Marengo the Spirit Horse

08/16/2024

My heart 🔥❤️🔥 when he jumped this no hesitation even though we have barely jumped this year.

He’s so special.

08/02/2024

08/02/2024

When your passion is greater than your fear, your life will get bigger than you can dream 🔥

📸: 5MW Photography

07/25/2024

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

Proverbs 31:25

📸: 5MW Photography
fivemegawatts

Sandpoint Renaissance Faire

07/23/2024

𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆.....

There have been a few events that have pulled me closer to God in my life. But these two have been probably the most resilient and steadfast testimony I’ve ever witnessed. It’s impossible to ignore God’s plan in their entire story. I mean let’s think about this…

1. 5 year old Savannah negotiates a breeding contract

2. Said foal comes out exactly as she ordered bald faced and blue eyes

3. C**t suffers in all other circumstances fatal elbow fractures

🩷 But God….

4. Friends & Strangers rally to save Blue Thunder

5. We happen to have 2 of the world’s leading opinions in large animal fracture repair within 20 min of the house. They put Blue back together with a plate they originally designed for a Polar Bear 🐻‍❄️ humerus.

6. Fracture heals beautifully & Blue never looks back.

7. Matt moves 1012 miles across the country and offers to train Blue… for free.

8. Blue completely clicks with Matt’s program and is thriving

9. Blue proves he has the talent to potentially make Matt’s string.

10. Blue earns his first Open L4 check at his first show…

The chances of having a true Open 4 horse are like the chances of your kid making a professional sports team. Probably less than 1%. The fact that this kid, this horse, and her training team in have made it this far despite all they have been through is nothing short of a “miracle” but truly I believe it’s God’s plan.

Savannah has proven to me that often times it’s our own human logic that keep us from the dreams God put in our heart AND they don’t always play out like you expect them to. Don’t quit. Shape shift. Re-center. But keep going.

“Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’”
—John 13:7

07/15/2024

For those who asked where I’ve been lately…

1) Moving campers. We are so blessed that my husband’s parents gifted us their camper so we could get into a healthier living environment.

2) Major spiritual growth. God is so faithful. Healing can be messy and has many layers. I’ve been taking some space to lean into the Lord.

3) I’ve taken on ministry work in my church and community. A large part of that is running other social media accounts, which leaves my own as last priority. And that is fine.

I will still be posting here, just give me some time to catch up as the Lord cleanses and reorganizes everything in my life!

07/15/2024

You ride as King in a chariot you made from clouds.
You fly upon the wings of the wind.
You make your messengers into winds of the Spirit,
and all your ministers become flames of fire.

Psalm 104:3b-4

07/03/2024

HORSE SHAMING:

This is what Marengo thinks of his nutritionist recommended, forage-based, all-natural supplement with extra apple powder concoction that Mom makes sure he always has.

🤦‍♀️

I say I’m gonna stop trying but it’s probably not true

07/03/2024

My key to maintaining high standards of training for my horses (while still training with kindness):

Make small adjustments WITH PRECISE TIMING!

If my horse drifts hard to the right, chances are he gave me a more subtle signal that he was leaning that way before he actually made the movement.

It's actually more feedback for me as a rider than it is about the horse.

I should have noticed his thought shift five strides ago and offered the necessary adjustment to his focus (and in turn, his balance).

Five strides ago, his ear flicked toward something outside of the arena, and he started to subtly lean on his right shoulder.

That would have been the moment to tap him with my right calf and reestablish the connection and the balance.

Five strides later, I might need to use my reins, my voice, AND my leg to put him back on course.

What should have been a whisper in our conversation is now a correction.

Think of how you prefer to be led.

Would you rather someone clued you in to something amiss in the moment it was happening

OR

waited until your life needs a major course correction?

Either way, you're going to receive help... but I know which one I prefer!

I aim to be a leader who offers guidance before correction.

This is the way the Holy Spirit leads us. Let's follow his divine example!

Photo by Allison Turcotte Photography

07/01/2024

THIS!!

06/26/2024

BASED ON MY BIG OLE SMILE…

Can you guess how old I am this year??

Hint: I don’t act my age!

06/22/2024

Oh my heart!

"Sanctuary"
safe and serene.

Tim just said, oh I forgot to show you this photo I took last night!

Are you kidding me, lol?! Send it to me so I can share!!!

Title this for me!

06/20/2024

Test your knowledge!

No legs, no horse!

BONUS: What is the most common leg joint injection?

(Psst... you can download a full Parts of the Horse worksheet and diagram on my website!)

06/19/2024

My key to maintaining high standards of training for my horses (while still training with kindness):

Make small adjustments WITH PRECISE TIMING!

If my horse drifts hard to the right, chances are he gave me a more subtle signal that he was leaning that way before he actually made the movement.

It's actually more feedback for me as a rider than it is about the horse.

I should have noticed his thought shift five strides ago and offered the necessary adjustment to his focus (and in turn, his balance).

Five strides ago, his ear flicked toward something outside of the arena, and he started to subtly lean on his right shoulder.

That would have been the moment to tap him with my right calf and reestablish the connection and the balance.

Five strides later, I might need to use my reins, my voice, AND my leg to put him back on course.

What should have been a whisper in our conversation is now a correction.

Think of how you prefer to be led.

Would you rather someone clued you in to something amiss in the moment it was happening

OR

waited until your life needs a major course correction?

Either way, you're going to receive help... but I know which one I prefer!

I aim to be a leader who offers guidance before correction.

This is the way the Holy Spirit leads us. Let's follow his divine example!

Photo by Turcotte Photography

06/18/2024

What is connection?

It's more than reins and leg aids.

Connection is the ability to sense one another's next movements before they are spoken.

It is trust based on a knowledge of each other's character.

We know each other's movements while they are still just a thought.

Connection takes time and intention.

It takes laying down human expectation and asking what the horse is experiencing.

This mirrors God's love for us. He doesn't have prerequisites for connecting with him.

He meets us where we are at.

He helps us get to that place.

What does your horse need you to provide so that they are able to connect with you?

Photo by Photography

Written by Lyndsi Pratt Horsemanship

06/17/2024

A moment of relaxation…

Right before I zoom around this arena like it’s The Marengo Show!!

06/15/2024

I don't care how long and impressive your equestrian resume is...

If you've lost the love of the horse, it's time for a refreshing of your perspective (and of your spirit).

We've all been there at some point.

Where it seems like all work and sacrifice, and we start to question if it's worth it.

When the riding that you used to do because it was your passion has turned into making sure you pay the bills and the constant pressure of proving yourself in the industry.

It would be way easier to choose another job.

One that doesn't involve inclement weather, unexpected expenses, injuries... the list goes on.

If you've made it this far down this path...

If at one point you breathed in the scent of horses and it smelled like home...

If long ago God whispered horse girl dreams into your heart, and you knew they were true...

You're here for a reason, and it's more than a career.

For me, it was time to break the mold of professionalism and remember what it was like to ride with no agenda.

Canter ba****ck, go for a trail ride, take your horse swimming!

Take the time to sit with your horse quietly.

Even if that means you accomplish nothing that day.

Even if you look weird and no one else understands what you're doing.

Then you'll begin to hear again what God had planned when he made you a horse girl.

Listen closely, He often whispers before he shouts.

(Hint... what he has planned might not fit in the show ring!)

by Lyndsi Pratt Horsemanship

Photo by 5MW Photography

06/14/2024

We had so much fun running around with these beautiful horses at Sandpoint Renaissance Faire!

With Hearts Equestrian Connections

06/13/2024

My mom thinks I’m the most majestic beast.

All I care about is whether there’s enough snacks and if my friend Shorty will let me steal his snacks even though I have my own.

06/09/2024

Putting on my best dragon face at Sandpoint Renaissance Faire!

I was a really really good boy.

But also I may have added a few of my own tricks into the show.

Mom doesn’t always know best - and I must make sure the audience gets a chance to see my best dance moves and head shakes!!

Sorry Peaches and Trinket for doing a victory lap during your part of the act.

I simply wasn’t done yet.

I was such a good boy that I even participated in meet and greet yesterday without snorting at the audience.

I even let all the children pet my soft nose.

I think I deserve some extra cookies!

06/09/2024

When you’re trying to take a cute selfie and your weird friend be like…

06/08/2024

SANDPOINT RENAISSANCE FAIRE is upon us!

Let’s go!

If you look close at the second photo, you can catch my arrow flying!

(One of my students will be doing this trick this year!)

06/05/2024

JUST CREATED: Horse Bingo + Knowledge Clues!

40 unique horse bingo cards including breeds, tack, disciplines, and more!

Easily downloaded and printed at home on standard paper and ink.

(If you've purchased my Equestrian Printable Complete Collection previously, check your drive - you now have access to this one too!)

05/23/2024

Rainy days make the grass delicious and plentiful!!

Today was so wet and chilly that mom put my raincoat on before going out to pasture. I’m just a bit spoiled!