KJ Equestrian Services

We have TWO riders who have joined the inaugural JUMPING club!!!! Paige on Frank and Rachel on Elsie . Great job ladies!!!!

Muffin getting a little exercise to work off that winter hay belly! Thanks Addy for your help!

The appropriate measure of a good day at the barn is precisely how much dirt you wear home on your face. Today, was an excellent day.

Morning hacks on my red haired beauty #goldie

Cryptic Grip (Gryffin) is enjoying the retired racehorse lifestyle #ottb

Perfectly perfect day for a hack

Goodnight my lovelies

THE POWER OF COHERENCE. Here is a photo of a woman with cerebral palsy (and a nervous system that is misfiring) in a wheelchair. As the horses noticed her jer...king movements, they realised her nervous system was misfiring and one by one, they laid down around her (slowing down their breathing rate, which slowed down their heart rate, which created the pulsing resonant field that caused her nervous system to entrain/synchronise with). She later reported that her jerking movements had calmed down significantly. See more

A throw back to when Curtis took up riding for a single day, a million years ago. After this picture we went out to the field and Curtis went for a canter on Frank along side me on Gavin and I almost fell off from laughing so hard. Curtis was such a good sport. But he never rode again

This little mare is becoming more and more relaxed every single day #goldiegirl #goldladybug #goldie

Forever grateful for Dr. Lea Guitard for working on our horses. 9 patients today. Goldie's eye says it all Thank you Lea

Would anyone want to do a jumper schooling show may 16 at our place?

Only the freshest Carrots (kept in water ) for this girl #pippa #ottb

Mike was an absolute workhorse today. He shod 11 horses and did 5 trims, saving the best for last, our team mascot, Muffin. We love you, Mike!

Mike can't contain his smile while working on his favorite horse, Gavin. #nightmare #glueons #bestfarrier

Husband and wife duo Nancy and Andrew decided as a couple to try something new, together. They are picking up riding as a new adventure and have part boarded Bella and Frank! Rachel (aboard elsie) is returning to riding after several years off. Great job guys! Riding is such a neat sport. You're never too old to try something new!

When it comes to XC nerves, here’s what Fox-Pitt Eventing has to say! Good luck to everyone competing this weekend! #BeMoreWilliamFoxPitt #2TheBarnQuotes

One thing a young horse should NEVER learn: That humans are moveable objects. Do you catch yourself sometimes to move out of your horse’s way? Or to take a st...ep back when you feel crowded by your horse? To choose the path of least resistance? Did you ever get run over by a horse? This is a horse who has learnt that humans are moveable objects. Of course, if it is a high danger emergency situation because the horse has a really bad spook, I will move too. But actually, a horse that has learnt that humans aren’t moveable objects, will avoid the person when they spook. It’s a super common scenario: People moving out of their horse’s way. When grooming, during groundwork when preparing for the next exercise, when their horse rubs on them, when feeding, when doing chores,... We take a step back. Try to get more distance between ourselves and the horse. Because he is big. Because we want to have a good relationship and not loose friendship. And because we don’t want to be harsh and dominant towards the horse. Because we don’t believe that dominance is the answer. And it’s true: Dominance isn’t the answer. But this doesn’t mean that I have to allow my horses to walk all over me. It’s about safety. Always keep in mind: Horses do 3 things: - What nature programmed them to do - What we tell them to do - What we allow them to do. Taking a step back invites the horse in your bubble. It provokes curiosity and draws the horse. As a result, the horse will behave even pushier. If you consistently step out of your horse’s way, he will learn that it’s you who moves out of the way. If you do both things, stepping back and moving out of the way, consistently, you teach your horse that you are a moveable object. That it’s you who will move. Not him. He will do what you allow him to do. You allowed him to move you by stepping back and out of his way. This wasn’t dominance, this was you allowing and teaching something destructive. What will be the longterm result? The horse hasn’t learnt to pay attention to humans and will crowd them, push on them, walk over them, jump on top of them when spooked. This is dangerous. So the easiest is if you have a youngster, or a foal, from day 1 make sure to not step back or out of your foals/youngsters way. They learn this very very quickly. Because the other older horses also don’t move out of the way. If the youngster gets too annoying, they will give a warning and if necessary bite or kick. But mostly they simply stand their ground. Don’t take that step backwards. Behave like an older mare. clear, confident and not emotional. If your horse has already learnt that humans are moveable, well, then it might take a little more to change your horse’s idea. Because in his mind, he is doing the right thing! This is what he was taught and allowed to do for years! Take a stick or a rope to help you defend your space. Usually, you only need to be firm 2-3 times. After this, a warning should be enough to change your horses mind. Or a poke with your thumb in his shoulder when he pushes. No emotions, but be firm if necessary. Keep in mind: This isn’t dominance, this is learnt and human taught behaviour!!!! Actually, the one exercise which will almost fix this problem instantly is: Insist on respect while feeding. Check out the video I posted a few days ago. Pay attention to what you teach to your youngster! Every moment in daily interaction counts. Horses learn every second of the day. Don’t take that step back.

Big sticks. 3"6. Who dis? Addy and Gavin through a grid and riding tight turns like they are "Riding at Rolex" . Yahoo!!

Here's my neice, Reid riding Frank today! shes trotted a few times over the last few years with me by her side. Today, she went on the lunge, like a pro! Great job Reid. ... I think she should pursue this riding thing...!

Melissa and Tucson When I first met Melissa she told me 'I don't know if I want to jump again ". And....the rest is history.

https://www.facebook.com/103007496472023/posts/3097867653652644/

Officially official.

A happy welcome to 2 new sales projects for me and Julia! 2 year old chestnut, Chulo "All night long" And 6 year old dark bay, Victor "Victory L"... 2 stunning thoroughbreds in the house! Thank you to connections at woodbine for helping me find these beauties

Paige and Elsie had their first "accidental" solo canter yesterday!! Everyone remained calm and Paige looked like she enjoyed it!!! Incredible job Paige!!

This made me lauuughhhhh several years ago when I first saw this. https://www.facebook.com/1049257074/posts/10212337116996916/

Went for a road trip to Momo's schooling jumper day with some pretty incredible riders yesterday. Monica and Norah had their first off property schooling experience and they were both so perfect I'm just in awe. What a good pair these two have become. A seriously neat horse Norah is. Monica has done such an incredible job bringing Norah to where she is today! To think we tried her on the side of a driveway only a few short months ago Julia and Dazz had a super outing as w...ell. They both gained confidence over every jump they tackled and walked away with a feeling of ease at the end of their rounds. A great day for calm minds and bodies Frank and Devon were complete super stars, getting the biggest improvement star of the season. Confidence was high and it showed. Everything was smooth and easy and FUN. Even at the pre training height. Gavin and Addy rocked their day too! Gavin was not on his best behaviour tacking up. He's getting fitter and saucier and I'm so impressed how Addy and Tracey handled the Dragon we all know Gavin can be. They had great rounds at the pre training height and a super round at the 3"3 level. Things are looking very exciting for next season and i can't wait to see what a winter of training will do to these already stellar pairs. Thanks to Momo for running these greatl schooling days. The most looked forward to fall and winter days for us. Always so much fun! Bring it on 2021 (but not too much...)

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2835848653327378&id=1606756902903232

If you need some mid-week inspiration, here is Ellie Wood Baxter, winner of the 1936 Maclay Finals, at the age of 100 still riding in Virginia. Of course, she rides in a Stübben! Elizabeth King