Barefoot Farm

05/21/2026

05/13/2026

So timely!

One of the more difficult lines to walk with our horses is understanding the difference between empathy and enabling.

I think sometimes, in our desire to be kind, we unintentionally avoid teaching horses the very life skills, which help them become safer, more confident, and better able to navigate life with humans.

From both a learning and nervous system perspective, confidence is not built through complete avoidance of pressure or challenge. Confidence develops when horses learn they can move through appropriate moments of uncertainty and return to physical and mental safely. A teacher once told me it’s important to lovingly see horses through to the other side of their trouble.

That does not mean force.
It does not mean over stimulation.
And it certainly does not mean punishment.

It means learning how to educate with physical and emotional feel of the horse with clarity and fairness.

To me, empathy says:
“I see what you’re feeling, and I’ll adjust how I teach.”

Enabling says:
“I won’t help you through discomfort because discomfort itself feels hard to witness.”

There is a difference.

Having a big heart for horses should never exclude education, boundaries, or responsibility….thoughtful education is part of compassion itself.

Kindness that avoids learning may feel gentle in the moment.
But kindness that teaches creates long-term safety and authentic relationships.

05/13/2026

The Daisy Duke Diary. Day 1 completed. This morning she was still extremely suspicious of her captor’s motives. Freezing for any handling, soft on the lead but not confident in the least. I had to enlist the non-equine member of the team, my long suffering husband. With some trepidation she finally felt safe enough to hand graze. With some trepidation he agreed to hold the lead line while I cleaned to stall…I like to think some bonding occurred. The reality is they both resigned themselves roles of the moment in my life and enjoyed the sun for a bit without any real demands put on one and other. We are Quarantined and taking it seriously. Hand walking only for first week in a restricted area. She has a snotty nose, I am not panicked. This comes with the territory. We expect the vet soon but are not in urgent need and hope not to be. Strict protocol in place, I am washing up showering and not using the same gear for any where else. My washing machine will be earning its cost by a wide margin! Boots, gloves and coat are dedicated to that barn alone and will be disinfected regularly, but not leaving the property or that barn. This isn’t hard, I am a small facility on my own property. I can plan my route and my activity around these precautions easily. If you have booked me for bodywork or lessons please know I will not show up to your place wearing anything not freshly hot washed and or disinfected! I will leave my house like I am headed to a first date, very clean!

To bring this back to Daisy Duke, this evening she met another new friend I had the pleasure of guiding through my gentle introduction routine with the results being very positive indeed. Much Yawning and curious looks as they exited the stall. IFYKYN. More on that later.. Tomorrow I will officially introduce the Daisy Duke Diaries in hopes she gains a following along with me.

05/11/2026

Coming soon….

04/25/2026

04/10/2026

03/18/2026

Watch this and pay attention to the body of this rider.
What do you notice?
How does this video make you feel, both sound on and off?

I am so interested in all your observations.