Friendly Grove Equestrian Center

I'm so impressed with Caitlyn's (Neptune Equestrian ) management of our arena. She's been strategically improving the moisture content along with redistributing the footing to be level and provide the right amount of support for the horses. It has a completely different feeling underfoot.

We’re incredibly excited to welcome Caitlin and Neptune Equestrian to our facility!

Caitlin has been part of the equestrian world since she was 12 years old and built a well-respected training and riding program in Oregon. After relocating to Washington, she was looking for just the right facility to call home—and we are honored that she chose ours.

This property has been home to professional riding programs for over 20 years, including Midnight Academy and Academy of Equestrian Arts. Each trainer brought their own approach and vision to the space, and Caitlin is continuing that legacy with her own unique energy and expertise.

As of June 1, 2025, Neptune Equestrian is the sole operator of the barn and equestrian programs on the property. Caitlin independently manages boarding, lessons, training, and all aspects of her business.

She offers English riding lessons for youth ages 2–17 and adults of all ages, with a warm, supportive, and confidence-building approach to horsemanship.

Over the years, we’ve continued to improve the property in ways that support the success of the programs that call it home. The arena footing has been upgraded, a new gravel paddock with connected pasture was added, and the water filtration system has been improved to provide cleaner water for the horses. We’ve also been expanding the riding trails to give more variety for horses and riders alike.

If you’d like to learn more or are interested in working with Caitlin, visit www.neptuneequestrian.com or find her on Facebook here: Neptune Equestrian

We’re excited to continue building on the property’s strengths as Neptune Equestrian grows. Caitlin has brought new life and energy to the barn, and we’re thrilled to see what’s ahead.

🐴 To learn more about Caitlin’s offerings or inquire about availability, please reach out directly through her website: https://www.neptuneequestrian.com or business page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576396190357 We’re proud to have her here.

Please join us in welcoming Caitlin!

What a great way to explain…

Trainer - What day is it?
Student - Monday
Trainer - What day is it?
Student - The 16th
Trainer - What day is it?
Student - 😡
Trainer - I kept asking you the same question and you gave me the right answer, but I didn’t accept it, so you changed your answer, got frustrated and confused.
This is exactly how your horse can feel if you miss the release…
(Author unknown)

When you think you don’t have as much time as you want for the week ….

Ok here’s the breakdown: Why the ‘quick wins’? I want my horse to feel successful. Life isn’t always about learning and changing. Sometimes it’s about resting and consolidating. So by prioritising time each week to really make sure my foundational work is clear and consistent, it sets a pattern for success and strengthens our bond. Why ‘hold space’? We are always on the go, and sometimes, factoring in a little time to live life a little more slowly is so important. Undemanding time spent with our horses sets up companionship and ‘togetherness’ Why hand grazing? Have you ever watched horses in a herd? Spending time prioritising basic needs together as a form of enrichment and enjoyment builds bonds. It’s a natural instinct in horses to move together and graze together. Let’s create downtime and enjoyable moments together by doing something all horses enjoy. Why the ‘challenges’? I don’t want my horse to feel overwhelmed, but I do want to strengthen our relationship by doing something that takes them, just a small amount, outside of their comfort zone. I want horses to feel like they can look to me for guidance and support when they’re unsure, and I’ll help them through it. This is achieved by simulating challenges. - you can do this with obstacles, hand walking to different areas on the property and asking for all the normal exercises but with an added element We’re all time poor and want the most out of every interaction with our horses. But building our relationship with our horse doesn’t mean that we have to drop everything and only focus on that. You can incorporate mini relationship building sessions into every day sessions with your horse - even in a 60 minute window. Want more tips & tricks and mindset shifts to transform your relationship with your horses? 👉Then comment FREEBIE below and I’ll send you the link to my free Relationship Building guide which steps you through my top 10 ways to prioritise a better relationship and it also includes a guide of practical everyday activities for start forming that bond. #horsemanship #naturalhorsemanship #horsetraining #problemhorses #difficulthorses #ottb #dressage

RECOGNISING HIDDEN PAIN IN HORSES

Recent advancements in research and the development of ethograms cataloguing signs of pain are casting light on what has long been an area of silent suffering for horses. Over the past decade, numerous studies have confirmed specific facial expressions and behaviours that typically indicate pain in horses. However, cultural influences steeped in centuries of art have normalised and even romanticised these very signs—such as wide eyes, gaping mouths, and hyper-flexed necks—leading to their acceptance in horse sport. As a result, even clear warning signs like pinned ears, tail swishing, and pawing are frequently overlooked or misinterpreted as 'bad behaviour'.

Anthropomorphising horses has undoubtedly helped foster a deeper connection between humans and equines. Nonetheless, it has also perpetuated harmful myths, such as the notion of horses 'scheming' to avoid work or plotting against riders. Such misinterpretations can lead to dismissing genuine signs of discomfort, labelling mares as 'mare-ish', or labelling certain horses as inherently grumpy. However, horses lack a highly developed frontal lobe, making it impossible for them to scheme and fake injuries or to be inherently 'grumpy'.

In this article, we look at the changes that are occurring in understanding pain, discomfort, anxiety, and other welfare-compromising states and begin to examine what this new knowledge means for horse owners and horse sport in the future.

You can read the full article here:

https://hqmagazine.co.za/recognising-hidden-pain-in-horses-a-shift-in-perspective/