KP Sport Horses

11/03/2026

The problem with a red mare..

The problem with a red mare has nothing to do with the mare at all. Rather the implication of the term ‘she’s a red mare’.

Jimmy here has reminded us this week just how horrible these stereotypes can be for some horses. She’s a lucky red mare to have landed in a home that doesn’t believe in labeling horses like that.

When Jimmy came to use fresh of the track she was very sweet, doe eyed and curious. But when trying to work with her at all she was downright witchy. Didn’t like grooming, tacking up or really anything that applied pressure. I didn’t know her at all so I spent some time trying to figure out what she was saying. I didn’t know if it was ulcers, or soreness from her time at the track or what. But I didn’t believe that mare who looked at me all wide eyed and waltzed onto the trailer without so much as a second thought was truly nasty like this. What in her 3 years of life could make a sweet mare so nasty about being touched.

Lyme Disease… eventually we tested her for Lyme and her results were quite literally off the charts. She was dealing with extreme muscle pain and who knows what else because of it. No wonder she didn’t want to be touched. Within a week of antibiotics she was like a completely different horse. By the end of treatment she was a calm happy baby who was pleasant to bring along. Sweet and cuddly, loving scratches all over her body (wow is she an itchy girls, she loves scratches more than anything).

We had a petty good stretch after that with no complications from her Lyme and all her bloodwork looked great. Until this fall when I started to notice signs of that mare returning. It started small. Just a little extra flinching when grooming, a little less excited about scratches. Right away I was worried, but I can’t help thinking how different it could be for her if someone just said “oh she’s a red mare, tell her to get over it”. Then she moved to getting more upset about girthing and I really thought we need to pull bloodwork again cause this isn’t her. She was mostly fine under saddle, though her hind end stiffness was noticeably worse. And sure enough when we pulled blood, the results came back rather high.

I expect she will be back to herself pretty quickly here, but we’ll be doing some extra ‘self care’, if you will, for a little while. Some reminder sessions tacking up, so that she can relearn that the saddle does not mean pain. And reminding everyone that “she’s a red mare” is just a sh*tty excuse.

Jimmy will always have a risk of Lyme flare ups since she had is so severely the first time. It’s something we test her for 2x a year because of this. And I don’t know why it flared up now, who knows when or if it will again. But I do know I have an extremely sweet mare on my hands. She loves attention, scratches and spending time with her people. She is silly and playful while also being sensitive and delicate. She is not mean or moody or grumpy. I know this, so when something changes in her, it is my job to listen.

10/30/2026

Don’t worry guys, we brought the buffet just for you. You’re definitely not in the way at all.

10/22/2026

Lesson availability in Berwick ME
Dressage, Driving, ground work and positive reinforcement

Availability for beginners and up, ages 6 and up.

Specializing in dressage, I also work on starting a foundation with new riders that will support them in any discipline they choose in the future.

While I work with several clients and their own horses, I also have multiple horses available for those who don’t have their own. Ranging from beginner safe to advanced mounts.

As a trainer my focus is on the individual riders goals. There is no requirement to show or do anything beyond what you are interested and comfortable with.

My ultimate goal is a fun learning environment focused on helping each rider achieve their goals.

Please reach out with any questions or to set up a lesson at 413-654-8154

10/18/2026

Beautiful but cold morning today. Our first real frost of the season. Zi was feeling spicy running around but I did catch this moment of graceful little Arabian.

10/02/2026

Nearly 2 years ago this horse came home with so much anxiety he couldn’t just be a horse. He was sleep deprived and collapsing from anxiety. He would pace weight off, was riddled with ulcers and was incapable of processing his emotions. He was living in a constant state of panic.

He tested me. He pushed me to become a better trainer for him. I cried, a lot. I regretted what I got myself into. I questioned my abilities. I cried some more, because all I wanted to do was make him feel better. It felt like an impossible task. But I couldn’t give up on him. I saw so much of how I felt in life in him.

Positive reinforcement saved us both. Slowly chipping away at who we were. I found each layer of him I unraveled helped heal something in me. He grew into a confident horse, learning to let go of that panic and fear. In doing so he helped me do the same.

I started therapy and working through my anxiety and depression. I got help because it felt like I actually could. And I truly believe that’s because of him.

My perspective on training and life in general has been shaped by his journey.

It felt unreal to be walking around the barn and property at liberty with him today. Something that horse 2 years ago could never have done.

Spending time with Cadete simply feels like “I see you” from both party’s. A horse that at one time left me in tears from just trying to groom him through his panic, to one I can forget to put the halter on until halfway to the barn and think “🤷🏼‍♀️ whatever”.

09/28/2026

It might be raining and disgusting but at least you’re still beautiful 😍 🥹

09/27/2026

I questioned if I made the right decision for months. Until our first huge heatwave after when I found myself relieved he wasn’t suffering through it. I found myself questioning the decision again until the first snowstorm came through and I was grateful his old joints were bothering him while I lay awake at night worrying.

When Love Means Letting Them Go on a Good Day

What does it really mean to let them go on a good day?

It means that, for you, it will probably be one of the hardest days of your life.

It won't matter if you've never had to make that decision before. It won't matter if you've been blessed with months or even years of good days. When the time comes, that good day will still feel impossibly wrong.

Because they'll look at you like they always do.

They'll nick­er when you walk through the gate.

They'll happily accept the extra treats.

They'll enjoy the extra scratches, the hugs, the attention.

The sun may be shining. The weather may be beautiful. They're eating. They're drinking. They're walking. They're comfortable. Maybe they're even standing there looking completely normal.

And you'll think:

How can I possibly say goodbye today?

That's exactly what choosing a good day means.

It means making the decision before the emergency makes it for you.

Before the next Central Valley heat wave pushes an already fragile body too far.

Before an unexpected fall.

Before colic turns into an emergency in the middle of the night.

Before an old horse struggles through another winter storm.

Before a horse that has been managing Cushings, DSLD, arthritis, neurological disease, or another progressive condition suddenly reaches a point where comfort is no longer possible.

Before you're standing in a trailer, on the side of a road, in the middle of an evacuation, or desperately trying to find an emergency veterinarian while your horse is suffering.

Horse owners know how quickly conditions can change.

Heat can become dangerous. Wildfire can change everything in a matter of hours. Roads can close. Evacuations can happen. Veterinary emergencies don't wait for business hours.

And sometimes the greatest act of horsemanship isn't fighting for one more day.

Sometimes it is having the courage to say:

“Today is still a good day. I want it to stay that way.”

Your horse won't understand why there are so many treats.

They won't know why you're giving them extra hugs.

They won't understand why you're crying.

They aren't thinking about next winter.

They aren't worrying about the next heat wave.

They aren't thinking about the disease that's progressing or the bad day that may eventually come.

They are simply living in the moment.

And if their final moment is peaceful, comfortable, surrounded by familiar people, and filled with love, then you have given them something incredibly precious.

You have spared them the fear, pain, panic, and trauma that can come when we wait until there is no other choice.

Will you second-guess yourself?

Absolutely.

You may second-guess yourself while you're making the decision.

You may second-guess yourself while you're holding them.

You may second-guess yourself for weeks afterward.

That's grief.

That's love.

And then eventually, another heat wave will come.

Another storm.

Another difficult day.

And you'll look at the empty space where they used to stand and realize:

They were happy.
They were comfortable.
They were safe.
They were loved.

You didn't wait for their worst day.

You gave them their last good one.

It will break your heart.

It may always break your heart.

But sometimes, letting them go while they are still having a good day is not giving up on them.

It is choosing to carry the hardest part yourself.

Because love doesn't always mean holding on.
Sometimes love means knowing when to let go.
By Sara Quinn

09/25/2026

I truly love this horse so much it hurts.
He may be a hard keeper in every definition of the term. He needs special shoes. He eats more than my others combined. He gets extra supplements to keep him comfortable. After extensive ulcers treatment and working with a nutritionist and vet and making his life everything he dreamed of, he still struggles to keep weight on for really no good reason as far as we can tell. He panics without his herd or myself with him. Which means very few other people can handle him. He won’t be stalled. He came severely sleep deprived and anxious. He’s covered in scars, mostly self inflicted from panic.

But he taught me to slow down. He taught me to think like a horse. He taught me to never give up. He taught me it’s ok to be frustrated, cry or scream, but then you need to get back up and try again. He taught me forgiveness is a powerful thing. He taught me the value of trust. He taught me more than I can put into words.
We’re coming up on 2 years together on Halloween. It feels like we’ve been together forever though our story just began. I met him freshman year of college, 8 years ago. When he needed a soft landing at 17 I immediately knew it had to be me.
I love all of my horses dearly, none more than the other. Cadete however was always special for some reason. From the first time I rode him. Saying hi everyday at the beginning of freshman year when he was stalled next to Champ. Every snuggle and nicker and march towards me to be the first to great me in the herd. He may be the neediest horse in the world but he’s my needy boy ❤️