Mini All-Stars Horsemanship

Mini All-Stars Horsemanship Gentle communication for horses & people. Ground work to tackle probs, teach tricks, build confidence

Gosh, mid Feb already... where does the time go! Waiting in a Qantas lounge, with none of the usual life distractions i...
17/02/2026

Gosh, mid Feb already... where does the time go! Waiting in a Qantas lounge, with none of the usual life distractions is a great time to reflect on things to be grateful for. 🥰

2026 kicked off with some of my wonderful students kicking some awesome long-term goals with their horses - so rewarding. 😍

And just for fun last month, on impulse entered two of our Mini All-Stars 🦄🦄 in a liberty competition, thanks to encouragement of a friend & fellow competitor!

With just 6 days notice to prepare 2x routines to music & somehow fit in practice time (incl with one mini living elsewhere) during a heatwave week leading up... what could possibly go wrong! 😂

Suffice it to say we didn't win, thou I was sooo proud of both minis, given they had no free-range access to the arena, unlike other competitors camped there for weekend liberty clinic the day prior.

There were also plenty of learnings! Mainly beware of assumptions such as:
Dont assume organisers know about minis despite forwarnings, or that the arena will be suitably enclosed or sufficiently lit - critical if your Appaloosa has the genetic CSNB (low light blindness) ... OR that your minis will be welcome by other competitiors! 🤦‍♀️

Nevertheless I'm grateful to the organisers, soo glad we went & learnt so much! Ultimately I'm still immensely proud of all my Mini All-Stars team. 🤩 🫶

Pics from yesterday's clinic...🤩
15/09/2025

Pics from yesterday's clinic...🤩

15/09/2025

Another fabulous 'Fun Desense Obstacles' clinic yesterday at Samford Equestrian Group for members. Thanks to everyone for attending.

All cred to my Jack-of-all-Trades better half for pretty much everything behind the scenes to make these clinics so carefree. 🛠💪🥪📸🫶

And now drumroll plse for the 90min lesson gift vouchers giveaway 🥁 ...

🎉 Congratulations goes to Tracy L & Virginia CD! Check your in-box in the coming days ladies for your prizes, with my compliments! 🎁🎁

Visit SEG Social for clinic wrap up & 🎬 with more pics & comments below.

'Til next time, safe n happy trails folks! 🤠🐎🏇

Oops... gotta love Fb 😆...Here's those happy snaps from our June Desensitisation Clinic at Samford Equestrian Group 🤩
09/09/2025

Oops... gotta love Fb 😆...

Here's those happy snaps from our June Desensitisation Clinic at Samford Equestrian Group 🤩

'ALL horses can benefit from gentle desensitisation.' - Dr Andrew McLean (ESI) ✨️✨️✨️Looking fwd to hosting a...
17/06/2025

'ALL horses can benefit from gentle desensitisation.'
- Dr Andrew McLean (ESI)
✨️✨️✨️
Looking fwd to hosting another 'Fun Desensitisation Clinic' this Saturday at Samford Equestrian Group! See SEG Social for more details. 😃

In hand classes were booked out in 2 days for our May clinic, so hurry to secure your spot this time as we only run a few of these each year. 😉

Here's a beaut pic of Emma from our last clinic, doing a great job helping her horse navigate the 'noodle curtain' obstacle. 🤩

Many horses understandably struggle with this obstacle to varying degrees. The reasons are not always straight-fwd. Often they're already head-shy or feel claustrophobic overhead, sometimes with similar issues around float loading. Hence it's so important to take it sloooow.🙏

My training tip here would be to introduce a pool noodle at home to start with, but at a distance they're comfortable with.👌

Still not sure? Come along to our clinic this Saturday & say hi! Fence sitters most welcome! 😀

Finally... pleased to share some insight into Lilly's journey of starting in hand earlier this year.🐎When I met Lilly, s...
30/04/2025

Finally... pleased to share some insight into Lilly's journey of starting in hand earlier this year.
🐎
When I met Lilly, she was running wild - extremely fearful, uncatchable and lashing out defensively. But after just 1 month of gentle desensitisation she was an entirely new horse, well-rounded and ready to start her riding career! And now after many miles under saddle at Lindy McGahey Equestrian, we're excited for her bright future ahead... sale date coming soon.
😉
Lilly's incredible transformation was testament to the magic of patient desensitisation at HER pace. To help build trust and connection, she was never once tied up or forced to stand (nor punished if she didn't) while working thru all the usual 'scary' stuff, including in-hand work and more. Most horses will encounter many such things in life as being deemed necessary for good welfare etc, albeit at our discretion.
😇
Approaching these things with 'emotional' welfare in front of mind is just as important as physical safety for horse and handler. Unfortunately many such 'necessities' can too often result in a stressful battle that sometimes lasts for years unresolved. But good news is - there is a better way!
🎉
Highly sensitive young Lilly was especially afraid of water, totally dreading the hose!! Just this alone took many hours to gain complete acceptance at liberty - ultimately showing trust without fear. A lengthy process but absolutely worth the effort, undoubtedly sparing undue stress down the track. The same process was used for full body clipping (at liberty), whipcracking, float-loading and much more. By 'negotiating' consent throughout, confidence soared to where she willingly trusted even the unknown. While many horses never get the same opportunity as younsters, I'm so very glad (& quietly proud) sweet Lilly did have that chance and is now surely well set for a happier life.
😍
Check out Lilly's 2-part Utube vidoes below (total 29mins). Disclosure: No fancy editing thou, sorry. Maybe a bit slow at times too, but that's just how it rolls. So chill out, pack a lunch and some staying-power... just what our horses need from us!
💜
Starting Lilly - Part 1:
https://youtu.be/bPPFFoa5CCk?feature=shared

Starting Lilly - Part 2:
https://youtu.be/mO4yRIipW28?feature=shared

🦄🦄
Psst... Interested in learning more about desensitisation and connection? Come along to one of our fun clinics at Samford Equestrian Group. Fence sitters most welcome! 🤩

So chuffed with the generous community turnout to our twighlight trick show last Sun! 😍 Thanx again SEG... https://www....
08/04/2025

So chuffed with the generous community turnout to our twighlight trick show last Sun! 😍 Thanx again SEG... https://www.facebook.com/share/p/196ytSaAzW/

Grateful for a super team effort all round, but especially proud & humbled by the horses for their trusting bravery in the spotlight! 💜🦄🐴🤩

Enthusiastic audiences enjoyed another stellar performance by the minis at Caboolture Indoor today!Big thanks goes to AM...
23/02/2025

Enthusiastic audiences enjoyed another stellar performance by the minis at Caboolture Indoor today!
Big thanks goes to AMHS Qld for their invite. Also hats off to the hard-working Mini All-Stars crew... but especially to our gorgeous 🦄🦄 boyz Benny & Spirit for their enduring patience under (very little) pressure. 🤩

Chuffed we've been invited to perform at the AMHS Gelding Showcase comp this Sun at Caboolture Showgrounds. We'll be in ...
21/02/2025

Chuffed we've been invited to perform at the AMHS Gelding Showcase comp this Sun at Caboolture Showgrounds. We'll be in mini 🦄🦄 heaven!

Getting in some last minute practice as we're expecting a big lunchtime crowd (free entry).

Just remember, no pressure Benny! 😂

19/02/2025

So incredibly proud of this sensitive, young mare 'Lilly' who graduated last week with flying colours after a month of desensitisation & ground-work. 🏆

Hard to believe this is the SAME unhandled horse who just last month was running so scared of humans - uncatchable & untouchable. She literally trembled with fear when cornered & approached. 🫣

With just a few weeks of dedicated TLC thou, she's now a dream to catch, tie, clip, wash, worm, shoe, tack up, lunge, lead, even self loads! 🤩

Desensitised to sprays, flags, fit ball, umbrella, hoolahoop, garocha, coat carrying, varied footings, bridges, whipcracking & more! Showing excellent all-rounder potential, respectful & very giving. 😇

Relaxed in long-lines. Soft in backup, shoulder & HQ yields, incl impressive sidepass over various poles L & R. Developing nice liberty. Fast learner, bold mover, loves trails & swimming. With such a sweet nature, plus gorgeous looks, she's hard not to love. 😍

Was confident Lilly was ready to ride after her 1mth intensive bootcamp here. So it was time to hand over the reins to very experienced coach/trainer Lindy McGahey to align the stars. ✨️

And true to form, in just her first week at Lindy's (McGahey Equestrian), Lilly ticked all the boxes so has already had a few nice walk/trot rides & group led trail... cool & calm! 🏇

All credit to Lilly 🦄 for being so smart, kind & trusting in me... & same goes for Lindy & co! 💖
Go team!!

(P.s. Damn, was hoping to post a video collection of many of the above, thou my fb won't allow >1min &/or pics on same post, so prob need IT help🤦‍♀️... as usual! 😭🤣)

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