In-person and Virtual Support for Recreational Horse Owners!

But what exactly IS a "recreational horse owner"?

• A recreational horse owner is someone who chooses to have horses simply because they enjoy sharing their life with horses. 

• A recreational horse owner typically doesn't have competitive aspirations or any desire to judge themselves or their horse based on "performance".

• A recreational horse owner typically views their horse as a pet and/or considers their horses to be members of the family.

• A recreational horse owner is far more likely to take responsibility for the wellbeing of their equine companion(s) for life.

• Recreational horse owners often keep their horses at home, or wish they could, and feel frustrated paying for auxiliary services required by expensive boarding facilities that are designed to cater to sport-horses/owners. 

• Recreational horse owners tend to be more interested in understanding and/or addressing the root causes of their horses’ behaviors than simply finding a “fix” or needing to have a “well behaved” horse. 

The traditional horse industry has long looked down upon the recreational horse owner. But Kim adores this population and loves supporting recreational horse owners. Growth in the recreational horse owning population means there will soon be a reduced demand for young sport horses (a primary motivator behind excessive breeding practices). It also means far fewer horses will end up in kill pens and neglect situations as they age or become unsound for riding. 

The shift toward more recreational horse ownership is also creating a huge unmet demand for non-traditional supportive services in the equine industry. Traditional training methods, boarding facilities and lesson programs were designed with aspiring sport-horses/riders/professionals in mind. We're entering a new age. Many of today's horse owners are discovering that previously sought-after facilities, methods and programs simply aren’t a good fit (financially or logistically) for the family/companion horse, or owner. 

Kim is passionate about addressing this growing disconnect between the expectations and desires of recreational horse owners and the professional services being offered by a (still largely) sport-horse focused industry.