My Equine Connection is owned and operated by Michelle Baker. Michelle was born and raised on a horse farm in Illinois. She worked on a large reining horse operation in Montana. She has spent most of her life riding, training, caring for, and showing horses. Michelle is certified in Equine Behavior and Management, Animal Assisted Therapy, and Advanced Equine Training through The Animal Behavioral Institute.
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She receive a Bachelors of Arts degree in biology and chemistry from Monmouth College, worked for the BLM, taught environmental education for a non-profit, and taught SEM (Schoolwide Enrichment Model) and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in the public schools.
Michelle has been greatly blessed by horses in her life. They have helped her cope with, and overcome, challenges and disabilities. They have taught her life lessons such as acceptance, trust, work, communication, and joy. Knowing the power there is in horses she wanted to use her abilities to help others feel empowered and connected through horses. These certifications along with life experience qualifies her to reach out and touch others using horses.
Our Horses
Shadow
Shadow was born in 2005. He is an American Quarter Horse. His life has been full of reining, roping, team penning, ranch work, and trail riding. He loves a job and is always ready to go to work. He is very talented and allows students to learn more advanced riding.
Shadow loves people. He is not shy about telling your his favorite spot for scratches. If he would fit he would come right in your house and sit on your couch.
Libby
Libby was born in 1999. She is half Arabian and half American Quarter Horse. Her life has been spent raising babies and enjoying the occasional ride.
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Libby loves to take care of others. She mothers horses and people alike. She loves her job working with kids and is a great horse to begin learning on.
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Libby loves to "talk" to her students when she is done.