Julie Shields
Owner/Instructor
Julie had her 1st riding lesson for her 6th birthday at Deer Meadow Stables trying both English and Western styles, and spent as much time as she could at the barn. Then she moved to Woodsong Farm and around the age of 10, she started showing at local Huntseat Schooling Shows on the flat and jumping. Around age 12, she transferred to Moby Dick Farm where she began taking on a lot of responsibility and gained tons of experience with green horses, driving horses (sleighs, hayrides, weddings), trail-riding, sidesaddle, showing (still schooling shows with green horses), draft horses to warmbloods to OOTBs to STTBs as well as various ponies. She then began teaching students! After she graduated from high school she traveled locally working at different farms, including Salt Meadow Stables, where she obtained her horseback riding instructors license. She continued showing, training, teaching as well as caring for the horses, which included professional grooming for shows. Moving on to Early Light Farm, she began learning more about dressage, specifically classical dressage. She moved to NH and worked for Burnt Meadow Stables teaching and assisting caring for/managing/training the horses as needed, there she learned the value of our need to work with our horses abilities and needs, and providing a forever home. She continued teaching and training on the side, and worked for an equine vet Marina Cesar, DVM. She bought an Irish draft yearling – had many good and rough experiences with him – learned a ton about horses that are complicated to train and keep healthy! She had him gelded, he had sand colic, ripped his side open (down to his ribs), then ehrlichia, became so lame with a new dressage training that he was unsound for several months and learned the value listening to her gut – he was pushed too hard too fast and developed severe lameness that resolved completely with time and conditioning. He also experienced choke, then finally severe abscesses with both front feet that he couldn’t stand without treatment with pain med, anti-inflammatories and softride boots – he bounced back again! During the years she continued teaching and training on her horses and foster horses at Mill View Stable, as well as off-site students’ horses. In 2017, she moved to Madison, NH to begin her dream farm, further developing her teaching and training techniques using specific horses communication skills & natural instincts & individual physical limitations. She is also able to help her students understand and connect with the horses. Her students learn the value of what each of Windcroft’s horses has to offer. It is not just about learning to ride horses, it’s making a friendship and bond. Horses remember everything and everyone, it’s our responsibility to give them positive experiences and if not, we are able to correct and move forward positively. We are happy to train volunteers to help on the farm. Horses are healing to everyone around them.
Sophie
Andalusian
Grey Mare
Advanced
- 14h
- Owned by Libby
She walks/trots/canters, collected movement, a trot that will replace your gym membership, and a canter like a rocking horse with elevation. She is stocky and curvy with a pony mind. She needs to know she’s appreciated and will feel your frustration and will match it. If you can sit her trot, you can sit anyone’s trot. She will teach you to be an amazing rider. She is forward on the trails. quiet and easy in the arena. excellent lunging and has taught many riders correct positioning and leg yielding. She has been adopted by one of my wonderful students, Libby.
Shammus
Mini
Dark Dun Gelding
Beginner through Advanced
- 10h
He loves lil ones, great introduction to equines for youngsters. prefers lead line riders, however will work well with amazing small calm riders. easy to sit trot and canter, he even has a cute lil jump and sometimes a running walk. He also drives and has a cart/harness.
Annie
Hackney
Black Mare
Beginner through Advanced
- 12h
She wants you to know all the rough handling she has had over her life and will teach you about defensive mare attitudes. However, she will drop her head into her halter for the smallest person, gently teach youngsters to steer and trot and even canter. She also has extra gaits including a pace, running walk in addition to the usual walk trot canter. Her gaits are smooth, she does have a bouncy trot so be ready to post! Once she is done, she is the easiest horse to untack. She has an affinity to some of our special needs students.
Mae
Mustang
Bay Mare
Beginner & Advanced
- 14 +h
- Owned by Amanda
We are lucky to be able to use her in our riding program as well. She has a smooth trot, quick canter, likes to jump, loves the trails, She likes a lot of praise too. She occasionally needs gentle and sometimes stronger communication for stating her opinions on the crossties. She is a super lil mare that we adore. She can get overwhelmed with new things but is confident and calm with her routine. She has taught many students to post the trot. She loves a strong predictable leader and enjoys working.
Oz
Morgan
Bay Gelding
Advanced
- 15 h
Sensitive, personable, sweet gelding available for more advanced students. He has a forward walk/trot/canter, with smooth easy to sit to gaits. He is easy to handle, smart and eager to please. After a rough 2 years, Oz has come into his own. He is wonderful for advanced students.
* He arrived on the farm with many health issues. He has mild Roars, had a bladder stone the size of a softball, severe allergies, and multiple colics. He is now comfortable, happy & healthy!
Fonzi
Andalusian
Gelding
Advanced
- 15h
This boy is super sweet, loves to work in group lessons & trails. Leg yields like a dream. Walk/trot/cantor Athletic, dramatic, in your pocket personality. He is not the forgiving type. He remembers EVERYTHING!
Sam
Percheron
Gelding
Beginner through Advanced
- 16.3h
- Owned by Leanne
Straight up good guy! He had a hard life with the Amish. Leanne rescued him. We trained him to ride and still are training him to have his feet handled. He is still new to riding so not straight beginner, but a joy for beginner ready to move up to riding independently. Loves the trails too!