Maungatua Equestrian

Maungatua Equestrian Maungatua Equestrian. Specialising in Starting and Schooling of Sport Horses using Equitation Science

• Starting Sport Horses using Equitation Science

• Riding lessons for any age or stage

• Full Agistment

• Standing NZWA Principal Pony Stallion Golden Strike at Stud

I have 2 of these rugs available- Brand New just tried on for size. Unfortunately dont fit my horses quite right!4'6 and...
29/07/2025

I have 2 of these rugs available- Brand New just tried on for size. Unfortunately dont fit my horses quite right!
4'6 and 5'0ft 100g Detachable Neck
$200 each. Prefer pick up but can be plus postage

Lights have been a game-changer for nighttime rides while Lucy sleeps 💤 🍼😴    What's your favorite way to boost your moo...
29/07/2025

Lights have been a game-changer for nighttime rides while Lucy sleeps 💤 🍼😴

What's your favorite way to boost your mood during the winter? 🌙❄️🌧

Today I caught my horse and went for a ride.. what did you do?! 🐴 This is a fabulous post.
28/07/2025

Today I caught my horse and went for a ride.. what did you do?! 🐴 This is a fabulous post.

🪜 The Yes Ladder - Join the Experiment on Habit, Horses, and Hilariously Low Expectations

Let me tell you about a little thing that might change your life—not in a “moved house, quit caffeine, and gone vegan” kind of way, but in a beautifully simple, sneakily powerful, and slightly soggy-horse-rug kind of way.

You see, what I wish to offer you is not another hype-fuelled productivity hack or spiritual awakening via manifesting and a vision board. No, it’s something far more radical: a small habit. Just one. But one that might help you finally make time for your horse again—without guilt, overwhelm, or the need to subscribe to some $799 course.

🧠 Where This Genius Idea Comes From (Not Me)

This isn’t even mine. I pinched it—shamelessly—from my good friend Kathryn Christieson, fellow cohost of our insightful and popular podcast, Canter Therapy (check it out if you haven’t).

Kat came up with a method that somehow combines Zen minimalism, behavioural psychology, and the stubborn resolve of a horse girl who refuses to let life win. She calls it... well, she didn’t call it anything.
But I’m calling it:

✅ The Yes Ladder

Every step is a choice. Every choice is a win.

🧪 This Isn't Just Kat's Brilliance: It’s Backed by Actual Science-y Stuff

This isn’t just Kat winging it in the paddock while attempting to meditate with Roger (her horse) through her heart chakra. This method aligns eerily well with some of the most well-known and useful motivation and time management techniques:

The 5-Minute Rule – Just do 5 minutes. That’s all. If you want to stop, stop. It’s like sneaking broccoli into lasagna: minimal protest, maximum benefit.

Kaizen – No, it’s not a boutique gin you can only get at farmer’s markets. It’s the Japanese philosophy of tiny, continual improvement. Small steps. Long-term change. Big yes.

Cognitive Behavioural Activation – The fancy psychology way of saying: motivation doesn’t come first. Action comes first. Then motivation goes, "Oh crap, I guess we’re doing this," and follows along.

Decision Trees / If-Then Planning – Make micro-decisions on the fly. If yes, then do this. If no, walk away like a velvet-robed queen who made a choice. No drama. No shame.

BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits Method – Start with something so small it’s like driving to the gym without getting out of the car. Celebrate the parking. Anchor it to your routine. Build from there. It works. Seriously.

🐎 So What Is This Yes Ladder?

It’s Kat’s rule. And it goes like this:

Every day she goes to the paddock, she must catch Roger and bring him to the tie-up rail.
That’s it. That’s the bare minimum. That’s success.

But then—then—she asks:

“Can I brush him?”
“Could I pick out his feet?”
“Could I saddle up?”
“Could I do a few minutes of groundwork?”
“Could I mount and just sit there like a meditating potato?”
“Could I ride for 5 minutes?”
“Could I ride for 30?”
At any point, she can say, “Nope, that’s me done,” and pop Roger back out.
And he goes off thinking, “What a chill and clear human. I like her.”

But if she keeps saying yes, the next thing she knows, she's had a full session, cleaned his feet, improved his contact in canter, played with some laterals, and solved world peace.
(Okay, not that last bit. Yet.)

🪜 The Yes Ladder in Action

The Steps:

Catch your horse – Must do. This is your baseline. You win just for this.
Can I brush them today? → Yes? Brush them.
Can I saddle up today? → Yes? Saddle up.
Could I do a BFY check (Backward, Forward & Yield – one of my exercises from my program, it’s simple but super helpful for focus)? → Yes? Do it.
Could I do a groundwork session (e.g. lunging circles)? → Yes? A few minutes is enough.
Could I mount and sit? → Yes? Sit and breathe.
Could I ride for 5 minutes? → Yes? Ride a few laps.
Could I ride for 30 minutes? → Yes? Awesome, let’s go!
🥳 Important Rule: Celebrate Whatever You Achieve

If you only got to brushing, you win.
If you only caught them and had a brief identity crisis at the tie-up, you still win.
Why? Because you showed up.
Because you’re moving forward.
Because guilt-free momentum is better than imaginary perfection.

🎯 Pro Tips for Maximum Success

Pick one horse. Don’t try to be Mother Teresa of the Herd. Just choose one equine to focus on.
Don’t let the weather trick you. Rain is just nature’s shower. You’re already wet. Five minutes of groundwork won’t kill you. You’re not a marshmallow.
Experiment for 10 days. That’s all. Ten days. No contract. No cult. No shame.
💡 Why This Works (Besides Magic and Good Intentions)

Because horses thrive on routine.
Because humans thrive when they have good habits.
Because your brain is more likely to do a task when the threshold for success is comically low.

And because it’s so much easier to make a decision when the horse is already standing in front of you.

That’s it. That’s the whole secret.
Catch the horse.

Try it. Let it change your life.
And for god’s sake, celebrate the bloody tie-up…
or the fact you even just thought about it.

📣 One Last Thing…

If you’re a coach, trainer, in a horsey group, or just have mates who could use a win—hit that share button.
Someone out there needs permission to catch their horse and call it a success. Be the legend who gives it to them.❤

IMAGE 📸: Meet Roger - he is at ladder step 6 - is it a yes or no to getting on board?

📣 Riding Lessons Update 🐴Hi everyone! I’ve started receiving a few messages asking when lessons will be starting back up...
24/07/2025

📣 Riding Lessons Update 🐴

Hi everyone! I’ve started receiving a few messages asking when lessons will be starting back up again, so I thought I’d pop in with a little update.

As maternity leave winds down, I had hoped to jump straight back into lessons—but the reality is, with grazers to manage and calving just around the corner, I’m already juggling a lot. Adding lessons into the mix right now would just be putting too much pressure on myself.

With that in mind, it’s unlikely that I’ll be restarting lessons before October. I really appreciate your patience and understanding as I ease back into things at the right pace for myself and my family.

Please bear with me—I’ll be sure to let you all know once the booking system is back up and running. I can’t wait to see you and your ponies again when the time is right! 💛

Thanks again for your continued support!

So well written!
21/07/2025

So well written!

Marley, did you miss the dog only memo 🐕📝 Or are you identifying as a dog? 🐕🤣🤣
18/07/2025

Marley, did you miss the dog only memo 🐕📝 Or are you identifying as a dog? 🐕🤣🤣

🌟 Golden Strike – NZWA Licensed Stallion 🌟Standing at Stud | 3⭐️ Performance Upgraded | WFFS NegativeThey say the best t...
14/07/2025

🌟 Golden Strike – NZWA Licensed Stallion 🌟
Standing at Stud | 3⭐️ Performance Upgraded | WFFS Negative

They say the best things come in small packages — and Golden Strike is proof of that. Officially measured at 149cm, this stunning palomino stallion offers the perfect size for a wide variety of mares, producing quality foals for both pony and small horse markets.

With his eye-catching colouring, exceptional movement, and outstanding temperament, Golden Strike stands out — not just in the paddock, but in the arena. His pedigree is packed with proven international German Riding Pony lines in both dressage and jumping, and he consistently passes on:
✨ Excellent conformation
✨ Superb trainability
✨ Athletic, correct movement
✨ Kind, rideable temperament

Golden Strike was awarded his NZWA Breeding License during the 2018 Classification Tour and has since been upgraded to a 3⭐️ stallion in recognition of his outstanding performance in sport. He is also WFFS negative (non-carrier).

📍 Based near Dunedin – quality chilled semen is shipped easily nationwide.
💰 Service Fee: $1250 + GST (includes Live Foal Guarantee) AI ONLY

🕑 October- February collections Monday-Friday guaranteed with 24hrs notice.

📩 Message now or phone Bec on 0273797817 to secure your 2025 booking and join the growing list of breeders producing exceptional foals from this talented sire.

💫 BROODMARE FOR S A L E – IN FOAL TO GOLDEN STRIKE 💫📍 Otago | 💰 6 k with LFGAfter much thought (and with 3 foals due nex...
14/07/2025

💫 BROODMARE FOR S A L E – IN FOAL TO GOLDEN STRIKE 💫
📍 Otago | 💰 6 k with LFG

After much thought (and with 3 foals due next season 😅), I’ve decided to offer Summer for sale. She’s a proven broodmare who’s produced award-winning foals, including a gorgeous filly I’m keeping from this exact cross – so this is a rare opportunity!

✨ Summer - Summer Gift – 2007 14.1hh mare
🌿 NZWA Foundation papers
💛 By Kirkwood Blacklight x Apsley Home Comforts
👶 In foal to Golden Strike (due early October)
✅ In foal on her foal heat – no fuss, no drama
🐴 Still sound to ride, but selling as a broodmare
🥕 Easy to handle, lovely natured, great to have around

Summer produces top quality foals every time and is a dream to breed. She does need a bit of extra feed when raising a foal and during weaning, but otherwise she is super low maintenance.

The hard work is done – she’s in foal, happy, and ready for her next chapter. I honestly won’t be disappointed if she stays, but this is a great opportunity for someone wanting an easy, reliable breeder with proven results.

📩 PM me for more info, photos, or to come meet her.
🦄 $6,000 includes a live foal guarantee. Can continue to graze her here until Mid Sept when she goes to a foaling down facility of your choice.

From this little cutie.. to this. Today my first trot undersaddle without a lead 🥰🥰 Harper you have always been my favou...
01/07/2025

From this little cutie.. to this. Today my first trot undersaddle without a lead 🥰🥰 Harper you have always been my favourite ❤️

Jody is on a mission! If you want to know more about Equitation Science and how horses learn, follow The Equine Catalyst...
04/06/2025

Jody is on a mission! If you want to know more about Equitation Science and how horses learn, follow The Equine Catalyst ! Jody has some fabulous online courses to sign up to as well so jump on board ❤️

🧠 Terminology Thursday 🧠
94% of riders think negative reinforcement involves punishment.
What do you think?👇

Let’s clear something up… because terminology really does matter—especially when it comes to how horses learn.

I often hear riders using terms like negative reinforcement when they actually mean positive punishment. These two are not the same thing at all. And if we’re going to train ethically and effectively, it’s crucial that we not only use the correct words—but understand what they really mean.

Negative reinforcement isn’t about being mean or punishing the horse. In fact, it’s one of the main ways horses learn: by removing pressure the moment the horse gives the correct response. (Think: leg pressure off when they move forward, or halter pressure released when they take a step.)

Understanding the function of these learning terms is far more important than just knowing the label. But if you're going to use the terminology, let’s make sure it’s accurate.

📩 Want to understand the four quadrants of operant conditioning properly?
Drop a 👇“PDF please”👇 in the comments and I’ll send you a free guide that breaks it all down—no jargon, just clear, horse-friendly science.

Because once you know how learning really works, everything changes.

A proper write up for Summer as I have decided I probably should sell her as 3 foals next season  is a few 🙊🙈🙉 and with ...
23/05/2025

A proper write up for Summer as I have decided I probably should sell her as 3 foals next season is a few 🙊🙈🙉 and with her giving me a Golden Strike filly, I don't really need her anymore.

The hard work is done! And it was pretty easy.
Summer is a fabulous broodmare for someone wanting an easy breeder, got in foal first pop on her foal heat this year, no drama to keep, except she does need quite a bit of hard feed when she has a foal at foot and at weaning time. She's a nice mare to have around and produces a fabulous foal every time! So technically I won't be disappointed if she stays 🤣
Summer was born in 2007, is by Kirkwood Blacklight and out of Apsley Home Comforts. Is on Foundation NZWA papers. She still has a few foals left in her yet! Was a competitive dressage pony undersaddle and is still sound to ride but I am selling her as a broodmare rather than a ridden pony.
Currently in foal to Golden Strike. 6k with a LFG
Pm me for more details.

11/04/2025

Because I have so much spare time on my hands 🫠🙄.. today I rode the broodmare Evie - TF All Hallows Eve- such a fabulous mare 🥰🥰

2 years off, and sporting a mum bod, hopped on for a wee walk trot and canter. Temperament and movement second to none.

Kristen Lyons Andrea Taylor

Address

Momona

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 12pm
Sunday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

+64273797817

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Our Story

Maungatua Equestrian. Specialising in Starting and Schooling of Sport Horses using Equitation Science as well as Standing Golden Strike 149cm German Riding Pony Stallion at Stud.

Maungatua Equestrian also offers the only FULL Livery service on the Taieri Plains, servicing the needs of those to busy for the daily needs of horses however still want to know their horses are being cared for by not only a professional horse person but also by someone who treats the horses like they are their own.

Paddocks are also available for horses on a short term holiday stay, meaning they still get cared for and looked after daily while their parents are on holiday.

Maungatua Equestrian has all the facilities with spacious parking and turning space as well as paddock and safe hacking, all of which is available to hire.