Wainionpaa Equine Services

07/30/2026

“Whats the difference between massage and Cransiosacral therapy?”

Massage is the physical manipulation of tissue, focusing on the muscle, fascia, and skin. Depending on the issue at hand there are several different types of strokes and amount of pressure combinations that can be applied. Massage is great for overall relaxation, but also addressing high levels of tension in high level athletes. It can also help with releasing tension, improving circulation, improving range of motion, bettering performance, injury prevention and injury recovery.

Craniosacral therapy uses light touch and manipulation of tissue to promote the release of tension through a horses cranium, cervical and thoracic spine, pelvis, and sacrum. It focuses on the craniosacral system which is made of membrane and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The flow of the cerebrospinal fluid can become restricted and dysfunctional through multiple types of trauma. The gentle techniques of CST can help release these restrictions and can provide potential benefits to the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of equine health.

Both can stand alone on their own in a session, but the can also be paired together for the maximum effect and benefit! Some horses respond better to one over the other, some love both, some cycle through what works for them at the time, this is why it’s important to pay attention to the horse you’re working on and learn their style of communication!

07/26/2026

I am so excited to announce WES’s first sponsored rider! Alexandra Tafelski of Veritas Ridge Farm. Alex’s dedication to creating a solid foundation based on biomechanics has helped many horses, including many rescues/rehabs. I’ve spent many hours in her barn working hands on with her horses and have seen her love and dedication first hand. This dedication is just a part of why I am so excited to sponsor this amazing rider.

Now a few words from Alex;
“Growing up in Northern Minnesota seems to breed a different kind of horsemen. Our winter days tend to be long runs of brutal temps and layers upon layers of snow blanketing every inch of our farms. I call myself lucky growing up on my grandma’s farm in Duluth and I do mean it! As “fun” as I just made our winters sound, those winters are what cultivated a solid work ethic and will to succeed no matter the environment in myself. I also had the luxury of growing up with two avid horsemen, my grandmother & aunt, who were always willing to guide my passion working with horses and even more willing to keep my never-ending hunger for understanding these creatures well fed. As I grew into my teenage years, more time was spent at the farm trying to hop on or work with any new lesson, rescue or surrendered horse my aunt or grandma may have picked up next. Transitioning into my young adult years, I spent time riding outside of the farm with more trainers while learning on vastly different horses, different disciplines and training philosophies. To continue to feed my thirst for knowledge, I decided to complete the first part of USDF’s L program and solidified my passion in dressage first for any horse/rider combo. The more I have taken in over the years in continued education through shows, clinics, and (lessons of course), The more I see the real time benefits physically and mentally for horses & riders that start with a solid dressage & biomechanics first foundation. I spend a good chunk of my riding/training developing a solid foundation on young horses and rescue/rehab projects. This is also why many of the horses in my lesson program are past rescue/rehab projects. Its become an absolute joy bringing together my passion for second chances in rescue/rehab horses and teaching students that through patience & understanding we can make great strides in any discipline they choose with their four legged partner. I love being able to share the joy of horses with all ages and firmly believe in building a well-rounded horse and rider. Because of this, you may notice quickly, my farm and program spend a good amount of time outside of arena work. I am a big fan of obstacle work & trail riding for cross training and confidence building in both riders and horses. I am extremely proud of the horseman myself and my lesson horses have been able to teach over the years and the positive energy we continue to put out into our community.

Quick fun facts about myself:

My husband & I own 7 horses and 6 are Rehab/Rescue Horses that never left!

My favorite time to ride is in the middle of the night.

I’ve owned countless breeds and cross breeds but only 2 warmbloods in my entire life.

I have only ever sold 4 horses.”

07/22/2026

It’s hard to explain the love I have for what I do. Of course there’s the obvious reasons, it helps horses and that’s what I’m all about. But there is some feeling on a nonverbal level that I attribute to the way they communicate through body language, a language that you cant learn from a textbook.

This is part of the why, the relaxation on his face, the quiet thank you and coming back for more, it creates a deep feeling of success and gratitude. When I’m in their stall all that’s going on in my brain is what’s happening right now in the moment between us. It’s a type of peace I know many horsemen understand.

07/15/2026

A great guideline for dealing with this wildfire smoke! Stay safe everyone!

🔥 Wildfire Smoke & Horse Health 🐴💨

Poor air quality can be harmful not only to us but our horses too. Smoke from wildfires can irritate a horse's respiratory system and cause fatigue, coughing, difficulty breathing, etc.

You can monitor local air quality at www.airnow.gov. During periods of poor air quality, you can protect your horse's health by:

🐎 Limiting or avoiding exercise.
💧 Providing free access to fresh water.
💦 Controlling dust such as watering dry lots and soaking or feeding dust-free hay.
🕰 Allowing time for recovery: airway damage from wildfire smoke takes 4 to 6 weeks to heal after air quality returns to normal.
☎️ Consult your vet if you notice signs of smoke irritation.

For more information visit: ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/wildfire-smoke-and-horses

07/14/2026

Beating the heat today by working on the computer!

Finally got around to pulling some of my favorites from the North Woods Dressage Association June Schooling show to share!

07/02/2026

Oh my was June busy!! It has me excited for the rest of the summer too.

I have to share a great moment, Yachti from Veritas Ridge Farm still cheesin as he makes his way down centerline! It’s been such an honor to be a part of this guys story. Photos from this past weekend and last fall

07/01/2026

I’ll always be your cheerleader 🫶

I’m invested in my clients success, from the trails to the show ring I want to see you and your horses succeed!

Good friends are worth their weight in gold. Always cherish your village in any sport but especially when it comes to horses. We all need unconditional support!💕

www.veritasridgefarm.com

06/19/2026

To round out looking at the horses head we’re going to look at the nerves and blood supply. Again, this drawing is not all inclusive but does show where there’s concentrations of structures.

The main thing I want to focus on here is what lays under our tack. Our halters and bridles, specifically the nose bands, lay directly on top of a collection of both nerves and blood vessels.
Too much pressure on these areas can cause restrictions and even nerve damage. This is why properly fitting tack is so crucial.

My goal with pointing out all of this is to help people ride with an understanding of what they’re influencing. When we ride with anatomy and biomechanics in mind we can work with it to create a balanced and happy partner.

06/17/2026

Continuing to talk about the horses head! Today we’re looking at the muscles of the face.

The musclarture of the face is much more complicated and extensive than my drawing, with attachments forming between different muscles, bone, and fascia. Some of these muscles are incredibly thin and sensitive. Some of the muscles are larger (though still smaller than the muscles throughout the body).

Like any muscle the muscles of the face can hold tension. Part of craniosacral therapy is the goal of reducing the tension in the face.

These muscles are also close to the surface, laying right on top of bone, without fatty layers of buffer. Meaning the tack we use on their face can affect them directly, and in some cases put them ‘between a rock and a hard place’ so to speak.

06/16/2026

The galleries from this weekend at the North Woods Dressage schooling show are up!

It was a jam packed weekend. It was the first show of the year for Fancy and I, this go round we only rode western dressage tests. Fancy was great as always! I also was involved with the Working Equitation, which has been an ongoing learning process that I’m very excited to keep expanding on. And! I was lucky enough to be the photographer!

I was at the dressage rings Saturday. On Sunday I spent part of the afternoon at the jump ring once I was done riding my own tests. I tried my best to cover as many riders as I could with the crazy schedule I had.

2026 NWDA Fun in the Sun June Schooling Show