Horsey Review Of Free Spirit Equestrian

[@Ncogneeeedo]

She gets horses from auctions for her riding program, she keeps them say 1-5 years. She is expert equestrian. She only rides bitless and sells bitless bridles. She ties horse with twine that breaks easily. Dodger is scared of her pig, he probably thinks she is in the barn. I have been following her for a few years. One of my favs. She also is a saddle fitter. She does not jerk and pull the cinch. She is looking for bigger property. She cleans their feet daily. She has an indoor arena. She is very sweet to her horses. Dodger is 15 I think. Kyle is filming.

[@klaj6595]

She is also a certified saddle fitter !!

[@tanyabrown9839]

She also does ride at times with a bridle and also teaches her students how to ride with a bridle as it's important to know how to ride like that too.

[@Aimee0206]

Slight correction - Shae does sometimes ride in a bit (see Lumiere for an example) but it's never her long term goal for them to always be ridden bitted :)

[@sarahhammons8396]

shea needs to see this as to defend herself this video is to judgmental for someone who does not know this horses history.

[@GuiltyPleasure72]

Finding fault with FSE wil be very tough. Love everything about her style. The bitless bridles are hers and are very well thought out and put together.

[@sephie44]

Shae is amazing! Its cool all the things shes done for Dodger even before she started riding him. Shes very good putting the horse first and tending to their needs, letting them be a horse again before jumping on them which I love!

[@heatherbennett6036]

Shae is a lovely horsewoman. She has a deep understanding of horses and treats them all with kindness. I have been watching her for years and appreciate her gentle approach!🩷🤍

[@dianeboross6978]

Shae is so kind to her horses. She is also very competent, very consistent, and treats them all with love and respect in every way. I am convinced, once anyone starts watching her channel, they will look forward to everything she has to share.

[@CarterCarter-up6gb]

Shae is beyond amazing. I would suggest you watch a lot more of her videos.

[@sandrafogarty1073]

It's interesting to see your review of Free Spirit Equestrian. I enjoy watching her videos and I like her gentle approach. Shae takes on horses, has them for a few years and takes her time training them and building their confidence. She is very choosy about who to sell them to when they are ready, making sure they go to a good home.

[@K9Tay]

That's wonderful, I love to hear that!! 😊

[@sarahhammons8396]

You can watch more of her before this type of judgment. This is not a good assessment of her, this horse. or how she does things. she spends lots of time and money researching this horse's background as all her horses. You really have gone into this blind. You would understand more if you researched her channel before commenting as it goes along because it's not accurate unless you really know her system. it's your opinion, and you seem very knowledgeable; this is not a accurate assessment of her by one video.so give it a try

[@K9Tay]

I never intended to make a full in depth review of her based on one video. Someone requested I look at a video of hers and that's what I've done. No hate, just my opinion based on what I see with an outsider's point of view.

[@donnarivo7955]

​@@K9Tay But you can't make an honest opinion based on just watching one video of her with this horse. Not really. You don't know all she's has done for this horse already. Before ever seeing just this one video. One , you when in completely blind. Not knowing nothing at all of the process she's already gone through to help this horse. Are about the horse itself. Nor do you know the background or any of the problems this horse may have , she's working with from his past. She's trying to deal with to help him , either. So with all due respect. Your opinion isn't a fair assessment of the situation. There's more to this horse being scared of just Shae's pig. Yes he is scared of it. But it's no laughing matter. Apparently there's a reason behind it for him to be. And Shae is very understanding about it. Unlike yourself laughing about it thinking it's funny. It's not funny, not one bit. This horse could have some real serious issues for some reason for him being scared of pigs. It's apparent something is the cause it. So yes , there's a bit more to it than that. There's history of this horses past you know nothing about. Of which Shae is working to uncover. She takes her time with each and every horse she gets. And does everything to learn everything she can about eaxh and every horses past. So she knows how to help them better. Shae is excellent in all she does for the horses she gets. She over looks nothing when to comes to their welfare. Nothing. Shae is a far better Equestrian than just about every other Equestrian on KZbin . Even Raleigh gives her an A plus. Now that saying something about Shae as a horse woman. Especially coming from Raleigh of all people. Shea's a wonderful Equestrian. People can and do learn a lot from Shae. Agsin she's definitely one of the best Equestrian's on KZbin. Maybe you should actually go look at more of her videos. And than come back with your opinion. Because she is really above almost all on KZbin. Given the actual few who are up there with her. And I love the fact Shae will tell you. You never stop learning about horses. Regardless of how much you may already know. She is really a great Equestrian. One of the best. Much respect.

[@teri6193]

I like Shae too. I think K9Tay provided a fair and positive critique overall. In fact if you count the positives there were plenty.

[@kathrynfowler9887]

Your review would be much more useful and include a LOT less guessing if you had watched Shae's earlier 2 videos explaining Dodger's background, which included being kept inside a stall in a barn for years at a previous home. Shae has been checking out his past and a number of issues that might be spooking him. Your adding off-the-wall guesses doesn't add much our learning. All in all, I think most of the suggestions you made aren't big issues and probably goes to personal preference. You seem to share the same ethical way of training.

[@Sillydk-ot6dk]

You should look at The Clever Cow Girl also. Would love to see a video with her. She has some really old horses she has rescued at auktions, refeed them give them vet care and give them a great retirement. And she also buy troubled or young horses and work with them for some years before she find them new owners. If a horse is too damaged psycholoical they get to stay. A very patient and capabel horse owner.

[@pegs9781]

Shea and Clever Cowgirl produce different content. They are my 2 favorite horse trainers to follow. We all do things different with our horses. The point is we all LOVE our horses and can always learn new things from one another. You never stop learning when it comes horses. 😊

[@K9Tay]

@pegs9781 absolutely!!

[@xxequineluvrxx]

FSE is my all time favorite training equestrian Channel. She is so knowledgeable and down to earth. You might enjoy some of her other videos what she accomplishes with all her other horses that she has trained. It is absolutely amazing!

[@deetigerhoover4129]

Shae is really good with her horses 😊🐴😊 and she takes great care of them. All of her horses are named after Disney characters Dodger -(The New Guy), Gaston, Jiminey -(Heart horse/Forever Horse), Lumiere, Mushu, Prince Naveem, Sleeping Beauty, Bagera -(Oldest Horse/Forever Horse), Esmeralda -(Surprise Bonus Horse/Filly), Ariel -(Playmate and Friend for Ariel/Filly), Belle -( Mom to Esmeralda did not know she was in foal when purchased from auction/Diagnosed with Shivers after Esmeralda was weaned/ Forever Horse), Lightning -(Lease Horse came with the name), Koda -(Doggy's name), Penelope -(Piggy's name), Kyle is Shae's hubby. She takes her horses on trail rides and she participates in Shows with them and her students. She is also currently searching for a bigger property so her herd can have more space. Free Spirit Equestrian is wonderful channel and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys and is crazy about horses ❤️🐎😊❤️.

[@Sandy-is7wc]

wow, you should watch her whole video b4 speaking out. Dodger is new and scared of the barn. she's acclimating him....her operation and personality always get a 10 out of 10. the horse always comes first in her business.

[@K9Tay]

Glad to hear that! 🐴😄

[@alexjohnson611]

There isn’t really much negativity in this video. All ppl have different opinions.

[@christinerauh6416]

Shae is amazing with her horse's! Absolutely love's her herd. I love watching her videos and have learned so much.

[@artwolf5447]

Thank you for reviewing free spirit equestrian. I appreciate your input as I'm not an expert on horse behaviour but I like watching people using positive reinforcement to train all kinds of animals. As far as I'm aware Shae have mentioned something about the dirt having a lot of clay in it where she lives and the struggles that it brings when you have horses. I don't know if that playes a role in anything. She did try to create places in the pens that should be less muddy. They also have a big pasture that they go out on in the summer but in the winter the pasture is closed so that it doesn't all turn to mud. I like that she trains her horses to be stalded but she keeps them outside in big pens 24/7 unless there's bad weather because that's what's best for them, to move around and be a horse

[@tanyabrown9839]

Dodger apparently as a 3 year old was a horse at a college which the students used to ride and where he was kept in a barn (probably why he doesn't like barns).. but then developed issues due to that so was then moved on. Shae really knows what she is doing with her horses, she takes things much slower than most. Shae wouldn't ride a new horse for long at all, she really takes things easy with her horses. He was being blanketed when he was sick. His feet would have been wet again within 5mins and I suppose she wants to put her time into where it's going to benefit the most with him (she has 11? horses as she runs a riding school). Her property is just real muddy at this time of the year and she swaps the horse out with stalling and the muddy places so they are out of the mud sometimes. She did put down something around the food places to try to make it less muddy.

[@Aimee0206]

Looking forward to this one! I loooove Shae and her philosophy around horsemanship ❤️ Dodger is an extremely new horse, as far as I know she's not had him for much more than a month. I recommend looking up her series with Mushu and comparing that to Tara & Bella, the difference is completely night and day! I'd also recommend looking up her series with Lumiere, a recently gelded stallion (at the time of purchase) who was still showing some stallion behaviours. Shows that even stallions or stallion-like-geldings can be taught through positive reinforcement.

[@cherylleduc7763]

She designs and creates her own bridals.

[@winterstar4813]

I have watched this horse since she brought him although he is a gtr horse this horse carries his tail like an Arabian i have a lot of respect for this girl and her program

[@T.K.T]

She's tying the rope to the string on purpose, so that it'll snap if he starts pulling in panic. And the gate being positioned like that doesnt really matter; horses are not turned out in that area

[@Ariandtheanimals]

He's scared of the barn because of the pig😂 You should see her train the yearlings

[@K9Tay]

🤣❤️❤️

[@TerriFerguson-q5j]

Where he's tied there is a claw bathtub that has flowers in it . Shea is terrific with her horses

[@letabug12]

I'm new here too, and subscribing. I think it's obvious that you will gain a LOT more followers by taking a look at both Free Spirit Equestrian and The Clever Cowgirl (and others lilke them) -- and waiting to comment until after you've looked at an entire video first and heard them out. Then your tips would be more in context and more helpful. They are both fabulous trainers and compassionate horsewomen and are great examples of how we should treat, train and handle our horses. But yay for you! Your site is growing!

[@Shinyevonee]

FSE is one of my favorite and now one of the few equestrian channels I follow! Shae treats her horses with respect and care, she runs her business while putting the care of the horses first (she runs a riding school not a rescue or nonprofit so she runs her business different and has to be careful with which horses she buys from auctions because some auctions are dishonest but her horses get top care when health issues are found), she does not put too much focus on color, she prefers bitless and only rides with a bit at times to acclimate most of the horses she sells to both bitted and bitless bridles, and she is picky with where a horse will go when it is time to sell. I also want to mention that in some of her videos, Shae does mention that she lives in Michigan where the ground is naturally full of clay and muddy in the winter. She has addressed it to the point where she added traction to the main pens for safety and comfort of the horses. She loves Michigan but she hates the mud 🤣. I love her channel and I recommend watching more of her videos! Seeing her train her horses especially Mushu and the yearlings is also like night and day in comparison to Tara who is still mistreating poor Bella.

[@thebettin]

You will never see Shay poke the horse or use a whip on her horses. She is an excellent equestrian. She is one of the best I have ever watched. I have watched her for the last several years and love how she understands the horse.

[@nicschu456]

Hello, new subscriber here. I found your commentary very interesting and insightful. From what I heard , we seem to have a similar approach to training animals. The lady from FSE to me is an outstanding horselady, not shying away from extra expenses to search for any medical issues- this horse for example had severe issues with his teeth when she got him. All her horses get regular physio and vet checks and tratments, and she is very into giving balanced nutrition. Exited to check out your content. Greetings from Germany

[@K9Tay]

Thank you for the support I greatly appreciate it! 🇩🇪

[@Sillydk-ot6dk]

Shae is great to follow, her horses is very well taken care of. They have two big pastures right behind the outdoor arena. You should look at her work with Mushu he is so cute, and she rides him now and then just with a neck rope. She also have a lesson programme, and use some of the horses she work on there, but only for a year or two, then she finds them a great home.

[@LouannTidwell]

I have been watching Shae for years. I love how kind and loving she is to her horses. This world needs more of that.❤️

[@SeekerKC]

lol Guys, relax. Shae's tough, & can handle a little criticism, but this barely even rates as that! It's more a "difference in preferences" than anything else, & I do believe she made that quite clear.

[@brendabirkenbach8533]

You should watch her videos before you criticize her she is a top horse women. She never flips her horses. She probably has forgotten more then you will ever know. Duh!

[@K9Tay]

Alrighty then. Never said she does flip horses, just giving my unbiased opinion 🫡

[@cherylleduc7763]

Also she did find out what was scary about the barn.

[@MadddyDawn]

Kinda of shocking this is the worst review I’ve ever seen of her. No where near accurate especially saying she chooses colors and flash. She prefers bit less and barefoot. She also lives in Michigan and is very aware of her surroundings and what the climate is like in her area.

[@phoenixrising3219]

Shae has had Dodger (she names all of her horses after Disney characters). Dodger has some nervous issues being near the barn. He is afraid of her pig as well as another issue inside the barn. Dodger is about 15 hands. He is 15 years old and has a story that she knows some of. He has had trauma from being left in a stall as well as some other things. Shae pours her life into her horses. She works with them, as already stated, for one to five years, then works to find them their forever home. She does not shoe her horses unless she has to, and if she does, she uses composite shoes.

[@KallipolisEffect]

She grooms them really well again after working with them.

[@barbadosantigua1]

She has not long bought him his maine was alreadythat length. Ithink you are jealous. ps I have never seen Shae use a whip simply she does not need to

[@Tunafish44]

You mention in another video that you got a lot of hate for this one and I gotta be honest, I don't really get it... I think your comments are fair and at no point do you say that your word is law and anyone who disagrees with you is evil. Maybe you should finish up your videos with some more overarching comments, like, "overall I think she seems like a kind, capable trainer, and I wouldn't have an issue sending my own horse to spend time at her stables" or something like that.... idk, but I personally think it's obvious you have good intentions and that for you the animal's wellbeing comes first. We can disagree on the details, but I think this is really what's most important ❤️

[@ellensmith4347]

I absolutely have great respect for Shae.

[@Jacqui9]

I just found your channel. Subscribed ❤

[@K9Tay]

Thank you for the support, I really appreciate it! ❤️

[@KallipolisEffect]

He is afraid of her pet pig. Which is in the barn. She figured it out in another video.

[@janetlevy1338]

This was interesting for me because I watch Free Spirit Equestrian all the time so I have the advantage of knowing the background of what you are viewing, but you have to rely on this one video. So it was interesting to me to hear your speculations but also to explain your perspective on good horsemanship. Like others have commented, I am a great admirer of Shae and her caring and effective training techniques and working towards her goal of preparing horses for a good future with a responsible and loving owner.

[@cherylleduc7763]

I would say many horses do like to have a job, a purpose and engage their minds.

[@K9Tay]

I agree, I think it's great for a horse to have mental stimulation!

[@SusanBowker]

Well Shay owns 11 horses and she exercises all of them.

[@phoenixrising3219]

This is my first time seeing your reaction videos. I only came in like so many others here because it's based on FSE. I feel like watching it before "reacting" to it would make it sound less criticizing. She doesn't whip her horses, ever. She does use a flag every now and then as well. Shae has the best bond with her horses because of her style and patience.

[@kathrynmurphy-ug5qf]

HATE HARD TIEING, ESP THAT SHORT, Putting horses in a bind i havnt used hard tieing and bale band for 25 years, ancient. Love the bitless hate the circles.

[@SusanBowker]

Before she got Doger he was in a stall for a long time no exercise so he became moody and aggressive so maybe after a horse is stalled along time they get nervous they may think they might get put in the stall for along time and he doesn't like that. Shay is trying to let Doger trust her so it will take time to have doger build trust in shay, and visa versa. Shay takes really good care of her horses she has a strong bond with her horses, and the horses have a strong bond with Shay.

[@christineleonard1110]

There are not enough positive dog trainers on KZbin. Every time I think I find a new one, they turn out to be using e-collars or things like that. Wish the e-collars and punishment tools would go away.

[@RidingWithKy1]

We hired a trainer to help train our dog and he uses an e-collar and I kept getting attacked by our dog and he kept “tapping her” with the e collar. The thing was at 60 something( I think almost 70)?!? I fell it at 16. Like no wonder she was attacking. When I did the game without the e-collar she walked fine. He also didn’t want me telling my dog good girl. I agree with you 100%

[@K9Tay]

Im sorry to hear about the misfortune treatment you and your dog endured by the trainer you worked with. I'm glad you two were able to work out a better method. Best of wishes to you on your training journey! ❤️

[@EX5DD]

Look for Susan Garrett - totally positive training and a world famous dog sports competitor. Only R+

[@SusanBowker]

After she has a lesson she always cleans her horses, bush, clean hoofs etc.

[@FeFefcc]

I know school horses have a tendency to want to go to the middle of the arena (when the teachers or trainers call in the class to talk) I’m sure he was n some type of schooling barn and has a learned all the tricks and her husband was standing there filming so that was with in seconds not hours of riding. I think also people do this cause there comfortable doing it a way that they feel is best for them and what they are doing so not to say everyone but it’s a safe bet with Shaye

[@SusanBowker]

KYLE IS HER HUSBAND AND HE IS FILMING THIS SESSION AND HE HAS TO DO IT CLOSE UP ITS NOT GOOD WHEN ITS TO FAR AWAY THE FILMING DOESN'T COME OUT THAT GOOD.

[@marleneclough3173]

After watching this I wonder ehat you think of The Clever Cowgirl? Anither favourite. Also Auction horses and some older ones needing care. She is an expert really on hirse nutrition and care. Also finds suitable homes when ready which msy be yesrs.

[@Tunafish44]

Funny you say you talk less with horses than you do with dogs, I think for me it's the other way around, just cause dogs are more dependent on verbal commands from me. I've found dogs to listen better if I'm more quiet when I'm not giving commands, while with horses I like for them to just always know where they've got me and keep a calm voice and such... just a funny thought ❤️

[@K9Tay]

That is such a great point! 🐴

[@SusanBowker]

To me waving a flag and a big stick the horse could be frightened of the flag and long stick I rather do without the flag and long stick.

[@DillionThomas-qz8jc]

Never heard of this one before.

[@K9Tay]

Neither have I before she was recommended to me

[@DillionThomas-qz8jc]

​@@K9Tay oh sorry about that.

[@K9Tay]

No worries!

[@teresadasilva4777]

She doesnt rescure from auctions...she buys pricey horses. Dodger was at least $6500

[@donnarivo7955]

That's where your wrong. Sorry. Doger is actually an Auction horse. I watch the Auction she bid on him from , along with Kyle. Which she got him for Kyle , her husband. Where Kyle actually picked Doger out of all the other horses. And yes she did pay quite a bit for him , your right about that. Actually Doger cost even more than you suggested . But none the less , he's still an Auction horse. All because he is going to be Kyle's personal horse. Is the reason for paying that higher price for him . Which he'll be Kyle's horse. After she gets Doger completely trained. Big difference. When it comes to actually going to keep a forever horse. Than ones she's going to train and in the future find a home for. Much respect. Yes she buys from private owners . But most of her horses , do come from Auctions.

[@teresadasilva4777]

@ Paying $6500 is NOT rescuing

[@teresahoss]

@@donnarivo7955 This is not the horse she got because of Kyle, that was Naveen.

[@letabug12]

@@donnarivo7955 She didn't mean Dodger didn't come from an auction. There are "rescues" at some auctions (usually the loose-pen horses that can go for as little as $.25/lb. when all is said and done) and then there are really, really highly bred, expensive horses at auctions. Sometimes both at the same auction (depending on the auction). So @Teresa wasn't saying Dodger didn't come from an auction. I'm sure she knows he did. He was just among the more highly bred and trained who were there. I think you just misunderstood her message.

[@letabug12]

@@teresahoss You're right. It was Naveen - very cool horse!

[@SHARENSTANLEY]

I used to like Shaw. I don’t like how she has worked with this particular horse at all. She is not a true horseman. This is a quarter horse, cow horses stand still if you drop the reins. He shouldn’t be tied at all. If he is afraid of being saddled there, she should saddle somewhere else. She is very commercialized and silly. I have stopped watching her due to the way she has handled this horse. She is someone who has done a few lessons and thinks she is an expert equestrian. My Dad was an expert equestrian. He started riding as soon as he could walk. He was a true horseman. This girl is nothing like that. She is a barn lesson person. Who yes just rides in circles. This is not fair to the horses. She is critical of the horse for her own shortcomings.

[@jenz4524]

I used to subscribe to her too and had to quit watching. It seems when she started getting more subscribers she got a big head, started treating horses like machines and acting like a know-it-all. I like people who keep it real and not all fake.