Cameo's Horse Sense

En français ci-dessous
❤ Freedom - Forage - Friends is the basic recipe required for horses to maintain a healthy life. Emotional, physical and social aspects of a horse’s life are required in equal in measure for them to live as natural a life as we can provide for them. Chutney has been fortunate to have access to 24/7 turn out, including time in a large pasture, access to hay, and time with his best friend, Ziggy. Chutney and Ziggy met in 2017 when we moved to Equi-Libre and they can often be seen sharing hay, grooming each other, or just hanging out. If you know an angry or troubled horse, ask yourself if they have access to freedom, forage and friends. I am grateful that I have been fortunate to offer Chutney and Cameo the three Fs so they can live as ‘natural’ a life as possible.
❤ Liberté, fourrage et amitié : voilà la recette de base dont les chevaux ont besoin pour mener une vie saine. Les aspects émotionnels, physiques et sociaux de la vie d’un cheval sont tout aussi importants les uns que les autres pour qu’il puisse vivre une vie aussi naturelle que possible. Chutney a la chance de pouvoir sortir 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur 7, notamment dans un grand pâturage, d’avoir accès à du foin et de passer du temps avec son meilleur ami, Ziggy. Chutney et Ziggy se sont rencontrés en 2017 lorsque nous avons emménagé à Equi-Libre, et on les voit souvent partager du foin, se toiletter mutuellement ou simplement passer du temps ensemble. Si vous connaissez un cheval colérique ou perturbé, demandez-vous s’il a accès à la liberté, au fourrage et à des amis. Je suis reconnaissante d’avoir eu la chance d’offrir à Chutney et Cameo ces trois éléments afin qu’ils puissent mener une vie aussi « naturelle » que possible.

This sweet drawing of Cameo by one of my students is the perfect gift for Cameo’s 18th birthday tomorrow! To celebrate, I will make her a big ‘horse sundae’ with oats, carrots, and apples drizzled with molasses. 🍎🥕 I am lucky to have a photo of her as a foal from her registration papers (2008), and another when she was 2 years old. She is still as cute as ever. Much love, Cameo, on your birthday tomorrow, April 14th! 🥳

(En français ci-dessous)
🐴One of the great pleasures of being with a horse is going for a trail walk or ride. Like any horse activity, trail riding is a discipline and requires preparation of the horse and rider. I want both of us to feel confident, relaxed and trusting. No matter what we meet on the trail, I want Cameo to trust that I will listen to her and we will do it together. So we begin with a Touch It game to warm up our communication on the ground and our connection. I take the time for her to be relaxed and confident before we go for our walk, setting it up for success and safety. If we run into something that concerns her, I will take the time to reset our communication and see if we can continue with confidence. We can both relax and enjoy the walk together without worry. Tomorrow we will walk a little further into the forest. 🌳🌲
🐴L'un des grands plaisirs de la vie avec un cheval est de partir pour une randonnée. Comme toute activité équestre, la randonnée équestre est une discipline qui exige une bonne préparation tant du cheval que du cavalier. Je veux que nous nous sentions tous les deux en confiance, détendus et sereins. Quels que soient les obstacles que nous rencontrerons sur le chemin, je veux que Cameo soit sûre que je l'écouterai et que nous les surmonterons ensemble. Nous commençons donc par un jeu de contact pour réchauffer notre communication au sol et renforcer notre lien. Je prends le temps de la laisser se détendre et prendre confiance avant de partir en balade, afin de mettre toutes les chances de notre côté et d'assurer notre sécurité. Si nous rencontrons quelque chose qui l'inquiète, je prendrai le temps de rétablir notre communication et de voir si nous pouvons continuer en toute confiance. Nous pouvons alors toutes les deux nous détendre et profiter de la balade ensemble sans souci. Demain, nous nous enfoncerons un peu plus loin dans la forêt. 🌳🌲

Traduit avec DeepL.com (version gratuite)

(Ci-dessous en français)
🐰Spring session lessons have begun! My schedule is full, but if you are on my waiting list and I have a cancellation, I may contact you. (Illustration by Charlie Mackesy)

🐰Les cours du trimestre de printemps ont commencé ! Mon emploi du temps est complet, mais si vous êtes sur ma liste d'attente et qu'il y a une annulation, je vous contacterai peut-être. (Illustration de Charlie Mackesy)« Quel printemps ! », dit la taupe.

🐴Cameo recently completed her first 5-week session with Nouveau Depart, a PTSD program for military and first responders. Each week, she and her partner worked together on confidence, mindfulness and obstacles as opportunities. They built a trusting relationship, as you can see in these photos. ‘M’ was especially good with Cameo during grooming, giving her gentle massages. ❤ Congratulations on the wonderful connection you made with Cameo! And much thanks to Diane, their volunteer. 🥰

Cameo is really happy that Spring is almost here, but I am also happy that we can still enjoy a winter's day walk on the beautifully groomed Les Forestiers trails. 🌲🐴❄️🌲

“Today Is Going to Be Our Peaceful Day - We can say these words lightly, like a pleasant thought that floats away, or we can make them real—transforming intention into lived experience. The difference is in how we bring them from abstract hope into practice." - Buddhist monks' Walk for Peace - Jan 16, 2026

take time for wellness
be in the moment
look at the sky
look at the stars
stop for a rainbow
i am breathing in
i am breathing out
-Mon. Jan. 21st (Bell Let's Talk)

Cameo is a great partner. Yet, every little part of our session is still an opportunity to reinforce our partnership. I remind myself to make every moment count and focus on our connection from start to finish. These three short videos show me changing Cameo’s regular and horseman’s halter at the beginning of our session (she was more organized than me!), then we play ‘catch the bit’ (she used to clamp her teeth!) and we finish strong at the end while switching halters again. Horses know when you are connected or not. If you start and stay connected, even in the every day routines, then the time together will feel good to both of you. 🥰

Wishing you and your family Happy Holidays!🌲We are taking a Winter break until March/April and hope you have a Happy and Healthy New Year until we see you again in the Spring.🌷🪻🌹We'll be out taking trail walks, playing with some new obstacles and toys, and planning some fun activities for your return!😃