Back In The Saddle Equine Therapy Center (Bitsetc)

01/31/2025

01/30/2025

01/21/2025

We had so much fun at Camp on Monday! We got to do chores in the barn, walk the minis outside, warm up with some hot cocoa and rode Nemo and Gideon in the afternoon!

01/17/2025

01/15/2025

The second instructor joining our herd is Kat! "Hi, my name is Kat, I grew up in northern New Hampshire, but it wasn't until I lived in Montana that I really got into horseback riding and working with horses. I joined my College’s Equestrian Team in 2013, showing Western Pleasure for 2 years in IHSA. While in Montana, I took several equine horsemanship, and coaching courses. I've been coaching multiple sports over the past 11 years from ski racing, horseback riding to swimming and soccer too. When I am not teaching at BITS, I am coaching a middle school alpine ski team up in Whitefield, NH; or I am spending time with my own horse, Caya, who I've had for about 3.5 years. One of my favorite things about coaching & teaching is helping students & athletes achieve their goals. For me it's not about winning or losing, it's about teaching the fundamentals & having fun! And so far my favorite part about working at BITS, other than the horses, is seeing the smile on my student's face when they figure something out." -- Kat will be at camp on Monday so if you see her say Hello!

01/14/2025

We have a couple new instructors joining our Herd! First, I would like to introduce Maya. "Hi! My name is Maya Corbyn and I’m from Newbury, NH. I attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst studying Animal Science on an Equine Concentration. I have been around and riding horses for most of my life and I hope to continue this throughout my lifetime in and out of the saddle! I am so excited to be a part of the BITS team and have enjoyed getting to know wonderful people and ponies! I look forward to future adventures with the herd." -- If you see her at the barn say hello and introduce yourself!

01/14/2025

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT US CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM OUR WISH LIST! 🐎

01/14/2025

Camp is next Monday Jan. 20th! Sign up by Thursday Jan. 16th to save your spot!

First Kids Day Camp of 2025!! January 20th (Monday, MLK Day) from 9:00- 1:00. Bring a snack and warm clothes because we're about to have some fun with the herd!

01/11/2025

Very cold but productive week! Winter is definitely here!

01/07/2025

First Kids Day Camp of 2025!! January 20th (Monday, MLK Day) from 9:00- 1:00. Bring a snack and warm clothes because we're about to have some fun with the herd!

01/06/2025

FUN FACT FRIDAY!

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

12/31/2024

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year for 2025!
Just a reminder that we will be closed for lessons on 1/1/25

12/27/2024

Christmas Vacation Week Camps were cold but lots of fun!!!

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas and Happy First Day of Hanukkah from our Herd to yours! We are so grateful for everyone in our community during this season of miracles and wish you all peace and light during this holiday season!

12/24/2024

It wouldn't be Christmas Eve if we didn't send out our letter to Santa today! Hopefully he gets it in time - we are hoping with young children everywhere that he brings us some goodies tonight...we've been real good! 🤞🎅 If you would like to help Santa out, our wish list link is below.

During this Christmas season, we want to also thank you all so much for the incredible support and love you provide our team! We are overwhelmed by the kind gestures we receive from you all

12/23/2024

Bbbbbbrrrrrrr Boots and Sage want to make sure their list is out before Christmas!

12/22/2024

❄️🎄On this cold winter morning, Buster shares his list from tucked into his blanket with his pals 🎅🎄