Murray Meadow Stables

10/10/2026

09/29/2026

👋Independent hands need freedom of movement - not stillness.

Quiet hands aren’t created by trying to hold the hands still. They develop when the right parts of the body provide enough stability for other joints to be free to move.

The trunk provides a controlled base for the upper limb, while the wrist provides a stable platform for the hand and fingers. The shoulder and elbow need freedom to adapt to the movement of the horse, while the fingers make the small, precise adjustments needed through the reins.

And importantly, stable does not mean still. Stability is the ability to control movement, not eliminate it.

If we try to create quiet hands by fixing the shoulder, locking the elbow or rigidly holding the wrist, we can actually remove the freedom of movement needed to follow and communicate with the horse.

Understanding what needs to stabilise, what needs to move, and how those parts work together is a big part of developing genuinely independent hands.

This is exactly what we work through in the online Riding Ready courses - not simply where your hands should be, but how your body creates and controls that position while you ride.

Understanding. Body awareness. Physical ability.

Because improving your riding isn’t just about knowing what to change. You need to understand why, be able to feel what your body is actually doing, and have the physical ability to make the change.

Want to understand your riding rather than just being told what to change? Start learning with Riding Ready online.

09/27/2026

Some rides make you feel like everything is finally coming together. 🐴✨

Others make you question everything you thought you knew. ❓

Neither one tells the whole story. 📖

Progress with horses is built over hundreds of rides. The great ones. The frustrating ones. The breakthroughs. The setbacks. And all those perfectly ordinary days in between.

Enjoy the good ride. Learn from the hard one.

Then show up again tomorrow. 🤎

Save this for the next ride that doesn’t go according to plan. 💾

🔗 https://bit.ly/4yjLpmw

09/16/2026

Every horse deserves a balanced diet. Like Mad Barn for science-backed nutrition, expert support, and free tools and education to help your horse feel and perform their best.

09/13/2026

In an age where most middle schoolers live glued to their screens, 13-year-old Harlow Bottarini stands out for what she doesn’t have—a phone. While nearly everyone in her class scrolls through apps and guards their Snapchat streaks, Harlow spends her free time in the barn, grooming her pony, playing games with friends, and inventing new ways to stay creative.

Her family’s decision to hold off on giving her a phone has shaped not only her childhood, but also her horsemanship. And in a sport where patience, focus, and connection matter more than ever, it’s proving to be an unexpected advantage.

“I don’t have a phone,” Harlow explained. “So many people are like, ‘No, don’t take my phone away, I don’t want to ruin my streak!’ And I’m over here going… what’s a streak?”

Her mom noted that the choice came after seeing the impact phones had on her older teenage sons. “With Harlow, we wanted something different,” she said. “She’s super creative, and I didn’t want that stifled by a screen.”

Without the distraction of a phone, Harlow invests her energy into creative projects and caring for her ponies. She grooms, hand grazes, and handles much of the day-to-day bonding herself. “During summers, everyone else would be on their phones, and I’d be the only one grooming my pony and out on the grass,” she said.

Those moments, seemingly small, are what deepen the bond between horse and rider. Harlow believes that connection is a foundation for success: “The three special skills are bond, love, and trust. You’ve got to have patience too. That’s what helps your partner learn to trust you.”

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/09/22/no-phone-no-problem-raising-pony-kids-without-screens/