Julie Shields
Owner | Instructor | Trainer
We are super excited for you to join our Windcroft Stables family!
I am so happy that you chose Windcroft Stables – I strive to keep our ponies and our students happy. This is a new business here in MWV and I rely on your support and recommendations. Your support is immensely appreciated. I love watching everyone grow and learn while they form relationships with our ponies here. Written recommendations/referrals and verbal ones are like gold – so if you feel good about what we have to offer here we would love to hear it:) Social Media is a great venue for that.
Are you wondering how are we different from other farms??
I have been teaching horseback riding for 30+ years and have been riding for 40+ years . My teaching and training experience has evolved over the many years working with horses and students. I also have extensive experience and background working with children and adults with physical and mental special needs. I am a registered nurse with certifications in ACLS, PALS, BLS and mental health 1st aid. I know some elemental sign language and have many years experience with non verbal kids in pediatric home care. I have worked closely with Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Vision therapists.
For the love of horses!
I teach riding lessons because I love teaching and I love horses – the perfect combo! Our horses are not lesson ponies that give endless lessons each day with multiple different riders. So our horses are able to get to know our students and recognize them when they arrive. Students develop trust for the horse they are assigned to and in turn that horse also develops trust for the student. I watch all my students and horses carefully to intervene if there is ever confusion, fear, or unsafe practices. We have some amazing advanced students that are now helping our younger more inexperienced students. The best way to learn a skill is to be able to teach a skill! Students are encouraged to learn to read their horses non verbal communication, and respond to it accordingly. Students are also encouraged to help fellow students and assist with new skills/tasks.
The Most Valuable Gift to Our Horses is a Forever Home!
All horses are at risk from being bounced around from different homes. Horses are bought and sold so often, each arriving with a number of different past owners and experiences. Horses are traumatized by this practice and develop dangerous habits and behaviors each time this occurs. The best thing we can do for our horses is treat them well, keep them healthy in mind and body, give them purpose, give them positive experiences with humans and other animals. A horse that is used to being handled is calm and patient because it has had positive experiences with people, and learns to trust new people quickly. A horse that has been mishandled becomes defensive and difficult to earn their trust.
Respect the breed that you’re working with.
Mustang Mae has taught me so much about the mustang breed and spirit. As much as she has been a challenge, she has also been a gift. She falls asleep on the crossties as the kids fondly brush and groom her.
Sophie has helped so many new riders gain confidence and strength riding her. Sophie is our best grooming pony, but didn’t used to be that way. She has gradually learned to really enjoy grooming.
Shammas used to be the naughty pony, but now he has found value in his work as well. The little ones adore him, call him their own, they make him feel good, and he makes them laugh with his antics.
Annie is our sassy gal who is a wonderful friend to many of our students – even our special needs students. She still has her quirks, but is a genuinely happy & special pony.
Then there’s Fonzi, he is a character. A bit simple, a bit complicated, a bit dramatic, and very athletic. Fonzi is now enjoying group lessons.
Oz is originally from West Side Road, arrived here from Georgia in Oct. 2022 with many medical, emotional, and behavioral issues. After surgery to remove a softball sized bladder stone, he has fully recovered and enjoyed by our advanced students.
Sam is a gentleman with a history of a rough life. He is a percheron gelding that loves the trails and working!
Our horses job is to allow our students to work with them as I have instructed them to, in turn they get to enjoy their life here forever. Regular attention, exercise, feed, care, handling makes for a model citizen of a horse. Should we ever fall on rough times and not be able to continue caring for them, we have given them purpose and skills that will benefit them through the rest of their lives. Some horses live for a long time, some for a short time and we never know how long we have with them. They deserve our commitment and dedication, in turn we receive their willingness to work with us and allow us to guide them. We want their connection to help keep us safe when we are in the saddle. We want them to feel like we are a partner to them, a gentle leader and they are a willing participant.
