Equine Services by: Ajia

04/21/2025

04/08/2025

95% of the problems I see in horse training stems from the trainer’s personal insecurities, overly aggressive aspirations, or lack of self-control.

Just like in a personal relationship, if you don’t have your life in order, you can’t demand respect from another person or horse.

Spend some time in your own head and make sure your desires are compatible with your horse’s ability and personality.

www.betweenthereins.us

03/28/2025

03/25/2025

03/22/2025

I had the pleasure of coaching the original owner and jockey of this horse through high school. Rumor has it “Cat” and his new jockey Lily (who I’ve also had the pleasure of coaching) are sitting in the # 1 spot after last nights performance at the Elma Rodeo!

03/22/2025

SAFE spots to breeze a horse within a few hours Olympia, WA?

Send a message to learn more

03/06/2025

02/11/2025

I don’t think people realize just how many horses out there carry trauma with them.

With that, I don’t even mean severely abused horses that have been starved, or beaten heavily. There are plenty of those around, and those usually cause a lot of outrage (as they should).

What I am talking about though, is the horses whose trauma is never really recognized as such. The ones who tolerate humans and their requests, but never learned to trust them. Those who get extremely obsessive about food which are labelled as “bossy” or ”dominant”. Those who deal with severe Separation anxiety, which are said to be “dramatic”. Those who cannot self-regulate, or co-regulate and constantly carry tension. Those who try to express their pain, which get punished for it because “just a mare”.
Those who are “perfect” until they finally get a choice.

Between Unethical weaning practices, unsuitable welfare, constantly moving homes & and ownership, and aversive training/handling approaches, most horses at some point experience trauma. And this trauma can present itself in a variety of ways. Some are more subtle than others.
Trauma doesn’t have to be this huge explosive reaction. Just like people, horses can carry trauma and move on with their lives fairly normally. It can shape their personality just like it can shape ours.
However, that doesn’t mean doing so is healthy.

The horse that has been in 6+ homes before the age of 10, and thus can’t cope with changes. That is Trauma.
The horse that has never had consistent companionship and becomes obsessive with certain herd mates. That is Trauma
The horse that has only known corrections when they tried to express their confusion, fear, or dislike, and turns from “a perfect beginner’s horse” to “Don’t touch me” the moment you stop using corrections. That is Trauma.
The horse that never had a chance to learn from other horses or connect with people and thus can’t trust people to make good choices for them, can’t self-regulate or co-regulate, and can’t think their way through a situation. That is Trauma.
The horse who was only ever fed 2 times a day and was left without food for 6 hours each night, and has thus become food-aggressive. That is Trauma.
The horse who experienced highly aversive training techniques, and thus now gets frustrated, tense and severely stressed out anytime they are handled in a similar manner. That. Is. Trauma.

Sometimes, awareness of this can be a frustration and defeating realization. I think as equestrians we are often blind to this reality, because sadly, it’s just so common to see horses like that.
It’s not until you work with young, untraumatized horses, or rehabilitated horses, that you realize: “Oh! This is how it should be!”

02/08/2025

It’s been some time since I’ve posted any personal updates to this page. I want to welcome and thank new followers, new clients and clients who’ve been with me for years. Many of you know I have battled autoimmune issues that bring physical limitations for most of my life - because of that I have focused the last decade on coaching, mentoring and lessons more so than “hands on” training.

I can’t begin to explain the excitement I feel sharing that I feel better now than I have since I was diagnosed in 2005! I have slowly started taking a very limited number of outside horses again and am offering single sessions for anyone looking to schedule (by the hour).

I am still offering private lessons but have expanded to outside facilities in our area. I offer group lessons and to anyone looking to schedule a clinic or group ride for their team, 4H group, family and/or friends - Please reach out to discuss details. If anyone who’s worked with me cares to share their experience below for new followers to better understand my program and what to expect - Please feel free to do that as well!

14 years! Thank you all for sticking with me over the years, helping me prove doctors wrong and allowing me to pursue this passion and make a living at it! I am forever in debt to you and words cannot explain my gratitude.

01/16/2025

NPRA Short List
January 15, 2025🐴