A bit more about the horses
Penny
Penny is a world class Saddlebred, she's being trained at Fairfield South in New Hampshire. I've been going to them for many years. My goal with getting her was to get back into showing with a horse that's ready to go. She has an extensive show record and could compete with best. I'm not sure yet what class we would compete in. Talking it over with my trainer about which show to go to this year and which class is on my list of things to do. Once I can get a show or two under my belt I'll be bringing her to Greenwood so we can enjoy her on the farm.
Mac
Mac was started early. He showed signed of soreness along the back, likely due to his young age, in addition to a cutback saddle which he is not built for. We worked with our saddle fitter, trainer and body worker to find the right match. We're mounting a CWD and or Sankey right now with a standard girth. He tolerates it well. My gut tells me he needs more time to mature. When we brought him home he needed topline and muscle. As he's working 5 days a week now we've seen a positive change to both muscle mass and tone. To break him from his saddle seat frame we used the neck stretcher and positive reinforcement to lowering his head and neck. We're not after a hunter/jumper look, but long term we know this is the healthiest solution for him.
Chewy
When we got Chewy our vet asked if we got him for free. The list of ailments and previous injuries was long. Neck injury, tendon injuries, kissing spine, swayback, fluid pocket above the front carpus. Long story short, he was a mess, but all the while he soldiered on like a warrior. That didn't sit well with us. We used medicine and PRP therapy for the tendons. Lots of neck stretching exercises and proper shoeing. He had a huge wedge in the left front that our farrier and vet recommended be removed. Changing the angle helped a lot! We rode him 2-3 times a week, but started to notice subtle changes to his gait so we decided to take him down another path...driving. Working with our trainer we have him driving a cart 2-3 times a week. He loves it! His back is not as sore and his tendons are doing well. Having a good farrier and vet are so important
Calliope
This one blew us away with her movement. Apparently it's why the breeder imported her at 6 months old. Well, she's 4 now and when we got her home we were in for another re-start. Saddle fit, saddle fit, saddle fit. Between that and good feet, it's the foundation of a good horse/rider relationship. Today she is barefoot and tolerating it well. She's turned out with another mare she's connected with.
Our saddle journey with her was a bit dicey. She didn't like the Sankey, which has a perculiar billet setup. So, we switched to a Western. She liked it! But we don't. So back to the drawing board. Trusting our friends and Pelham Saddlery, and our saddle fitter, to advise us we found a Throughgood in a wide tree with just the right shape. Well, she lunged in it and didn't explode, so we're 1/1. You can see taht video in the gallery. As work continues with her, we'll keep you posted in the blog.
How they're being trained
Circingle and long-lining
Circling training is an important groundwork exercise that helps horses develop both physically and mentally. Working on a circle encourages the horse to improve balance, coordination, and body control while strengthening key muscle groups used for riding and performance. It teaches the horse to move correctly through transitions, maintain rhythm, and become more supple and flexible in both directions.
Mentally, circling helps horses focus on their handler and respond to voice commands, body language, and pressure cues. This type of training builds trust, respect, and communication between horse and trainer while also helping energetic or anxious horses become calmer and more attentive. When done properly, circling can improve confidence, encourage relaxation, and create a strong foundation for safer riding and more advanced training.
Equiband System
We've found great success with the equiband system. All of the horses benefit from it, and they all tolerate it really well. It's worth a look at our videos while working with the horses with it on. You can click below to their website (we are neither affiliated or endorsed).
Harness and Cart
Light driving exercise helps maintain muscle tone, joint flexibility, circulation, and overall fitness without placing the same strain on the horse’s back as riding may. Regular movement can also help reduce stiffness associated with aging and keep older horses more comfortable and active.
Mentally, driving gives senior horses continued purpose and stimulation, helping prevent boredom and encouraging engagement with their handler. Many older horses enjoy having a job, and gentle driving sessions can boost confidence, improve mood, and strengthen the bond between horse and owner. With proper conditioning and veterinary care, driving can be a rewarding way to keep an older horse healthy, active, and fulfilled well into their senior years.
Neck Stretcher
A neck stretcher can be a useful training aid when used correctly and in moderation to help a horse develop proper posture, balance, and muscle engagement. It encourages the horse to stretch forward and downward into a softer frame, promoting relaxation through the topline and helping the horse work from behind rather than carrying tension in the neck and back. This can improve flexibility, coordination, and overall body alignment during groundwork, lunging, or riding sessions.
When a horse learns to maintain a consistent frame, it can build stronger topline muscles and encourage more balanced movement. Neck stretchers may also help horses that tend to carry their heads too high, hollow their backs, or resist contact. However, they should always be adjusted properly and used as a temporary training tool—not as a shortcut to force head position. Correct use, combined with patient training and conditioning, helps the horse develop self-carriage, comfort, and healthy movement patterns naturally.
Red light therapy
Red light therapy can provide several benefits for a horse’s back by helping support muscle recovery, circulation, and overall comfort. The light penetrates soft tissue and may help stimulate blood flow, which can reduce muscle soreness, stiffness, and inflammation after exercise or training. Many horse owners use red light therapy to help relax tight back muscles, improve flexibility, and promote healing in areas affected by strain or tension.
This type of therapy may also encourage faster recovery from workouts, helping horses feel more comfortable and move more freely. Horses with age-related stiffness, soreness from saddle pressure, or minor muscular discomfort can often benefit from the calming and soothing effects of red light therapy. When used consistently alongside proper veterinary care, conditioning, and saddle fit, it can be a valuable tool for supporting a horse’s overall back health and performance.