Walker Horsemanship

05/31/2025

Happy birthday to me. We were beyond excited to welcome a new addition to our herd on May 28. The kids and I witnessed the birth and marveled at how our favourite mare Cricket, a registered Paint and maiden mare, adapted to motherhood. It was a long evening due to the retained placenta which warranted a vet visit, but we were thrilled to see all other milestones met with ease.
Thank you so much to the friends and family who showed up to help with kids and be part of the excitement.
The bitter sweet part is that this is the late Prairie Creek Fonzorelli Kyng's last foal. We purchased this magnificent stallion from Kitcat Canadians after he retired from being the backbone of their breeding program (pictured at end, photo creds to Catherine). We had the privilege of owning this gentle giant until his passing last fall. What a beautiful baby to continue his legacy.
We paired this mare and stud due to their exceptional breeding, personality, and confirmation. Colour was not guaranteed since, while I wished for a palomino frame overo, the chances of it happening were only 12.5%. Imagine my delight when this little guy popped out representing my ideal foal. Cricket really hit copy and paste with this one. Here's to a bright future for this little guy. Now its time to choose a name.
Kailaan Walker

12/30/2023

Out for a winter ride.

10/08/2023

11 years later (see last post)!! Jack and Kailaan just a few weeks ago, ba****ck and bridleless as usual! Their lifelong partnership that's so sweet to witness.

10/08/2023

Extream cowboy racing 2012. Jack and Kailaan.

10/08/2023

We can't wait to welcome this beautiful senior stallion home at the end of the month.

05/08/2023

09/14/2022

Can't wait for these custom armitas handcrafted by Carlos from BuckarooGear and LostBuckaroo.

Custom GreatBasin Armitas made for L. Selin of Echo Bay, Ontario Canada. .
# handmadeleather

06/29/2022

Some of our trimming clients come in very small packages!

05/11/2022

Thought for the day:
Many may find this a little bit of a contrast to what is accepted as standard practice but here goes.
Instead of giving my horse a cue and gaining a response for the last few years I have been looking for a different outcome.
Instead of a responding to a cue I want my horse to just go with how he feels about my balance and energy.
I want to teach him that my reins are to help him prepare himself to do this and to help him find his balance etc and that he can move into a soft feel without fear of discomfort.
This all takes some work (mostly on ourselves) but as we get better at operating this way riding becomes effortless.
Its more like allowing your horse to do things that he feels he wants to do rather than commanding him.
All I have to do is let him move under me and go with my balance and energy.
The more I understand about this the more I realise what horses tolerate and how confused they must be at times. Also how much of what we do they must be blocking out as white noise.
So many of them are working from cues despite the riders balance and energy conveying a very different message.
Riding from cues means you have to ask for everything you want like asking for a trick.
Allowing your horse to do what he feels is right for him and to just go with your balance and energy is you and him working for, and with, each other.
Your horse must be convinced that its ok to go without fear of some type of control or blockage to do this.
Horses tend to stay relaxed when they don't feel trapped.
Riding should feel more like flying than a wrestling match.
I am a work in progress but am addicted to how it feels when a horse works without command or control as best as I can get it anyway.

05/06/2022

05/01/2022

Happy to be expanding our client list for barefoot trimming in southern Algoma. Here is a review from one of our new clients:

"So we had a very interesting as well as extremely informative morning today.
Our regular farrier.... is no longer able to take care of our horses so we had to try finding someone new to take over.
A friend suggested I contact Kailaan, and boy oh boy am I happy I did.
Kailaan and his lovely wife Lydia (who is also a farrier) arrived on time and after a brief introduction to the barn crew got to work.
The horses were very at ease and at one point Lydia handled Artie to give me a break. I was impressed with how they easily read each horses body language and made the process comfortable for all participants.
If you’re looking for a new farrier I highly recommend them....oh and did I mention they’re both trainers which probably explains their picking up on the body language of each horse and keeping things calm and fluid.
Sorry for the novel but they made a real impression on us and I just wanted to share with you as well."

Thanks Tracey and John!