The Horsemanship Academy

15/06/2024

20/04/2024

16/04/2024

Due to cancellations, I have TWO spots open in this clinic. Learn how to work with the Garrocha Pole with visiting clinician Laurie Wilson

15/04/2024

Love this!! Well written

“My horse can’t be turned out, he’ll hurt himself!”

Well of course they will get hurt if they aren’t accustomed to being outside, filled with anxiety, and completely unprepared for life as a horse.

Can you imagine how sad it must be to be a horse and not have a clue how to “horse”? To go from stall, to arena, and to be brought in any time you run, play, move around?

I frequently get horses in training who aren’t turned out before coming here. I’ve had horses who can’t manage small hills, are afraid of trees, and panic in a light rain.

It’s quite an adjustment for them, but no horse hates turnout- they hate being unprepared and anxious. Slowly but surely they gain confidence, sure footedness , social skills, and a real, healthy, happy life as a horse.

If they aren’t used to being turned out, it’s likely they WILL hurt themselves or another horse. But keeping them locked up is no life. So what to do? The answer lies in why you have a horse: is it to develop a happy, healthy equine partner, and to help them be their best self? Or as a vehicle for competition only, at their expense? In the case of the latter, I reccomend Motorsports, or some sport where competition doesn’t require wasted horse minds and bodies.

The road to competition is often paved with lame, miserable and used up horses.

03/04/2024

I would agree completely. I came to horses as an adult and didn’t last long in the traditional world. I am now grateful I did not enter the competition world where so much is accepted that I find hard to watch.
That is a blanket statement of course, but I often leave competitions shaking my head and feeling badly for the horse, especially when it is misunderstood.

Have you ever just come to the abrupt realization that you don't see anything the same anymore?

The two year old that you once would have approved of starting under saddle now looks like an incredibly immature baby that you can't imagine asking to carry a load.

Physical issues that lead to training and performance issues you no longer view as the problem but perhaps the solution to the actual problem.

All of the things you would have considered behavioral issues you can now see as the balance issues that they are. You no longer want to address the behavior but instead the reason for the behavior.

You are no longer fooled by words. Anyone can say anything about their training and approach...but the horse will tell you a lot about whether the words match the action, if you're educated enough to see it. Some things are debatable...other things definitely aren't.

You now recognize that you are a nervous system and your horse is a nervous system...and that the priority is to keep you upright and alive. That matters, A LOT.

You recognize that developing a horse is an endeavor that takes years. YEARS. Years of a lot of time and a lot of commitment. There's truly no substitute.

You also realize that getting here has meant admitting that there were times when you were wrong. That there were times when you did harm with the best of your intentions. That you had to walk away from circles of people whose beliefs and approach no longer lined up with what you now know...or maybe they walked away from you? Either way, it's hard to stand alone sometimes.

You realize you've had to become a beginner a thousand times over...and you'll continue to find yourself in that spot a thousand more times in the future, plus some. Maybe even at some point today.

You realize that even when it feels like you haven't grown at all...you actually have. That growth is something to be proud of, no matter where you're at on your journey.

- Terra

24/03/2024

Anyone looking for a 10 month farm rental in Aiken? 4 bed 4 bath house with 8 stall barn and tons of turnout in Hopeland Farms?
And no it’s not my farm. Just send me a PM for details.

22/03/2024

Due to incoming rain and possible storms, today's WE clinic has been rescheduled to Friday, March 29 from 10am-5pm One rider spot open at 2pm. Auditors are welcome for no charge.

08/03/2024

Due to incoming weather, I have moved the CSRA Liberty Clinic from Sat March 9 to Sunday March 10 . This is a clinic organized by the CSRA Equestrians group and will run from 11am to 4pm on Sunday. If you are a liberty club member, you can come watch for free. If you are not there will be a small donation to the CSRA club as this is a fundraiser for them and their work to maintain trails.
Today's WE is on!Schedule:
11:30 Julie Andrews Ride-a-course
12-Mary and Bill Whitmer
1- Ray and Jan Dalton
2-Corrine and Ann
If you would like to join the fun, the next WE Event is Friday, March 22. This is great for all levels of riders. I will share everything you need to know if you have not done this event before and if you are seasoned, I will coach you on improving your ride. Just email [email protected]

Private Lessons: $100Semi Private $60 eachGroup of 3: $50 eachRide a Course with Coaching: $30 (about 15 min)Coming to watch...FREE!

If you are interested in working at liberty around obstacles, you can also join the WE lesson days on foot. I will coach you how to keep your horse connected thru some super fun obstacles!

Let me know if you have any questions! Get out there with your horse and...ENJOY the RIDE!

07/03/2024

Relaxed bitless trail riding!! This is what Ultimate Partnership can do for you and your horse!!

07/03/2024

She did it!! Congrats to Cole Bauer!!! This is her on her boat First Light crossing the finish with the customary two flares in her hands!! Amazing!!

01/03/2024

I just had to share this great win by a client who is in my Ultimate Equine Partnership Program! She bought a young horse and has been bringing him along herself. We chat on our weekly calls and she has access to the video library to support her skill set. Thanks so much Sheryl Bullitt!
"
Hi julie I had such a big win Just now I had to tell you.
It was much colder and very windy today, and listo seemed calm as I did my inhand work so I decided to try hacking him. He was fantastic. I did a little trotting in the beginning to get him in a forward relaxed state. Then, the rest of the ride we walked. At one spot on the top of a hill while still on our way out , at the top of the hill, where it is always the windiest He just wanted to stop and survey the land. So we did, and we watched the wind and looked at the sky, and I rubbed him on both sides of his butt. Eventually, he gave a big sigh, and we went on. I rode either on a long rein or completely loose rein the whole time , including totally loose rein all the way home. Including returning on the way home on top of the hill!
I couldn't have done this without your training and course work!"

If you'd like to learn more about this program, just send me a PM

22/02/2024

Please Note:
WE lessons from 11-5 will be on Sunday due to rain on Friday!

20/02/2024

Wow! I cant wait to see this film when it’s done. Feel free to support the cause!
My first place of learning with horses when i was a young adult was at a therapuetic riding program as a volunteer i feel like my life is coming full circle with my latest project which i will share with you soon!!
I believe in the magic healing power of horses!! So amazing to see others are catching on!! Enjoy!

A new documentary about the science, the miracles, and the mystery of healing with horses. Coming Summer 2024

09/02/2024

My working student is available to house/farm/dog sit if anyone needs help.

01/02/2024

Just a reminder Meghan Truppner will be at the farm in Aiken teaching Working Eq lessons on Fri Feb 2 from 12-5. Coming to watch is free!!

11/01/2024

Meghan Blair Truppner will be teaching Working Eq at my place on Fri Feb 2.

09/01/2024

For those of you who have asked where I host my courses and were interested in an amazing platform that pulls together your website, courses, clients, and email, I highly recommend Kajabi! They are running a special, but it ends today. Here's the link to 3 months for $99! A great deal!

Kajabi’s best deal of the year is coming in January. Sign up to be the first to hear!

07/01/2024

Do you have a horse with a problem? And live here in Aiken. And want a free session? PM me

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas to all on this great December day!

17/12/2023

"Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily."
~Friedrich Von Schiller

This is so true. Get all the little simple things working very well and the big things will naturally follow! Because the big things are made up of lots of little things. 😊❤️

09/12/2023

Trainer - What day is it
Student - Wednesday
Trainer - What day is it
Student - The 5th
Trainer - What day is it
Student - 😡
Trainer - I kept asking you the same question and you gave me the right answer, but I didn’t accept it as right. So you changed your answer, got frustrated and confused. This is exactly how your horse can feel if you miss the release!

08/12/2023

The Aiken Horse Park Foundation is honored to have played a supporting role in this incredibly successful semester! The newly graduated pilot cohort of the Aiken Technical College Equine Technician Pr