Eclectic Shire Farm

10/17/2026

Lady is doing great at Liberty with Michelle, and guided by Kelley ( Carpe Diem Training ). We thought you'd like a short video.

10/17/2026

Bit testing with Millie.

We've long worked our horses in simple snaffle bits; ring, D, or Liverpool (for driving), some stainless and some sweet iron, and been happy with them. Even with the Liverpools we almost never bit down.

Patriot and Jax came with Mullen Bar Liverpool driving bits, and we've used ring Mullen bar bits to ride them; which seems to work well.

This inspired us to test Millie with something other than a ring snaffle. We tried a straight bar, which she hated. Then a very nice copper French Link Ring, which was ok, but she got fussy. So today we tested a Barrel 3 link Snaffle Egg Butt that has an overall Mullen shape. We think she was pretty happy with this one (see the video), so we'll probably try it a few more times.

What bits do you like for riding, and for driving. Obviously draft horse sized bits, especially for riding, have fewer options than those for smaller equines.

10/17/2026

Our favorite trainer, Kelley from Carpe Diem Training , is teaching this super clinic. If you want to improve your riding in any discipline this is the place for you.

Time is running out to join us! Bring your own horse to one of our “Fun With Ground Poles” clinic sessions this Fall at Danada Equestrian Center. If we have good weather, it will be at Danada Equestrian Center, if the weather is poor, it will be held at SJF Indoor Arena.

Clinician Kelley Shetter-Ruiz will instruct riders over ground and cavaletti poles in a series of fun and challenging exercises to strengthen the communication between horse and rider. Riders will learn how to identify training issues and use pole exercises to help resolve them. Each 90-minute lesson will be tailored to your experience level and accommodate three or four horse-and-rider pairs. Western or English riders welcome!

When registering for your session, note if your horse is short- or long-strided to maximize your learning and training benefits. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. $25 nonrefundable registration fee. $115 per horse-and-rider pair. $20 for a day stall (not required), $10 audit fee.
For more information and to register, call 630-668-6012 or message us on Facebook. *current Coggins is required

Current students that are interested, ask your instructor for more information and if you qualify!

10/13/2026

Pickles update: BALL IS LIFE!

10/11/2026

Another day of Horseyness at ESF.

Lady and Michelle continue to improve their connection with Liberty/Clicker Training. Today Lady was willing to trot in circles around Michelle with no lead. They're definitely making a great team.

As you'd expect we do A LOT of Ground Driving our young horses before putting them to any vehicle, and Millie was no exception. But as we're training her to ride, our favorite trainer, Kelley from Carpe Diem Training ,suggested we try Long Lining to improve her flexibility, and lighten her mouth. This was only our second session, but she's responding quite well.

10/11/2026

A bit of early fall foliage on today's drive.

10/11/2026

An enjoyable drive with Jax and Patriot on a gorgeous October Saturday in Wisconsin.

10/05/2026

Proof that Kelley ( Carpe Diem Training ) can drive normal sized horses. 😎 For those who don't know she normally drives mini's.

Millie was a very good girl.

10/03/2026

A little taste of driving when the Boys are feeling it. We love watching them move.