Shady Grove Farm - Equine Wisdom

  • Home
  • Shady Grove Farm - Equine Wisdom

Shady Grove Farm - Equine Wisdom Equine Wisdom is a unique and powerful experience combining traditional sport psychology techniques with Equine-Assisted learning.

These three life lessons have been shouting at me from all directions of my life this week. I am paying attention to ho...
09/04/2026

These three life lessons have been shouting at me from all directions of my life this week. I am paying attention to how I am showing up with this information as well as how it is playing out in my observation of others in my sphere.
I can see clearly when it is working and when it is not.
When we let our ego, preconceived notions, and personal agendas take over, we will get a big ol piece of humble pie. How we got there and how we respond (another slice perhaps?) is really interesting.
As this has played out throughout the week, I was very aware of it when I prepared for my first ride of the day. I had been building a training plan for the week and it was going quite well, except for a rather large spook at the end of my ride the night before. I tucked that little bit of info in my back my pocket when I was getting ready. Today was supposed to be my most intense training day, but I had to pivot due to the construction noise next door. I also moved the horse trailer next to the arena because of rock delivery this afternoon.
Armstrong was calm enough but ever so slightly distracted. In the video you can see his ears are focused on the beeping machinery as well as clocking the new trailer location. He has a worried eye and some licking and chewing of his mouth to help with emotional regulation.
As we warmed up, I could feel his slight worry so I decided to back off on my training agenda, set my ego and personal plans aside so that I could listen to my horse's small concerns before they became a larger concern (spook). He has not been around a lot of this type of noise before so I used this as a way to help him trust the situation so that we can do more in the future.
He offered me many beautiful movements with ease and softness in between moments of rest and regulation.

28/03/2026

Years of showing up consistently as his safe person creates a relationship based on respect and trust in each other.
He slept fully in REM both on and tucked under my lap for almost an hour.
He was laying sternum with his muzzle on the ground when I sat next to him. He then rolled over and gently placed his head in my lap. At one point he was twitching and snoring.
In one of videos you can see that when I stopped stroking his face, he quietly asked me to continue.
Our relationship has grown so much deeper over the last few years as I have been incorporating more R+ training and practicing personal emotional intelligence/nervous system regulation

23/02/2026

My brain and body need the borrowed strength and support of a horse in order to function somewhat "normally".
I try not to take these rides from the horses in my world anymore. I now ask them to support me in my need. Oftentimes, they are quite willing. But sometimes they are not.
I was grateful that he said yes and moved to the mounting block with a soft willingness.
I rode in a ba****ck pad so that I could let my body get the full benefit of his warmth.
We walked rhythmically around the arena for about 30 minutes. I felt the swinging of my hips and torso loosening on each circuit.
I had no music playing and the space was quiet with no engines in the background. I listened to the crunch of gravel under our feet and let my mind wander.
Every so often we would stop and feel the sun warm us for a bit and then back to walking.
Not long ago, this type of riding would be seen as a failure or doing nothing because we weren't training with a specific goal or intensity. But I have come to realize that this type of interaction is the magic sauce to a successful partnership for when we do ask for more.

20/02/2026

This mare truly wants a connection to people but is very clear that she has deep reservations about it. She has been minimally handled for many years. She does not like to be touched behind her shoulders.

If I attempt it while she is free, she will leave. If I have a halter on her, she will go into freeze mode which is not good and can turn into a dangerous situation. She will follow me around at liberty and come up to me easily. But, touching is a very complicated situation for her. I do as much as I can at liberty so that she has a voice in how things go.

On this day, I asked her to help me find a yes. To be honest, I was thinking that she would probably let me brush her shoulders and maybe slightly behind her withers/ribs.

She was very clear that she did not want to be brushed or rubbed in any way. She didn't walk away, but twitched her skin and shifted her weight away from me .

I quieted myself and asked her if she was ok with me being next to her without touch. She shifted her weight slightly towards me and I felt the space between us soften. We spent some time in that space and I very strongly felt her ask for me to rest my hand on her hindquarter.

I quietly but firmly rested my hand there and waited for any sign of discomfort. Nothing but her soft body under my hand and relaxed breath.
Her eating didn't change in frequency either. We spent over 5 minutes like this. We both took a full deep breath and I felt the urge to step back.

The most important part was at this moment when I stepped back. She never released tension. This means that she was truly relaxed during this interaction.

I walked away to work with another horse and she stayed quietly eating. Fifteen minutes later, I felt her ask for me to do her other side. I again, was able to spend over 5 minutes resting my hand on her hindquarter while she ate in a relaxed manner.
I only see her every few weeks so I am interested to see how our next interaction goes. It is so easy to get excited and go into the next interaction expecting more. I will be coming back with gratitude towards her and let the relationship unfold as necessary.

28/01/2026

While riding is the icing on the cake oftentimes, the best part is taking the time to really get to know each horse as a fully realized, sentient individual.

My daughter made a comment recently about how she thought it was cool that I spoke about the horses as if they were people. Without any hesitation, I replied "Of course they are!"

I try not to anthropomorphize, so I wouldn't really say that they are People, but they are absolutely individuals with very distinct personalities.
I have deeply nuanced conversations with them every day.

When we take the time to truly get to know them both on and off their backs, we get much deeper connection than words. We get synched up emotionally, physically, spiritually...


20/01/2026

Casper NEEDED to show me his appreciation for fresh shavings. He literally followed me around and shoved his shavings covered muzzle into my face until I acknowledged it and told him how adorable he looked.

Instead of just getting through chores, I love slowing down and spending extra time with the horses. They have the best personalities.

It is the middle of January. This kind of shedding shouldn't start until the middle of March. It really seems like the ...
16/01/2026

It is the middle of January. This kind of shedding shouldn't start until the middle of March. It really seems like the world doesn't make any sense anymore.
And boy oh boy was I having some deep thoughts today as I was envelopes in crusty, muddy, swampy horse hair!

I thought about the obvious. Shedding and how it is the end of the year of the snake and beginning of the year of the horse. I considered some old habits that I would like to shed this year (again).

I also thought about how Mother Nature is reflecting back our chaotic existence right now.

The weather is all over the place.

Emotions are all over the place.

Death and destruction from extreme weather and human behavior.

It is almost too much to bear. I pull myself back together and think about how I can improve my small community and build resilience to the chaos. But man, is it hard to show up sometimes and give and give while surrounded by takers, incompetence, and grifters.

So, I ask for grace from the people around me as I grapple with how to exist in this harsh world with a tender soul. And maybe join me in a cloud of dirty horse hair for some deep thinking together.

03/01/2026

Winter paddock enrichment for the ponies. A whole lot of Poplar branches came down in the recent storms. They make a great enrichment toy for the horses.

They get to have some variety in chewing (low calorie), moving, and exploring in a safe and cheap way.
After removing the bark, they like to wave them around, sort them, and move them around the paddock. Free snacks and entertainment!

Just make sure any branches you give your horses are not toxic such as black walnut, black locust, or hemlock.

30/12/2025

Stability pads for everyone. I made these for the horses but quickly found that the humans also need a turn. Casper was helping his human regulate her nervous system through limbic resonance. They are synced up emotionally and physiologically through breath, heart rate, trust, and shared presence.

Stability pads do many things
🐴 Create new neural pathways
🐴 Improve/alter posture
🐴 Improve proprioception
🐴 Joint stability
🐴 Deep core activation
🐴 Increased confidence
🐴 Relaxation

Within seconds of stepping onto the stability pads, the brain sends messages to the body to change posture gently and without force while utilizing micro adjustments to deep core muscles.

The body typically softens into the new information creating relaxation and releases such as rocking side to side/back and forth, sighing, licking, lowered breath and heart rate, etc.

Casper initially had a turn on the pads. When it was his human's turn, he supported her by sharing her electromagnetic field very closely and doing all of the relaxing signs as described above.

Taking time to work on bodies together is a great way to grow trust and confidence in each other. This foundational work really shows up positively in ridden work.

Winter Solstice where light and dark dance together. The darkest night this year is even darker with a new moon. We ha...
21/12/2025

Winter Solstice where light and dark dance together. The darkest night this year is even darker with a new moon. We have reached the peak of darkness. And that is not a bad thing at all.

Do not be afraid. Settle in and trust that the light is coming back. The darkness doesn't have to be scary. It can be like a cozy blanket that allows you to put down the heavy expectations that our culture throws on us. Yes, this is a time to gather with friends and loved ones, but it does not have to be overwhelming or done out of cultural obligations.

Show up fully for a few people who really mean something to you. The power outages and storms raging around us recently have shown that showing up for our neighbors and community in small ways is how we survive and thrive, not relying on the larger system to take care of us.

Small acts of kindness and being fully present for one another is the greatest gift.

One a cold, wet, dark day, it is easy to get caught up on the negative. Instead, use this time to appreciate the small pricks of light that shine on your life because those are the most important. They are the love, hope, and support of your community.
My goal is to appreciate the dark because it allows me to see the light that the people and animals in my life bring.

Happy Winter Solstice from my heart to yours


14/12/2025

Horses only need 30-60 min of total REM in a 24 hour period. They snooze standing up throughout the day but need to fully lay down for REM.
As a prey animal, this puts them in a very vulnerable situation so they only grab snippets of REM , typically in 5-10 minute internals.

Casper must have felt very safe because he remained laying down, going in and out of REM for almost 30 minutes.

I was cleaning the paddock and the other horses acted as sentries. I was rushing through the chores because I was thinking about all of the things I needed to do because of both the holidays and wanting to take advantage of the nice weather to do outside cleanup. Etc. etc. etc.

I was literally stopped by Casper's nap. I had to push the p**p filled wheelbarrow right next to him in order to empty it on the pile.

I just couldn't bring myself to disturb him so I sat down about 20 feet away and watched him sleep.

It was a wonderful feeling of peace as well as a big ol dose of oxytocin, because, Hello? How cute is he with his little twitchy face.

When he was done, he got up, stretched and looked for a snack. I was able to move forward nwith my day with a bit less frantic energy and a bit more imtention.

05/12/2025

What a surreal thing, especially since I just finished watching the first half of Season 5.

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shady Grove Farm - Equine Wisdom posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Shady Grove Farm - Equine Wisdom:

Shortcuts

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Share