The Mindful Dressage Rider

03/06/2025

02/08/2025

Join us with Tara Davis at Indigo Trails Farm!! ✨

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

We are beyond thrilled to welcome Tara Davis, founder and head trainer of Unbridled Goddess, to Indigo Trails Farm for a transformative clinic this April 4-6th! 🐴✨

Tara’s unique approach to horsemanship blends the science of biomechanics with the art of connection, creating balanced, lifelong partnerships between horse and rider. With over 20 years of experience and a deep background in classical dressage, Tara empowers both horses and humans to build relationships rooted in trust, mindfulness, and mutual understanding.

Her philosophy emphasizes a consensual, thoughtful relationship with horses, fostering growth that extends beyond the arena. Tara’s methods follow LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) protocols, ensuring a compassionate and effective training journey. 💛

This is a rare opportunity to learn from an incredible horsewoman whose work truly bridges the gap between science and spirituality in horsemanship.

📅 Clinic Dates: April 4–6, 2024

📍 Spots are limited! Please fill out form to express interest, and/or reach out to Caitlyn Bean for more information at (608) 512-7468.
https://forms.gle/97cKjchLMdc8dJKN9

We can't wait to share Tara’s beautiful way of training horses with our community. Join us for this unforgettable experience!

02/07/2025

Over the last almost year I haven't been riding as many horses in the day due to rehabbing, I’ve been deeply focused on improving my own body and riding. I joined Equibody, founded by Jack LaTorre. This program is designed specifically for riders and is completely individualized based on each person’s unique strengths and weaknesses—and the results have been amazing.

The mind-muscle connection I’ve gained, along with improved mobility and control of my body in the saddle, has been transformative. I’ve always loved fitness, but I realized that most conventional fitness programs actually work against what we need as riders. They focus heavily on muscle contraction, which can lead to tight, less elastic muscles—the opposite of what we need in the saddle.

Through Equibody, I’ve been working on building strength through lengthening. This approach allows me to have a supple, responsive body while recruiting the right muscles without locking up or clamping down. It’s made me a much stronger rider, but in a completely different sense than traditional fitness ever did.

Investing in myself during this time—while also dedicating so much energy to rehabbing the horses in my program—has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. Now, as the horses and I both come out the other side, we’re all moving forward with a stronger foundation and a deeper connection to our bodies. 💛

Here’s to growth, both in and out of the saddle. 🌟

02/05/2025

✨ It Takes a Team ✨

One of the things I am most passionate about in my training program is the whole team approach. Recently, one of my client horses began a full revamp and rehab process, and it became clear early on that there were missing pieces beyond just training that needed attention.

It’s important to recognize that while there were gaps, this mare was still receiving more care and attention than the average horse. Her owner’s intentions were always rooted in love and doing what was best for her. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, it takes time to uncover all the pieces needed to fully support a horse’s well-being.

This mare’s owner has been one of the most dedicated I’ve ever worked with—willing to explore every avenue to support her horse’s healing, in hopes of giving her a long, sound riding career ahead. It’s been inspiring to watch this journey unfold, and it’s a true testament to the power of collaboration. 💛

To support this mare fully, we brought in key members of my trusted team:

🔹 Kendra Skorstad of Skorstad Farrier Service is now working on her feet, ensuring we’re building a solid foundation from the ground up. One of my mentors always said, “No hoof, no horse,” and I couldn’t agree more. Every horse’s needs are different, and having a skilled farrier who understands how to support that journey is essential.

🔹 Dr. Martha M. Faraday, PhD, Four Oaks Equine Nutrition, our equine nutritionist, is playing a crucial role in supporting this mare’s healing process. From addressing metabolic health and insulin regulation to focusing on gut health and the integrity of the gut lining, Martha’s insights have been invaluable.

This mare has faced chronic posture and development issues that have compounded over time—not from anyone’s fault, but simply from the complex nature of how horses adapt and compensate. And here’s the truth: I couldn’t support this mare fully without the expertise of these incredible professionals by my side.

Training is only one piece of the puzzle. The whole team approach—from hoof care to nutrition to bodywork and beyond—is what makes lasting progress possible. Each professional brings a unique perspective that, together, creates a comprehensive support system for the horse’s well-being.

It’s this kind of collaboration that truly excites me, and I’m grateful every day to work with such dedicated owners. 💛

02/04/2025

I’m beyond excited to welcome Sully into my training program! Originally a Pleasure-bred Quarter Horse, Sully is about to get his first taste of dressage, and I can’t wait to show him what this world has to offer. 🐴💫

For those who’ve followed my journey, you might remember Cowboy, my QH/Arab cross who became the first horse I ever brought to the FEI. He was the little engine that could, proving that heart and determination matter more than pedigree. While Sully and Cowboy are each unique in their own ways, I can’t help but feel that same spark of excitement as I guide Sully through this new chapter.

There’s something incredibly rewarding about introducing horses from different backgrounds to dressage, and I’m thrilled to explore this journey with Sully. Here’s to new beginnings and watching horses thrive in unexpected places!

Stay tuned—this is going to be a fun ride! 🎉

01/30/2025

Wisconsin farrier Kendra Skorstad, of Skorstad Farrier Service, stresses the importance of documenting hoof measurements each shoeing cycle to track your progress and give you a boost of confidence or redirection when needed.

presented by Kawell USA
https://ow.ly/boqr50UMNIE

01/28/2025

What an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the most respected professionals in the holisticequine industry.

One of the featured speakers, Dr. Martha Faraday, is a cornerstone of my professional team at Indigo Trails Farm. She will be sharing valuable insights on how commercial feeds and modern horse-keeping practices can often contribute to illness in our horses—rather than promoting true health and well-being.
This conference also features other professionals I greatly respect, along with new experts I’m eager to learn from. It’s an amazing chance to expand our knowledge and explore fresh perspectives on equine care.

The best thing we can do for ourselves and our horses is to stay open-minded and willing to listen, and this event provides the perfect opportunity to do just that.

I hope you’ll join me in attending this FREE Holistic Horse Conference and take advantage of the wealth of knowledge being shared.

Register at the link below:
🔗 https://lg403.isrefer.com/go/MarFarConf10/MartFar/

01/24/2025

I’m so excited to open my doors to a new full training client this March—an opportunity I don’t offer often but one I’m truly looking forward to.

My training philosophy is rooted in developing horses into confident, capable athletes through thoughtful, ethical training. Combining classical dressage principles with a modern understanding of biomechanics and posture, I work to build strong foundations from the ground up, ensuring that every horse feels supported, balanced, and ready to succeed under saddle.

This program is about more than just training—it’s about:
✨ Transforming your horse into a confident, capable athlete.
✨ Honoring the individuality and needs of each horse to unlock their true potential.
✨ Empowering riders to achieve their goals while always putting the horse’s well-being first.

This opening is perfect for:
🌟 Riders seeking an ethical, personalized approach to developing their horse.
🌟 Horses needing the time and care to progress into balanced, confident athletes.
🌟 Owners who value a trainer deeply committed to both their horse’s welfare and their dreams as a rider.

📅 Available March 1st
I don’t often have room to take on new full training clients, so if this feels like the right fit for you and your horse, I’d love to connect! Let’s chat about how we can work together to build a foundation for long-term success.

When we approach training with care, intention, and partnership, incredible things happen. I look forward to welcoming you to this journey. 💛

Indigo Trails Farm

01/23/2025

Dangerous for all living beings 🤦‍♀️ please be conscious of what you are feeding yourself & your horses 🙏

Glyphosate is an active substance of the most popular herbicides worldwide. Its common use results from the belief that it affects exclusively plants. However, studies on glyphosate and its trade formulations reveal that it causes numerous morphological, physiological and biochemical disturbances in...

01/21/2025

✨ Transformation Tuesday ✨

Every horse’s journey is unique, and this beautiful mare and her devoted owner exemplify perseverance, growth, and the power of approaching challenges with a fresh perspective.

Years ago, we worked together when my primary focus was on developing horses under saddle to the highest levels of dressage. While that remains a core passion, my understanding of posture and biomechanics—particularly from the ground—has grown significantly since then. Despite trying various approaches and philosophies in the past, we often felt like we were hitting a wall, unable to achieve the progress we envisioned.

Fast forward to today, and with the knowledge I’ve gained, we’ve taken a fresh approach to her development. We’re now focusing on supporting her from the ground up by:

~Improving her relationship to the ground through the balance and support of her feet
~Unwinding overdeveloped, unhelpful muscle patterns and fostering healthier ones
~Strengthening her foundation while prioritizing biotensegrity throughout her body
~Nutritionally supporting her with an anti-inflammatory diet to promote healing and overall health
This comprehensive approach is helping her break free from a cycle of mystery lameness and repeated interventions that didn’t address the root cause.

Looking back, I realize that a few years ago, I couldn’t offer her what she truly needed. Today, I’m grateful for the knowledge and tools that allow me to better serve horses and their humans. I resonate deeply with the saying, "the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know," and I’m humbled by how much there is still to learn. Even so, the progress we’ve made in just six weeks is a powerful reminder of how impactful the right approach can be.

While we’ve made meaningful strides, we know there’s still a long way to go. True transformation takes time, and we’re committed to the process—one step at a time, with patience, consistency, and care.

Helping horses and their humans find harmony and health is truly the most rewarding part of this work. 💛

01/12/2025

This right here 👏

It has been a very different past 8 months than I would have ideally hoped for, however, it has been a year of immense growth, and for that I am forever grateful to the universe for the obstacles provided.
Many horses in my program needed something different. Many of them have trauma — physical or mental — that I learned needed to be addressed and was causing us to continue to struggle to progress. Going back to the basics and building a stronger foundation for you and your horse is never the wrong thing to do! 🫶

We promote burnout in equestrians by pushing the idea that constant productivity is needed to be a “good rider.”

That if you take a break from riding, or even showing, for that matter, you lose value as a rider.

That your perspectives aren’t as valid unless you’re constantly producing content related to riding or “proving” your worth by riding.

Consistently, this is one of the more common means people use to invalidate my own perspective on a lot of the things I post.

“You barely ride anymore!”

“Your opinion doesn’t matter if you aren’t even a real rider”

And yes, I have been riding less.

I’ve noticed the toll that the pressure of feeling like I needed to constantly be progressing towards riding goals was taking on me.

I had extenuating circumstances outside of horses that impacted my motivation to ride.

I had horses who were injured, too young to ride or in need of some type of rehab — be it emotional or physical

I simply had lost the desire to ride in the same way that I used to — with the goal of competing.

I worried I was losing my passion and chose to preserve it by not pushing myself.

All of that aside — I shouldn’t even need to provide an explanation for it. No one should.

There should be a respect and understanding for the fact that everyone’s life fluctuates.

Finances may prevent their participation, even when they desperately want to.

Mental health is also a major factor.

People shouldn’t have to list off their struggles in order to evade judgment from people who calculate someone’s worth as a horse person off of how much saddle time they have.

Experience doesn’t disintegrate from taking a break.

There’s also a lot of learning that occurs out of the saddle that is constantly being devalued and shouldn’t be.

The interesting thing is the pressure and focus is always on riding — you seldom hear anyone being chastised for their lack of growth out of the saddle.

Their lack of focus on learning how to do better ground work.

Their lack of study of learning theory and behaviour.

And the reason for this is that these skills are often devalued when they shouldn’t be.

So, if you find yourself on a hiatus for riding, for any reason, don’t feel bad about it.

There are many other important things you can focus on that will make you a better horse person, even if not directly related to horses.

Focus on making yourself feel better and doing what feels right for YOU.

Anyone who tries to degrade you for that is just telling on themselves by projecting their own insecurities.

01/03/2025

This right here 👏

Holding space, setting boundaries, and staying safe.

Kumbaya horsemanship has really become popular, but, lets be clear, this should NOT come at the expense of your safety!

Repeat after me, "boundaries are beautiful!" Holding space for your horse does not mean that they get to walk all over you. It does not mean they get to show dangerous behavior that puts you at risk. You cannot love a horse into behaving anymore than you can with your kids.

This does NOT mean that you have to be violent with your horse, but you do have to be clear that certain behaviors are not acceptable when they put you or others at risk. The horse should understand that you are made of glass and they are not to run into you. I once heard Frederic Pignon say, "your horse wouldn't spook into a tree or a fence post, they shouldn't run into you either".

If you've ever been to any my clinics or lessons, you know that I am very soft, kind and gentle with the horses, but when we have horses that come in that are exhibiting dangerous behavior, I am very clear about setting boundaries, and the horses actually seem to be relieved, and it gives them confidence when I let know what "lines to color in", or "which lane is theirs."

I just felt like I needed to speak up on this topic because over the last several months I have had many people come to me with very dangerous situations that had been escalating for weeks or months. I am the first person to say that I am so happy to see people moving away from the round penning, flooding, and rope shaking training. The pendulum always swings both ways before it finds center.

I think it can be very detrimental to both the human's safety, and the horse's long term wellbeing to believe that everything is cupcakes and rainbows as it can be portrayed on social media. I'm not saying you need to beat your horse, but you also can't let your horse be beating on you!

I'll share a short video clip tomorrow of what this may look like. I also have a module in my online library, "Setting Your Horse Up For Success", entitled "Dealing with Undesired Behavior", and just a teaser, but I'll be collaborating with another professional this year to do an in person clinic on this very topic ;)

Photo explanation: This is a 4 year old stallion, in the spring feeling his hormones. He wanted grass and was tired of me saying no. He's never been beaten, his doesn't have trauma. He's just testing the boundaries because he's 4 and full of testosterone. Do you not remember high school? 🤣

12/30/2024

To most, this seems like just another day at the farm — no big deal.

To me, this moment feels anything but.

This is the first time our 4 year old mare has been outside in many months due to a large suspensory lesion.

She has honestly been one of the most challenging horses I’ve had to deal with during rest and rehab so far. She was born and raised here at Indigo Trails, and has been one of the easiest horses to handle and train— so this being a complete 180 shift caught me off guard.

After coming home from Kentucky where she had surgery and stem cell treatments — between Rood & Riddle and Spy Coast Rehabilitation Center — she had absolutely lost her mind. At this point she had been stall rested for 2 months and was on a large amount of Trazedone. I believe she had an adverse reaction to the Trazedone and it made her more on edge and explosive.

The morning after she arrived home, she flipped around and kicked toward my head which my hand caught and we were on our way to the ER. Thankfully, nothing was broken, but a definite scare to see a hoof that close to my face.

Getting her back to at least a small turnout where she can feel less trapped and a little change of scenery has been important to me since she came home — but it was easier said than done. There were a lot of pieces that needed to fall into place before that was able to become her reality. For some horse, that possibly could’ve take a week, for Sage — it took months.

I think I’ve probably heard every single option and opinion out there (solicited & unsolicited) — she should be full turnout — she needs to be stalled for a year or until completely healed — handwalk her 20 min three times a day — change the scenery and put her in a panel stall outside during the day — put her on Trazedone — lip chain her to walk her anywhere — and soo much more.

Having so many different opinions with different lenses and philosophies will confuse anyone.

So eventually, after asking everyone and their mom trying to find the “secret sauce” that worked for other horses — I came back to my intuition and my inner circle of professionals that have guided me well many times in the past.

Dr. Martha M. Faraday,, Dr. Howard Ketover, Kendra Skorstad, Emma Frimml, Katherine Lowry, & Celeste-Leilani Lazaris — they know me, they know my experience, they know Sage, they know the nitty gritty details that really matter in a situation like this (details that would make this post way too long)
I literally cannot thank them enough. Through the stress, through the emotions, through the thinking with my brain vs. my heart and balancing what felt right vs the science — you guys have supported me more than I could’ve ever asked.

So just a little celebration post for my girl Sage. This is a big step towards healing (please keep your head screwed on straight and be a well behaved citizen in turnout 🤞 so that we can get back to dancing in the arena as soon as possible)

And a little PSA.
Often, we don’t know all the details. What you see in a moment, a picture, a short video, a lesson in a clinic, etc — you are seeing one moment in time. We are all fighting battles behind the scenes that the rest of the world knows nothing about. Instead of judging the situation or person — bring curiosity to the table. Ask questions. I know there are some people that don’t want their whole personal life out in the open — but I am an open book! If my life experiences can help you, I would love to share and support you. I’ve been extremely lucky to have people in my life that really have supported me by being open and honest about their life experiences. It’s one of the most beautiful things in my opinion. Learning and growing from each other 🫶