KLS Equine Services

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Much love to miss Kora for doing amazing in her leadline class as well🥰
07/19/2025

Much love to miss Kora for doing amazing in her leadline class as well🥰

I am SO VERY PROUD of this pair right here this week! Especially Tristyn for mounting up with a freshly sprained ankle. ...
07/19/2025

I am SO VERY PROUD of this pair right here this week! Especially Tristyn for mounting up with a freshly sprained ankle. The growth they have made from the very first photo to this past week when they had a major disconnect for a while there is amazing.

A bit of back story. 2 years ago just before fair I had picked him up as a lesson kid just enough time for just like 3-4 lessons before fair week. They did fair anyway. I was unable to coach them thru, they had alot of communication problems, trust issues. Setbacks. Made it thru though. August that year 23' they came to my barn as boarders we worked and worked until December when I had to pull myself as I no longer could stand due to my hip.

Fast forward to 24' I had my hip surgery a week before fair. They have another trainer working with them all is going well. But they still are struggling as a team. Communication between them is just not clicking. I go to fair support them! They make it through anyway! With bucking fits but they do it.

Fast forward to 3 weeks ago, the trainer they were using had the other fair the same week as the Lewis unfortunately. So between them they asked me to coach in again and I had time for just 4 lessons ...4. In that time. We had not 1 fit, no bucking. No rearing. Nothing. . We clicked something thru both their heads they worked SO SO HARD, retaining all the information they've learned over the past few months. While there is still EONS of work to be done.

This show went on without bucking, rearing a lack of confidence between Gus and Tristyn and I could not be more proud. Whether they won a ribbon or not I would not have cared, it is just that. A ribbon. They literally clicked their minds together, even if all didn't go smoothly and as planned, to me it was totally fine. This was the best and safest show they have truly had and established as an actual team. Congratulations you two! You deserve it! Every bit of it!

Looking ahead while riding your horse can communicate more than you think. Intention to the horse, influencing their mov...
07/11/2025

Looking ahead while riding your horse can communicate more than you think.

Intention to the horse, influencing their movements, confidence in your next move.

Horses are sensitive to shifts in a rider's weight.
Turning your head even slightly changes the alignment of your spine and seat, which your horse recieves, leading them to adjust their own balance and weight distribution to compensate. This can be used as a subtle cue for steering or initiating a turn. Looking in the direction you want to go naturally guides, initiating a rotation of your upper body, down thru to your hips.

So remember. Look where you want to go, stop looking down, as it can do multiple things, make the horse tense in the neck / shoulder region, as well as becomes a safety hazard for the rider.

You dont ride a bike looking at the road under you right?

I have a phrase," You look down, you lean down, your set up to fall down. "

Happy riding, and good luck to all 4-H riders in the upcoming Jefferson and Lewis county fairs this next week!

Groundwork exercises with horses... the purpose isnt to exhause them before riding is it? However thats what most people...
07/01/2025

Groundwork exercises with horses... the purpose isnt to exhause them before riding is it? However thats what most people think!!!

Instead, groundwork should focus on communication, building trust, and establishing respect. It's the time to check in with the horse, check in with their mood, and prepare them mentally and physically for work. Get yourself in check and prepared for what is to come that day of work as well with your teammate.

Groundwork is not meant to be a strenuous workout. If a horse is consistently tired after groundwork, it's likely the exercises are not being used effectively. The purpose is not to tire your horse out before riding. Run circles. Its to engage minds. Connect.

You can teach just about everything from the ground that you can teach in the saddle. You do not ever have to be on the horse to have a successful day. Communication before you ever hit that saddle. That is the connection you want to last forever.

I’m the thoroughbred for poor menthey say Ive got an ‘ugly head’,Not glamourous like a racer,‘coz I pull a ‘cart’ instea...
07/01/2025

I’m the thoroughbred for poor men
they say Ive got an ‘ugly head’,
Not glamourous like a racer,
‘coz I pull a ‘cart’ instead,
Im not your pretty show horse,
I havent read the dressage book,
Most people will see past me,
And not give me a second look,
They don’t see my robust body,
They don’t see my hardened feet,
They don’t see the better doer,
I don’t need premium to eat,
They don’t know that I’m steadfast,
I desire to be your mate,
Once I know I can trust you,
Im waitin ‘ at the gate,
They don’t know I am a trier,
I want to do my best,
I may need to learn some lessons,
To pass the riding test,
Yeah I may have some old baggage,
But give me time you’ll see,
Just have faith in this here Standy,
You’ll see what I can be,
I can jump like any warm blood,
I can dance like Arabs too,
I can take you for a trail ride,
Like the Quarter horses do,
I can cut like any stock horse,
I can bring it at Novelties,
I’m for pony club and adult,
For beginner or expertise,
I may just be ‘ A Standy’
Only bred to pull a cart,
But I’ll show you what I can really do,
If you just give me a start.

- Author Unknown

It's been over a year since I have worked with any client horses, I had finally shut my lesson program down in december ...
06/02/2025

It's been over a year since I have worked with any client horses, I had finally shut my lesson program down in december of 23' due to my hip getting so bad and requiring surgery [July 24] . Yesterday I did my first home visit in a long time. I forget how much I miss it. The satisfaction of release, the look on the owners faces, the understanding and communication.
With that being said I am not going to get back into c**t starting or anything just yet as I still require another surgery! Also I will not be re-opening my in stable beginner riding lesson program at this time, however...

At this time, I'll be looking a couple weeks out to take on traveling clients again, working with people and their horses. Lessons, ground work, behavioral, refresher ect.

I also had SO much interest in a INTRO TO HORSES class, im looking into getting that offically going! This is a NON-RIDING class for all ages, to get hands on, learn all about horses, care, safety, equipment, at which time I can direct you to local riding facilities for riding lessons.

I thank everyone for being so understanding and patient while I've taken a medical break, while i'm still not perfect. Im not going to let my body crush my drive define my life and my passion to help those in need with their horses!

Photo of Hennessy as 7 years ago today I saw the message for help for 10 cull pen kiddos. He's my special boy out of the group 💙

01/07/2025

How cold is too cold to ride?

Let’s start with your horse’s respiratory tract. The horse’s respiratory tract is designed to warm and humidify air by the time air reaches the lungs. Intense exercise (anything more than a walk) speeds up and deepens breaths so that air is not as warm or humid when it reaches the lungs which can cause damage to the lower respiratory tracts. It has been discovered in multiple studies that respiratory tracts in horses can become damaged by breathing cold air starting around 23 degrees Fahrenheit, damage to lower respiratory tracts was found 48 hours after exercise, including elevated white blood cell counts and inflammatory proteins as well as narrowing of the tracts.

Moving on to your horse’s cardiovascular system (heart). The cardiovascular system react to cold by increasing the blood pressure and heart rate. It also reduces the amount of blood that flows closest to the skin in order to preserve core body temperature. The reduced blood flow to the skin can lead to frostbite. This lack of blood leads to the eventual freezing and death of skin tissue in the affected areas. Again, it is probably wise to reduce the intensity of your ride so that your horse’s heart does not have to work so hard.

And last but not least your horse’s muscles and joints. Muscles take longer to warm up in the cold weather and arthritic joints may ache and need more time to loosen up. During exercise in the cold, your horse’s muscles require more energy at a faster rate in order for them to function as they would under less extreme conditions. The cold temperature effects the temperature of your horse’s muscles greatly affecting the muscles’ ability to contract. This can leave muscles more vulnerable to fatigue and strains, as cold muscles are less elastic and don’t absorb shock or impact as well as warm muscles. Cold muscles are also less responsive to signals from the nervous system so movements are less coordinated.

So in conclusion it is best to avoid exercise (trotting, cantering and jumping) when temperatures are under 20 degrees F, stick with walking and make sure to properly cool your horse down.

10/24/2024

Get off the horse.

When they’re struggling, when you’re having a bad ride. When their antics are scaring you.

Don’t be afraid to get off.

You aren’t “letting them win” because the horse is not your adversary.

It is not you versus your horse.

It’s you and your horse versus the problem.

And many times, getting off and going back to groundwork can be incredibly beneficial for helping your horse through their struggles.

If they’re scared, having you there beside them on the ground instead of on top of them can bring them confidence.

If you’re scared whilst riding them, getting off the ground lowers your anxiety and likely, also your horses.

The “ride through it” mentality is primarily for human ego and negates the benefit of groundwork.

You don’t need to ride through it.

Sometimes doing so is stupid and dangerous.

Sometimes doing so is traumatic for the horse.

So, don’t be afraid to get off.

Don’t be afraid to take a break.

Don’t be afraid to work through the issues on the ground.

You don’t need to be “tough” and ride through it.

Softness and patience have value and merit.

Oftentimes, the last thing a stressed flight animal needs is toughness and force.

Giving them patience and remaining by their side as a supportive companion is more beneficial than you might imagine.

The mentality of always riding through antics and always getting back on after a fall is a harmful one.

There’s a quote “you’re either going to the hospital or getting back on, hospital or on” that I’ve seen many proudly share.

You can be injured without needing a hospital visit.

Your horse can be fried and not in a place to learn following a fall.

Honouring your horse and yourself by having the humility to know when to stop is a strength, not a weakness.

So, don’t be afraid to get off your horse.

“Riding through it” is not the flex people think it is.

Its taken me a while to come up with the words to write this post as it saddens me. As many of you know this past winter...
04/07/2024

Its taken me a while to come up with the words to write this post as it saddens me.

As many of you know this past winter I struggled with a hip problem, well with much sadness, this riding season, several of my riding students have already been switched to other local riding instructors, and I have a few more I need to reach out to, I will be having surgery in July. With possibility of moving up sooner.

I am taking the next couple months to focus on finishing out the school year, spending as much physical time in the saddle as I can, and enjoying it prior to being laid up all summer.

I am also not taking on any client horses this year, however, to my clients who have their own horses and I have worked with you in the past I can continue to do so for the time being.

Those of you who make it to shows this year, if I can! I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines with my crutches in hand. I appreciate all of your love and support, all of your references and referrals. The equine community around me is great and I'm sure each of you will thrive.

Here are just a few quick happy photos from this past year. 😉

02/29/2024

Let's state the obvious: New York is horse country. 146,700 horses - and their doting humans -call this state home, to the tune of a $7 billion impact on NY's economy. Check out what breed grew most in popularity and what we do with all those equines in our infographic.
The numbers come from a breakout study of NY's equine industry conducted as part of a national survey by the American Horse Council.

I share this every couple years, it doesn't matter who you are, the basics are the foundation for a great horse.
11/10/2023

I share this every couple years, it doesn't matter who you are, the basics are the foundation for a great horse.

The look of disgust and disappointment in her face for the pre-ride groom session 🤣
10/25/2023

The look of disgust and disappointment in her face for the pre-ride groom session 🤣

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Adams, NY
13605

Telephone

(315) 804-7543

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