Kayce Wingerter ESMT

08/09/2026

PATTERNING BARREL HORSES — AND YES, I HAVE OPINIONS.

Some of these opinions people may not agree with, and that's completely fine. This is how I believe horses should be prepared, especially if the goal is a long, useful, sound career.

I don't believe a horse should see a barrel pattern before they understand how to use their body outside of the arena.

Before I ever worry about cans, poles, or running a pattern, I want a horse comfortable working in open fields and different terrain. I want them able to walk, trot, lope, stop, turn, move their shoulders and hindquarters, change direction, navigate obstacles, and handle different environments without falling apart.

They need to learn that their job doesn't change just because the environment does.🫣

You can teach a horse almost everything they need to know about moving their body without a barrel in sight.

I want clear communication and drills — not anticipation.

Running a horse through the pattern 10 times in a row at full speed isn't “patterning” to me. A horse memorizing where the barrel is and taking over isn't the same thing as a horse understanding how to properly execute the maneuver.

When I start introducing the actual pattern, the pattern itself should be a very small part of the program.

I'd rather see 97% drills, conditioning, body control, groundwork, transitions, strength, softness, problem solving and correct movement — and 3% actually running the pattern. 🤗

When we do run the pattern, I'm not going to run it over and over until the horse is exhausted.

I'll run the pattern once, maybe twice.

If the first run isn't what I'm looking for, we'll make another attempt with a clear correction and better communication.

Then we're done with the fast work.

I like finishing with one final controlled pattern, usually at a trot or slow lope, so we're reinforcing the correct way to move through the pattern instead of leaving the horse thinking that the only answer is to go faster.

The pattern should be the LAST thing we do, not the entire workout.

And if I don't like what I got? We don't just keep running it until we get lucky.

We go back to the drill that fixes the problem.

I also put a huge emphasis on warming up and cooling down. Proper preparation, conditioning and recovery matter if we want to keep horses sound, prevent unnecessary injury, build strength and give them the best chance at a long performance career.

Because here's one of my biggest problems with barrel horses:

A lot of them have no coping skills.

They know ONE job.

Go into the arena.
Run the pattern.
Turn the barrels.
Go home.

Then you take them somewhere different, change the footing, ask them to wait, put them in a strange environment, or give them a different job — and suddenly they don't know what to do.

That's not the horse's fault. 😬

We taught them that their entire purpose is one pattern.

I want barrel horses that can actually think. 🤔

I want them to be able to walk through the field, cross different footing, work around other horses, handle noise and commotion, stand quietly, go somewhere new, do groundwork, move their body correctly, and then come into the arena and do their job when I ask.

A barrel horse is still a horse first.

And yes, people sometimes look at me funny when they find out I take horses in for patterning.

I've heard it.🗣️

“You haven't competed in ages.”

“When's the last time you entered?”

Yep. My competition days may be behind me.

And honestly? I'm okay with that.

I got tired of seeing blown-up horses. Horses that were incredibly talented but weren't being taught the fundamentals that allow them to stay sound, confident and useful.🥴

I don't need to haul to a barrel race every weekend to know how I want to develop a horse.

I can do my part at home.

Because there's a difference between being able to race a horse every weekend, place alright and have a decent horse — and actually understanding why that horse is doing what it's doing.

Biomechanics.
How horses learn and think.
Conditioning.
Strength and balance.
Correct movement.
Footing.
Recovery.
Timing and release.
Body control.
Mental preparation.
And knowing when to stop.

Education matters. 🗣️🗣️🗣️

My goal isn't to make a horse that can run three barrels really fast.

My goal is to build a horse that understands its body, understands its job, can handle life outside the arena, stays mentally and physically prepared, and can hopefully give its rider many more good years instead of burning out after a few. 👀

That's my kind of barrel horse!
K-W Performance Horses & Therapy LLC

08/09/2026

A few things I think are really important when setting a horse up for success.

I don't believe in rushing a horse just to say it's “trained.” I want them to understand what I'm asking, think through pressure, and learn how to make good decisions instead of just reacting.

A big part of my program is teaching the horse to use their mind before their feet. I don't believe in flooding a horse until they shut down. If something scares them, I want to give them the tools to work through it and come back to a relaxed state.

I also put a lot of value into respect and personal space. A horse should understand boundaries and pressure without being scared of every hand movement. I want them responsive, but I also want them relaxed and trusting.

Some of the things I work on include:

• Leading correctly and respecting personal space
• Backing, yielding the hindquarters and forehand
• Moving away from pressure instead of pushing through it
• Desensitizing with purpose instead of just throwing things at them
• Tying and teaching them to stand quietly
• Hobbles and learning to handle restriction without panicking
• Standing for grooming, saddling, farrier work, veterinary work, etc.
• Working on softness, responsiveness and lightness
• Teaching them to give to pressure and release when they make the right choice
• Building confidence through obstacles and new situations
• Exposing them to different footing, noises, animals, traffic and general real-world situations

A lot of my groundwork is influenced by the principles I've learned from Buck Brannaman and Clinton Anderson — good timing, feel, softness, clear pressure and release, building a horse's confidence, and making the right thing easy and the wrong thing uncomfortable without creating fear.

But training isn't just about their mind.

Taking care of their bodies is just as important.

I pay attention to how they're moving, how they're carrying themselves, their conditioning, recovery, muscle development, flexibility and overall comfort. I want to support long-term soundness and longevity instead of asking a horse to give me everything they have today and worrying about the consequences later.

I also believe every horse has to be treated as an individual. Some horses need more time. Some need more repetition. Some need less pressure. Some need more confidence before they're ready to move on.

I'm not going to put every horse through the exact same program just because that's how I trained the last one.

And probably most importantly — I treat your horse like it's mine.

They're not just a paycheck sitting in my barn. I'm going to notice the little things, communicate with you, and let you know how they're doing. I believe owners should get clear communication and regular updates while their horse is in my care.

My goal isn't just to have a horse that will do what I ask.

I want a horse that is confident, respectful, willing, mentally prepared, physically cared for and able to handle the real world.

That's what I consider setting a horse up for success.

08/09/2026

🌠EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY🌠

Sometimes healing doesn’t have to happen sitting in an office or talking to someone face-to-face. Sometimes it starts with a horse, a quiet place, and having the freedom to just breathe.

Equine-assisted therapy can be for people of all ages and all walks of life. You don’t have to be an experienced horse person, and you don’t have to come in knowing exactly what you need.

Through working with horses, we can focus on things like:

🤍 Emotional regulation
🌿 Grounding & mindfulness
🧠 Problem-solving & communication
🐴 Building confidence & trust
💭 Learning to recognize and work through emotions
❤️ Creating a sense of calm and connection

Sessions may include petting, grooming, leading, feeding, groundwork, talking, barn activities, observing the horses, or simply spending time around them. We work at YOUR pace. There is no pressure to ride or even interact with a horse right away.

And it isn't just about the horses.

Our environment includes horses, cows, dogs, cats, chickens other animals, and the wildlife around us, creating a peaceful place where you can slow down and be present.

💝 Helping horses heal humans.

This can be especially beneficial for:

• Kids and teens of all ages
• Children who have experienced difficult or unstable home situations
• Kids with ADHD and similar challenges
• People recovering from addiction
• Adults looking for something peaceful and positive to add to their week
• Older adults looking for something meaningful and enjoyable to do
• Anyone who could benefit from a calm, supportive environment
• Anyone who simply feels drawn to it

You don't have to have a diagnosis. You don't have to have a “problem.” Sometimes you just need somewhere safe to slow down, breathe, and reconnect.

I am not a licensed therapist. I am certified in equine-assisted therapy, and my role is to facilitate experiences with horses and animals that can support personal growth, grounding, confidence, emotional regulation, and connection.

No — this isn't for everyone.
Yes — it might be for you.
And no, I can't guarantee that it will “fix” anything.

What I can guarantee is that we will meet you where you are, work at your pace, and give you a space where you don't have to pretend to be anything other than yourself. 🤍🐴

📩 Message me if you're interested or want to learn more.

04/09/2026

Equine Massage Therapy:

Is your horse sore, tight, stiff, or needing some extra maintenance?

I offer equine massage therapy to help support muscle recovery, flexibility, circulation, and overall comfort. Whether they’re a performance horse, trail horse, senior, or just need regular maintenance, bodywork can be a great addition to their routine.

📍 Mobile service — ND,MT,WY,SD,MN
📩 Message me to get your horse on the schedule.

Send a message to learn more

25/08/2026

Lets get your horses feeling & looking their best😉
shoot us a message for quotes & availability for wellness/ rehabilitation stays 👀

25/08/2026

25/08/2026

Training sessions and sweet moments make up the best memories out here. Share your favorite animal moment in the comments below.