Kaleigh Marie Braveheart Beasts

On a beautiful spring afternoon at Fairwinds Farm in North Kingstown, Kaleigh Marie of Braveheart Beasts retrieves two of her four horses. The nearly identical tobiano geldings, Alkimus and Elgin, are Friesian-Paint crosses and full brothers. When Kaleigh gathers them up, she doesn’t rely on a hal- and external functioning is easily apparent, even to those who are unfamiliar with this type of training. The spectacular sight of Alkimus and Elgin floating around Kaleigh like black and white scarves elegantly dancing upon the wind is not only a phenomenal vision; it also inspires horse lovers to consider their ter and lead rope. Instead, she uses liberty training and the incredible relationship this work has allowed her to create with her horses. Inside the indoor arena, the chill in the air is quickly forgotten when taking in the unique arena decor. LED color-changing lights, a spotlight, and music set the scene for an experience that brings every horse-crazy child’s dream to life, while horse-infatuated adults are equally in awe.

Testimonials from Kaleigh’s clients express high praise, respect, and admiration for this immensely talented horsewoman. Clients describe her as a kind, patient individual who possesses a gift for communicating with horses. After observing Kaleigh work two horses simultaneously at liberty, her deep connection to and understanding of both horses’ internal relationship with their own horse from new perspectives.

Kaleigh’s background is filled with variety from rehabilitating rescued equines, thrilling large audiences while performing with her horses, training with Lipizzaner stallions, driving Mammoth donkeys, working draft horses, and training oxen to Roman riding bridleless, work at liberty, and more.Today, she continues to grow her business, Braveheart Beasts, as she performs with her horses and connects with her students through clinics, lessons, and online coaching.

CH: How did you choose the name

Braveheart Beasts for your business?

Kaleigh: My mom and I came up with the name. When I began training animals, I trained everything from horses to don- keys, mules, and even cows to ride, drive, do tricks, and work at liberty. Braveheart Beasts really captures the essence of my work with so many different species doing so many different things.

CH: What does working at liberty mean to you?

Kaleigh: Liberty is about learning to communicate with horses in a way that makes sense to them, which is something I call relationship-based training. “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change,” is a quote that I live by when working with horses. Sometimes we need to consider the training struggles we encounter from a different light; in doing this we’re able to change our understanding of what’s happening and then handle it in a better way for the horse.

CH: How did you become involved with liberty work?

Kaleigh: It’s a bit unusual. My family wasn’t into horses, but I was completely infatuated with them from the time I was a little girl and started riding when I was five years old. At age 11, I got a job working on a dairy farm in my hometown. The owner gave me a pair of twin bull calves and told me to teach them to be working oxen. I spent a lot of time trying out techniques that I could use to teach them in a way that they would understand. They wore a yoke to pull a cart and logs around the farm, but I also taught them to ride bridleless and work at liberty, which is something people weren’t used to seeing. I competed with them in 4-H at county fairs all over the Northeast where we would give demonstrations. From there, I started traveling and teaching clinics.

CH: How has your work with a variety of different animals contributed to the training you are doing today?

Kaleigh: With each different animal I’ve had to learn to understand them on an individual level. I needed to see who they were and where they were coming from in life.

CH: What is the first skill set you teach to a horse new to liberty work?

Kaleigh: Everything starts with body language, sequence, and getting the horse to focus on you. I have a system of exercises and teaching tools designed to get a horse to the point that they can begin work off the line. Being able to walk, halt, and back up on cues from my body are essential skills to develop prior to working at liberty for the first time. I also pay attention to how a horse handles pressure and how the horse perceives the world around them. From there, I use liberty work to help improve that perception. This is where relationship building begins.

CH: How long did it take to develop the level of training we see in Elgin and Alkimus?

Kaleigh: Alkimus is such a big presence, and Elgin is a fierce little horse! I’ve been working with Alkimus for five years and Elgin for four years, but for me it’s not about the years—it’s about the hours. We have put those hours in to get here. If you put the time in, a horse could be working consistently at liberty in several months.

CH: What message do you want to bring to the horse community through doing liberty work?

Kaleigh: I want people to not only have a relationship with their horse but also help them understand how to have that relationship without having to sacrifice ambitious goals. A lot of times people think you can only have one or the other, but you can absolutely have both!

CH: What has been the most rewarding aspect of liberty work?

Kaleigh: Having horses who choose to be with me and want to do the work I’m pursuing. These horses love their jobs. Being able to share that experience with others and helping them find that feeling with their own horses is amazing. Liberty also gives me the chance to become as wildly creative as I can be!

CH: How has liberty work benefited you as a horseperson?

Kaleigh: Working at liberty holds me to very high standards. I have to be aware of my body language, thoughts, and emotions to make sure I’m communicating with them as effectively as I can. The horses are very sensitive and pick up on everything I’m feeling, so I’ve got to be at the top of my game.

CH: Can you break down the process of working multiple horses at liberty simultaneously?

Kaleigh: Sure! It is a lot of multitasking. I divide my attention among my horses. Sometimes it’s fifty-fifty, sometimes it’s eighty-twenty, so it’s important that they are confident in doing what I ask when they are working alone before working together.

There’s a lot of communication between us when I work Alkimus and Elgin as a team. Each directs their attention to both myself and the other horse, while I’m also tuning into each of them. Think of us being connected through invisible strings that keep communication flowing wherever we are in the ring. We’re each aware of not only what we are doing, but what the other two are doing and trust one another to be where we need to be. It’s not just about their trust in me; I trust them as well.

CH: Where did your classical dressage background come from?

Kaleigh: I discovered my passion for classical dressage when I studied with the Tempel Lipizzans in Old Mill Creek, Illinois, for a winter. It was the most intense and transformative four months of my riding career. Since then, I’ve let my interest in classical dressage develop by playing with body mechanics, self-carriage, and positive reinforcement both on the ground and under saddle.

CH: Do you have any events coming up?

Kaleigh: I have lots of clinics planned at Fairwinds Farm, and beginning in March Braveheart Beasts will be traveling quite a bit. When I travel, I can be on the road for up to three or four weeks at a time with myself, my assistant, and the horses. It’s always an adventure! y

Our first stop will be Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the Horse World Expo to perform in Theater Equus, followed by the Michigan Horse Expo in Lansing, and finally onto Hamburg, New York, for the Western New York Equifest. I will be traveling the U.S. for more clinics and performances throughout the year, and I’m excited to be traveling to the United Kingdom to teach and train this year as well.

It’s the stuff of my dreams.

Chrissy Marie is a freelance writer and assists in managing and operations at her parents’ Connecticut farm. She enjoys restarting off-the-track Thoroughbreds and continues to develop her riding and equine management skills.

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