Gates Equestrian

06/25/2025

Cascade Open schooling has been accomplished... every horse was at the top of their game today!

06/22/2025

⭐️It’s easy to assume your horse doesn’t understand.
✨But more often than not, they do — they just don’t understand you.

🐎Horses are masters of feel, timing, and energy.
✨They respond to what’s clear… and reflect what’s not.

So if your cues are muddy, your mind’s distracted, or your energy is all over the place —
don’t be surprised if your horse looks uncertain, resistant, or disconnected.

✨It’s not rebellion. It’s reflection.

✨Clarity starts with you.
✨Your breath.
✨Your focus.
✨Your intention.
🙌🏽Your ability to ask with softness, wait with patience, and mean what you say.

If you want a calm, responsive partner in the saddle,
become one in the mirror first.

⭐️Because when you get clear — everything else starts to click.

06/22/2025

Today's group lesson was a success! We welcome you to join our team.

06/19/2025

Babies first trim! It is a team effort, they were great 🐎

06/16/2025

Muscle Monday - Trapezius

Welcome back to , the series where we will talk about the many muscles of the equine body!

We are starting today with the trapezius muscle. The trapezius muscle is one of the most superficial muscles in the body. This muscle is thin and triangular (think triangle = trapezius). The exact size and shape of the trapezius can vary widely between individual horses.

--- Function ---
The trapezius muscle can be divided into two sections.

- The cervical trapezius (neck) contracts to swing the scapula forward. ⬅️
- The thoracic trapezius (back) contracts to pull the scapula backwards. ➡️
- If both sections contract simultaneously, the shoulder will elevate. ⬆️

Although this muscle connects to both the neck and back, its primarily influence is to the shoulder. The trapezius is not one of the thick, weight bearing muscles of the back and it can be easily damaged by poor saddle fit. This can lead to reduced shoulder movement, pain and muscle atrophy.

Stay tuned for part two this Wednesday!

06/13/2025

Do you tape???? I fully believe in it, as I had to ride one whole summer with my back taped after I got ran over by a big horse. It keeps our older athletes feeling like they are still young!

06/05/2025

06/04/2025

INVITATION FROM ARIZONA HUNTER JUMPER ASSOCIATION TO WSHJA MEMBERS to HOW THE JUDGE SCORES YOUR ROUNDS WITH JULIE WINKLE
ON JUNE 9TH
AHJA are hosting a webinar Monday evening with Julie Winkel and have kindly invited WSHJA Members to join the event. Sign up to join the WEBINAR EVENT.

Sign up link:
https://ahja.org/event-6075005