Joker’s Wild

07/10/2024

These girls practiced and it paid off, way to follow through girls, it has been a tough year and each of you has learned so much! I am very proud of all of you ❤️

10/07/2024

10/06/2024

In todays episode of i got that itchy spot 😂😂❤️

18/05/2024

Someone is tuckered out after galloping all day

16/05/2024

Welcome Raijin , born at 2 an this morning , he has a lot of unfolding to do but is healthy and happy ! Suki and I are smitten ❤️

30/04/2024

Former sales horse Owesaycanyousee with current student Isa killing it at Ian Redmans Great Hopes XC course! Nothing makes me happier than helping a horse find it's calling and finding the right person for them, these two had some serious growing pains in the beginning but are now starting to figure each other out!

09/03/2024

Hogan would like to formally announce his retirement from being ridden , even though he would still love to take off with each and every one of you his old age is showing and he can no longer keep his beautiful figure , things i will miss the most teaching on him is how he thought everyone should canter
And how much he loved to jump , he still loves treats so come visit him babysitting pregnant Suki and spoil him ❤️❤️

07/09/2023

Well today was/is terrible, all of our horses got multiple baths to stay cool! I hope everyone else stayed cool too! Come on fall ….

21/05/2023

Great show day today, everyone did fantastic!!!!

22/04/2023

I
Hate
Saddle marks

The Saddle Mark

When I walk in your stall for the late night check, I notice the saddle mark from where you have dirt and sweat.

It tells a story of an honest kind mount, who just spent several hours making memories count.

I grab a brush and wipe away the dried sweat and muck thinking to myself why he should just buck.

You see this old horse who's back I groom with care was left in his stall by some kid with long hair.

They ride him for hours, with constant yanks and belly kicks, while he patiently taught them what being a horse rider is.

They give him lots of reasons of why he should kick or bite, but instead he lowers his head because it's just polite.

27yrs this old guy has graced this earth and these ungrateful kids can't even clean off the dirt.

From your aggravated Coach Courtney Smith
P.S. Nothing makes me angrier then seeing such great horses who give their all be treated with such disregard by their riders.

22/03/2023

I am lucky.

I have fallen. I have been kicked. I have been stepped on. I have been bitten.

I’ve had falls that could’ve and should’ve caused permanent injury.

I’ve had falls that have broken my fingers, wrists and hands and continued to ride through such injuries.

I’ve had falls that could’ve gravely injured me and robbed me of the very job and activities that bring me so much joy.

I had one fall in particular, a few years ago, where I landed so hard I thought I may have broken my back. Every fall before this, I had been able to just get up and go catch my horse. This time, when I tried to get up, the pain was so sharp I had to take a knee. I felt like I was going to be sick.

Since this fall, I’ve had back soreness and body soreness issues. My low back, hips and knees are not great.

Recently, I had an MRI. I was expecting bad news, but instead I got good news.

I am lucky.

I have beaten up my body and needlessly put myself and horses in dangerous situations that are entirely avoidable and could be made so much safer just by training with more patience and thought.

I could’ve robbed myself of a lot of longevity and caused permanent injury.

But, I am lucky.

That luck has made me consider what it would’ve been like if I hadnt been so fortunate.

If these injuries had caught up with me.

Oh, the anger and frustration I would feel.

Others are not so lucky.

Others are still actively endangering themselves doing the same things I once did. Being applauded for it and told they’re gritty and brave.

It isn’t necessary. It isn’t worth it in the long run.

We don’t need to endanger ourselves as riders to the extent that is normalized.

Horses can be dangerous on a good day, but far too often in training and care, us humans throw gasoline on that figurative fire and create situations that are much more risky than needed.

Safety is cool.

Patience is cool.

Not injuring yourself is cool.

We can be safer. We can stress horses out less. We can preserve our bodies more and we can yield the same results or better just by taking a step back and relaxing.

We don’t need to create dangerous situations in the name of training.

You can train to avoid such dangerous situations.

And your body will thank you.

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Learning resources: http://MilestoneEquestrian.ca/resources

Webinars: https://milestoneequestrian.ca/shop-milestone

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/sdequus

29/01/2023

Pass showing Jaila the up and down❤️

01/01/2023

With

20/12/2022

Always face snaps in for safety

A very important reminder courtesy of the horse doctors at Miamitown Equine Veterinary Services:

"When securing blankets, make sure that the snaps/clips are facing inward, toward the horse! If they are facing out, they can easily become stuck on something, like the hay net in the picture."

29/10/2022

For me its most important to have fun but I couldn’t be prouder of these three ladies , everyone did amazing

24/10/2022

After cancelling the younger riders show due to rain , the sun came out so We decided to show Nik , Kitkat and Wingman. We had a really great time, i even rode wingman in a flat class . Thank you DEC for a really fun show series