V Hart Equestrian

18/03/2026

Jelly reconsidering what it means to live in a four star home and thinking maybe the livestock guardian donkeys have it figured out. 🦷 🏥

16/03/2026

Thank you Portofino for hosting such great schooling shows!! We had a wonderful preseason start. Everyone accomplished what they needed to in the show arena and is ready to rumble for the first recognized show of the season! Good job team!

27/02/2026

The dressage princesses didn’t want to play in the rain today so I worked with my perfect donkey angel instead ☔️

01/02/2026

❄️

25/01/2026

12/01/2026

Safe to say my best girl missed me 😇

Deka: Where have you been it’s been weeks

Me: It’s been a few days and I was delivering a baby

Deka: Don’t let it happen again

26/12/2025

Merry Christmas to all!! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Day with your loved ones, two and four legged alike 💚 ❤️

23/12/2025

Birthday ride on the best girl 🩵

Please excuse my attire. I don’t fit into a whole lot of my wardrobe right now, but these old faithfuls from high school are comfy and most importantly STRETCHY.

Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes!! It was a great day!!

22/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14Q8Togyobo/

I recently met a new client for a saddle fitting. She had just purchased a retired schoolhorse she’s known for years, a kind gelding who was finally going to spend his remaining years with one patient, caring owner.

From the moment I met him, it was clear that this horse was not well. While she groomed him, as I was setting up my equipment, he pawed and moved around constantly. He wasn’t mean, just anxious and seemed both physically and mentally uncomfortable. I took my time, letting him see and get to know my tools before touching him, but it didn’t help much.

When I put the saddle on his back for the static assessment, immediately, his discomfort escalated, more aggressive pawing, tossing his head, chomping at the cross-ties.

One quick glance told me why, the saddle left no clearance over the withers and was clearly ill-fitting. This was the very saddle he’d carried countless young riders through lessons with for years.

Through the evaluation, his owner remained patient, never scolding, simply apologizing for his behaviour. Eventually she said, “Well, he’s always kind of been like this.”

This broke my heart. Too often, horses’ cries for help, subtle or not, get written off as personality or “just how they are.” They aren’t. Horses communicate through behaviour and body language, and ignoring that communication can cause ongoing discomfort and frustration. This little guy was literally screaming at us and nobody had ever listened.

I want to be clear, I never judge or blame the owner. The people I meet deeply love their horses and would never intentionally cause them discomfort or even pain. Many simply don’t know any different, raised in an industry that normalizes pushing horses through physical or psychological challenges without thought or assessment. It’s a broken system, but one that can be corrected with education, awareness, and observation.

Back to the story: We found a properly fitting saddle, and I recommended investigating other potential sources of discomfort, both physical and emotional. Already, about a month later, he’s a changed horse during grooming and tacking up. While he occasionally shows remnants of his previous anxiety, his back felt soft and relaxed and his demeanor is very different.

This experience is a powerful reminder to never accept a horse’s reminder as “just the way they are.”

Listen. Investigate. Respond.

With the right knowledge and understanding, you have the power to make a real difference. Education equips you to recognize subtle signs of discomfort, identify root causes, and take action that improves a horse’s health, comfort, and performance.

When you invest in learning, in anatomy, biomechanics, and saddle fit, you’re not just observing, you’re empowering yourself to advocate for every horse in your care.
Horses rely on us to understand them. With the right tools and knowledge, you can hear them clearly, act decisively, and transform their lives for the better.

10/12/2025

Dux being the best boy working on his changes!

27/11/2025

Grateful on this Thanksgiving for so many things - my family that’s about to grow by two little boys, my amazing clients both two and four legged, and also just relishing in being able to do what I love on a gorgeous crisp fall day with a wild tie dye blue sky with Diva!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

12/11/2025

Nemo says, “No boots, no problem lady, just buckle up that baby!” 🚀

Love this GRP of Anne Berry Wade’s!