Having grown up around horses most of her life, local Leanna Maise has been able to turn her lifelong passion for horses into a small business opportunity, teaching local children horse-riding basics.
Maise began riding horses at the tender age of three years old, and was first introduced to horses by her aunt, who kept and raised horses. After growing up riding and caring for horses, Maise now regularly competes in weekend barrel racing events with the National Barrel Racing Association (NBRA).
At just 19, Maise has recently begun her own riding lesson business for locals interested in learning to ride horses at her Boutte equine facility.
“I keep my horses on private property in Boutte, called Triple R, where there is a small stable with 6 stalls, an arena, pasture and a large round pen,” Maise said of her horse training facilities. “The round pen is where beginner equestrians start; It is also where I bring horses that need extra training.”
Maise says she has begun offering riding lessons in Boutte for beginner riders aged three years and up, offering basic horsemanship skills on the ground and in the saddle, as well as equine safety. Students first arrive at Triple R to meet the horses, learn how to groom them, how to stand and walk around them, along with other skills.
“There’s nothing I love more than watching a child grow and love this sport as much as I do, as well as watching the parents’ expressions when they see how much fun their child is having,” Maise commented regarding her passion for horses and horse training work. “Not only that, but seeing the growth in each horse, and turning them into something I’m confident to put anyone on, and that’s always the best feeling.”
With a passion for everything equine, Maise managed to score a seasonal job in the fall working as a vet technician with highly trained thoroughbred horses at the New Orleans Fairgrounds racecourse.
“[My job] includes assisting the vets with holding horses for shots, pulling up medications, cleaning and preparing areas for injections or surgeries as well as going on regular check-up calls when clients call for them,” Maise said. “I have learned a great deal working with these wonderful animals such as, how to administer medication through Intramuscularly and intravenously – vein and muscle.”
After experiencing firsthand the advanced medical care many thoroughbred horses receive, Maise says she has come to realize horses in the racing industry get treated much better than common myths regarding the racing industry would suggest.
The local horse trainer says she her current career plans are to enroll in Unity College, where she will major in equine massage therapy while still maintaining her riding lesson business.
“My long-term career goals are to become a licensed equine massage therapist, meaning I will be working on lots of performance horses to make sure they get the therapy that they need to stay at their very best,” Maise explained.
To learn more about Leanne Maise and her equestrian lessons business or to schedule lessons, contact Maise via her Facebook page.
Be the first to comment