The Peach Orchard Equestrian Academy

11/19/2025

What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)?

You've probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that results in "snotty noses," but EHV is more than that. Depending on the strain, this virus can also cause abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — the often-deadly neurologic form of the disease.

Because EHV is endemic in many equine populations, most mature horses have developed some immunity through repeated natural infection. However, they remain a source of infection for other susceptible horses, like weaned foals and yearlings, who usually display symptoms of the respiratory form of the disease in autumn and winter. Performance and show horses are also more vulnerable to the disease, as they commingle with unfamiliar equines in close quarters while under stress from travel and competition.

Proper biosecurity protocols can help reduce EHV outbreaks and other disease transmission. A variety of vaccines are also available for protection against both the respiratory and abortive form of the disease, but there is no equine licensed vaccine at this time that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic form (EHM).

Consult your primary equine veterinarian to learn more about this disease and work with them to determine the optimal vaccine protocol for your horses.

You can learn more about all three forms on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website here: https://equinediseasecc.org/infectious-diseases

11/19/2025

💛 A Little Jasmine Appreciation Post 💛

I had to share this moment because it perfectly captures the kind of heart and dedication Jasmine brings to The Peach Orchard every single day.

While juggling nutrition assessments, barn management, and the hundred little details that keep this place running… she still somehow finds the space to love on Hudson and help our family in the kindest ways.
This photo says it all — balancing a laptop on one side, a snuggly baby on the other, and still giving her full attention to the work that keeps our horses healthy and thriving.

Jasmine, we appreciate you more than words can say.
Thank you for loving this farm, these horses, and our family the way you do.

We are so lucky to have you!

11/15/2025

Nutrition isn’t a guess — it’s a science.
Today’s “visual experiment” is the perfect example of why we take it so seriously. Take a look at the two photos below…

In the first picture, you’ll see a scale reading 0.56 lbs. In the second, you’ll see a scoop that looks like 3/4 lb.

But here’s the issue: What looks like 3/4 lb of feed is not always actually 3/4 lb. Volume and weight are NOT the same. Different feeds have different densities — pellets, textured feeds, senior feeds, and alfalfa pellets all weigh completely differently scoop-for-scoop.

This is exactly why our program weighs feed. No guessing. Not approximations. Accurate weights, every single feeding.

Proper nutrition affects:
✔️ Body condition
✔️ Energy levels
✔️ Hormones
✔️ Hoof quality
✔️ Coat health
✔️ Metabolism (Cushings, IR, thyroid issues)
✔️ Overall longevity and performance

At The Peach Orchard, we want every horse — lesson horses, boarders, retirees, minis, performance horses — to receive the exact nutrition they need.

Your horse’s nutritional program is not random. It’s not eyeballed. It’s measured, intentional, and done with purpose.

If you’re feeding at home, don’t trust the scoop. Trust the scale.

Your horse deserves precision, and we’re proud to deliver exactly that.

11/03/2025

No Stirrup November: Let's Talk About Doing It RIGHT

It's that time of year again - No Stirrup November is upon us but before you drop those stirrups and suffer through entire lessons, let's have a real conversation about making this EFFECTIVE instead of just painful.

The goal of no-stirrup work isn't torture. It's building:
- Core strength and stability
- Independent seat
- Proper leg position
- Balance without relying on stirrups
- Muscle memory for correct position

But here's what I see go wrong EVERY November:
❌ Riders pushing through entire lessons without stirrups
❌ Gripping and tensing to compensate for fatigue
❌ Creating BAD habits from exhaustion
❌ Horses dealing with tense, bouncing riders

When you ride to exhaustion, you're not building strength - you're building TENSION and bad patterns.

A BETTER APPROACH: One Stirrup at a Time
Instead of dropping both stirrups and white-knuckling through your ride try this:

Start with ONE stirrup removed. Ride with just your left stirrup dropped for 5-10 minutes and then switch and ride with just your right stirrup dropped for 5-10 minutes. This isolates each side and helps you feel differences in strength/balance

Then progress to dropping both stirrups, briefly. Start with 5 minutes, not 45, and remember quality over quantity ALWAYS

WHEN TO STOP:
The MOMENT you feel yourself:
- Gripping with your knees
- Tensing through your hips or back
- Bouncing excessively
- Getting sore to the point of compensation

Stop. Put your stirrups back. Rest. Tired muscles build strength. EXHAUSTED muscles create bad habits and tension patterns that take weeks to undo.

GUIDELINES FOR SAFE NO-STIRRUP WORK:
✅ Warm up WITH stirrups first! Get your body and horse warmed up properly before removing stirrups.
✅ Start at walk, progress to trot. Master walk without stirrups before adding trot. Canter comes later (if at all, depending on level).
✅ Use shorter intervals. 5-10 minutes of quality work beats 30 minutes of gripping and bouncing.
✅ Listen to your body - pain is not ok. Shaking muscles mean STOP.
✅ Stretch after! Stretch your hip flexors, hamstrings, inner thighs - they all need stretching post-ride.
✅ Not every ride needs to be no-stirrup, 3x per week is plenty. Your body needs recovery time.
✅ Consider your horse... a tense, exhausted rider bouncing on their back isn't fair to them either.

FOR INSTRUCTORS:
Don't make No Stirrup November a punishment or endurance test.
Make it purposeful and:
- Assign specific time limits
- Check in frequently about tension/fatigue
- Have students put stirrups back when quality declines
- Focus on FEELING and body awareness, not just "surviving"
- Celebrate small improvements in balance and strength

Remember: We're building better riders, not tough riders who can suffer through discomfort.

No Stirrup November is a TOOL for building strength and balance - but only when done correctly. One stirrup at a time is often more effective than both. Short, quality intervals beat long, exhausting sessions. Tension creates problems - stop before you get there. Your goal: End November as a stronger, more balanced rider with GOOD habits, not someone who "survived" a month of suffering.

Instructors: How are you approaching No Stirrup November in your program?

11/03/2025

10/29/2025

DON'T MISS OUR LAST HORSE OWNER EDUCATION WEBINAR OF 2025! 📢

Join us next Wednesday, Nov. 5, for "Care and Management of the Elderly Equine".

Just like people, the needs of horses change as they continue to age. Members of the AAEP Horse Owner Education committee will present on a wide range of topics to help you properly care for the elderly equine in your life. Discussion points will include diet, dentistry, common diseases and illnesses, preventative care, and more. Do not miss this informative session on how to help your older horse live its best life!

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event.

Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ah5yOsCebSifxMhDsKU4IL28l58V2uXLCCZy2BJfr1cVGkPrhte-~AkTrbyktZL-X6LN0LpntEqMChUPte_sAlD_Vc22m-q6fZUf_K_Bby90XhQ

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

10/23/2025

Qualities that make a good leg-yield:

✅ The horse moves both forwards and sideways on two tracks.
✅ The rhythm and tempo remains consistent.
✅ The horse's body stays straight with the shoulders about one hoofprint in front of the hindquarters, and a very slight flexion at the poll away from the direction of travel.
✅ If in trot, the horse's inside legs pass and cross in front of the horse's outside legs.
✅ The horse moves freely forward, working through his back without tension or resistance, and the balance is uphill.
✅ The contact is elastic and consistent.
✅ There is a clear start and end to the movement.
✅ The positioning of the leg-yield remains the same throughout the movement, without steep or shallow variations.

To find out more about the leg-yield (including the aids and how to ride it), check out our newest book on Amazon. Link in the comments. (Please note: The price of this book will increase on the 4th November.)

Illustrations created and copyrighted by How To Dressage

10/18/2025

Anyone interested in joining in on the fun?

🦃🍁 Trot off that turkey! Our Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Online Horse Show is now open for entries — but hurry, they close November 15! Show off your fall spirit and join the fun from home 🧡 Remember! $10 of every class fee goes straight to Horses Haven so they can continue their amazing work 🐴

10/18/2025

Some mornings start with coffee, baby snuggles, and the sound of horses nickering for breakfast. Other days, it’s a balancing act between muck boots and baby carriers — but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Running a boarding and lesson facility while being a mom means the days are long and the work never really stops. Ever.
But it also means my little one gets to grow up surrounded by the best teachers — patient horses, open skies, and a barn full of love.
This life isn’t easy, but it’s full of purpose. Every sunrise in the arena reminds me why I do it: to build something meaningful, to care for these incredible animals, and to show my son what hard work and passion look like hand in hand. 💛
Here’s to all the moms chasing dreams — in the barn, the boardroom, or anywhere in between.

10/12/2025