Sisu Equestrian

03/17/2024

No more whip needed!

03/03/2024

This pretty lady right here is Miss Magnolia a.k.a Maggs or Magpie, she was a 3 year old in this photo, which was taken from the week when she arrived! She had been off the track for a couple of months before I purchased her. She was indeed a racehorse, however she was just a little too slow! She just said this ain’t the life for me, thank you next ✌🏼 and then she became mine! We’ve been working on english riding, the basics, the ground work, It’s been a journey with her, but worth every minute ❤️

02/03/2024

Goood evening everyone!! Wow busy times!! 2023 had quite the eventful ending. In August, I took Maggie to a Bootcamp and clinic hosted by Wylene Wilson and Barefoot Farms. Later that same month, Maggie chipped a part of her hoof and during a lay down session, tore some skin open! That was 7-8 weeks of stall rest and minimal movement to avoid any other tearing, since Maggs had to itch the spot and end up pulling some pectoral muscle out!

Maggs has been back at work since October and has done some great work for being an occasional spicy dragon! 3.5 year olds (or should I say teenager?🤣)

2024 is off to a GREAT start, Maggs had the dentist in January, where we had to help jiggle out some loose baby caps and pull another one out! Lost 4 baby caps and many more to come!

Pictures to come!!

10/23/2023

If you are one of those people who spends hours at the barn, eagerly taking in all things horse, this one is for you.

10/17/2023

10/14/2023

10/11/2023

The beauty about horse riding is that feel can become more important than technique. The opportunity is there. How can a rider go from technique-based riding to feel-based riding? Here are 6 steps.

10/10/2023

A Knowledge is Power moment
The blood vessel within the hoof are a beautiful work of art.
It is so intricate and delicate and supports the entire horse.

10/05/2023

As the winter season approaches, it is time to evaluate your horse’s body condition score. ❄️ It’s important to make sure your horse begins winter in the best condition possible! If your horse has special needs it may be necessary to alter your feeding program during the winter months. Download our reference chart today 👉 https://loom.ly/w-eOrSI

10/05/2023

The Stages of Equine Skeletal Development

A horse ages roughly 3 times faster than a human. So, a 90 year old human is a 30 year old horse. Both very old, usually arthritic, don’t have many of their original teeth left, and very likely retired and enjoying the finer things in life.

A 25 year old horse is a 75 year old human. Some are still happily working but some prefer retirement and an easier life. Often depending on just how hard a life they’ve lived.

A 20 year old horse is a 60 year old human. At that point where the body doesn’t work like it use to but the brain is all there and wants to be active.

A 13 year old horse is a 39 year old human. Middle aged, prime of their life where their knowledge and physical ability are about equal.

So let’s get down to the babies and work our way up.

A 1-1.5 year old horse is getting their first adult tooth, this happens at 6 years old in a human child.

A 3 year old horse is a 9 year old child. A child. Not ready for work by a long stretch. We have moved past sending children down the mines.

A 4 year old horse is a 12 year old child. Often will do odd jobs for pocket money, maybe a paper round, mowing lawns etc. Basically a 4 year old horse can start a bit of light work experience to learn the ropes.

A 5 year old horse is a 15 year old teenager. Think they know it all, cocky, and ready to up their work and responsibilities. Still quite weak and not fully developed so shouldn’t be at their physical limit but can start building strength.

A 5.5 year old horse has just cut their final adult tooth, this happens at 17 years of age in a human.

A 6 year old horse is an 18 year old human. An adult. Ready to work.

An 8 year old horse has achieved full fusion of their final growth plates. This happens at 24 years of age in a human. This is the age it is safe to push a horse for their optimal performance.

Pushing your youngster too hard too young will result in the failure of many body parts. Joints, spine, tendons, ligaments as well as their brains. Waiting another year or two at the beginning could give your horse an extra 10 years of useful working life. Be patient with your pride and joy!

Written by Vikki Fowler BVetMed BAEDT MRCVS Vikki Fowler

Graphic credit to Naomi Tavian

09/23/2023

"When we as second-career trainers and riders hop on, we are bringing heavier tack, often heavier humans and different muscle control to the canter than your average jockey... this means is that horses who are accustomed to soft flowing gallops ... are met with a lot more pressure on their backs." W...

09/19/2023

09/03/2023

Teach the student that shows up.
I’ve gotten what some have referred to as “difficult” students… the slow thinkers, the dyslexics, those with shockingingly minimal proprioception, the nervous over thinkers, the physically challenged,…
Whatever. I teach them the best I can. They learn what they learn. It’s not my job to decide if their speed of progress is acceptable or not- that’s up to them! If they are happy and having fun, and they keep showing up, (and yes, pay their bill) then I keep teaching them the absolute best I know how!!!!
I’ve had students that progress [what to me feels] painfully slow at first, but then things click and, like grass growing, you can’t see it, but there it is!!! Some are slow thinkers but fast learners. Some have a challenging learning style that pushes me to become a better teacher. Sometime kids show no RIDING progress, but parents rave about how the child is better behaved and a better listener for 1-2 days following their lesson- that’s progress!!!! Who cares if they still bumble around in posting trot, and can’t figure out diagonals. Sometimes adults struggle for awhile until they get strong/fit enough and then suddenly make a big leap. Sometimes fear issues can hold someone back for what feels like forever, but then they “suddenly”, after a year of repetition, break free and find their confidence.

Progress isn’t linear, and sometimes we are using the wrong metrics to measure success anyways. If two hours at the barn is the only time a parent isn’t worried about their child taking their own life, than who cares if the kid doesn’t want to trot and is content steering at the walk.

Sometimes us pros think “good” students have to be like us- athletic with big goals, and dedication to spare. But not everyone is in it for that, and that’s okay- I’ll meet them where they are and teach the best I can… using THEIR metrics- not mine.

Btw- pic is most instructor’s dream student. Quick learner, good feel, knows left from right, memorizes a pattern quickly, brave without being reckless…. But I would be out of business if I could only teach kids like this one. 😉

09/02/2023

I had a lesson this past Wednesday, Barrel Racing!
We ended this exciting lesson with a good ride! As my trainer and have started to say, I leveled up that day!

Having the skills and ability to ride both English and Western. Not only do I become a better rider, but I become a better trainer. There is NOTHING wrong with NOT choosing a side, HAVE FUN and try out new things that will test you and your abilities ! At the end of the day, you come out stronger with new challenges and goals.

Two more lessons next week! Let’s go!

08/31/2023

Just believe in your self. K Danso Motors

08/17/2023

Recent studies conducted by the Institute of Heart-Math provide a clue to explain the two-way ′′healing′′ that occurs when we're close to horses.
According to researchers, the heart has an electromagnetic field larger than the brain: a magnetometer can measure the energy field of the heart that radiates from 2.4 meters to 3 meters around the human body.
While this is certainly significant, perhaps more impressive than the electromagnetic field projected by the heart of a horse is five times larger than that of a human being (imagine an electromagnetic sphere around the horse) and it can influence straight into our own heart rate.
Horses are also likely to have what science has identified as a "coherent′′ heart rate (heart rate pattern) that explains why we can feel better when we're close to them. Studies have found a coherent heart pattern or HRV to be a solid measure of well-being and consistent with emotional states of calm and joy-that is, we exhibit such patterns when we feel positive emotions.
A coherent heart pattern is indicative of a system that can recover and adapt to stressful situations very efficiently. Many times, we just need to be in the presence of horses to feel a sense of well-being and peace.
In fact, research shows that people experience many physiological benefits by interacting with horses, including lower blood pressure and heart rate, higher beta-endorphins (neurotransmitters acting as pain suppressors), decreased stress levels, decreased feelings of anger, hostility, tension and anxiety, better social working; and greater feelings of empowerment, confidence, patience and self-efficacy.

08/17/2023

"I would ride every morning before I went to the studio. I learned to jump before 'National Velvet' because I just loved the feeling of flying. I could jump six feet ba****ck and it was the closest thing to being Pegasus and flying next to God. It’s the most liberating freedom-making feeling in the world." —Elizabeth Taylor

08/15/2023

While everyone knows about horses, you’d be surprised at how relatively uninformed most people are. Myths abound and everybody has an opinion. To help clarify any misunderstandings, here are …

08/15/2023

How are the inside and outside reins used? What is the difference between them? Here’s a detailed breakdown.

08/12/2023

This past weekend, I had taken my horse Maggie to join in on a Bootcamp hosted by Wylene Wilson! We had just the most fun, with learning so many new skills and ways to communicate with each other!

Did you know horses speak different on the ground vs under saddle?

07/30/2023

Equine Vital Signs! The necessary steps to make sure your equine buddy is in good health!

07/14/2023

There is a way to get your horse to stop without pulling on the reins.

07/14/2023

What do great riders have in common that makes them appealing to watch, steadily develop their riding skills and become role models for others to aspire to emulate?

07/01/2023