W Spur Horsemanship

08/25/2025

Horses are mirrors.

Most people realize that horses are mirrors of their owners, but a lot of people don’t realize that your horses biomechanics mirror those of their riders. Tonight I went out to make an educational video with Fillinic and I felt like it was a bad ride. Right now I’m battling a kidney infection and stone and so I’m riding pretty guarded due to pain. I went back and watched the video and cringed at what I saw knowing that how Fillinic reacted to me was 100% my fault due to being unbalanced and hollowed out. Let me break these photos down.

The first photo I’m arched over in the saddle hollowed out in my core, my shoulders, hips, legs and jaw are locked in defense to the pain I’m having. Fillinic is mirroring my biomechanics with her own. She’s hollowed out in her back, locked in the jaw, poll, shoulders and her hind end is splayed out behind her not engaging properly. Her neck and head are upside down in the bridle. Her legs are locked from extending any of her stride causing her to short step her gait. She’s working entirely inefficiently. If she is ridden like this long term it will lead to soundness issues, tack fit issues, behavioral problems derived from discomfort and pain.

In the second photo (double straight lines indicate free moving, loose) my core is engaged, my shoulders, hips and legs loose and free moving and overall holding myself more correctly. Fillinics back is lifted, hind end is engaged, neck is upright, but arched and balanced, poll is loose, head is unlocked and soft, legs are loose and free moving. She is working balanced and efficiently in a way that is going to promote longevity and soundness.

Now even though Fillinic was still responsive and light in the bridle she was unbalanced under saddle. She would weave at the trot due to my lack of balance trying to compensate for me. Her stops were rough and locked in the shoulder, her turns she dropped her inside shoulder cutting into them, her backing was crooked swinging her hind end one direction or the other. All of these things are due to my lack of biomechanical soundness within my own body and she was mirroring how I was riding. These aren’t training issues, they are flaws from my lack of balance that she was over compensating for or reflecting.

If you are having issues with your horses performance record yourself and watch how you are utilizing your body. Riding a horse with improper posture can cause a multitude of issues if it’s don’t long term and can literally change a horses conformation which will lead to performance issues, tack fitting issues, soundness issues and much more. Taking care of yourself is taking care of your horse.

08/16/2025

✨ Gus – 9 y/o Pinto Pony Gelding, Prospect ✨
Approx. 12hh
Mid-lower 3️⃣5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ (will increase with training)
Location: Condon, OR
Contact Sara Jean Wedel (208) 597-6712

📌 Please read the entire post before messaging.

Gus is not a beginner’s pony at this time, but he has the potential to grow into an amazing kids’ partner with the right rider and some extra love. He’s got way more miles under saddle than your typical pony—he’s gathered cattle, covered rough country, wrangled horses, been to rodeos, and then some.

He’s a sweet little guy who really does want to please, though he can get anxious here and there. His previous kid rider was all about speed, so Gus has more “go” than “whoa.” He’s currently in training with me and has already made huge improvements in just a couple weeks. He’s gone from taking off to cruising at walk/trot/canter on a loose rein.

I could see Gus excelling as a cart pony, a gaming pony, or a trail adventurer. He’s not buddy sour—ride him in a group or head out solo, he doesn’t care. Obstacles? Not a problem. Water crossings? Splash zone champion. Bridges? He’s across before you’ve even thought about it. Steep, rocky hills? Consider it done. Need to move a couple 2,000 lb bulls? Gus is your pint-sized cowboy. Spot a deer in the tall grass? He’s ready to give chase.

He’s basically a full-sized horse in a fun-sized package. Forward-moving, walks out faster than most horses, and can keep up with the big guys at every gait.

Pros:
🦄 Confident
🦄 Patient when tied
🦄 Good for the farrier
🦄 Loads like a dream
🦄 Bathes (staying clean, however, is not in his job description)
🦄 Brave—goes anywhere you point him
🦄 Zero pony attitude
🦄 No buck, no rear
🦄 Safe to be around

Cons:
❗️Can be hard to catch (his version of tag is Olympic level)
❗️Nervous around new people
❗️Gets rushy under saddle at times
❗️When nervous, he can scoot off, but he comes right back quickly
❗️Can get bracy in the bridle if anxious

Want a pony that’s got more real-life experience than most teenagers and the heart to go all day? Gus might be your guy. He’s quirky, he’s handy, and he’s just waiting for the right person to finish polishing him upon

08/12/2025

08/02/2025

Photo credit: Abigail Knudtson

07/31/2025

New podcast episode out!

Horses are Mirrors. In this episode I talk about how equine biomechanics reflect those of their riders.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0j9Tqvx8CmkyXCvUWom250?si=qj_ts_zVSWqIdxC_umPJdA

07/30/2025

If we expect our horses to handle and except correction with grace and resilience we should expect that of ourselves as well.

07/28/2025

Here’s a video on my go to method when it comes to fixing a rearing problem in horses. (Youtube link below) We had gotten Maggie for a potential pony for my daughter and she definitely needs some tuning up. She has developed a rearing problem from prior kids riding her.

Now for those of you concerned about my size and Maggie being a pony I only weigh 114 lbs, so not that much more than the average kid who would be riding her. Maggie needs someone with the knowledge and experience to fix these issues she has developed as she has already been passed around quite a bit for the behavioral issues she has. We want to make sure Maggie has the tools needed so she can stay in a safe and loving home who cares for her.

Disclaimer: if you are concerned about my size with this pony I weigh 114 lbs and not that much more than the average kid who would be riding her. Even thoug...

07/22/2025

Best way to de-Matt a horses tail in minimal time with minimal breakage. I’ve don’t this with horses who’s had very thick tails that were extremely matted. I learned these tricks when working in the saddlebred industry where we had horses with tails 10+ feet in length for shows. I use it with all my mustangs and normally takes less than an hour to accomplish.

07/08/2025

Name one person who significantly altered your equine journey 🐴

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day!

04/14/2025

Horse Problem Solving Clinic – May 17th
Featuring Sara Wedel & Mark Jenkins Horsemanship
As seen on RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, and Better Horses

Join us for a one-of-a-kind Horse Problem Solving Clinic on May 17th, featuring two seasoned clinicians dedicated to helping both horse and rider build trust, confidence, and communication.

Sara Wedel brings her deep-rooted experience from the rugged country of Eastern Oregon, where she’s spent years working on ranches and training untouched mustangs. Her grounded, empathetic approach creates lasting breakthroughs for horses with tough histories or handling issues.

Mark Jenkins, a respected traveling horseman, is known for his problem-solving expertise and gift for coaching others through even the most challenging horse behavior. Mark has been featured on RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, and Better Horses, and his calm, practical style resonates with riders of all disciplines.

This clinic will be filmed and broadcasted on the networks mentioned above – an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and be part of something special.

Date: May 17
Location: Aspen Creek Ranch in Cocolalla Idaho
Spots are limited!
Auditors welcome.

For registration and more info, contact:
Sara Wedel (208) 597-6712