Training
Moonshine Stable has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I knew I wanted to train horses. Growing up with them was a gift, and although I learned much about their behaviour, I lacked the guidance and tools necessary for putting training and problem solving into a real, achievable process.
I started with my own horses. I paid for lessons, online learning, watched and paid for countless hours of training, practiced for countless hours on my own horses, and have gone to see clinicians all over the US. When I believed I was ready, I began offering training services. This was mostly starting horses under saddle for the first time. I truly believe starting horses with the correct foundation as well as handling foals correctly are the two most important training tools we can offer our equine partners. When done correctly, it sets each equine up for a bright future. There are too many unwanted equines out there, and maybe just as many humans with injuries from equines that never had the correct foundation too. I was proud of the horses I started, they never tried to buck me off or became too stressed about learning their new role. What I did lack was the ability to effectively communicate with humans, it is much easier for me to work with horses than humans! Something I will continue to work on!
Not only did I start horses, I also retrained a great many as well!
In 2017 I took a recently retired off track thoroughbred to the RRP Makeover in Lexington Kentucky. The Retired Racehorse Project showcases trainers abilities to retrain an off track thoroughbred into their choice of 10 disciplines. There is a discipline for everyone! It includes the thrill of foxhunting, the adrenaline of barrels, the finesse of dressage, the etiquette of hunters, the ability of showjumping, the grit of ranch work, the athleticism of cross country, the navigation of trail work, the speed of polo, and lastly the creativity of freestyle.
I chose trail, as I love to navigate trails, obstacles and teaching horses to be safe enough to take anywhere, what I call "go anywhere' horses. I also chose freestyle. I had a few ideas, but after having Shanty Bay off for a couple months over the summer due to some pretty tender tootsies after a farrier, trim-too-short (and then needing shod) I decided I would scratch from that event once I got to Kentucky-surely I had not enough time to practice. However, once in Kentucky I realized that the relationship I had had with Shanty all summer was one of pure partnership and joy. I essentially rode him bareback all summer while I made payments on a Western saddle that would fit him, and taught him to ride simply in his rope halter rather than a bit. So, in Kentucky, our freestyle consisted of us doing a bareback, halter, matching curly braided hair dance. We walked, jogged, did a trot, extended trot, canter, a canter dismount-to-a-stop ending, and bow to the judges all to a beautiful song. I can't remember exactly where I placed, in the thirties? but it didn't matter as I left the arena in tears, so proud of my boy.
While I didn't make it in 2018 and had to drop out due to my health issue, I am still so proud I was able to at least go once. That health issue has continued to prevent me from consistently training, perhaps with more time I will once again be able to continue to do what I love.
I started with my own horses. I paid for lessons, online learning, watched and paid for countless hours of training, practiced for countless hours on my own horses, and have gone to see clinicians all over the US. When I believed I was ready, I began offering training services. This was mostly starting horses under saddle for the first time. I truly believe starting horses with the correct foundation as well as handling foals correctly are the two most important training tools we can offer our equine partners. When done correctly, it sets each equine up for a bright future. There are too many unwanted equines out there, and maybe just as many humans with injuries from equines that never had the correct foundation too. I was proud of the horses I started, they never tried to buck me off or became too stressed about learning their new role. What I did lack was the ability to effectively communicate with humans, it is much easier for me to work with horses than humans! Something I will continue to work on!
Not only did I start horses, I also retrained a great many as well!
In 2017 I took a recently retired off track thoroughbred to the RRP Makeover in Lexington Kentucky. The Retired Racehorse Project showcases trainers abilities to retrain an off track thoroughbred into their choice of 10 disciplines. There is a discipline for everyone! It includes the thrill of foxhunting, the adrenaline of barrels, the finesse of dressage, the etiquette of hunters, the ability of showjumping, the grit of ranch work, the athleticism of cross country, the navigation of trail work, the speed of polo, and lastly the creativity of freestyle.
I chose trail, as I love to navigate trails, obstacles and teaching horses to be safe enough to take anywhere, what I call "go anywhere' horses. I also chose freestyle. I had a few ideas, but after having Shanty Bay off for a couple months over the summer due to some pretty tender tootsies after a farrier, trim-too-short (and then needing shod) I decided I would scratch from that event once I got to Kentucky-surely I had not enough time to practice. However, once in Kentucky I realized that the relationship I had had with Shanty all summer was one of pure partnership and joy. I essentially rode him bareback all summer while I made payments on a Western saddle that would fit him, and taught him to ride simply in his rope halter rather than a bit. So, in Kentucky, our freestyle consisted of us doing a bareback, halter, matching curly braided hair dance. We walked, jogged, did a trot, extended trot, canter, a canter dismount-to-a-stop ending, and bow to the judges all to a beautiful song. I can't remember exactly where I placed, in the thirties? but it didn't matter as I left the arena in tears, so proud of my boy.
While I didn't make it in 2018 and had to drop out due to my health issue, I am still so proud I was able to at least go once. That health issue has continued to prevent me from consistently training, perhaps with more time I will once again be able to continue to do what I love.