BA Horsemanship

09/08/2023

Thought this was an interesting lesson to important not to share!

The Arabian horse symbolizes: Grace, Power and sensitivity..
Bacardi is by far the most sensitive horse I have ever worked with. The last couple weeks have been a bit tough as the herd lost their alpha mare so the herd has been re-establishing themselves…horses have been acting very different from normal and getting into fights..including Bacardi…last week was frustrating for the both of us cause it just felt like anything we did we would just butt heads and I really thrive to be their partner so it was very upsetting we weren’t getting along. Finally… today Bacardi was back to being soft and quiet so it was nice for us to be partners again. Horses truly are sensitive complicated animals and each and every one of them continues to teach me to be a better horse-woman and never stop trying to understand them.. ❤️

29/06/2023

⭐ Exercises to strengthen your horse's hind end ⭐

It's important to incorporate these exercises slowly into your horse's routine. You don't want to over face or fatigue them. Strength and fitness does not happen in 1-2 weeks, it is a long term commitment. If your horse has a history of joint dysfunction, discuss with your vet and bodyworker on how to correctly incorporate these exercises.

🦄ALL of these exercises should be done with a low head position and soft neck! 🦄

🌟Pole work🌟
Start by using 4 poles 2.5 feet apart at the walk. This will engage the core and hind end, without too much concussion on the joints. By starting at the walk you are also activating your horse's postural muscles. This is a great exercise to incorporate in your 15 minute walk warm up.

At the trot, you can place 4-5 poles 4.5 feet apart and create a figure eight pattern with the poles in the center. This will engage the core and hind end while creating bend in the ribcage.

🌟Hill Work🌟
Please be cautious of your horse's current fitness with this exercise!!!
Start with a slight incline, rather than a large hill! A slight incline will engage more postural muscles and encourage correct hind end engagement. Once your horse has mastered the slight incline, you can introduce a larger hill. Keep this fun for them and be mindful of your position on their back during this exercise.

🌟Backing Up🌟
The best kept secret for hind end health! This exercise is great for mobilizing the pelvis, lumbar and thoracic area while engaging the core.

The KEY is to keep your horse's head low with a soft neck, then back 5-6 steps then walk forward. If the neck is braced with a high head, you are creating tension. Master this exercise on the ground before asking for it under saddle.
The next level of this exercise is to ask for them to back up a gentle incline, this will give them an extra "crunch" through the core and more pelvis mobility.

🌟Canter Transitions🌟
Start with trot to canter transitions, building up to walk to canter transitions. This exercise encourages your horse to push from behind while lifting through the core. Keep this exercise fun, if it becomes a drill your horse will anticipate it and brace creating tension.

Create a figure eight pattern with a transition in the middle. You could also incorporate ground poles into this exercise by setting 3-4 poles up 4.5 feet apart in the middle of the arena, canter a large circle, coming down into the trot 10 feet before the poles, trot through the poles, then pick up the opposite lead canter, and repeat the exercise that direction.

Have fun!! And don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!! 💜

26/06/2023

Super proud of these guys today! ✨

🌟Annie and Courtney conquered two halter classes and two showmanship classes..earning themselves a
2nd out of 14 in novice showmanship!!

🌟Stefani and Mia had some really good rides and placed in the majority of their classes today!

Overall pretty successful day with just a few minor bobbles…& we only got poured on for a couple minutes🤣

11/06/2023

Congrats to Jase, Gio, Josh and Shawn on a Successful show weekend at their first Gypsy Show of the year with their 4 year old, Gypsy Vanner, Tartok’s Blazing Comet ❤️!!

🥳🥳🥳 Way to go!!!

23/05/2023

Beautiful day to work horses ❤️

19/04/2023

😜The tongue of a horse weighs over 1kg (approx. 2.5lbs) and is 40cm (16in) long)!

🤪The back of the tongue is attached at the throat to the hyoid bones, that also connect to the jaw.
😛It links to a chain of muscles via the fascia, extending to the sternum, shoulders and forelegs.
😝Amazingly these muscles then link to the pectoral and abdominal muscles and on to the pelvis and hind limbs.

😜🏇🏻This is why the riders hands, body balance & stability,😛Along with the action of a bit in a horse’s mouth😝can have such an impact upon the rest of his body when working/schooling. 🏇🏻

14/04/2023

🙌🏻 Roof complete ❤️🙌🏻

30/03/2023

Teaching my future assistant, one of the most important pieces to the puzzle…proper hoof care ✨

Yesterday we got word Montana’s navicular bone has had some major changes…I kind of already knew he was retired back when he first got hurt but my goal is and always will be to keep him happy and comfortable as he lives out the rest of his retirement…
Teaching Avery how to take care for him as she grows is super important if he in fact is her horse now…

As always thank you to my amazing farrier, Jeannie for consistently letting me pick her brain as we move forward through this.

26/03/2023

🤣🤣

24/03/2023

Busy day at Bergquist farms ❤️✨

Mia and stefani working on some body control and working through some spring freshness and “monsters” in the cornfield 🫣

Annie and Courtney working on being more relaxed under saddle and allowing us to adjust her to help Annie strengthen herself and keep her body more balanced to allow for collection

Bentley doing some groundwork and working through some of his insecurities when being asked to do some groundwork that he doesn’t quite understand the purpose of..

&

Comet doing some line drive work getting ready to start being saddled/ridden (again).

22/03/2023

Received this nice text tonight after working with a new client and her two miniature ponies ☺️

“Patience will achieve more than force”

20/03/2023

Kelly and Dusty enjoying a nice little stroll on one of the nicer days this winter. Can’t wait for warmer weather!!

19/03/2023

Congratulations to Stefani Bergquist and Some R Trophy FanC on a successful Winter Wonderland show series! 🎉🎉

18/03/2023

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Bentley’s feeling festive 🍀

05/03/2023

Congrats to Stefani Bergquist and Some R Trophy Fan C “Mia” on a successful 2022 show season!

I am so very proud of you ❤️☺️

02/03/2023

STALL FULL 💫
Thank you for all the interest.
I also offer lessons and haul ins for anyone interested. 🙂

I have one training spot open in Mchenry IL.
I have worked with:
*Unbroke horses (whether it be ground work or starting to work under saddle)
*Finished horses who need legged up/tune up
*English horses on the flat
*Ranch horses
*Western pleasure
*Problem horses

I have worked with many different types of horses and disciplines! Ill take my time if needed. I’d rather the horse feel comfortable with what I’m asking of them rather than rushing the process. Feel free to message me privately! Plenty of references available!

27/02/2023

Great weekend of horse showing for Team Bergquist Farms!

23/02/2023

20/02/2023

Comet and Mia learning some big kid things!

Comet learning how to pony and reintroducing the saddle 💫

And Mia moo stepping it up as my pony horse ❤️🐮

17/02/2023

Layla showing me her new stall sign she got 🤣❤️

10/01/2023

Monday night Showmanship practice ✨

04/01/2023

Proud of the Moo Cow…Mia has had to step it up and become a lesson pony these last couple months and I couldn’t be prouder of her and Layna, the little girl that rides her twice a week ❤️🐮

(Don’t mind the English bridle and western saddle haha)

25/12/2022

Happy Holidays!

24/11/2022

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁

18/11/2022

Mia giving Layna a lesson tonight. By the end of the lesson Layna was steering around cones all by herself ✨

I am so proud of the both of them, working as a team tonight! 💫

Thank you Stefani for letting me borrow Mia ❤️

14/11/2022

Baby Oak living his best life!! ❤️😍