Every body is an equestrian body, which is why August is focusing on size inclusivity on YourDressage. As we share the stories, struggles, and triumphs of plus-size equestrians from across the country, our friends at Horse Dazzle and Kerrits Equestrian Apparel have graciously partnered with us to sponsor a #DressageForEveryBody2026 giveaway for three lucky readers!
By Carrie Ann Franklin
My name is Carrie Franklin, and I own Valkyrie, fondly known as Nesta, a seventeen year old Belgian Warmblood mare. We have a couple things in common: we both love dressage, are both learning to dance, and we both have chronic illnesses.
I have lupus nephritis and she has lymphangitis. Both of these things affect our day-to-day lives and our training. Even with obstacles though, we manage to progress in the sport!
When I began my search for my next equine partner in January 2025, I wasn’t looking for any particular sort of horse. I’d ridden hunters for the last twenty years and was pretty sure that I wanted a “putz around” style hunter horse. Color or gender didn’t matter to me; I’ve owned both mares and geldings in the past. Funny enough though, I have always found myself owning something bay.
I was scrolling the posts in a local group on Facebook at 2am when I saw Nesta’s ad. I immediately woke my husband up. He didn’t seem quite as amused or excited as I was, and told me to try again in the morning.
The next day, I told my trainer about this mare that I had found in the course of my late night scrolling. She said, “Lets go see it!” I was super excited. I’d been without a partner for a couple years at this point, despite having had people who happily shared their horses. It was simply time for me to get my own again. So, on one of the colder days in January, my trainer and I drove out to see this older bay mare who had had a bit of a late start in life.
I got on her, not having ridden in a couple months. I walked, trotted, and cantered this horse I’d never been on before. Context: I’m not a confident rider on new horses and prefer a more-whoa-than-go type of ride. This brand new mare took such great care of me. When I finished my test ride, I looked at my trainer and I said, “She makes me feel safe and confident like my old mare did.” That was when I knew I wanted this horse. I didn’t need to go look at anything else and I was ready to schedule a pre-purchase exam (PPE).
Nesta came home a week and a half later. I named her after a character from my favorite book. The name Nesta embodies strength, resilience, determination, loyalty, and bravery. All things I wanted my horse to be.
Once I brought her home, she became a little wild the more we got to know each other, and there were several moments where I wondered if I’d made a mistake. Did I overhorse myself? Did I bite off more than I could chew? But, with a little help from my wonderful barn family, we got her into a program that has been successful.
What began as just riding in my jump saddle and figuring her out has turned into a love for the sport of dressage. We have fully embracing this exciting discipline transition to black tack and a whole world of glitter.
In May 2025, I was diagnosed with lupus. Five months after buying Nesta I really did think my life was never going to be the same. After years of pushing through symptoms, and chalking it up to working too hard, being burnt out, or just having sore muscles, I finally had a diagnosis and a reason for all the recent troubles.
Every day with lupus is different. Some days I feel amazing and like I can take on the world. Other days I need to sleep well over twelve hours and not leave my house. I rely on my barn family to help me when I’m flaring, and I’m very blessed that my horse is so kind.
By June of 2025, my symptoms had become manageable, and I was gearing up for a casual summer. We were aiming to compete in our home shows at Introductory Level, but life had some other plans. Nesta had had some foot issues that we thought were under control, and then, in July of 2025, I arrived at the barn to find my horse had developed a raging case of cellulitis.
My whole summer was consumed by handwalking, cold hosing, medications, and being at the barn twice a day. Training was put on hold, and all I could think was, “how do I keep this big horse comfortable in the Michigan heat, while managing her large leg?”
My vets were wonderful and so helpful, and by September her leg was much more normal-sized. But she still wasn’t sound. We did a round of Osphos and that helped a little, but in October the cellulitis returned with a vengeance. My horse had no flexion of her pastern, and was walking on her tiptoes. I was running out of funds, and trying to decide what to do. My vets and I decided to give one more strong round of medication and then make a choice based on what we saw.
That last round did the trick. Nesta turned the corner in November, and was cleared to begin rehab. She had severe muscle atrophy from walking on her tiptoes for almost two months, so we used a combination of hand walking, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and acupuncture to help her stay comfortable.
I was able to get back on her for the first time after Thanksgiving. I was cleared to walk about five laps each way, or whatever she could handle.
Those first laps of the arena were the best five laps of my life.
Since the cellulitis infection was long and drawn out, Nesta’s lymphatic system in her leg is blown out, so she is prone to developing problems and stocking up. But, as long as she’s not lame on it, her team is not concerned. We manage it with cold hosing, daily movement and stretching, and continuing her body work and PEMF.
My greatest accomplishment with Nesta occurs every day in showing up for the horse that’s in front of me. I’m able to keep her comfortable and happy, and listening to the knicker when I walk into the barn makes this all worth it for me.
My long term goal, other than maintaining her health, is to begin to gain confidence enough to horse show again. I like my routine, and I like consistency, and while the excitement for some people is going off-property and having great adventures, I’m a girl who likes to stay home. We’re planning our first off-property adventure for September of 2026 – as long as neither Nesta nor I are not in a flare.
One of my favorite things about Nesta is the bond she’s formed with myself and my husband, Nathan. Nathan didn’t grow up with horses, but has embraced being one of Nesta’s people. She looks for him, nuzzles him, and grooms him. Nesta is a big girl, at 17.2-hands, but she takes care of him and dotes on him when he gets on her. She also keeps her shenanigans to a minimum when he handwalks her. I love watching the two of them interact.
My partnership with Nesta has shown me that I can do anything I put my mind to. Especially learning a new discipline. I am a thirty year old, plus-size, African American woman. I don’t really fit in within the hunters, and I had to ride harder and better than others to keep up when I did compete.
In dressage, it doesn’t matter what you look like. What matters is the relationship you have with your horse, and I love that. I remind myself daily that my horse is happy, healthy, and thriving, and every day that I spend with her is a wonderful day. You can come as you are to the rectangle, dance with your horse to the very best of your abilities, and not feel like you’re being looked at differently based upon your size, which I love.
To anyone beginning their journey in dressage, or riding in general, I would encourage you to come as you are, every day. Show up for your equine partner, and to give it your very best. Your horse will meet you there, so show up for them, if no one else.
During Nesta’s rehab my mantra was, “The winter is long, but the spring is well worth it.” That has become a sentiment that has helped me through my own health journey, and the mentally tough days when it all feels like a whole lot.
The winter is hard, it’s a season of cold, darkness, and few rays of bright sunshine when the warm moments seem few and far between. But remember, the bad times never last. Spring always comes, and it is well worth the wait.
