Strong Spirit Stables LLC

03/04/2025

One of the best ways to fix a problem with horses is to prevent it in the first place
The second best way is to stop making it and to stop doing the things that contribute to it

And the ultimate best way is to continue learning until you create a feel that allows horses around you to be their best, with no corrections required

03/04/2025

There are some very good points made here by Luke!!

03/03/2025

Be deeply, wildly, shamelessly affectionate with your horses. You are allowed. Not only allowed, that's a direct order.

Somehow, it has become cool to be careless. Rugged individualism and masochistic work addiction translate to a scenario where the biggest show of effort from a horse is met with a nonchalant pet from a rider trying to be cool, or a vulgar hard slap-slap-slap from a rider trying to prove, all too loudly, that the horse "pleased" them.

Pet the horse. Open soft land, stroke. Not a slap, unless your horse likes vigorous pressure. I have one of those at home. If he was a human it would be Deep Tissue Massage or Get Outta Here with your skin rubs.

Every horse will like affection catered differently. For some, they want your hands OFF. Touch is too intense, too crass. It is enough for you to stand there and glow about them. Just glow, from inside and out. They glow back. And you squirm with pride. Glow worm.

When someone calls their horse names, I have to wonder who encouraged them to go so far up Sh*t Creek? Don't you realise that the forces that made the Galaxy, mountains, and that grass over there is the same power that made you, and made your horse?

It is a miracle to be alive.

You want to spend the precious little time we have in our life being CYNICAL? Being stoic or even harsh towards animals that safekeep your body during fun and/or necessary activities? When did you forget that you get only one life? And in your last breath, are you going to be grateful that you spent your time with your horse calling them a jerk, bitch, as***le, idiot etc etc etc. How ridiculous. Stop it.

It is deeply, profoundly foolish to not be affectionate to your horses. Got a horse that challenges you, frustrates you, annoys you, or makes your life hard? Sure. We all do. Get it out of your system and then walk your nervous system back home.

Say thank you.
I love you.
I am grateful for you.
I think you are the best.
Thank you.

Repeat.

That is your prescription today! Shed the skin of the toxic stoicism we have all been taught to embody as some form of Legitimate Horse People Are Rarely Affectionate Or Impressed By Their Horse. Unless the horse performs some kind of miracle.

If you do not tell your horse they are fabulous, how will they ever be fabulous?

Ever had a horse do the same for you in return? You gotta give it, to get it.

Try it. It doesn't hurt I promise.

Your friends laughing at you? For being kind to your horse? Can you hear how utterly insane that is? Discover your confidence to embody that care and nurturant love with your horses and shake your head in disbelief at the fools who think that's foolish... or take them out to lunch and ask them when their pain started. Only people in pain withhold love. Nothing sadder.

But you do not have to. You can just decide, right now, and implement it, right now.

03/01/2025

02/28/2025

Energy is meant to flow.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about emotional trauma, it’s understanding the energy behind those emotions. How you feel. For us humans, that energy in our emotions can be built up in the body. And most likely, it’s not going to release until you have a good cry or sometimes swearing into a pillow so you don’t hurt others around you, releasing that built up energy and stress out of the body.

Then why are folks obsessed over whether a horse bucks in the first saddling or not? Are you one of those owners who thinks your horse randomly explodes out of nowhere? Over the years of starting hundreds of colts, I do believe those emotions are very much tied into that energy.

Even if a horse is standing still, ask yourself, is my horses body tense with his head up, tight jaw, wide eye, and ears back in a tense manner? What’s his tail doing? And if he’s moving, does he walk like he’s got an extra 100lbs attached to each foot? Stiff in the joints?

If so, do the necessary steps to release that energy. It can be backing off your presence, a rub on the neck, moving the feet, or a treat potentially.

Horses blow up because humans miss this on the daily when horses need to release that excess energy. It’s up to the human in how they make is a positive or negative outcome. Energy is meant to flow whether it’s horse or human.

02/27/2025

Took 2 of my horses for a walk today at the same time. We all 3 needed to get our steps in and desensitize for future ponying of the horse beside you♥️

Normalize taking your horse for a walk when you/the horse need more muscle, more movement, or more fitness.

There are so many benefits to walking beside your horses without tack — from getting your own steps in, reducing restrictions in the fascia caused by the girth, improved proprioception, and letting them work on their balance and straightness without the rider’s weight.

My horses would like me to add that they also have easier access to the treats in my pocket, which is likely the most important reason.

Another great way to increase muscle and fitness without tack is ponying. More about that in another post…

02/27/2025

Love this saying and technique 🥰

02/26/2025

Your Horse Feels What You Carry...

Before you even touch the lead rope, your horse is reading you. Your energy, mindset, and emotions set the tone for every interaction.

Next time you approach your horse, try this:
✔ Pause & Breathe – Before stepping into their space, take a slow breath and release any tension you’re carrying.
✔ Check Your Thoughts – Are you already expecting resistance, or are you open to connection?
✔ They will follow your Energy – If they’re unsure, bring calm. If they’re distracted, bring quiet presence.

Your horse isn’t just responding to what you ask—they’re responding to who you are in that moment. The more self-awareness you bring, the deeper your trust will grow.

➡️ Try this today and let us know what you notice! Drop a comment below.

02/26/2025

02/25/2025

How many of us go to a show and see horses competing that are unsound ?

✋🏼happens to me often

The questions have to be asked. .

❓Do these riders/trainers not know that their horses are having issues ?
❓Do they know, but choose to ignore it bc the horse is still placing?
❓Do they genuinely think nothing is wrong bc the horse is still doing it’s job?
❓Is the rider completely unaware and just going off what the trainer is telling them?

How far do we have to bend something before we realize that it is breaking or broken ?

‘My horse always starts out a little stiff and cold backed’
‘Oh that’s just how they go’
‘They’ve always done that’

We need to stop normalizing the abnormal.

💭Familiarizing ourselves with pain responses and behaviors directly indicating pain
💭Aligning yourself with a trainer that has ethical practices
💭Knowing how tack should fit
💭knowing what healthy feet look like
💭knowing how to palpate for pain

These are all very simple things we can do as equestrians that could potentially save our horses from injury and suffering.

02/23/2025

Happy Sunday! Use your gift today!

02/22/2025

I hope everyone got to enjoy the beautiful weather and did something with your horse today! ☀️
I know I did! Pulled blankets off, brushed the horses, did a little hoof maintenance and took a couple of the horses for a walk down the driveway! I can’t wait for spring!

02/21/2025

The key to success 👇

02/13/2025

02/12/2025

02/09/2025

It’s either because they need us, we need them or both.

The universe knows exactly what it’s doing.

🖤🩶🤍🤎

02/08/2025

Warwick has hundreds of full length training videos filmed with REAL horses, REAL people, REAL problems in REAL time. videos.warwickschiller.comListen to Th...