For equestrian professionals, managing a day is an incredible juggling act of horses, clients, and family. This month, we catch up with the accomplished Sandra Beaulieu, author of FREESTYLE: The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music, to gain insight into how she maintains balance as the manager of Little River Friesians in Havana, Florida. Beaulieu’s dedication to her craft and her passion for horses shine through in her meticulously organized schedule. For those interested in mastering equine performance, understanding the daily routines of experts like Beaulieu offers valuable lessons.
Early Morning Productivity
5:00 AM: Beaulieu’s day begins before dawn, a habit formed to dedicate focused time to her writing. This early hour is reserved for working on her books and digital content. Her current project includes an ebook on Second Level choreography, a supplement to her acclaimed book FREESTYLE. This disciplined approach to content creation highlights her commitment to sharing her extensive knowledge.
6:00 AM: The focus shifts to physical well-being with light yoga and physical therapy exercises. Addressing old riding injuries and a chronic hip flexor issue requires consistent maintenance. Beaulieu complements her home routine with weekly visits to a chiropractor and masseuse, alongside the use of a Magna Wave machine and therapeutic taping, underscoring the importance of physical readiness for demanding equestrian activities.
Barn Life and Training Philosophy
7:00 AM: Residing above the barn at Little River Friesians, Beaulieu has immediate access to her horses, a crucial element for handling any emergencies. Her morning routine involves assisting with chores, ensuring each horse is safe, healthy, and content. This proximity facilitates timely interventions, whether for administering medication or monitoring mares.
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM: After a nutritious smoothie and supplements, Beaulieu collaborates with Lilian, the barn manager, to strategize the day. While each day presents unique demands, the typical schedule includes riding two to three horses before lunch. Weekly trail rides offer a change of pace, allowing horses to relax and explore. Beaulieu’s training incorporates basic dressage, liberty work, trick training, and even elements of working equitation, demonstrating a holistic approach to horsemanship. She emphasizes keeping training sessions engaging and playful, often using music with individual playlists for each horse to inspire future freestyles. Understanding effective horse training methods is crucial for any equestrian, and Beaulieu’s approach exemplifies this.
Midday Management and Social Engagement
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Lunchtime is a shared affair for both humans and horses. Beaulieu assists with feeding and supplements while also managing Little River Friesians’ social media presence. Collaborating with Lilian, they create engaging content, primarily featuring their Friesians, Warlanders, and Andalusians, known for their captivating presence and personalities.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: The afternoon is dedicated to the farm’s broodmares and young stock. Beaulieu focuses on maintaining the mares’ health for successful pregnancies through activities like long-lining, gentle trail riding, and ring work. Significant time is also devoted to grooming, bathing, and trick training for enjoyment. Simultaneously, she and Lilian work with foals and yearlings, ensuring they are well-socialized and handled, preparing them for future homes by teaching them to lead, stand for the farrier, and become accustomed to various training environments.
Evening Routines and Personal Reflection
3:00 PM: Horses are served an early dinner, allowing them ample time for grazing and socializing outdoors, particularly during pleasant weather.
4:00 PM: This hour is dedicated to Beaulieu’s personal horse, Rovandio. Their current focus is on Working Equitation and preparing for shows. Rovandio, a 19-year-old horse requiring specific care, benefits from a comprehensive wellness routine including Magna Wave therapy, nebulizer treatments, and homeopathic remedies before their training sessions. Their rides often involve a gentle trail warm-up followed by dressage and obstacle work tailored to Rovandio’s condition. Beaulieu shares a deep, long-standing connection with Rovandio, having trained him extensively and performed together in various equestrian disciplines, including unique artistic endeavors like painting from horseback. Reviews of various horse training programs can offer further insights into different training philosophies.
7:00 PM: Beaulieu catches up on her personal social media, acknowledging her sponsors and responding to emails and messages for Little River. A final check on the horses via ATV, offering carrots and ensuring their comfort, is a cherished part of her evening. This time also includes a poignant visit to the meadow where her beloved horse, Douwe, is buried, a moment of reflection and remembrance.
8:00 PM: The day winds down with a healthy meal and a relaxing television show. Beaulieu favors familiar series, particularly those with equestrian themes, finding inspiration in shows like Game of Thrones and Outlander.
9:00 PM: Beaulieu aims to be in bed by this time, often journaling to reflect on her day and express gratitude. She embraces the present while looking forward to the future, content in her dream career surrounded by the horses of Little River Friesians. Exploring different horse training techniques can broaden one’s understanding of the equestrian world.
Sandra Beaulieu’s book FREESTYLE is available through the TSB online bookstore.
Enjoy this? Check out other author interviews in the “24 Hours” series: Dr. Stacie Boswell, Cathy Woods, Dr. Jenni Grimmett.
