My life's mission is to leave every horse I encounter in a better state than I found them.
Welcome to my little corner of the horse world! I'm Dana, and my unwavering passion for animals has illuminated my path since childhood and remains a driving force to this day. From saddling up before I could even take my first steps to nurturing profound bonds with animals of all shapes and sizes, my journey has been deeply intertwined with the equestrian world.
Decades of riding, competing, and exploring horse care have shaped my path. I am a Level 3 Mounted shooter & a barrel racer, but more importantly, I am a student of the horse. Even though I grew up in a "horsey household" and have years of experience in both Western & English disciplines: showing, packing, colt starting, roping, and performing at the Collegiate & the Amateur rodeo level, I knew there were many gaps in my understanding of biomechanics, true collection, and supporting my horses in the way that was best for them, not what was best for me. This prompted me to delve deep into the world of equine wellness and training. Observing subtle signs of discomfort. mild lameness, and suboptimal performance in my horses and those around me, I embarked on a quest to explore various bodywork modalities and training methods. From PEMF and cold therapy to red light therapy, cranial sacral therapy, Ttouch, Masterson Method, and beyond, I immersed myself in a multitude of techniques. This journey led me to the Northwest School of Animal Massage, where I earned my certification as an Equine Massage Therapist in December 2022. Further mind-blowing-enlightenment awaited in Celeste Lazaris' Balance Through Movement Method Master Class, and I was also fortunate enough to study & become certified under her in 2022 as a Nerve Release Practitioner. I have seen things that I can't unsee, and learned that I have SO much more to learn, therefor, my quest to be a better human for my horses will be one of my lifelong pursuits. |
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Epigenetics, nutrition and Foals
Simultaneously, my pursuit of well-bred and meticulously nurtured prospects for both mounted shooting and barrel racing uncovered a significant gap in the markets accessible to me. It was extremely challenging to find prospects where I could confidently ensure proper fetal programming had occurred and care for the mare before and during pregnancy aligned with my values. This realization became the catalyst for establishing my own, very small, breeding program, where I uphold the highest standards of care from inception to training.
Beyond prioritizing care, my mounted shooting mare, Lola, possesses exceptional AQHA foundation genetics and a grittiness in the arena that I wanted to harness in my foals. This inspired a multi-year journey to identify mares closely related to her and strategically cross them with running-bred stallions, aiming for that perfect cow/run cross.
Beyond prioritizing care, my mounted shooting mare, Lola, possesses exceptional AQHA foundation genetics and a grittiness in the arena that I wanted to harness in my foals. This inspired a multi-year journey to identify mares closely related to her and strategically cross them with running-bred stallions, aiming for that perfect cow/run cross.
While I don't offer public training, Lessons, or equine bodywork services, what might you find here?*Performance prospects raised under my care with a trauma-informed approach, receiving meticulous attention to their physical and mental well-being. Each horse leaving my facility undergoes bodywork and begins their journey towards proper postural development. Additionally, every purchase includes a year-long access to the Balance Through Movement Method digital platform for continued education and support. *Occasionally, you may encounter horses not bred by me but entrusted to my care for training, nutritional support, and/or healing before advancing onto the next phase of their journey. *Periodic clinics/events featuring equine professionals who share my ethos of prioritizing the horse's welfare and development. *My blog where I will discuss all things cattle & horses! I'm profoundly committed to enhancing the lives of horses and making the equine world a better place. While navigating the vast landscape of horse-related information can feel overwhelming, I urge you not to be discouraged by the abundance of opinions and perspectives. Both you and your horses deserve to embark on this journey of growth and learning. If you have any questions or inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach out. Remember, the resources are out there and accessible to anyone willing to put in the effort. |
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."-Maya Angelou
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