Gold Creek Farm

05/27/2026

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There were a lot of people that appreciated the post the other day about setting the saddle before tightening the girth, so I figured I would share a few tips about tightening the girth itself.

A few things I try to focus on:
• Tighten the girth equally from both sides of the horse
• Go SLOW - one hole at a time is appreciated by your horse
• Create movement throughout the process
• Don't over tighten - don't check at the elastic, check from the sternum area

I think it's best to allow the horse to move at least once before the final tighten, and then again after the final tighten and before mounting. This gives the skin, muscles, and soft tissue time to adjust to the pressure rather than being suddenly restricted all at once.

A few common “problems” and things to think about:

1. “Blowing up” or bloating:
Horses are not actually filling themselves with air just to make things difficult. More commonly, they are tightening their muscles and bracing in anticipation of pressure or discomfort. Slow the process down and add more movement. Often that alone changes a lot.

2. “Girthy” horses:

Sometimes girthiness is pain related. Gastric ulcers, back pain, or poor saddle fit are the most common reasons, so having the horse evaluated by a veterinarian, body worker, and saddle fitter is always the first step.

However, girthiness can also become a learned or habitual response based on anticipated discomfort with a history. In those cases, it helps to look closely at the girthing habits of everyone handling the horse. Are people rushing? Tightening all at once? Small changes in timing, pressure, movement, and even where you tighten the girth can help start changing the horse’s association with the process.

One thing I learned from a vaulting lesson I took years ago: you don’t vault onto a horse standing completely still. Why? Because landing force on relaxed muscles is harder on the horse’s back.

While girthing obviously isn’t the same level of impact, the same idea applies. Tightening the girth while the horse is walking calmly in a straight line allows the horse to engage and organize their muscles more naturally instead of bracing against sudden pressure.

Sometimes slowing down for 60 seconds creates a much more comfortable experience for the horse.

05/07/2026

LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB?
Interested in LEARNING more about handling horses ?
Possibly getting into volunteer work or a part time job at a barn?
Here’s your opportunity .
Come work with a professional to hone your skills . Part time paid work cleaning stalls and turning horses out , then shadow and sometimes assist training sessions . Hands on lessons also , for additional fee . Amount of work will depend on experience and skill level. This can be 2 part time people.
Some experience with horses is a must .
Call or text for details .
Tina 518-423-3330

04/25/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/744476141992367/?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&fs=e

04/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CrqsTw9q3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/22/2026

Update.
I have someone for Saturday’s. Still looking for help other days. If you can’t do 8 stalls, mayb a cpl people can do 4 ea?
Opportunity for riding time or trade for lessons
HELP WANTED.
Monday ,Tuesday, Thurs,Friday , Saturday
8-10 stalls , help w/ AM turn- out.
Text 518-423-3330 or PM

03/15/2026

I teach all my students how to “ read the horse”. It is paramount to safety and building a good relationship.
The absolute number one most important thing you can do to remain safe around Horses, is to learn to read them.

Sometimes horses (or pony), start out fine, but little things happen during the course of the ride. The triggers stack and your horse that WAS fine isn’t anymore.
It is important for riding students to learn more than just how to balance, steer, stop etc..
Learning the whys of horse behavior helps to avoid problems when riding.
Learning what exercises to do with the horse to maintain their emotional state so they can listen to you makes a huge difference in the serenity of the ride for horse and rider. Learn about the total horse here at Gold Creek Farm.

03/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CQpPxuS1U/?mibextid=wwXIfr

01/14/2026

ISO, stall cleaning and turn out help. 8-10 stalls per day, 5 days a wk. Possibility to move into more opportunities such as learning to be part of our teaching/ training program. Ability to drive tractor safely , a plus.
Must be willing to take this position seriously as this type of help in a horse business is important. Call text or PM me. Tina 518-423-3330. Located in Charlton.

01/11/2026

I just came across this from a post from a trainer I follow on facebook.
The natural herd doesn’t give choice, it gives structure and routine based on senior horse wisdom. That is safety and security.
Stop projecting human constructs onto horses.
I Tina, have seen from experience many horses that just need consistent structure . There are however many instances where I need to give a horse time to make a decision themselves to help them understand why doing something a certain way , will turn out better in the end for themselves, and frequently that’s a case of when to add pressure in a training session and when to not.
That being said , after they “ figure it out”, they need to have the consistency of us encouraging, choosing the better thing. Sometimes they need repetition to remember.
… i do. Lol. I need to learn by repeating things, practicing correctly. If I practice incorrectly sometimes and correctly other times , I will not be building strength in the step I’m working on , to then go into the next step.
It’s the same for horses . If we allow a horse to step twrd us one day cause we are distracted by our children or a work call n then the next day we reprimand them for stepping in to our space , we are breaking down the horses confidence.
The horse will b more anxious all the time wondering what the right answer is, and worrying about what the expectations are from day to day.
If you teach a horse something n they understand it , they know ea time you do it what u want . If you then are consistent about that being what you want from them ea day , then they know where they stand in your relationship together.
It’s like a relationship w/ a boy/ or girl friend. You build a bond and start to trust ea other and then something changes. Maybe a misunderstanding or you decide you are not right for ea other. You feel very insecure . Suddenly this person you were close to and enjoying , is not the same. It causes anxiety, uncertainty.
Horses need to know where they stand. They need a leader and organization to help them feel safe .

12/25/2025