KZ Equine Plus

31/10/2025

🎃👻🍂🍁🐴

28/10/2025

Jasper, learning all the fun things that 2-year-olds should know. Hes getting one of his first trims soon, and hes almost ready to start riding! 🥰

19/10/2025

"If you think you know patience, spend time earning the trust of an unhandled horse." 🐴

Enzo’s first day of work went really well. Today was all about time, patience and quiet encouragemen waiting for him to build the courage to come check out a snack. Thankfully, he already knows what grain is, and by the end of the session, he worked his way up to the bucket I was holding.

I was able to gently scratch his face for the first time. a small moment, but a big step in the right direction. 💛
Slow and steady progress… one step at a time. 🕊️

***He does have a cut on his head from bumping the trailer before he came to me, but it’s being treated.***

19/10/2025

A New Chapter Begins ✨🐴

Most of you know I’ve been transitioning from training as many client horses to focusing on training and rehoming my own projects. While I’ve always loved what I do, I’ll admit that over the past few years, I started to feel a little burnt out and overwhelmed. To find that spark again, I decided to shift gears and work with a few horses who just need a little guidance and a good start.

My goal is simple. I want to help sound, healthy horses who may be a bit less experienced gain the education and confidence they need to become someone’s “forever” horse. I’ll be working at my own pace, giving each horse the time they deserve to learn, grow, and shine.

I’m so thankful for the overwhelming response from those who have offered me projects or helped me find these opportunities. These two boys fit exactly where I wanted to begin this new chapter!

Meet Jasper and Enzo!

✨ Jasper might look familiar. he was here for 30 days as a yearling! His owner decided a young, green 2yr old wasn’t quite the right match for her at this time, so he’s back to continue his education.
Jasper is a 2yr old grade Appaloosa standing 15.1hh (hes huge!!). He has basic manners and will be starting under saddle soon.

🐴 Enzo was a bit of an unexpected find. Originally at an auction, likely after being dropped off due to being completely unhandled, he was purchased by a lady who had access to a squeeze chute. She haltered and assessed him then he made his way to me.
Enzo is a 3 yr old grade Quarter Horse gelding, standing about 14.2hh. With patience and consistency, I’m looking forward to earning his trust and helping him begin his journey into domestic life and eventually riding.

I’m excited to see how these two progress and can’t wait to share their transformations along the way! 💛

18/10/2025

Stay tuned..we have a few secrets to finally announce 😊

16/10/2025

Consistency is Key!

Consistency is one of the most powerful and most overlooked tools in developing a solid, dependable horse. For green or inexperienced horses, consistency provides the foundation that every future lesson is built upon.

Young or green horses don’t yet understand patterns, expectations, or what “a good day’s work” should look like. Their behavior is shaped by what we allow or reinforce whether intentionally or not. Every interaction, from haltering to feeding to saddling, teaches them something. When those interactions are clear and consistent, the horse learns to relax and trust the process. When they’re unpredictable or constantly changing, confusion sets in, which often shows up as resistance or fear.

For example:

When saddling always means stand still until you’re asked to move, the horse learns patience.

When groundwork ends once the horse tunes in and relaxes, they learn to seek that calm state.

When every cue is delivered the same way, with the same timing and release, the horse becomes responsive rather than reactive.

Green horses thrive on repetition and predictability. They don’t yet have the confidence or experience to adapt quickly to mixed signals or changing methods. That’s why consistency in your handling, your energy, your expectations, and your timing builds understanding faster than any exercise or gadget ever will.

Once a week is not enough to build on. Next time you wonder why your horse has the same negative reaction for "months" to something, ask yourself how much are you actually consistent with them??

16/10/2025

It’s common to hear people say they like to “get the buck out” of their horses before a ride. The idea is that if we let them move around on the lunge line or in the round pen long enough, they’ll get their energy out and settle down. But the truth is, a well-trained, mentally balanced horse shouldn’t need that kind of prep every time you ride.

A horse that must be worked down before every ride is usually telling us something. It could be discomfort, confusion about expectations, too much idle time between rides, or simply a learned routine WE reinforced. Over time, horses can associate being saddled with the chance to play or move freely, especially if we consistently allow them to buck or run right after tacking up.

This approach often backfires. For instance, trying to calm a “hot” horse by running it until it’s tired doesn’t teach relaxation. it teaches anticipation. The horse learns that every ride begins with intensity, not focus and calmness. The same applies when we repeatedly “lunge the buck out.” Instead of creating calmness and readiness, we create a horse that expects to move fast and play before work begins.

So what should we do instead? The answer lies in purposeful groundwork and clear communication. Here are some tips to help your horse develop the right mindset before every ride:

1. Rule Out Pain First
Before labeling behavior as attitude or energy, check for discomfort. Poor saddle fit, dental problems, or tightness in the back can all trigger negative reactions during tacking and early work.

2. Groundwork with Intention
Lunging isn’t bad but it should have a goal beyond “getting energy out.” Ask for transitions, changes of direction, and responsiveness to body language. The goal is to engage the brain, not exhaust the body.

3. Reward Relaxation
When your horse licks, chews, drops its head, or takes a deep breath — that’s your sign they’re relaxing and ready to focus. Reward that moment instead of driving for more movement.

4. Stay Consistent
Consistency builds confidence. A horse that knows what to expect from you will stay calmer and more willing. Keep your cues, your schedule, and your expectations steady. Once a week is not enough.

5. Balance Work and Rest
Every session doesn’t have to be long or physically demanding. Short, positive rides that end on a good note is still suitable work. But mix it up!

When we shift our mindset from “getting the buck out” to building understanding and respect. The ultimate goal is a horse you can pull out of the pasture, tack up, and ride with confidence because they understand their job and trust your leadership.

Just remember, if you let them shenan once, they’ll probably shenanigan.

15/10/2025

15/10/2025

RIDLEY 💙
This guy will always have a special spot in my heart. No, he’s not a perfect horse but for me, he’s pretty dang close.

Ridley opened so many doors for me, both professionally, my riding level, and in my equine education. Breeding and raising horses wasn’t something I jumped into overnight. I spent a long time thinking about the kind of horses I wanted to see in my pastures. bloodlines, conformation, trainable minds, and if I could get a little extra color in the mix, even better.

Once I had a pretty clear vision, I searched for about a year before finding my foundation stallion. Funny enough, I stumbled across Ridley buried in a comment on a Facebook post. He was just a gangly yearling then, but something about him caught my eye. I took a chance and that chance turned into something pretty special.

He was the first horse I ever bought out of state, the first I hired a professional hauler for, and the first I ever sent off for genetic testing. Over time, he grew into exactly what I hoped for.

I’ll admit, there was a moment I considered selling him as I was cutting breeding mares and started refining what I wanted in my breeding program. But the truth is, Ridley represents too much time, heart, and learning to let go. He might just be a horse to some, maybe even an A-hole at times, but to me he’s my best boy. 🖤

Little Poco Joe -Ridley

Pc: Little Paint Photography

15/10/2025

Blackburn Mc Regal

15/10/2025

Our 3yr old mare, Millie, was the last in the pasture (aside from little Regal) to wear a saddle for the first time! She took it all in stride, a bit unsure at first when she felt the girth pressure, which is completely normal for a young horse learning what all this new equipment means.
Millie caught on quickly and handled the experience well!

Our goal is to put her first rides on before the end of the year, keeping her education positive, and steady every step of the way.

14/10/2025

Little Poco Joe is a 2019 grulla stallion combining modern cow horse bloodlines with classic foundation breeding.
Top side carries Smart Little Lena and Boon A Little, while the bottom brings Poco Bueno and Driftwood influence — producing versatility and intelligence in one package.