Cadence Dressage

18/04/2025

There’s a dangerous trend growing in the horsemanship world. The idea that you have to and should “build a relationship” before you start building skill.

That mindset is holding people back. And much worse it’s creating confused and dangerous horses.

Here’s the truth:
You don’t pick between relationship and skill. You build both. At the same time.

If you’re only focused on “bonding,” but you’re not setting clear expectations, clear boundaries, clear understanding your horse has no idea where the boundaries are. This creates uncertainty, inconsistency, and eventually frustrating problems that can get dangerous quickly and could be avoided all together.

And if you’re just drilling skills with no feel, no connection, no trust, no regard for the horse’s needs, good luck getting any try or longevity from your horse.

Horsemanship is about leadership. Leadership is the ability to influence.

And true leadership means showing up consistently with vision, clarity, direction, fairness and serving others.

When you combine partnership and purpose, the results speak for themselves. Horses become more focused, more relaxed, and more willing because they understand what’s being asked and they trust the person asking.

This approach is what I’ve called building a Working Partnership with our horse. In fact it’s how I work with my wife, my kids and everyone else too.

What we do develops the skills.
How we do it develops the partnership.

We develop a Working Partnership by having deep Purpose in what we do, developing our Partnership through how we work with the horse and ultimately bringing out the best Performance (potential) in every horse by intentionally bringing together Purpose & Partnership in our work with our horse.

If you want a better partnership with your horse… Develop better timing. Better communication. Clearer boundaries.
Stop separating the emotional connection from the technical work—they’re not in conflict. They complement each other.

These dangerous trends are built on what makes the human feel good but disregard the true needs of the horse.

True leaders focus on serving others.

To have a deep partnership and reliable skills with our horse- we must focus on serving the horse’s needs on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level.

Together We Rise.

-Colton Woods

And if this post resonated with you, I wrote a free ebook called Be A Leader Worth Following that you’d definitely enjoy. If you’d like a copy for free just comment YES and I’ll send it your way.

Here’s to truly serving the horse and being able to look towards what really matters.

31/03/2025

Long Post

Well. . .

I don't even really know how to write this post. So many attempts and thoughts have been started and tossed because it wasn't right.

When I think back over the last 6 years that have been Cadence Dressage, I can't help but feel proud, blessed, and humbled. I didn't imagine year 7 being like this. I am so used to grinding to meet goals, numbers, and my own personal expectations. I am now realizing my only regret is not stopping often enough to really acknowledge how far I had come without the added "but there is still more to do."

My business looks very different from my original plan and yet in so many ways aligns exactly with how I wanted it to look. I set out to create a space where dressage could be enjoyed and appreciated by every client and every horse. I wanted the horse to come first and I wanted clients to feel welcome. I wanted learning and mistakes in the effort to grow to be celebrated.

My barn aisle is a beautiful place. By creating a place of inclusion, I have everything from your typical dressage horse, an Icelandic, arabs, TB, old, and young horses. I have an equally diverse clientel ranging in age and background. I have those that struggle with anxiety and mothers with post partum trauma. I have eventers and hunter jumpers.

In an effort to put the horse first I have meticulously vetted a group of professionals who I feel bring the best to our horses: Sara Perkins, Tacoma Equine, Dr. Julie Page, Maple Leaf Equine Massage, LLC, Marie Ashley, The Equine Bit Fitter, Monica Stanke with Equiscope, Alexa and her cranial sacral... I am sure I am missing some.

I have aligned myself with sponsors I believe in, trust, and feel confident sending clients to Marie, Lesley, Nightfall Bookkeeping and Equi-Spa Horse Care Products.

I can truly say we are a drama free barn that encourages and cheers one another on.

We are a place of learning and growth, students of the horse. We listen to them, and provide them what they need. Training, retirement, lots of ground work, medical care and support. We have had great success with this mindset. It has been a privilege and a joy to watch the fruit of that labor truly thrive overtime. I have a barn full of calm, relaxed, happy horses... what a privilege.

It has been my privilege to coach riders out of training. I didn't realize the blessing that is until now. But most of my students truly teach their own horses. I tell them they shouldn't need me to ride to train, they should need me for the next step. Sure, I help with problem... true problems, but most my student now have such a good feel, intuition, ability to diagnose problems, and utilize their tools they truly don't need me every day.

I love each of the horses. I love each of my clients. I love the journey with each of them. This week has been brutal. This industry can be brutal, and you don't truly understand that till you are a trainer. My clients presented me with the biggest blessing and the most humbling experience that my heart truly needed.

I pulled them all aside and individually informed them that I was moving across the country to FL. Not our choice really, Brent's job did a mass layoff and our family was one of 1300 that took a hit. He did get a job that we are really excited about and the future does look bright, but also sad. Not one of my clients asked who I would suggest moving to, they all seemed to want to continue with me in whatever capacity that looked like. The whole barn...

I went into the week thinking this post was me closing my business and here I am at the end, after a brutal week, gearing up for a full virtual business shift. I am so incredibly blessed and so incredibly appreciative to my clients and their support. I could not have made my business what it is without them. There really aren't words. Just gratitude, deep gratitude for the gift that they are and that they have made for me in being part of my dream.

27/03/2025

✨️Loki✨️ Motivated Owners, priced to sell

Loki is a 17 year old, 17 hand, TB gelding who is looking for his next zip code. He is currently not in a program and is being maintained by a talented JR and doing really well with it. He is a character not for a complete beginner but kindhearted and will take care of his rider. He does have some maintenance, but really enjoys his work. Loki has an extrensive eventing show career going up to prelim. He has most definitely been there, done that. With an absolute love for his job, this horse must go to a home that will ride and work him regularly. He is coursing 2'11" easily and has the scope for a bit higher but may really enjoy settling at a lower height. He is lovely to play with in the dressage ring. Has all the components for first and plays with lots more lateral work. He is a wonderful teacher and an absolute goof. I personally adore teaching his lessons because he truly is the best combo of tricky and rewarding requiring his riders to do it right with the absolute upmost patience. Mid 4s, located in Enumclaw WA. Right home is a priority so price is neg. Motivated sellers as they are currently shopping for the JR move up horse. Please feel free to DM or text for additional info 270-978-1244.

JR in video
https://youtu.be/z2M0D3i3vSs?si=yk9wC6r_ZnpX727v

26/03/2025

It truly is so good for the soul

Raise Her in the Barn

Put your daughter in the barn, where the air smells of hay and hard work, where the lessons are unspoken but will be deeply understood.

Let her find her footing in the dust and dirt,
learning that balance isn’t just for the saddle but for life itself.

Watch as she earns trust from something bigger than herself, as she discovers that patience isn’t passive...it’s the quiet persistence of trying again and again.

Let her feel the weight of responsibility
with every flake of hay she tosses, every bucket she fills, every wound she tends with her tiny gentle hands.

Put your daughter in the barn, where she’ll learn that effort matters more than luck, that showing up every day builds more than muscle...it builds character.

Let her see that respect is earned, not demanded, that failure isn’t final, and that sometimes the best lessons come from falling off and getting back on.

Give her a place where she can be strong and soft, bold and kind, independent yet deeply connected.

Let the barn shape her, and when the world calls her forward, you’ll see a woman who knows who she is, because she was raised in the barn.

Credit to ~
💕 Michelle Knutson
Born in the Barn

23/03/2025

Wonderful day of lessons!! Spent time focusing on some key concepts and breaking them down for each student:

- More push isn't necessary the right answer. Try a more playful ask with more softness in your body. If your tight and stuck and pushing... your horse can't respond to your request.

- Solid equitation breakdown while softening and opening your hip flexor. Aka a torture session, with some of the best work from the horse to date.

- Finally finding the right maintenance/support for one of our more kind willing geldings. Proof seen today in his beautiful soft body, excellent swing in his back, and a better quality stretch.

- Utilizing clear communication and boundary setting to set the horse up for a more responsive and relaxed workout. How to use groundwork to set up success in the ride.

And a surprise visit from an old student who is headed to state in dressage!

Can I ask for a better day?

Sometimes as trainers we have days where we hit wall after wall and feel like we just can't ride or teach... are we actually being effective? Are we actually moving the needle forward? Then you get a day like today, where good work gets done, the needle moves forward, and all those days that felt lacking prove otherwise.

So thankful to all my clients and their ponies for the blessing that is my job ❤️

20/03/2025

Monica Stanke is amazing. She has a genuine kind heart and truly listens to help and heal. Im excited for her business and encourage anyone who is curious to try it! I have had it done on myself, my husband, our dog, clients, and several horses in the program. It is definitely helpful!!

17/03/2025

❤️

Just Enjoy....

One of the significant differences between us and our horses is our ambition. From a young age, we are taught to place higher value on progress and performance, than on peace and pleasure. Many of us believe that if we are not constantly chasing success then we are wasting our life away. We believe that bettering ourselves involves sacrificing peace for progress. We feel guilty for resting, and are encouraged to constantly push ourselves out of our comfort zones and prove our worth through our achievements. We place such little value on our own peace, contentment and joy.

Let working with your horse be your escape from the prison of the human ego. Let go of your expectations, pressures and desires. See your horse as the unique and beautiful expression of life that he is, and let him see you for the being that you are. Your horse does not see the value that you place on yourself or your desires. All he sees is if your heart is open, and if he is safe with you. Let your love for your horse be your only inspiration to improve yourself as a rider, trainer or owner.

Give yourself permission to spend time with your horse purely for pleasure. Embrace your horse with an open heart and just enjoy their company. Your actions do not have to constantly be goal-driven.

There are a few beautiful mantras of Manolo’s that I have heard many times when riding and working with the horses as a reminder to be in the moment….

🔹 "Ride like you are in love with your horse.”
🔹 "Forget about the rest of the world when you are working with your horse.”
🔹 “Work with your horse with love, with the only goal to make him feel good.”

And my favourite one…. “Just enjoy…”

- The Heart of Dressage

07/03/2025

I love this!! It is so important to pay attention to the little things.

It will feel like people are just over analyzing horse behaviour if you are operating from a place where you have been oversimplifying it.

People who are capable of noticing more nuance in horse behavior, and can thereby notice signs of stress or anxiety building earlier will seem like they are nitpicking when they point these things out.

But, people who oversimplify horse behaviour are far more likely to be caught off guard when horses react out of nowhere.

They are also more likely to miss earlier signs that can signal potential lameness and other health issues before they are a major issue.

If you have ever found yourself in the headspace where you feel like other people are nitpicking horse behavior, before you write off their perspective, as nothing, consider whether or not there’s a possibility you have been taught to oversimplify horse behavior.

I would argue. It’s more common than not to be taught a very cursory and primitive understanding of horse behavior.

Growing up, I wasn’t taught much past “ears back equals bad” and “ears forward equals happy”

When I was initially exposed to people who would notice signs of discomfort like repeated swishing, I was initially outraged, and felt as if they were being hypercritical.

In reality, they were just more adept at noticing signs than I was because they had either taken the initiative to learn or had been taught by a better mentor than I had.

Their knowledge felt threatening initially because it exposed the holes in my own knowledge.

Admitting that they might be right admitting that I knew an awful lot less than I had thought that I did.

It also meant exposing myself to the reality that there are signs of stress that horses show on a regular basis that would call me to question the morality of a lot of things that I had come to blindly accept.

Leaning into the denial is tempting because it offers a temporary comfort.

But the discomfort of knowing that there might be something off always remains in the pit of your stomach.

And the discomfort of that being present, but you never cautiously answering the questions that are being asked, is a lot more burdensome over the years than doing the hard work of reflecting and reevaluating.

Being more open to learning how your horse communicates, even when they are not saying what you want to hear, opens the doors to build an even more beautiful partnership and understanding than you could possibly imagine.

Pictured: me and my horse, Milo nearly a decade ago at a clinic.

Looking back, his behaviour was screaming to be listened to. Tail swishing, facial tension, clenched jaw, grimace of the lips, bucking, refusing fences.

I’m glad I can see it now.

04/03/2025

Loki is a 17 year old, 17 hand, TB gelding who is looking for his next zip code. Loki has an extensive eventing show career going up to prelim. He has most definitely been there, done that. With an absolute love for his job, this horse must go to a home that will ride and work him regularly. He is schooling 2'11" easily and has the scope for a bit higher but may really enjoy settling at a lower height. He is lovely to play with in the dressage ring. Has all the components for first and plays with lots more lateral work. He is a wonderful teacher!! I personally adore teaching his lessons because he truly is the best combo of tricky and rewarding requiring his riders to do it right with the absolute upmost patience. Located in Enumclaw WA. Right home is a priority so price is neg, high 4s figures. Motivated sellers as they are currently shopping for the JR move up horse. Please feel free to DM or text for additional info 270-978-1244.

JR in video
https://youtu.be/z2M0D3i3vSs?si=yk9wC6r_ZnpX727v

03/03/2025

Love this

“Horses regularly trained with ground work are more relaxed when ridden”

A recent study of dressage horses in Germany that looked at rein length and tension revealed a surprising finding: horses who were regularly trained in ground work/in-hand work had lower heart rates during ridden work than all of the other participating horses. This wasn’t what the researchers were investigating, but it was clear in the results. From this, the researchers concluded that, “Perhaps horses trained in ground work had more trust in their rider.”

So why would it be true that horses who regularly learn via ground work/in-hand work are more relaxed? There are a few possibilities.

1) Horses trained regularly with ground work are more relaxed because their trainers are more relaxed. It’s possible that humans who take the time to teach their horses from the ground are less goal oriented and more concerned with the process. They may be more relaxed in general and foster this same relaxation in their horses. As you are, so is your horse.

2) Horses trained regularly with ground work have trainers who are more educated about a horse’s balance.

Their horses learn to move in correct balance which allows them to be healthy and sound in their bodies and, therefore, more relaxed. Physical balance is emotional balance.

3) Horses trained regularly with ground work understand the trainer’s criteria better. They have mastered the response to an aid before the rider mounts and know the “right answer” already once under saddle. They don’t experience any conflict when the rider asks for a behavior because the neural pathway has already been installed. They are more relaxed about being ridden because it rarely has caused confusion for them.

For us highly visual humans I think that ground work is often a better way to begin exercises because we are much better at seeing our horse doing the right thing than feeling it from the saddle. Often, my feel in the saddle is enhanced by the fact that I have watched my horse perform an exercise over and over in our in-hand work. It feels how it looks. In-hand work is also a good way to teach our horses because our own bodies are often more in balance when we are walking beside our horses. With the ground under our feet we are able to be more relaxed if something goes wrong and less likely to be so busy wrapped up in our own balance that we give our horses conflicting or confusing aids. It’s a good place to figure things out. I am a huge fan of in-hand work.

I’m glad to learn research revealed ground work is good for horses. Horses with a low heart rate are relaxed and relaxed horses perform better and live longer. In this day and age of people starting horses under saddle in under an hour and increasing monetary rewards for the “young horse dressage program“, everything seems to be done in a hurry. The entire horse culture seems to privilege “getting up there and riding your horse”. But as one of my favorite writers and accomplished horsewoman, Teresa Tsimmu Martino writes, “In today’s horse culture there are clinics that brag about starting a c**t in a day, as if the quickness of it was the miracle. But old horse people know it takes years to create art. Horses as great masterpieces are not created in a day. An artist does not need to rush.” We need more scientific studies like this one to encourage us to slow down and take our time with our horses.

So why were the horses in the study more relaxed? Likely it was a combination of all three factors – a relaxed trainer, better overall balance and clear understanding of criteria.

These are things that matter to your horse, and yes, will allow him to trust you when you ride. Take some time to slow down and work from the ground, learn a bit more about equine balance and teach new things in-hand before asking for them under saddle. You can take your riding to a whole new level and help your horse become more healthy and relaxed in the process.” - by Jen of Spellbound Horses

26/02/2025

I love this, it's so true. The only thing I would also add is that communication is absolutely key. Without it and team work, trainers are unable to be successful. There is only so much we can do when there are obvious problems and the owner isn't willing to help work through those with maintenance changes.

You pay that hefty training bill for the month.

You look to have you horse in training as little as possible so it doesn’t break the bank.

You’re disappointed when after 30 days or 60 days or 90 days, there’s still more work to be done or the goal hasn’t been met. Worse yet, it looks good, you take the horse home and it unravels piece by piece. All that money “wasted”.

When you pay a trainer, that money isn’t paying for a result, it’s paying for someone’s skilled effort.

At least for me, when someone gets unhappy that their horse “isn’t fixed yet”, or comes “untrained” after it’s been home a while, makes the task of training horses for other people, discouraging. Discouraging because the efforts are being made, usually my best efforts that are filled with compassion, determination and lots of ruminating on how to fix complex issues a horse may have. Their disappointment becomes my failure basically. I know that’s not an actual truth but it’s never rewarding when someone is disappointed due to their own expectations.

Training a horse is NOT like being a mechanic on a car. Its not a tune up, it’s not the simple replacement of a part. It’s an animal with thoughts, feelings, emotions, habits, talents, etc. You don’t just program them, tune them up or replace a faulty part and send it back good as new.

You arent paying for results to happen within your timeline, you are paying for the time it takes to reach a desired result. The more complicated the project, the bigger the investment. The more baggage a horse has, the more effort it takes to unravel the mess. The bigger the goal, the greater the investment.

People send their horses to certain trainers because they want the outcome that trainer proves they can achieve. The problem is, people want that result in the shortest time frame possible because time, again, is money. It takes the time it takes to create the vision and time costs money. People who have a diy mentality, value the effort so much more when they themselves invest their own energy into a horse rather than just paying for it. I really feel that those who do it themselves, come to appreciate the efforts it takes far more than those who sign the check.

Be nice to your trainers, they work hard. 🙂

Credit goes to:
Katy Negranti Performance Horsemanship https://www.facebook.com/share/1BPC3yLZYx/

25/02/2025

100% agree with this. Getting on and just riding through it is not necessary the best option. Poor horse and good for them for listening

24/02/2025

Yay! We love it when you're in town!!!

24/02/2025

I'm really excited to announce my newest sponsorship with Nightfall Bookkeeping. If you know me personally at all, you know bookkeeping and me do not mesh. I have worked with a couple bookkeeping services in the past and while they have done a wonderful job, not one has connected with me on the level that Jennifer has.

In our short time working together she has been highly professional and prompt, easy to talk with and personable. Above all else she has been compassionate and provided a level of humanity that has been refreshing. She took a good look at a very candid and truthful reveal of where I needed support and where I am lacking in my business. Her approach was very much, let me come along side you and support and help. Absolutely zero judgement for not being an expert in her field and fumbling in this area of my business.

The level of peace I have about her and her business is really refreshing and I am beyond thrilled to be partnering with her. If you need bookkeeping help, please don't hesitate to reach out. Jennifer is easy to talk to and supportive!!

I'm excited for the transformational peace she will be bringing to my life in this area. It has been long overdue.

21/02/2025

This is good for all riders to remember

19/02/2025

Very well written, love this!!

18/02/2025

⭐️ Loki ⭐️

Loki is a 17 year old, 17 hand, TB gelding who is looking for his next zip code. He has an extensive eventing show career going up to prelim. He has most definitely been there, done that. With an absolute love for his job, this horse must go to a home that will ride and work him regularly. He is coursing 2'11" easily and has the scope for a bit higher but may really enjoy settling at a lower height. He is lovely to play with in the dressage ring. Has all the components for first and plays with lots more lateral work. He is a wonderful teacher and an absolute goof. He handles pressure well and would a lovely low level dressage horse. I personally adore teaching his lessons because he truly is the best combo of tricky and rewarding requiring his riders to do it right with the absolute upmost patience.

He is currently being maintained by a talented JR and doing really well with it. He is a character not for a beginner, does have some maintenance, but really enjoys his work.

High 4 figures. Located in Enumclaw WA. Right home is a priority so price is neg. Motivated sellers as they are currently shopping for the JR move up horse. Please feel free to DM or text for additional info 270-978-1244.

JR in video - flat
https://youtu.be/z2M0D3i3vSs?si=yk9wC6r_ZnpX727v

Jump videos available!