Richelle Marsh - Walnut Ridge Equestrian

07/10/2025

Who’s going to Equifest this year? One of my favourite things about Equifest is getting to catch up with so many people! It often feels like a bit of reunion. If you see me wandering around, please don’t be shy and say hello!

07/10/2025

Just a wee bit of wind here today🥴

07/10/2025

The pups are enjoying the very little sunshine we’ve had this morning! Anyone else looking forward to nicer weather?

06/10/2025

We’ve recently moved into our brand new Fraemohs Homes Waikato home. Someone asked me the other day what it’s like to live in? It’s hard to actually describe, but the best thing I could come up with was “We love the way it feels as good as it looks!”

02/10/2025

30/09/2025

Expressions of interest:
I might be heading down to the Christchurch area in the next couple of weeks, would there be any interest from folks for lessons or a mini clinic while I’m down there? Also possibly down in the Southland area if there are folks down there who might be keen? Get in touch to register interest.

28/08/2025

Something to consider is the idea of forming a partnership with your horse. This can be kind controversial these days and the word partnership is often thrown around in the horse world. What is a partnership anyway? In my opinion it is a very relative thing in terms of how you view that word and what it means to you personally, I think partnerships are different for everyone! Bit like everyone has their own idea of what a good marriage or relationship might look and feel like I guess.
I personally like to think of it like this:
First off you both have responsibilities, YOU need to learn to think more like a horse and act less like a predator. What does this mean exactly? It can be as simple as how we reach out to touch our horse. Think offering the back of your hand in a similar shape as the horses nose with your hand palm down and fingernails curved towards the ground like your holding the top of a rail. It’s less claw like and less predatory. Similarly try stroking your horse instead of patting or slapping it. They tend to lick and nibble on each other as a form of mutual grooming so let’s try to simulate that with them.
Their responsibility of acting less like a prey animal and more like a partner really comes down to us helping them learn that they don’t necessarily have to feel like their life is in danger. You see a horse has a priority of needs:
1. Safety
2. Comfort
3. Play=who’s who in the herd
4. Food

A good example of this is trailer loading. If the horse doesn’t feel safe in or around the trailer, he’s not going to feel comfortable and no amount of food will get them on
VS
The horse who feels safe enough but just isn’t that comfortable in the trailer yet will more than likely be persuaded with a little food and reluctantly load
VS
The horse who’s been given the opportunity to learn that the trailer is absolutely no threat to their safety, therefore they feel safe, act like a partner and will willingly self load.

Just a little food for thought🤔

27/08/2025

If you don’t feel confident⚡️Steal mine⚡️Steal my positive⚡️Steal my posture⚡️Steal the fact that I’m telling you right now - you’re exactly where you need to be for the magic to happen, you’re just having trouble seeing it right now.