Wild Hearts Farm Horsemanship

Wild Hearts Farm Horsemanship Natural horsemanship instructor and Hoof Care Practitioner My horseback riding lesson program offers a unique and immersive experience for your young rider.

Located just outside of Ocala, in a small town called Citra, my program provides a safe and judgement free environment where riders can develop a strong foundation in horsemanship while fostering a deep connection with these amazing animals. My well-trained and gentle horses have taught me many lessons over the years and are now ready to teach the next generation of horsemen and horsewomen. My cur

riculum is designed to cover a wide range of skills, including horse care, grooming, tacking, groundwork, and riding techniques. Through a progressive approach, riders will learn the fundamentals of balanced riding, proper posture, and effective communication with the horse. As riders progress, they will have the opportunity to explore various disciplines and many other areas of horse care. Safety is my top priority for both human and horse. Riders will be taught proper safety procedures, including wearing appropriate riding gear and how to handle and care for horses in a responsible manner. In addition to the technical aspects of horseback riding, my program emphasizes the importance of building a strong bond with horses. I believe that developing a relationship based on trust and respect is crucial for both the rider’s progression and horse’s well being. Riders will learn how to communicate effectively with their horse, understand their behavior, and develop a sense of empathy and partnership. Whether your young rider is looking to learning horseback riding as a recreational hobby, improve skills for competition, or simply connect with nature and these incredible animals, my horseback riding program offers a comprehensive and enriching experience.

06/17/2026

The classic coat changes associated with PPID are actually an ADVANCED symptom. Besides laminitis in the fall, there are other early signs that are often missed. Learn what to watch out for here: http://bit.ly/2XyUkyJ

06/16/2026

It’s the horse version of the “water cooler.” This is where everyone hangs out and talks s**t

06/13/2026
06/12/2026

Friday Funny 😆

05/31/2026

The scratching post is quite possibly the best thing I’ve built for Samson.

Wednesday we made the decision to send Rufus over the Rainbow Bridge. For the last 6 months, and with the help of the on...
05/29/2026

Wednesday we made the decision to send Rufus over the Rainbow Bridge. For the last 6 months, and with the help of the oncology team at UF, he fought hard against an aggressive mast cell cancer. He made it almost 18 months past his original diagnosis- quite a feat for a 14 year old dog. I remember when he was young and a man at the gas station asked what kind of dog he was. “A catahoula/cur,” I said. He responded “Oh, they don’t quit!” And Rufus didn’t, he never quit. He had a few rough days, but every time he pulled through. In spite of having multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and monoclonal antibody infusions the cancer persisted. Rufus continued on as if it didn’t bother him. He still woke me up at 5:30 every morning, rolled in manure, and stole all of the eggs from the chicken coop. And as soon as he stopped doing those things I knew it was time. I promised him “no bad days.” He ate Swiss rolls, cheez-its, salami, a burrito, and spicy sausage before we made our way to the hospital. Rufus passed quietly, giving both of us the rest and peace we desperately needed after this long, hard journey.

05/27/2026

If you have an equine with PPID and/or EMS/IR, we are here to help you. A fundamental strength of the ECIR outreach group on groups.io is the ability to discuss in-depth individual cases, background, science and evidence. Volunteers work to be clear regarding solid scientific or medical evidence versus personal theory, observation, or experience. This is unparalleled by other groups. If you'd like individual help with your equine with PPID and/or EMS, join our free outreach group: https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/

This was the first trim for a laminitic mini. Her owner is older with some health complications, but as soon as she was ...
05/22/2026

This was the first trim for a laminitic mini. Her owner is older with some health complications, but as soon as she was able to see her mini’s hooves she started looking for help. Pearl and the 3 others are on a dry lot, but since Pearl is the only one with so much growth (and due to her age~27) I suspect PPID is the culprit of her laminitis. She had her first trim yesterday, bloodwork is scheduled for next week (resting Insulin and TRH stim), and she’ll be trimmed every 2 weeks to get her hooves back in shape. Her owner reported that she is moving comfortably

05/16/2026
05/11/2026

The mission of the ECIR Group Inc. is to improve the welfare of equines with metabolic disorders. A primary objective of the ECIR Group Inc. is education through outreach (https://ecir.groups.io/g/main), the NO! Laminitis Conference (https://www.nolaminitis.org/), webinars, our website (https://www.ecirhorse.org/) and social media via Facebook and Instagram. We are an evidence-based organization, meaning that protocols, advice, and recommendations are rooted in science. We believe real-life clinical experience should drive research, both in generating hypotheses and in the evaluation of treatment. As a non-profit organization, donations are used to further science related to equine metabolic disorders and to support various media to advance the group mission. Free support is provided by vetted and trained volunteers.

Our posts on Facebook are increasingly being dominated by people linked to a group of hoof care providers that push an opinion that laminitis is due to hoof imbalances, claiming that “diet doesn’t cause laminitis.” This oversimplified and naïve statement is steeped in ignorance, highlighting a complete lack of understanding of the physiology behind equine metabolic disorders and effect on the foot. It is well established scientifically, clinically, and through the personal experience of literally thousands of ECIR members that hyperinsulinemia is the direct cause of endocrinopathic laminitis. Exercise and dietary control of hydrolyzable carbohydrates (simple sugars and starch) are the most effective methods to reduce insulin and thereby prevent laminitis. Trimming the hoof capsule correctly to realign the boney column and soft tissue structure is critical to facilitate recovery.

We promote scientific discussion and debate when there is equal sharing of evidence-based facts. When commenters deviate from discussion and use our site to advance their unproven and unsupported theories, especially those that may cause harm, it gives the appearance that the ECIR Group supports their position.

We do not.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that there will always be equine marketers who are not giving you the best information to guide you through your journey to help your equine. We hope followers continue to benefit from what ECIR members have learned from 25 years of experience with equine metabolic disorders.

Kathleen Gustafson, PhD
President and Research Advisor

Eleanor Kellon, VMD
Veterinary Advisor

Cindy McGinley
Vice-President

Nancy Collins
Executive Director

Jodie Jensen
Treasurer

Jannalee Smithey
Secretary

Fran Metzger
Director

Ulrike Gast
Director

Sherry Morse
Director

Address

1875 NE 189th Lane
Citra, FL
32113

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