Kirschbaum Equine Fitness

09/21/2026

Sweatshirts are available in S,M,L,XL sizes, handmade with love by a small business - Liv2Luv designs and apparel in Muskego.
Message or text Rachel !

09/21/2026

How to help your stressed horse:

-Identify the stress threshold
-Slowly but gradually increase normal stressors
While staying under threshold, you can employ counter conditioning
techniques to change the horse’s association with the experience.

- Providing food rewards, wither scratches, a return to companions, or other forms of positive reinforcement can help your horse manage their stress and gradually overcome it at a level where they are comfortable!
-Monitor reassess and adjust your steps, "read the room".

Signs of stress in horses:
Vocalizing
Snorting, blowing
Sweating & trembling
Tight facial features
Pacing
Pawing, kicking
Rushing, refusing

Signs of RELEASED stress in horses: (It's working!!)
Licking & chewing
Lowering of head
Deep sigh, released heavy breath
Cocked back leg
Standing still, slow and smooth blinking

These are not all the signs of stress or releases ~ there are too many to count!
Learn to identify and manage these stressor signs once they arise, before becoming flight or fight 》 Kirschbaum Equine Fitness !

WHICH EYE IS STRESDED V. ALERT?

09/16/2026

Hi, I'm Rachel, the heart behind Kirschbaum Equine Fitness! 👋

Horses have been my passion for more than 22 years, and throughout that journey they've taught me some of life's greatest lessons patience, trust, resilience, and the importance of building a true partnership. 🩷

I created Kirschbaum Equine Fitness because I believe every horse and every rider deserves the opportunity to grow together, no matter their age, experience, or goals. Whether you're rebuilding confidence, improving your fitness, supporting a senior horse, or simply wanting to deepen the bond you share with your horse, I'm here to help you every step of the way.

My approach is built on kindness, respect, and understanding. I believe progress comes from listening to our horses, strengthening ourselves alongside them, and celebrating every small victory together. 🤗

Thank you for being here and for trusting me to be part of your equestrian journey. I look forward to helping you and your horse become healthier, stronger, and more connected.✨️🐴

09/16/2026

09/13/2026

Thoughts of the day from your horse Trainer:

Whatever you expect of your horse, I sure hope it’s something you can also expect of yourself.

Whatever standard we hold our horses to, we should be responsible and willing to hold ourselves to as well.

🔵Balance: If you expect your horse to carry themselves correctly, to hold their frame, keep their back elevated, maintain their body position, and not constantly require you to put them back together, I sure hope you’re holding your own body to that same standard. Are you balanced? Are you consistent? Are you controlling your body, or are you asking your horse to compensate for it?

🔵Fitness: Do you expect your horse to lope multiple laps without becoming fatigued, losing their body position, or sacrificing the quality of their movement? Could you run multiple laps around your outdoor arena in four inches of sand and maintain the same posture, balance, and quality of movement from the first lap to the last?

And if you couldn’t, would you consider yourself lazy, resistant, or unwilling when your body began to fatigue?

🔵Mental clarity and presence: If you expect your horse to stay mentally present…to not look outside the show pen, spook at something in their surroundings, get distracted, or lose focus on the task at hand…I hope you’re capable of offering them that same mental presence.

Can you separate yourself from the million things running through your mind?

Can you compartmentalize the emotions you carried into the barn that day? The frustration from work, the argument you had that morning, the pressure of the show, the list of things you still need to accomplish?

Can you quiet your own mind enough to be completely present for your horse?

We ask horses for an incredible amount of physical and mental discipline. Yet sometimes we become frustrated with them for struggling with the very things we struggle to control within ourselves.

Before we raise the standard for the horse, maybe we should ask ourselves whether we’re willing to meet it too.

Because good horsemanship isn’t solely about holding the horse accountable. It’s about holding ourselves accountable for them

09/08/2026

🐴 LIBERTY WORK: More Than Just a Pretty Picture 🤍
(The hand clap can help draw their attention back to you ~ be cautious using this as it could spooky very sensitive horses!!!)

There’s something incredibly special about working with a horse at liberty. No ropes. No reins. No pressure to physically guide them. Just communication, trust, and a willingness to connect.

But liberty work isn’t just beautiful to watch — it can be incredibly beneficial for the horse, too.

✨ Builds communication
At liberty, we have to become much more aware of our body language, energy, timing, and intention. Horses learn to respond to subtle cues rather than relying solely on physical aids.

🧠 Encourages mental engagement
Liberty work asks horses to think, make choices, and actively participate in the conversation. It can be a great way to break up repetitive training and keep their minds engaged.

💪 Develops balance and body awareness
Transitions, changes of direction, circles, and movement at liberty can encourage horses to become more aware of where their feet and body are in space.

❤️ Strengthens trust and connection
Perhaps the biggest benefit is the relationship. When a horse chooses to stay connected with you without being physically held, you're building something that goes far beyond obedience.

🌿 Creates a low-pressure training environment
Liberty can be an excellent way to let a horse decompress, express themselves, and learn without every interaction feeling like work.

And sometimes, the most meaningful moment is simply when your horse chooses to come back to you. ❤️

At Kirschbaum Equine Fitness, I believe fitness isn't just about building a stronger body — it's about developing a healthier, more confident, and more connected horse.

Let them choose you. Then build from there. 🐴✨

09/06/2026

🍀 ☘️

09/06/2026

Zoomies today! No lunge whip needed ~ just his own engine!

09/01/2026

When the grass is just soooo good ✨️
Horse Highlight of the day, featuring Tito! Loved and owned by Carol.

Tito is a senior gelding who joined the fitness program and to keep his mind sharp.
Previously, he had sat in pasture for 5 years to his own devices. Tito was convinced he was retired, and that being handled was blasphemy..

When getting back into work, Tito was incredibly anxious without his herdmates, lacked confidence and would paw, calling out! - after twice weekly work sessions, and a few monthts, Tito is able to be away from his herdmates and will stand well outside to be groomed. Tito still has some limited patience, but we make sure time is enjoyable. We are now working on Liberty, as he seems to love this. Small, enjoyable increments of brushing and weaning away from the herd has helped him drastically. So thankful to have such an amazing horse in the program. ✨️🩵

08/18/2026

Weekly riding lesson package now available!
4 lessons for $140 ~ over $20 in savings.
These lessons can be scheduled at your own pace, and you can still use them outside of a 30 day window. 🐎 Continue building your fitness and discover new strategies for your horses capabilities