ellis Photography LLC)

09/16/2024

A great expression on a well-balanced horse is what we call “presence” and this mare sure has a lot of it.
You’d never guess by this photo she is a mere 14 hands. I’m 5’7” with a 35” inseam but we’re all pony power here and Beep says height is just a number 💪

📸 Cassidy Sullivan Photography
Appalachian Trainer Face Off
Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC

09/16/2024

09/15/2024

“My horse loves his new bit.”

If this is true, then why must he wear a flash to keep his mouth closed around it?

Surely he would be happy, quiet and accepting in the mouth due to his love for it and the comfort it provides for him.

“My horse loves his stall.”

If this is true, why must the door remain closed for the 23 hours a day he remains in it?

Surely he would not leave the location he loves so much, even if given the choice.

“My horse loves being ridden.”

If this is true, why must he be restrained during girthing, to avoid him snaking and biting at the rider as they tighten the saddle to his back?

Surely he would happily stand still, anticipating his “favourite” activity.

“My horse loves showing.”

If this is true, why must he be lunged so hard to mask the stress behaviours that threaten to explode into existence? Why must he be given every calming supplement known to man to help him cope?

Surely he would happily relax into the environment he so loves and perform and “show off” to the adoring fans that his rider claims he tries to impress.

If the horse so loves the activities that his rider claims he does, why must so much force be applied to keep him compliant and involved in an environment that he supposedly loves to be within?

Can it really be called love if alternative choice is never allowed?

09/15/2024

09/15/2024

If you’re anything like me, there will probably come a time when your awareness will feel like a curse.

You’ll think back almost longingly at the days when you maybe didn’t think twice if your horse turned away from you when you went to catch them, you disregard a little snarkiness during saddling without even considering that it may not fit them because, after all, it’s yours, it’s available and they don’t complain “too” terribly.
You’d throw on whatever bridle you please and swing a leg over in a hurry and go marching off for a few strides before getting to what actually counted, because of course, nothing up until this point was of much relevance.

And then what?
Whatever you wanted.
Your wish was their command.
You’d do your usual routine, not even aware that you have one, but your horse knows how many laps in either direction in which gait is necessary to deem it acceptable.
You’d have a great ride, basing it solely on obedience or promptness.

It was blissful ignorance.
It was “easy”.

And then, either suddenly or slowly, you became more aware.
You’d notice the hard lines on a horse’s face as they got tacked up and how their tail swishes in every transition into the right lead canter.
You’d notice how they would rather leave than stay.
You’d notice that their footfalls sounded different from one another.

And it’s maddening.
It’s harder.
Everything matters.
Is it worth it?

I’d like to think so.

It holds us more accountable, undoubtedly, but a deeper awareness allows us to see the beauty of horses on a fuller spectrum.
Achievements feel more pure, the challenges offer bigger growth.
And, inevitably, the pendulum will swing back to a neutral, less overwhelming place when we learn to stay neutral within ourselves.

So, my rabbit hole companions, I’m just here to encourage you to keep on keepin’ on.
It makes for better horsemen and horsewomen and allows the wisdom of Equus to expand universally.✨

09/14/2024

All this week, Lee McLean is sharing stories from the ‘Autumn’ section of her first book, HORSE WOMAN, at Keystone Equine. We invite you to saddle up and ride with Lee, as we enter a new season of horsemanship.

For anyone who’d like to purchase HORSE WOMAN or LOVE & RULES, we’re offering a 10% SALE at Red Barn Books until Sept 30. Buy two or more books and save 20% using code FALLFORHORSES. Visit www.redbarnbooks.ca for more info.

The books make great gifts for the horse lovers in your life... and not necessarily women, or riders.

09/14/2024

HORSEMAN
There are horse trainers, horse traders and horse whisperers. There are show men, show boaters and show offs. There are fast talkers and would be magicians.

But then there are true Horsemen and Horsewomen, and these are harder to find and sometimes even harder to recognize because they are often tucked away in quiet hidden places, working slowly and silently without national recognition or appreciation.

Often times, the true horseman or woman does not have the most horses in training or those horses that are exceptionally bred or high priced. Often times, the true Horsemen and Women do not have access to big money owners or run through dozens and dozens of prospects in order to find the few that can take the pressure of aged event prize money or high profile exhibition. Many times, the true horsemen and women are slow and steady, methodical and patient, training on an individual horse's timeline and not to a rigid show schedule set by the seasons or show management.

These people recognize a horse's physical and mental capabilities and showcase their assets without sacrificing their bodies or minds. Horsemen and women take their time developing their horses' skills and confidence through a traditional steps, one before the next, placing just as much credence in their teaching relationship and equine partnership as they do in show pen results. Horsemen and women are humble because their reward comes from within; from knowing that they have taught through kindness, patience, fortitude, and logic. Their rewards coming from creating a confident horse that works with them and not for them, horses that are not scared or intimidated, horses with solid foundations that last season after season and that carry a gamut of riders from the experienced non pro to the Amateur to the Green Reiner. Always Dedicated. Always Patient. Always Consistent. Whether it be riding young horses, resurrecting older horses, or maintaining the Steady Eddy, a True Horseman is one of the first ones to throw a leg over in the morning and one of the last ones to pull their boots off in the evening.
Horsemen and women are a pleasure to watch in the arena or on the ranch as they diligently and patiently impart their knowledge and logic to both horses and students.

In an era where the horse industry is so economically driven and success is measured primarily in prize money and accolades, the tradition of the true horseman and the process of training horses seems to be changing; giving way to an assembly line mentality where immediate success and financial compensation take precedence over handcrafted quality and longevity. Dedicated to their craft, loyal to their students, ambitious, hardworking and a role model for anyone interested in making their way in an industry dominated by pressure to build great animals in less and less time, old fashioned horsemen are women are now Artisans, assets to our heritage and traditions and harder and harder to find.

A thoughtful teacher, a thorough instructor, a gentle hand, a firm guide, a rational yet fearless showman, the greatest compliment that I think could ever be given to someone who works with horses, is to be thought of as a Horseman.

📝Becky Hanson