A Word from Owner Jessi Goney

Horses have always represented the ideas of freedom, endless possibilities, big dreams, and wide open spaces. From the days where they not only roamed wild, but also were integrated into every aspect of life in so many cultures, horses are known for having great amounts of courage, strength, power, grace and beauty. They possess a restless spirit, a sense of adventure, are ever so intuitive, offer a sense of calm and steadiness, and can speak right to us without having to say a word. All these characteristics and more, draw each of us into our horses and make us fall in love with this crazy equestrian lifestyle that none of us could ever live without.

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This is more than a little true here at the Equestrian Connection. Focus is placed on keeping the horse first and ensuring that all aspects of the horse and their care are prioritized. Not just the basics of food, water, and shelter, but also how you manage their time and activity to include a heavy amount of time in turnout versus being in a stall. Horses were meant to be outside, moving around with other horses, with the ability to graze. Our pastures are very large, and we maintain small turnout groups to minimize herd issues, on a reverse turnout schedule so that the horses can get more time outside. Our horses stay much more content, with great stall manners this way. This concept also goes much further into their health with maintaining vet care, working with osteopaths, chiropractors, and utilizing bodywork in order to make certain that mechanically they can move correctly and without pain. We look to ascertain the best diet for each of them to promote good gut health and minimize inflammatory markers that only serve to increase other chronic issues. Focusing on working with the horses from the ground up, not just under saddle, is also important here. You will form more of a bond with your horse on the ground than you ever will in the saddle; and taking the time to work in activities on the ground with your horse truly does change the dynamic between horse and owner/rider.

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But we believe it goes further than that, you must take the time to truly connect with your horse(s). And that takes time, patience, and repetition because that is how they learn.  Taking this time shows them that they are safe and loved with you. Horses do not set out to intentionally anger and upset us by doing the wrong things. We just often ask in wrong or in confusing ways. They do not ever need to be forced, these are large animals that are hard wired with a fight or flight response, and sometimes we just need to redirect them in other ways to get to the same end goal. When we take the time to create a bond that establishes trust and confidence in our leadership, they will happily follow our lead. Horses are said to be a mirror to our own soul, and how true that is when we allow our anxiety, frustration, fear, etc. to lead when we are riding or working with our horses. They pick up on everything we are thinking and doing that may be negative; but the same goes when we approach them with calm and confidence and show them that we are their partner, and we want to unlock all of their potential to see just how far we can go together.

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We have formed some great relationships with other equine professionals that help to keep our horses in great shape. In addition, my 15 year background in treating physical therapy patients, and the kinesiology of horses, we all work together to keep them pain free. Horses are masters at masking pain and other issues which will cause them to compensate in ways that will be limiting. The bodywork, rehab, modalities, and exercises we work with, along with having the osteopath and chiropractor and even the dentist come in are very important to the all-encompassing health of the horses here. And when they do not need assistance that is fantastic! We also have an excellent farrier who has been able to work with a variety of “special needs” issues with the horses and thinks outside the box to come up with what will provide a horse with the best option for what is going on. Everyone is great about working together as a team, for the best care of the horse, which makes a huge difference.

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In today’s world, the norm seems to be getting caught up in going from one show to the next, and going from one training session to the next, and so on and so forth. Both you and your horse get stuck in that cycle; and while you both may be performing well, forgetting to give your four-legged partner time and attention when they are not performing for you is so easy to do. Giving them time to relax when you are simply hanging out with them in the pasture or going for a walk with them or taking a trail ride or trying out a different discipline for a day for fun is super important. All of these things allow them to relax, enjoy you and to simply be a horse. The horses were never asked if they wanted us, we chose for them, and they willingly try for us again and again no matter what we ask of them. They continue to give us their all, every single time, even when we are anything but patient. While most of us here at the Equestrian Connection do show at some level in a variety of disciplines, at the heart of this place is allowing each horse to do and flourish in the avenue they are best suited for, and to assist owners in maintaining their horse’s best health and happiness. This requires an all-encompassing approach from diet, health, behavior, plenty of turnout, herd friends, bodywork, rehab, groundwork, and bonding with their owner apart from riding and training time. Horses truly are the best investment of time and energy one can make (in our opinion!). We would be honored to be a part of your equine journey in any way. Our barn is a special place that is family-friendly, laid back, a lot of fun with plenty of laughs. We will always keep each of your horses first, even if that means having a hard conversation to get something fixed. Please feel free to send a message for more information.