Cara Blanchard Training, Inc.

05/01/2025

Some of the most valuable things I’ve learned in life:

1. Just do it. Do whatever it is you want to do and everything else will fall into place.
2. No one has it all figured out, so stop worrying about what everyone else is doing.
3. Take your mental health seriously.
4. People will only change if they want to. Change = Growth.
5. There’s never a ‘good’ time for a new career, new town, new relationship, etc. so now is as good of a time as any.
6. You can always start over.
7. Happiness is the key.

☀️ Cara

📸: Photos by Furey

04/01/2025

Join us for personal growth and equine therapy in 2025! 🌱

03/01/2025

There is a difference between a rider and a trainer…

03/01/2025

This! Go slow to go fast. The rush isn’t worth it…

https://www.facebook.com/100044151443620/posts/713474210134287/?

Your horse is not miraculously one year older when January 1st hits.

As someone who has had a lot of Thoroughbreds, I find myself seeing this date used on a yearly basis to put horses into work or rush them to harder degrees of work under the assumption that they’re older.

My two TBs I have currently are born in April and May. They are several months out from their birthdays still. They are, however, fully mature so this would have less damage to them due to their age but if they were both younger, I would be looking at another 4&5 months of growth before they’d actually be their respective age.

The number of 2 year olds I see people getting on the second the clock strikes midnight (hyperbolic statement but you get my point) is disheartening to see.

I notice it a lot in the QH world as well. Horses are treated as a year older on this date and people clamber to put the first ride on their baby 2 year old, failing to remember that even if they did wait till their birthday, they’d be sitting on a horse who will not be fully matured in their spine for another 3+ years.

When you start riding the second you view it as some what justifiable based on a made up rule, it pretty much guarantees that rushing will be present in other ways.

Sometimes, we need to pause for a moment and seriously consider what rules serve us and which serve and protect the horses.

This is a great example of a rule and mindset that really only serves the human desire to rush.

I had to share some thoughts on this as it’s hard to watch it happen online every year.

Your horse is still a yearling on January 1st unless they literally evacuated the womb on January 1st.

02/01/2025

The horse first, always. 🦄

01/01/2025

Happy New Year! 🥳

A post that I wrote last year that’s worth a reshare…

Like a true Floridian, I was just stuffing my face with boiled peanuts when I realized that last year I did something I’m really proud of, not once or twice, but multiple times.

I burned bridges in the name of the horse.

As an equine professional, when I teach someone a lesson or lessons on their horse, I observe the horse VERY carefully. I keep an eye out for unhappiness, unsoundness and discomfort. Sometimes it’s just a simple bit switch or a strap adjustment. If I see something deeper, I bring it up with my student and suggest considering having the appropriate professional take a look at their horse, just to cover their bases.

Last year (and in many years and situations past) there was not a single time when I was wrong about something being off kilter with a client’s horse.

Even after second opinions or sometimes ignoring that their horse had an issue, these people continued to push their uncomfortable horse.

I quit those clients.

I will never not do right by the horse.

And I will always be proud of that.

Love the horse first.

☀️ Cara

📸: Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

31/12/2024

Don’t. Touch. Anything. 🤭

Happy New Year!!! 🥳

30/12/2024

I didn’t go to a horse show this year or last year.

And ya know what?

I’m so glad I didn’t show.

I didn’t show last year simply because I didn’t want to. (I was high risk pregnant most of this year.)

I have shows on my radar for 2025, but I’ll see if I feel like it when they roll around.

Why do we always have to succumb to the pressure to compete? To keep up with the trainer down the street or that matchy-matchy rider on instagram? To win the next ribbon, plaque or trophy?

What I did instead of dragging my horse from show grounds to show grounds was build a stronger bond with her. I spent countless hours on my education. I learned a new discipline and I shared that experience with my horse. I don’t regret a single second of the growth that we have had individually or as a team. It was priceless and it is something that we will both carry with us and continue to pursue, along with dressage. And it has only improved our dressage work.

I have a great relationship with each of my horses, a handful I would even call my heart horses, but this horse knows my soul like no other. The best way I can describe our relationship is that she’s like the daughter that I never had. She’s the best friend that I never have to say a word to; she already knows and vice versa. No ribbon on the wall or trophy on the shelf could ever hold a candle to our bond.

So my message to you, if you don’t feel like showing, there’s nothing wrong with that. The biggest win is the love, respect and partnership you gain from growing with your horse.

The sentient being must always come before the accolades, always.

Enjoy the journey and the memories - you won’t regret it!

🌻 Cara

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

29/12/2024

28/12/2024

2025 means 20 whole years of Cara Blanchard Training! Over the last 2 decades we’ve seen so much change and evolution. It wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies, but I’m so thankful for where we are now and the amazing people and horses in my life.

In 2025 I am elated to offer lessons on exceptional school horses, haul in and local (travel) lessons and virtual lessons. I take a more holistic, whole horse approach to horsemanship and dressage. I look forward to sharing my unique program with more of you!

I receive a lot of questions about board and I truthfully just don’t have space. I have a wonderful farm and longtime friend that I have partnered with locally who has a barn comparable to mine, lush green pastures, an arena, round pen and plenty of space for hacking. The care is top notch and specific to each horse. She has a wonderful group of ladies who board there. I can travel to her farm multiple times per week to teach, as it’s only a few minutes down the road from me. Please reach out to me if you’re interested.

We’re excited for the ride in 2025!

☀️ Cara

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

27/12/2024

Hey you! Yes, you!

All you have to do is show up.

Be late.

Be a mess.

Be scared.

Be weird.

Be confused.

Just BE there.

You’ll figure out the rest.

One step at a time.

☀️ Cara

📸: Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

26/12/2024

Have you met him/her yet? 💞

25/12/2024

Happy holidays from our family to yours! I am so grateful for each and every one of you. Looking forward to a spectacular ride in 2025! ❤️💙💚

24/12/2024

As this year is coming to a close, I think about what a huge learning experience it’s been for me and how much I’ve grown.

I wanted to recap on my most valuable lessons and reminders of 2024 in hopes that maybe one of them will remind you that you’re not alone.

My 24 Random Thoughts For 2024:

1. Four quarters is better than 100 pennies.
You don’t have to take on every potential client. Work with those whose beliefs and goals align with yours.

2. Those people who give you anxiety. Trust your gut. Cut the cord. Your mental health is most important. Don’t look back, those people or how they made you feel probably won’t change.

3. As a professional, you fall in love a little with each student. Even if your gut says to let go, the “break up” stings because you have a heart. Intuition is paramount though.

4. People will talk about you and people will think you’re someone that you’re not. Not your loss. However, listeners should think about where or who they get their information from.

5. People will love you. People will hate you. And none of it will have anything to do with you. It’s usually about how you make them feel - whole, better, jealous, etc.

6. You’re not a tree. You’re not stuck. Keep learning. Growing. Changing. Evolving. Reading.

7. If it interests you, at least learn more about it. You don’t have to do it, whatever “it” is.

8. Everyone has something to teach you. It’s up to you to decide what to do with that information.

9. Every ride - relaxation is top priority or everything else is mediocre.

10. Horse’s health > horse show. Every. Single. Time.

11. I’m swearing off taking on any more horses in training. I will always go at the horse’s pace and we live in an instant gratification world - juggling that makes my job draining. Why rush horses? Especially young horses and horses in the early stages of training. There have been so many who come to me with health issues that need to be addressed before training can truly begin. The horse comes first. Always.

12. Take care of your physical and mental health in order to be a better rider.

13. The expensive saddle pads do hold up longer and most fit better. You have my permission to splurge.

14. Support small businesses, especially your friends.

15. Don’t take or keep clients who are persistent about receiving discounts. They’re paying for the years, not the hour.

16. Do what you can to take days off and/or go on vacation. It’s YOUR life. Live it.

17. Whatever that quote is about loving your career so much that you don’t need a vacation from it - it’s garbage. You need memories. You need time with your family and friends. You need to adventure and explore. This world has so much beauty to show us.

18. Food is medicine, for us and our animals. If your horse needs the supplements, buy them. Feed doesn’t always contain every vitamin, nutrient or herb that that specific horse needs.

19. Just buy the horse.

20. It’s okay if plans change. It means something better than you originally planned is coming your way. Flexible methods. Firm goals.

21. I’m not a fan of social media (refer to #4), but I’m so grateful for the safe haven this page has become. I hope to meet more of you in person in 2025.

22. Live. Your. Life! Help the people who appreciate you. Ride. Horse show. Spend tons of time with family. Grow. Have fun. Do what makes you happy.

23. Be unapologetically you.

24. The time is now. Chase your dreams!

☀️ Cara

23/12/2024

💁🏼‍♀️

22/12/2024

Our beautiful new girls arrived safe and sound from Kansas City (MO and KS) yesterday afternoon.

They are so calm and sweet! We are excited to have them with us for Christmas. 🎄

If you’re interested in lessons, both girls are already booked full, but I am taking a waiting list. If my waiting list fills up, I will certainly consider a third new school horse. 😉

We are so grateful to have these two angels as a part of our family. 2025 is sure to be so much fun!

🌻 Cara

21/12/2024

8 Things To Do To Change Your Life In The New Year:

1. Gratitude. Stop complaining and instead appreciate how lucky you are every day. Writing it down helps, too.
2. Don’t be afraid to be alone. Embrace that time and use it to reinvent yourself.
3. Cut ties with the people who do not bring positive energy to your life.
4. Turn off the TV and limit time on the Internet.
5. Pick something you want to learn or a skill you want to cultivate and put all of your effort into developing it.
6. Commit to your goals and never look back.
7. Sweat every day. It’ll boost your mood. Even better if you’re doing it outside.
8. Fail forward. Learn from every mistake you make.

☀️ Cara

📸: Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography