Friendly Grove Equestrian Center

01/28/2026

01/26/2026

09/16/2025

07/23/2025

I'm so impressed with Caitlyn's (Neptune Equestrian ) management of our arena. She's been strategically improving the moisture content along with redistributing the footing to be level and provide the right amount of support for the horses. It has a completely different feeling underfoot.

07/23/2025

Needing some trees removed or limbed up? My arborist Matt Reese of Harbor Tree LLC just removed multiple trees uncomfortably leaning over my neighbor's yards. He's incredibly reasonable and bonus.... he can make it snow in summer. 😆

06/20/2025

We’re incredibly excited to welcome Caitlin and Neptune Equestrian to our facility!

Caitlin has been part of the equestrian world since she was 12 years old and built a well-respected training and riding program in Oregon. After relocating to Washington, she was looking for just the right facility to call home—and we are honored that she chose ours.

This property has been home to professional riding programs for over 20 years, including Midnight Academy and Academy of Equestrian Arts. Each trainer brought their own approach and vision to the space, and Caitlin is continuing that legacy with her own unique energy and expertise.

As of June 1, 2025, Neptune Equestrian is the sole operator of the barn and equestrian programs on the property. Caitlin independently manages boarding, lessons, training, and all aspects of her business.

She offers English riding lessons for youth ages 2–17 and adults of all ages, with a warm, supportive, and confidence-building approach to horsemanship.

Over the years, we’ve continued to improve the property in ways that support the success of the programs that call it home. The arena footing has been upgraded, a new gravel paddock with connected pasture was added, and the water filtration system has been improved to provide cleaner water for the horses. We’ve also been expanding the riding trails to give more variety for horses and riders alike.

If you’d like to learn more or are interested in working with Caitlin, visit www.neptuneequestrian.com or find her on Facebook here: Neptune Equestrian

We’re excited to continue building on the property’s strengths as Neptune Equestrian grows. Caitlin has brought new life and energy to the barn, and we’re thrilled to see what’s ahead.

🐴 To learn more about Caitlin’s offerings or inquire about availability, please reach out directly through her website: https://www.neptuneequestrian.com or business page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576396190357 We’re proud to have her here.

Please join us in welcoming Caitlin!

12/18/2024

What a great way to explain…

Trainer - What day is it?
Student - Monday
Trainer - What day is it?
Student - The 16th
Trainer - What day is it?
Student - 😡
Trainer - I kept asking you the same question and you gave me the right answer, but I didn’t accept it, so you changed your answer, got frustrated and confused.
This is exactly how your horse can feel if you miss the release…
(Author unknown)

12/11/2024

When you think you don’t have as much time as you want for the week ….

12/11/2024

RECOGNISING HIDDEN PAIN IN HORSES

Recent advancements in research and the development of ethograms cataloguing signs of pain are casting light on what has long been an area of silent suffering for horses. Over the past decade, numerous studies have confirmed specific facial expressions and behaviours that typically indicate pain in horses. However, cultural influences steeped in centuries of art have normalised and even romanticised these very signs—such as wide eyes, gaping mouths, and hyper-flexed necks—leading to their acceptance in horse sport. As a result, even clear warning signs like pinned ears, tail swishing, and pawing are frequently overlooked or misinterpreted as 'bad behaviour'.

Anthropomorphising horses has undoubtedly helped foster a deeper connection between humans and equines. Nonetheless, it has also perpetuated harmful myths, such as the notion of horses 'scheming' to avoid work or plotting against riders. Such misinterpretations can lead to dismissing genuine signs of discomfort, labelling mares as 'mare-ish', or labelling certain horses as inherently grumpy. However, horses lack a highly developed frontal lobe, making it impossible for them to scheme and fake injuries or to be inherently 'grumpy'.

In this article, we look at the changes that are occurring in understanding pain, discomfort, anxiety, and other welfare-compromising states and begin to examine what this new knowledge means for horse owners and horse sport in the future.

You can read the full article here:

https://hqmagazine.co.za/recognising-hidden-pain-in-horses-a-shift-in-perspective/