Shepherd's Way Horsemanship

09/14/2023

Before I had kids 😊

Do you have kids? I don't. So I hope you don't find my examples presumptuous.
If you've ever had a kid hopefully you've taken that baby to the doctor a few times in his or her life. You took her in for a vaccination or four, or maybe a check-up, and likely you've taken in a kiddo for a minor injury. Babies and kids, because of their age and sheer lack of life experience, just can't understand what's going on when mom and dad take them to the doctor. You've got to cradle them and hold them down for procedures that are scary and even cause pain. But why? Because it's for their good, right? You can't explain it to them then, but you do what is necessary to keep them safe and healthy and love them through their uncomfortable moments. It's one of those really helpless, terrible moments as a parent, isn't it?

Horsemanship can often have those moments. Moments in the process where the horse gets emotionally lost and you have to hold their hand tightly through it. You set the boundary and help them find their way back to comfort. You don't avoid the scary moment, and you do all you can to prepare them, but no matter how amazing the horse is or talented the horseman is, fearful moments will come and you'll have to work through them.
When possible you don't reward or release in a fearful/explosive/avoid frame of mind. You drift, maintain pressure to some degree, and release at the slightest try. Your attitude is of absolute importance, and the wrong attitude will throw the right strategies out the window.
Staying calm and encouraging when a horse blows up takes a fair amount of emotional fitness on your part, and that requires developing. We expect our horses to develop emotional fitness and learn to be brave and trusting, and so should we.
A parent doesn't (or shouldn't) think, "Don't be a scared little brat." when their baby is getting 4 vaccines in their little legs. We should take that same loving, encouraging frame of mind with horses and help them through their moments of fear, knowing it is for their benefit.

09/14/2023

Good stuff!

09/14/2023

And such a great moment with a little horse named Joy.

There are many fantastic, skilled horse professionals in the industry, each with their own approach to connecting with a horse. Each professional brings not only their own unique talents and gifts to the table, but also their flaws and human imperfections. When you start throwing stones at a horse professional because of their flaws, you will miss out on their gifts. And worse than that, someone who throws stones thinks that they are perfect, and those people will never improve themselves.
The horsemanship journey cannot be spotless and is full of challenges.
Be you. Enjoy your horse. Don't pick up the stones.

09/14/2023

It sure is fun to look back at my perspective from before I had kids!

Do you have kids? I don't. So I hope you don't find my examples presumptuous.
If you've ever had a kid hopefully you've taken that baby to the doctor a few times in his or her life. You took her in for a vaccination or four, or maybe a check-up, and likely you've taken in a kiddo for a minor injury. Babies and kids, because of their age and sheer lack of life experience, just can't understand what's going on when mom and dad take them to the doctor. You've got to cradle them and hold them down for procedures that are scary and even cause pain. But why? Because it's for their good, right? You can't explain it to them then, but you do what is necessary to keep them safe and healthy and love them through their uncomfortable moments. It's one of those really helpless, terrible moments as a parent, isn't it?

Horsemanship can often have those moments. Moments in the process where the horse gets emotionally lost and you have to hold their hand tightly through it. You set the boundary and help them find their way back to comfort. You don't avoid the scary moment, and you do all you can to prepare them, but no matter how amazing the horse is or talented the horseman is, fearful moments will come and you'll have to work through them.
When possible you don't reward or release in a fearful/explosive/avoid frame of mind. You drift, maintain pressure to some degree, and release at the slightest try. Your attitude is of absolute importance, and the wrong attitude will throw the right strategies out the window.
Staying calm and encouraging when a horse blows up takes a fair amount of emotional fitness on your part, and that requires developing. We expect our horses to develop emotional fitness and learn to be brave and trusting, and so should we.
A parent doesn't (or shouldn't) think, "Don't be a scared little brat." when their baby is getting 4 vaccines in their little legs. We should take that same loving, encouraging frame of mind with horses and help them through their moments of fear, knowing it is for their benefit.

03/05/2022

Video from 8 years ago — Dancer, my discarded OTTB and the sweetest girl ever. She turned 27 in January ❤️.
Who wants to see some liberty play with Dancer from NOW?!

03/05/2022

Welcome to Shepherd’s Way, Jackie ❤️

02/24/2022

😍

02/22/2022

McNall Farrier Service has been farriering (that’s totally a word, right?) for our farm for years. Jim and apprentice Izzy are excellent at what they do! Professional, patient, punctual, and skilled.

https://www.facebook.com/McNallFarrierService/

02/21/2022

Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic has been our primary equine vet for yeeeears! Check out all the FREE education they offer!

02/21/2022

Timothy and peanut for breakfast!

02/18/2022

Max and Darsy enjoy the big field all to themselves.

02/12/2022

Great weather for putting up new electric fencing.

02/11/2022

Enjoy your weekend!

02/10/2022

Dusty and Dunny have become pals. ❤️

02/10/2022

Breakfast with besties ❤️

02/07/2022

Happy mares on a misty morning.
Myah ‘96
Dancer ‘95
Satin ‘97
Missy

02/07/2022

Myah and Missy working out their herd dynamics at feeding time. So much drama (not 😅).

Myah is the head mare in her herd of 3 mares. Missy is being introduced to that herd of three, soon to be four (look, I can do math). First in the paddock adjacent, then with alpha mare only, then with Dancer and Satin.
Their snarky faces always make me chuckle.

Missy’s buddy who she came with has been introduced quite happily to the gelding herd.

Love me some herd dynamics! How about you?

02/06/2022

Our very critical hay inspector approves of the newest load of 1st-cut 3-tie Timothy from Berretini Feed.
Lately we’ve been getting our Timothy and Alfalfa hays from Berretini.
I always keep our locally grown perennial peanut hay in stock — it’s my preferred legume hay and the geriatric horses seem to do really well on it (in addition to soaked alfalfa pellets).

12/14/2021

Our two newest boarders are so cute! Miss Mae and Dunny are getting used to all the moos, oinks, clucks, and gobbles. Keep these retirees entertained 😁

11/29/2021

Tower of Timothy.

11/05/2021

A little view of the farm, November 2021

08/30/2021

Board Opportunity in Williston!

Free/reduced board in exchange for basic farm chores, including grooming horses and light barn chores.

Willing to wait for the right match for this opportunity!

Flexible schedule with commitment.
An easy 30-minute drive to Gainesville and Ocala.

(This is specifically for a board-exchange opportunity)

08/18/2021

August in Florida is hot and beautiful