Saints Ranch

07/28/2025

“Working with Ashley and her mare was an invaluable part of my journey. It gave me a chance to truly experience and appreciate the feel of contact and how it can enhance communication with the horse. Ashley’s guidance reminded me not to stress about performance or misinterpret natural reactions, like head bobbing, as mistakes. She reminded me, “You can’t control that, so stay with them.”

That message deeply resonated with me. Growing up in trauma therapy, I’d often hear the therapist say, “Stay with yourself.” It took years to truly understand what that meant. Through working with horses, especially those carrying trauma, I’ve come to realize it’s about staying present in your body and holding space for healing, both for them and for yourself. Horses, like humans, feel safe when there is calm, clear, and grounded presence.

I’ve always believed that it’s not about blame, there’s no “fault.” If I had to choose a phrase, it would be: “It’s never the horse’s fault.” But even that isn’t quite right. It’s not about fault at all, it’s about a dance, a dialogue, and how well we communicate. Horses thrive when they know what’s expected of them. Confusion breeds stress, and for those of us with trauma histories, that confusion is all too familiar. When expectations shift constantly and boundaries aren’t clear, it can make you question your own reality. In that way, I see myself in the horse. When I'm unclear, I become stressed and self-critical. Horses reflect that back to us.

I truly believe that horses can sense genuine care and intention, something communicated not through words but through the heart. While I always strive to come from a place of love, I’ve learned that love alone isn’t enough. Clarity and consistency are just as vital. I know this rationally, but embodying it can be challenging, especially when old wounds resurface.”

-Marti

07/09/2025

06/26/2025

Xamora’s progress - she is finding engagement and relaxation in her body and mind. We have so much more to work through, but wanted to share this beautiful moment of balance. I recently discovered her tongue had been lacerated in her past where the bit lies. It explains her contact issues, and I am so proud of the hard work she has done and the trauma she has worked through to get to a point where she holds the bit quietly with relaxation. She is fragile and I must take great care in keeping my hands soft and to be extremely thoughtful with every touch of the bit. Her development has been a delicate balance of allowing her to say no and helping her through unproductive stress. We are not doing horses any favors by remaining passive and constantly trying to keep them under threshold. As long as you are informed and guiding them productively through stress, not overwhelming them, you can create resilience and confidence by helping them to the other side. Training and rehab arent linear - it will feel messy but we must seek progress and stay kind and present

**Disregard my stylish wardrobe choices - I tend to spontaneously ride in whatever I have on 😆

06/26/2025

05/18/2025

04/11/2025

Galileo had such a profound session at our clinic here on Wednesday - working on down regulation through Tara’s attunement exercises, and helping him find relaxation through bitting trauma he has been carrying for several years. Thank you Justine for bringing your fabulous boy and sharing the day with us 🤍🤍

04/02/2025

We're excited for our clinic next Wednesday in Frankfort, IL with Tara Davis! All rider and auditor spots are currently full, but we've opened up two additional auditing spots and a 5 PM riding slot. If you're interested in claiming one of these openings, send me a message!

Tara is an expert in equine behavior, a certified BTMM trainer, and a devoted classical dressage enthusiast, blending science and artistry to bring out the best in every horse. With a deep understanding of how movement and balance influence performance, she helps horses and riders unlock their full potential - no matter the discipline. Her approach prioritizes the horse’s well-being, using in-hand work, thoughtful riding, and hands-on bodywork to improve strength, suppleness, and soundness. By bridging tradition with modern science, Tara cultivates true partnership, harmony, and longevity in every horse-human relationship.

📸 Elizabeth Hay Photography

03/26/2025

Almost every horse I’ve acquired with prior ridden experience has struggled with contact in some way. Right now, I’m restarting two of my broodmares—one was a trail horse, and the other was shuffled between a hunter-jumper rider, a competitive dressage program, and a horsemanship trainer in a short time. I’m also working with a friend/client’s mare who tries everything to evade the hand and believes she’s supposed to trot or canter off the moment a rider is on her back.

All three have a lot of anxiety under saddle, bracing and running off as soon as they’re mounted. To help them find confidence, we focus on quiet, rhythmic walks, encouraging them to follow my hand softly and stretch into a giving contact. Each ride is slow and calm, prioritizing relaxation and emotional security. Rather than holding them together, I ask for engagement first, allowing them to lift their backs through correct movement instead of rein manipulation.

They are learning that contact isn’t something to fight - it’s a conversation, a steady place of support. I reward the smallest moments of softness, encouraging them to seek connection rather than avoid it. We’re so proud of these mares and excited to continue building relationships rooted in trust, patience, and understanding.

First photo is of myself and lusitano mare, Xamora - second photo is Heather and her new Oldenburg mare, Siri

03/20/2025

A rider spot opened up for our clinic on April 9th in Frankfort, IL! Send me a message to register as a rider or auditor. Auditing spots are limited, and your space is only reserved once the fee is received. Tara is an expert in equine behavior, a certified BTMM trainer, and a devoted classical dressage enthusiast, blending science and artistry to bring out the best in every horse. With a deep understanding of how movement and balance influence performance, she helps horses and riders unlock their full potential - no matter the discipline. Her approach prioritizes the horse’s well-being, using in-hand work, thoughtful riding, and hands-on bodywork to improve strength, suppleness, and soundness. By bridging tradition with modern science, Tara cultivates true partnership, harmony, and longevity in every horse-human relationship. We are looking forward to a beautiful day of horsemanship and camaraderie!