The Refined Equine, LLC

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The Refined Equine, LLC The Refined Equine provides a 'Whole Approach' to saddle fitting and reflocking services, including t
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It’s time for me to take a moment to acknowledge Karen because she avoids acknowledging herself and her accomplishments....
14/07/2024

It’s time for me to take a moment to acknowledge Karen because she avoids acknowledging herself and her accomplishments. Karen has certificates in many equine subjects… Saddle Fit, Bodywork, Nutrition, Biomechanics, Bitting, and more..
She is now currently working towards a degree in Equine Osteopathy through the London College of Animal Osteopathy.
What does an Equine Osteopath do you may ask? “Equine osteopathy is a manual technique that goes beyond conventional chiropractic care. Its aim is to restore homeostasis in the horse's body by addressing restrictions in joints, muscles, ligaments, and organs. Homeostasis is the state of steady internal conditions maintained by living things.”
So, soon you will see us offering and promoting her services in this field as well as Saddle Fit, Bodywork and Biomechanics.



The International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy (Int'l DipAO) is intended for veterinary, musculoskeletal, and animal care professionals interested in learning osteopathic treatment for equines and canines. Members of the osteopathic profession looking to expand their practice to include animal osteo...

13/07/2024

Dressage Solutions: To know if your half halt worked ....

The feeling you’re after is that of an airplane touching down, when the back wheels have landed but the nose is still up. It’s a feeling of uphill lightness with power. Sit momentarily deeper and with both calves, push the horse forward.
Think “light and uphill.” If it worked, your horse will move forward with energy and power, but will be lighter than before the half halt.
—Steffen Peters

Steffen Peters and KWPN gelding Suppenkasper are one of the three athlete-and-horse combinations representing the U.S. Dressage Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Thanks to Zoetis for our coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, including rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more.

13/07/2024

❔Did you know❔
There is no evidence that white hooves are weaker than black hooves...

Hoof colour is determined by pigmentation and does not affect the strength of the feet.

Strong hooves depend on genetics, diet, age, environment and management.

It's likely to be believed because it's much easier to see bruising and damage in white feet.

19/06/2024

Without the vital blood vessels in the equine foot, the cells on the foot are starved and will die.

The vital life force - keep it healthy.

With:

Diet
Movement
Trim

These tiny vessels are the bottom line, literally for foot health.

Photo taken of a slice medial to lateral with the hair on the right. Vessels shown are between the colateral cartilage and the skin.

Karen will be working in Western CT and limited areas in NY and MA late July and early August. We will not be able to ac...
18/06/2024

Karen will be working in Western CT and limited areas in NY and MA late July and early August. We will not be able to accommodate everyone, but will do our best by offering truck in locations for those of you outside of our travel area. We have a minimum requirement of 4 horses per location, or in the general area. Please go to www.therefinedequine.com and request an appointment, or call 203-558-8679 if you are interested. We cannot guarantee a spot if you do no go through the office directly, as Tina will be the one handling the schedule. Looking forward to seeing you all!!!!

The Refined Equine LLC. specializes in saddle fit of all disciplines, using a "whole horse" approach. Other services include Equine Biomechanics Coaching, Cold Laser Therapy, KT Taping, and more...

14/06/2024

ATTENTION!!! I am offering a reward!!!!! Yes… that’s right, a REWARD. I will give you a $10 credit on your next TRE service (saddle fit, biomechanics session, bodywork) if you get a picture of Karen working on a horse, post it on FB and tag The Refined Equine in your post. I have barely any pictures of Karen working on horses to use in advertisements. So I’m counting on all of you to snap some good ones. You must tag the business page. This page… not Karen’s personal account. Ok.. GO!!!!

Karen is offering Rider Biomechanics based lessons for all disciplines in the general KC area. Have fun learning how you...
27/01/2024

Karen is offering Rider Biomechanics based lessons for all disciplines in the general KC area.

Have fun learning how your body affects your horse and how to work together.

Whether you are looking to improve Dressage movements, overcome anxiety, find rhythm in your jump work, or have clean transitions in your Western classes, Karen can work with you and your horse to pinpoint areas that can be adjusted.

If you are working with a trainer currently, Karen can help you get to the next level in your regular lessons with an occasional touch up of some basics that often get overlooked.

We are beginning to schedule Saddle Fit and Biomechanics Clinics, in the mid-west, for the spring/summer.  If your barn ...
04/01/2024

We are beginning to schedule Saddle Fit and Biomechanics Clinics, in the mid-west, for the spring/summer. If your barn is interested in having Karen out for either of these, or a combination of both, please message us for details and availability!!

Wishing all of our clients a joyous and peaceful holiday!! The Refined Equine
24/12/2023

Wishing all of our clients a joyous and peaceful holiday!! The Refined Equine

Happy Winter Solstice …. Let the shedding begin????  🤪
21/12/2023

Happy Winter Solstice …. Let the shedding begin???? 🤪

06/11/2023

We would love to find a Saddle Fitting host barn on the west side on St Louis. Indoor arena, open for truck in clients, Motorhome accessable, with with 110 or 30amp power. If anyone is interested, please reach out!

We will be in Columbia MO 11/18 and St Louis area 11/19. The barns we have on the schedule allow truck ins for appointme...
03/11/2023

We will be in Columbia MO 11/18 and St Louis area 11/19. The barns we have on the schedule allow truck ins for appointments. Please go to www.therefinedequine.com to request an appointment!

The Refined Equine LLC. specializes in saddle fit of all disciplines, using a "whole horse" approach. Other services include Equine Biomechanics Coaching, Cold Laser Therapy, KT Taping, and more...

25/10/2023

As badly as I want to get back to the Northeast US, my body doesn't. I have scheduled knee surgery for 12/4 and will be unable to travel. I apologize to everyone that is waiting on me.

19/10/2023
19/10/2023
29/09/2023

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

28/09/2023
27/09/2023

What IS Rider Biomechanics??

“Biomechanics in sports, can be stated as the muscular, joint and skeletal actions of the body during the ex*****on of a given task, skill and/or technique. Proper understanding of biomechanics relating to sports skill has the greatest implications on: sport’s performance, rehabilitation and injury prevention, along with sport mastery,” Wikipedia

I coach students to effectively and efficiently use their body to allow their horse to move unimpeded and excel in their job.

It can be any discipline, any level of competition, any level of rider.

It's a fun and rewarding session tailored to you and your horse.

Lessons available in the greater KC area.

Heritage Horse Park saddle fit sign up for September 24th.
11/09/2023

Heritage Horse Park saddle fit sign up for September 24th.

09/09/2023

Big thanks to Mill Creek Pony Club for a nice way to kick off my return to work at the PC Festival at Longview Horse Park today!

08/09/2023

Learn how to keep your tack mold-free, supple and in good working condition with these simple steps.

New GFS Monarch GP 17.5"Adjustable position billets, interchangeable gullet plates, Velcro blocks, wool flocking, nice l...
15/08/2023

New GFS Monarch GP 17.5"
Adjustable position billets, interchangeable gullet plates, Velcro blocks, wool flocking, nice leather.
$1650

For those interested in saddle fit, we are working local to KC area, but mornings only at this time. Please go to www.th...
26/07/2023

For those interested in saddle fit, we are working local to KC area, but mornings only at this time. Please go to www.therefinedequine.com to put in an appointment request.

Saddle Fitting | The Refined Equine

22/07/2023

💯

19/07/2023

After radiation consultation, they are aiming to begin daily treatments the second week of August and possibly finish by mid September. I am beginning to get out and do some biomechanics sessions for the rider, cold laser on horses, and (with assistance) we are doing some saddle fittings. I'm excited to get out and try to have life start to feel a little more productive. I do fatigue quickly on the hotter days so I have left mornings open for work and I'll be doing my medical appointments and treatments in the afternoons. I am so looking forward to seeing you all!!

From a fitter in the UK, who took precious time out of a hectic schedule, to point out a few things we wish everyone cou...
14/07/2023

From a fitter in the UK, who took precious time out of a hectic schedule, to point out a few things we wish everyone could understand!

Now this is going to be a controversial post, but I think the time is overdue for a reality check for the horsey world on this. I also apologise for the length of the post.

Being a saddle fitter isn’t easy. Most people start out with a career change in later life, taking a big risk to their finances, not only while they’re training, but while they’re growing the business, and ultimately affecting their financial future. But we do it anyway because we’re passionate about helping horses and riders, and having a fulfilling job. Arguably there are some who don’t care, but you can find them easily online if you just Google and look for long term feedback on the equine forums. Very few of the rest of us are getting anywhere near rich and most of us work LONG hours. The money you pay us has to cover so much more than the time we spend with you (not insignificant overheads and admin time, pensions, holidays…).

So, the skill set required? Saddle fitting is only a small part of the job, and while it’s not rocket science, it takes a certain combination of scientific theory and artistic application. Most people can train to do a basic job, but it takes commitment and a certain flair to be a great fitter.

On top of that you need to be happy to drive miles and miles, hours and hours every week and to jump out of the van and work at full capacity every time for an hour or two. You need to be able to plan one of the most complicated diaries known to man, trying to work around people’s spare time, never as easy as working in a business to business environment. You need to be pretty hot at admin, systems, managing stock, and ultimately at running a small business; activities such as financial planning, marketing, and now things like understanding GDPR.

What I have only briefly mentioned is customer communication, and customer service. This is the toughest part of the job. We are not, as I often say, Network Rail. I’ve already explained that we are pretty much all passionate about what we do, but there is a fundamental misunderstanding of what a fitter does, leading to upset customers, and complaints.

There is no magic answer to the perfect saddle for a horse. And even if there was, it’s the perfect saddle only on that day, with the horse moving that way. Horses change, more than most owners can ever believe possible. And not always reflected well in the tracings we take.

We have osteopathic vets explaining that rubs at the back of the saddle can be caused by tightness in the SI joint, we know that low level lameness, and certainly an asymmetrical movement pattern, is a massive contributor to saddle slip. We know that using a pad other than that agreed with the fitter will change the fit of your saddle and potentially cause problems. We know that large competitive yards, often with a saddle sponsor, will have fitter out every 6 weeks to cast a quick eye over all saddle fits and attend to those that need adjustment (anyone ever told you 6 weekly checks would be ideal?!). And surely we know that if 99-odd saddles haven’t fitted, you’ve tried umpteen fitters and brands, and finally when you found one that did fit, that if it took at least a couple of tweaks to get your saddle to fit, then if your horse changes shape by just a millimetre it’s highly likely to affect your saddle fit?

So we need to come to a new place where we work WITH you as an ongoing part of your trusted team, and not be the first person to be blamed when your horse is sore. To really listen to your back person when they say the saddle’s not the issue. It’s too easy a target, it’s a big cost and we DO understand why you might be worried. BUT…a wonderful saddle fitter has just quit fitting today and I am gutted, for her, and for her customers. She’s not the first, I also know someone who was approaching the end of her training who decided she didn’t have a thick enough skin for this job. She would have been a fabulous asset to the saddle fitting world.

We are but flesh, please remember that we always do our best, and that sometimes you need to look elsewhere, and perhaps to yourself, for the cause of your problems with your horse. Because if you stomp all over your saddle fitter, in these days of social media and instant communication, you're probably going to cause them a sleepless night or two, and you might just cause someone to quit something they were really fabulous at, and all of us are the losers.

03/07/2023

While the horse is guided in a straight line on level, firm ground, the motion of the limb during the swing and stance phase is observed, along with the sideway motion and flight arc of the limb during the swing phase.

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CT

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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+12035588679

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