Reflective Horsemanship™
Improve the Rider, Improve the Horse
Reflective Horsemanship specializes in the holistic development of riders and it is our mission to improve the rider beyond today’s standards, thereby, directly improving the horse’s ride-ability and longevity. As the horse is a direct reflection of its rider, we are raising the bar in the art and athletic endeavor of true horsemanship through redefining what it means to be an equestrian rider.
My passion is coaching riders, both on and off the horse, to acquire more awareness, feel, and skill so they can ride and train their horses more ethically and with greater success in their chosen discipline. I have dedicated myself to bringing these principles to my students by creating a unique ‘how to’ rider development system that is broken down into bite-size, learnable skills and tailored to each individual rider.
In doing so, I set riders and their horses up for success at every stage in the development of their riding along with the tools to move forward independently.
True Horsemanship is simply horsemanship from the horse's perspective and viewing each horse as the physical and spiritual individual that they are, in equal proportion. It is looking beyond the mirror at the horse, and understanding they are much more than a 'means to an end.' And, it is taking care while riding, to ensure correct balance and healthy biomechanics are in place, so that the horse may enjoy their work and maximize their performance.
"Horsemanship is the art of mastering our own movements, thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Not the horses." ~Mark Rashid
Mission: To develop independent riders with more awareness, feel and skill so they can humanely ride and train their horse using horse-logical concepts, in every situation, with or without an instructor present.
Goal: To be as complete and holistic as possible while developing a more effective and independent rider at every level and in any discipline; for our riders to become strategic thinkers while emotionally disciplined with balance, timing, and feel in motion, thus discovering how to produce a harmonious partnership with their horse.
Raising the Standards
Reflective Horsemanship™ strives for excellence in and out of the arena with our teaching and horsemanship skills. We continually search for new knowledge and information. Whether it be from the classical texts, modern techniques (such as natural horsemanship) or the sciences, Reflective Horsemanship™ continues to build upon our foundation to improve the quality and effectiveness of our teaching and training.
Background & Experience
Kasey Reeder, Coach
Kasey is an experienced professional horse trainer, certified riding instructor, and coach. She has worked with horses of all breeds and students of all levels and ages. She now has over 30 years experience teaching, training, caring for and competing horses in Dressage, Reining and other disciplines. Kasey believes in a well-balanced approach in developing both horse and rider. When developing and implementing an individual program for each horse & rider pair, she fosters a comprehensive understanding of horse-logical training methods, while taking into account biomechanics, the mentality, and physical characteristics of both horse and rider.
As a result of her many years of education and experience, Kasey has developed her own unique riders’ training program, Riderology™, to improve the rider, thus, directly improving the horse. While remaining true to horse-logical concepts, Riderology™ incorporates elements such as body awareness, rider biomechanics, mental strategies, emotional discipline and the rider's scale of training to enhance the rider’s overall sense of balance, timing, coordination, and feel in motion.
Kasey founded Reflective Horsemanship™ with parallel goals in mind.
1) To coach riders how to acquire the necessary skills to ride in such a way that the reflection they see and feel is one of grace and harmony in whichever discipline they choose to pursue.
2) To demonstrate to riders that their horse is a direct reflection of themselves in mind, body, and soul.
"Having the strength of character to be a quality leader and partner to the horse will produce a reflection of horsemanship excellence." ~Kasey Reeder, Coach
Kasey has a proven track record of successful training, teaching, and coaching experiences with a wide variety of horses and has helped numerous riders improve their riding skills, whether their goal was to compete or simply enjoy trail riding. She has helped riders regain their confidence while improving their skills. She has helped riders better understand their horse, build a trusting relationship and refine their riding.
Kasey has a well-balanced understanding of all aspects of developing horses, from weanling through adult with proper form, function, and style. She has a comprehensive knowledge of horse-logical training methods, understanding the mindset, mechanics and physical characteristics needed to successfully develop and implement a training program to teach a horse to perform maneuvers, with finesse, in their respected discipline. Kasey has an exceptional understanding of the principles and underlying theories of Dressage, Western and Jumping techniques. She is an experienced instructor and coach with an educated eye, which can match horse and rider, and develop an individualized training program for amateur or professional riders.
Kasey has had plenty of experience over the years of barn care and barn management, which includes advising staff, grooming, scheduling of farrier, administering first aid, stall cleaning, and setting up preventative health programs for the control of disease and parasites. In addition, she has completed basic studies of Farrier craftsmanship including hoof and limb anatomy, proper trimming, the shaping of factory shoes, and shoeing.
She has conducted workshops and clinics, knows how to work with the public, and has good communication skills while working with clients and barn staff.
Kasey is educated, knowledgeable, and experienced and is considered an expert in her field. She grew up in Columbus, Ohio and now resides in Scottsdale, AZ. She attended college at Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center in 1998 with an emphasis on education and graduated with a Riding Master VI and Level II riding instruction certifications. After many years of coaching and with a desire to help her students become the best they could be, Kasey decided to head back to school to study anatomy and human movement. The goal was to better understand how the human body functions, in order to help students better utilize their bodies to become more effective and efficient. With that mindset, she attended the American Institute of Alternative Medicine in 2010, where she earned her massage therapy certification and went on to become a Licensed Massage Therapist. Today, she is able to help the rider both on and off the horse with the addition of bodywork for equestrian athletes.
"The truly educated never graduate" ~ Annabel Monaghan
Kasey has received several top USDF placings and awards. She was on The Ohio State University Equestrian Team 1992-1996; top ten placings at national championships. Competed at the All American Youth Show (several top 10 placings, including a win in English Equitation) and the All American Quarter Horse Congress. She competed on the quarter horse circuit with several top 10 placings in both English and Western events. Her love of horses and children led her to become a mentor for at-risk children at Reigning Grace Ranch for 3 years; helping kids learn valuable life lessons through horsemanship. Currently, in addition to her teaching schedule, Kasey also enjoys gentling wild mustangs and is a TIP trainer through the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the BLM.
