07/28/2025
Oh how true this is! I'm grateful to all of my clients who are willing to take the time to build on a solid foundation, because without that, it always comes back to bite you. Most unfortunately, it's the horse who suffers if we don't go at the pace that each horse needs and address the issues (medical or other) they have. Thank you Cara Blanchard for putting this so eloquently! 🦄❣️
In some ways it’s disappointing being a trainer who puts the horse first, goes at their pace, does an incredible amount of useful ground work, focuses on biomechanics and correct movement and wants the horse to feel happy and confident.
It’s hard to find clients who not only want the same thing, but realize that doing it correctly takes time.
Everyone is in a race to the show ring to try to beat the other guy.
Every horse I train gets worked with at their pace. 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there and it’s little bits at a time. They get the days off that they need. I never wear them out, drill or over do it. I want them to get it, think about and come back again fresh in the afternoon or the next morning to try the next step for a few minutes. It’s slow and steady building blocks with me.
There’s no fluff and frill. There’s no 5 and 6 year olds practicing Grand Prix movements - that takes years and how many years depends on each individual horse.
There’s no race to the show ring. No competition to see who can climb the levels the fastest.
It’s about building a happy, healthy athlete who feels confident in their body and in their work. Those are the horses who last - physically, mentally and emotionally. Those are the horses that I train and put out into the world.
I wish more people were in it for the right reasons.
The horse first. The date of the show is unimportant.
🌻 © Cara Blanchard
📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography
