Riding with Passion

15/06/2023

Hoof care.
This is essential to any horse, donkey, mule, or pony owner.
I am no expert, a past farrier, and an old friend helped me learn to care for my own horses/ponies hooves. I have been doing my own horses hooves for the last 7 years, and now feeling comfortable helping my friends with their horses.
Be on the look out for my next YouTube video that will cover the basic understanding of hoof care!
Link in bio

06/06/2023

Cheyanne here!
For those starting out in the horse world, or those not yet in the world but maybe interested, what are things you would like to know about caring for horses and ponies?
Let me know in the comments below, and maybe I’ll make an exception video just for you!

Photo from my past when I competed in drill!

05/06/2023

Hello fellow followers new and old, yes this is your gal Cheyanne. I know I’ve been silent for some time, but there has been reason. Besides your typical life situations, I also had to close the business a while ago, I tried to revamp what I had originally thought of back when I was starting out and putting myself into the public eye. It of course didn’t go as planned (but does anything?)
Despite everything not working out, I still have the passion to help those that need help, it’s just not possible to continue trying to bring in new clients. With that being said, I have thought of a new fun way that I have slowly been toying with. If you haven’t checked out my YouTube channel it may be time to. I am starting to create some new content for those getting into horses and could use some helpful tips with limited amount of time (I try to make the videos short and sweet). In my latest video I am talking about p**p, our most favorite subject of all.
So go check out the channel, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you can be sure to see future videos that will be coming your way.

29/11/2022

Will yea just look at this transformation!
I’ve been riding this mare once a week since October, the beginning video was late October and the last part of the video was just last week. When I started working with her she didn’t respond to legs except to go faster, she was also stiff as a board, as she wouldn’t bend into corners and be relaxed in our ride.
During our once a week sessions she has been learning to work off my legs and seat to bend into corners and be relaxed and stretch and use her body to help carry not only herself but me as well.
With groundwork and saddle time this mare has come so far, and has been such a pleasure to work with and see her grow, and I can’t wait to see our next transformation video in the future!

22/11/2022

Herd dynamics, it’s amazing to watch.
By watching our horses in a herd setting we can see who our horses are.
We see how they naturally move, how they communicate with others, what they prefer in grasses, friendships and places. Everything we learn from watching can be implemented into our training. If we notice a horse doesn’t like a certain area of their pasture, there is always a reason, and we can find it and work on it (maybe it’s something scary). We can see where their favorite itchy spot is, to give them the best reward after an amazing ride. We can watch how they communicate, if they a leader or a follower, which can help understand who the horse is themselves, and it can even fall into a certain discipline.
And best of all we can watch our horses learn to be their best self by learning from other horses, by learning their own balance, by learning how to communicate, by being interested in something without our influence.
I will never tire of watching a herd.

What have you noticed about your own herd?

With my own, Tony respects mares, he also loves to be playful which can get him into trouble with his herd, but he also is a bit of a loner, off doing his own thing of rolling in the arena, or finding something yummy to snack on. Red is more relaxed, she likes to hang out in areas she finds comfortable that day, which is typically in the sun or in the barn, but she also likes to boss Tony around. As the more time these two spend with each other I could say they are a married couple who love each other, just don’t care to spend every waking moment together.

01/11/2022

Take time to relax while riding, and try new things, explore new possibilities, feel the horse.
I sometime let the horse I’m working with take the reins and show me where they want to go (not every session) to see where they are most comfortable in the arena, where they personally don’t like to go, the speed they would prefer to go (under control of course) and sometimes they show me what they are curious about.
With this good looking mare I allowed her to do her thing, and the stretch that she gave me as we walked around was amazing. Since than she has asked for the stretch which I of course allow. I gave her freedom and she showed me a little piece of herself.
I can’t wait to see what she wants to show me next.

31/10/2022

Before I started down the path of becoming more serious about horses, I wanted to become a kindergarten teacher, to help fuel the young minds and working babies is just that cross over for me.
It was this little ones first time playing with the tarp and boy was she curious and o so playful. Instead of trying for an hour to get a young horse into the tarp, I watched her mind. She’s young and play is more on her mind than me, so I allowed it, I would let her run and play than catch and work for a few minutes and do it all over again, by the end of our play/work session she was calmly walking over the tarp showing mom that she is growing up.
Fueling the mind is better than putting up walls for the horse to maneuver, by fueling the mind a horse should be allowed play even in work, but to bring in the curiousness of work allows them to follow you and understand everything in a whole new aspect and gives them a bit more freedom to say no, which in turn creates a greater connection between human and equine.

21/10/2022

They say owning horses is a rich man’s sport, and it definitely can be. I grew up with not much money, and than becoming an adult, it was the same thing, but I did what I could to keep these amazing creatures in my life. Many times I wondered what I was going to eat or if I would have a roof over my head because my horses needs always came first. I’ve wondered so many times if I’m being stupid owning horses because I can’t give them the life I want them to have, that I don’t own my own property with green pastures, or give them the comfiest stall, but every time I go and look into their eyes those thoughts disappear because through them I found myself. Horses have been my longest friend, they helped me in ways no one could, when people left me, when people hurt me, when I would loose myself in my own thoughts horses have always brought me back to ground myself with them again. So while I may not be the richest person to care for my horses or to get best tack, or give them the pasture I know they deserve, they sure make me feel rich by the love they unconditionally give me and I sure try my hardest to give them the best damn life they deserve.

17/10/2022

It’s never to early to start working with your goals. This little cutie has already has had hands on her, but it doesn’t get to not get another pair of hands on. She is learning to walk calmly, with adding a little trot as us bouncing up and down can be weird, as you can see. With young ones and ones needing a reminder on not walking infront I like to change my direction very randomly, this way no one not even yourself can predict where we are going which keeps the horses mind on you for the answer. Very close to the end you can see her think about rushing forward before stopping herself and thinking, this is my goal. Not every lesson needs to be an hour long as we are working the mind. We need to remember when working the mind we need to think back when we were in grade school and how sometimes learning was over whelming, it’s exactly the same thing just a different creature.the small steps lead to great leaps.

12/10/2022

Liberty riding is one of my greatest joys, the ability to create a connection with an animal that doesn’t speak the way we do, or think the way we do. It’s taking our riding to a whole new level, and not every connection made is the same. It’s putting two together and creating something beautifully free.

I haven’t ridden Tony at liberty for a while, so we were practicing our transitions and staying inside the area, and listening to my body, just as I was listening to his, and let me tell yea, this pony sure loves to work.

29/09/2022

Sometimes being in the saddle isn't important, it's the time we spend with our horses that creates a better friendship.
Red (was known as Shotzie) is a horse I took in as a project. While Red didn't care about you standing next to her, she wasn't one to come and ask to be petted or loved on, and would let Tony (my personal pony) take in all the love.
Yesterday was a huge step for her, after hanging out in the pasture, Red came up to me on her own asking for pets, and of course she got them. Though while she asked for them she also didn't want to hang around, as sometimes it can be a lot for a horse to feel a different energy coming from a person, and it is up to us to recognize that sometimes they needs space, just like us. We often cling to their neck when we want to hang out with our horses, so in a way, forcing them to hangout, but by respecting their space (just like us needing space from horses and people alike) we create a respect for our horse. When the horses notice our respect for them, a whole new relationship is born.

26/09/2022

Tip of the week!
It's been a while since posting our weekly tip.
Ride Ba****ck, o the pure joy of the freedom. While we can borrow a bit of freedom when we ride Ba****ck there are also many benefits as well!
I often like to start my beginner students ba****ck (on the lunge line of course). When we ride Ba****ck, we feel every muscle under us moving, thus a further understanding of how our horse moves, as well as understanding their natural gate. Understanding their natural gate, as well as how their body moves, we learn to balance ourselves with out any assistance from saddles, stirrups, or reins. Often times we lean to much on our stirrups and saddles to help keep us in the saddle, even advanced riders, we start relying on these things. Riding ba****ck can be done during our normal work time, or on a relaxed trail ride, or just a putt around the yard, there is no limits while ba****ck, just keep your head up high, and enjoy the ride.

20/09/2022

Preview of my next YouTube video!
These videos I am trying to make as short as possible, for those of you who want to learn, but don't have much time.
These videos I am creating are created for those who are getting into horses, needing a refresher, or for the curious mind.
Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe!
https://youtube.com/channel/UC1TkURAqP7Ml5LsClGy2xMw

19/09/2022

4th ride on Ruby, and her owner wanted to try a trail ride, with how Ruby has took to riding, we had to try! And Ruby was amazing up and down hills listening so well, even when crazy horses passed us on the trails.
Ponies man, they are just something special.

13/09/2022

3ed session with Ruby,and she is doing amazing!
While still keeping the rides shot, Ruby gave me the trot, and offered the canter, which I took as it was relaxed and enjoyable!
Everytime I work with a pony I am just amazed at how awesome they are, and dumfounded at how over looked they are.

09/09/2022

A personal favorite of mine while working horses and ponies alike it using the tarp, just as little Ruby has come to find out.
While using the tarp, I am asking a lot, I am asking for them to stay relaxed, listen to me, watch their hooves so they don't trip, and know that the tarps not going to eat them while walking over, which is also known at the Passing Gaming. This helps them to understand the pressure o am asking of them, for either of their gaits. It helps build them up to understand the pressure transition from on the ground to in the saddle.
Ruby was amazing, while in the beginning, she was reluctant, as it is a big new thing for her, she finally understood what I was asking and gave me some steps, soon we were walking comfortablely and relaxed and even walked over the tarp while riding. It is important for Ruby and many others to take small encouraging steps, for their muscles to understand, for their balance to get figured out, and to understand that I'm no lion sitting there, but a partner.

07/09/2022

My first YouTube video is up!
The first videos that I will be uploading are perfect for beginner riders and new owners, as I am making short educational videos in short steps as we all know we don't have all day to watch one hour long video to understand everything about grooming, cleanings hooves, haltering and more. So I am creating short videos (trying to stay under 10 minutes or less) to quickly, yet thoroughly, and full of information for those who might now have enough time for those hour long videos.
So feel free to check it out!
And don't forget to subscribe if you like the content and want to see more in the future!

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

06/09/2022

Ponies always have a special spot in my heart, especially when it comes to training.
I had the privilege to help Miss Ruby go the next step of her training. Her owner did a great job getting her to this spot, so with some groundwork to understand how she moves, and how she learns I was able to not only once but twice sit on her.
I like small steps and for a pony that I don't know either, I always want them to have a good experience. Ruby gave me a few natural steps to help balance her self and was a calm and collected during that process which left me knowing that was the note to leave on.
I chose ba****ck, like I try everytime. Ba****ck allows the pony to feel you, your heart beat, your natural energy, without anything getting in the way. Once riding starts they are able to transition what they have learned on the ground to in the saddle much easier without a saddle getting in the way of the communication.

05/09/2022

Please help me in Welcoming Shotzie!
Shotzie is a 10 year old paint, that had been used in a lesson program, but was not happy with new and many kids taking turns for their lessons. Shotzie is in need of just one person, that she can build a relationship with and get some special attention, she has some quirks that we will be working through to help her become the best horse. She will be with us for at least 6 months, unless my boyfriend steals her from me.

29/08/2022

24/08/2022

Sometimes what we ask for is not always what we get.
It is up to us to look into ourselves and answer the riddles, and questions we ask. When we know the answer it becomes easier for the horse to understand as well. Horses aren't mind readers yet they can feel what we ask and when we use our energy for direction and we have a clear picture in our head of what we are asking more times than not the horse will slowly start understanding what we ask.
I always picture what I'm about to ask, example would be for backing up, I picture the horses hooves moving backwards before I ask, why? In this case I am asking a question of "can you back up please" I already know the answer which is now locked in my mind as I now ask with a little pressure. From here the direction the horse goes is all off you. Listen to your own body feel where the pressure is coming from before continuing if you horse did not move back when asked. Understand your surroundings, your horse and how to use your energy, will help you become closer with your horse and your communication.

01/08/2022

When was the last time you tried something new with your horse?
Doing something new with our horses can help with their mental state of mine, not only can it help their mental state, but can possibly even help with your main discipline. When trying something new we are either adding to our existing buttons or adding whole new buttons in place that may be beneficial in the long run. Let's say you are consistently working on a speed event, English or western and go to a trail course for a play day, most would think a trail course could be relaxing, but what your working on is slowing the mind, the horse is having to watch their hoof placement and so much more. By also going away once in a while from your everyday grind is just good for the soul, even if you just want to relax, we benefit from vacations, and by trying something new, that is your horses vacation.

25/07/2022

Some we get to a point where we think we should be farther along in ourselves, and or our horses, but don't let that bother you.
While everyone has different goals, the process to get to our end goal is work. Sometimes it's a slow process, and in this day of age, everyone wants it now. But our horses don't understand our goals, so we need to trust the process no matter how long it takes, as once you achieve it, it's like no other.
So take your time and trust the training process
Trust yourself
And trust your horse

20/07/2022

I have often been asked, "why ponies" or "aren't you to big for the ponies?" And had many other comments made, but the matter of the truth is this, I believe I have been put on this earth to be their voice.
Ponies are marvelous creatures that are often taken advantage of. The pony is not only adorable, can be cheaper to feed (not in Tony's case) are small and can easily be pushed around. Everyone wants to buy a pony for their kids until after awhile the pony starts fighting back, but no one thinks of it this way, most people think the pony is naught, or something sent from hell. Well I'm here to tell you, that's only because the pony out smarted you. Ponies are amazing creatures, just like the horse and should be treated with equal respect.
Since has said in the past that a horse/pony should only carry 25% of their weight, well I think that's bogus. Now before you start arguing, yes there are many factors that lead to that fact being true, but don't be fooled. In fact Tony carries me just perfectly and loves the job, whither we are sorting cows, in the show ring, or going down a trail, Tony, my personal pony has showed me what ponies can be capable of doing, and I hope to show you all what a pony is capable of.

19/07/2022

What is one thing that you dream of doing with your horse/pony?
Liberty has always been a goal of mine, and it's something I am constantly wanting and trying to work on with my personal horse. Not only is it a magical feeling, but to be blessed with such a relationship/connection with an animal that doesn't speak English, and to put that much trust into an animal that normally chooses flight when in a tough situation is just unspeakable. No words can describe the feeling of true connection...true friendship.

Every horse, and pony is capable of riding at liberty or working on the ground at liberty, it's all about finding the key to your friendship.

18/07/2022

A lot of the time we find ourselves stressed to the max with everyday life. Many of us wonder how we can fit time in with horses horses, I've been there, but all it takes is 5 minutes. Whither you have a green horse or one that will always take care of you, 5 minutes makes a difference for your horse.
POV: you have a green horse that needs work but you work 9-5 yet still have a commute, work was slammed, your tired, and still need to cook, but the animals need taken care of as well. Go out to the paddock and just lead your equine friend around, work on stopping, backing, and turning. You aren't asking for much, yet still accomplished working with your new best friend.

11/07/2022

Brushing
Most of the time we brush our horses to get them clean to ride, but there can be so much more to this if we take time to brush the entire body and not just where the saddle sits.
When brushing the whole body, we are also checking their body for any sore areas as well as scrapes and cuts. We are being "forced" to put our hands all over their body to ensure they were the same as when we left them last. This is used to get to know your horse, as well as getting your horse used to being touched everywhere in a comfortable way, so when the vet comes out next time they won't be as much of a wiggle worm.
Now many people ask why after, when we are done riding/working, I like to think of it as a way to say thank you, but again it's a good way to ensure your horse didn't manage to cut themselves on anything during your ride.

05/07/2022

Now offering online lessons.

Free consultation!

Open to all ages :
Beginners
Advanced beginners
Nervous or lost confidence riders
Liberty
Beginner jumping
Trail
Groundwork
Desensitization
And more!

Want to know more? Send me a message and we can start talking today!

05/07/2022

As some of you may have noticed, Cheyanne's Equine Foundational Training has been renamed to Riding with Passion. Cheyanne's Equine Foundational Training ended this year after trying to get back on my feet due to many, many reasons, but my heart still burns to give lessons to those who wish to learn.
After a student and now new owner of my previous horse Splash gave me an idea, so after a while a new spark happened and I think heading in a new direction!
Riding with Passion has been born, I've been sitting on the website for a while in fear of disappointing myself again with failure, but only time will tell. So with all that being said, it is time to introduce my lessons are now online!

For those interested in lessons online, we start with a free consultation via zoom before moving forward. All lessons will be through via zoom, after the student films their ride I will go over the ride with said student, what needs to be worked on, what they did great with, and at the end I will send some exercises for the student and equine to work on.
These lessons are focused for beginner riders, riders getting back into the saddle, nervous or lost confidence type riders, those interested in liberty and more.
For those interested, feel free to check out my website, or send me a message for a free consultation!

Ride with Passion - Cheyanne
https://cheyannemclune.wixsite.com/ridingwithpassion