r/horsecommunity

Warning to the horse community regarding Cara Stewart.

In June 2025, I sent my horse, Surge, to Cara Stewart in Tennessee for training and boarding. I had purchased him only one week earlier. Within two days of being in her care, he was dead.

Based on the information later provided to me, Surge had reportedly been tied in his stall for extended periods without access to food or water while Cara Stewart was occupied elsewhere. He eventually broke his halter attempting to reach food and water. I was then told she replaced it with a non-breakaway halter — the same halter he died wearing — and hard tied him unattended in an arena for an unknown amount of time.

To this day, I have never received a clear or consistent explanation regarding what happened. The account of events changed multiple times following his death. Based on the information and evidence available to me, this is the closest understanding I have of the circumstances surrounding Surge’s death.

Following the incident, Cara Stewart promised to refund the money I had paid for training and boarding services and stated she would help compensate me for Surge. Instead, she retained the funds and later left the area. She had also represented herself as carrying insurance for horses in her care, but after Surge’s death it became apparent there was no active insurance coverage.

I pursued this matter legally and exhausted the options available to me. I am now sharing this publicly because I do not want another horse owner to experience what happened to Surge.

In addition to my own experience, I personally witnessed another horse associated with the same barn require hospitalization due to negligence concerns while under her care. Since speaking publicly, I have also been contacted by numerous individuals alleging additional concerns involving animal welfare, neglect, and unpaid financial obligations connected to her operations.

I have been informed that Cara Stewart may currently be operating within the western pleasure community in Kentucky and Tennessee and may be working alongside Zane Fluhr. I have also received reports that they may be connected to the Mount Pleasant, Tennessee area and surrounding states.

I encourage anyone considering placing their horse with Cara Stewart to do extensive research, ask difficult questions, verify insurance coverage independently, and make an informed decision.

Surge deserved safety, care, and accountability. Every horse does.

My trainer talked about surcingles that would best suit my needs in my lesson last week. She showed me the different types that she has and suggested a surcingle meant to be used ON TOP of the saddle (like in this photo), but I can’t find one anywhere.

I’m trying to get back into the saddle after an L5 S1 disc bulge. The current plan is groundwork and then hop on to cool him out until I’ve healed enough to do more (she has experience dealing with her own disc bulge issues).

I’m wondering if anyone has suggestions/knowledge/experience with anything like this.

We’re working on a variety of ways to work on the ground that’s best for us and gives variety. Last week we worked on getting Dylan used to changing rein using my bit lead and want to work on some long lining too.

I really want to keep things interesting for Dylan and I during this transition and would greatly appreciate any suggestions or even ideas on keeping things interesting for us.

Thank you

Edit: OK, so everybody seems to be misinterpreting this photo

Dylan is a Sport Pony and we ride dressage, though I’ve also been doing some working equitation with him.

We are currently working on relaxing his poll and keeping things interesting for both of us. The side reins are there, but rarely attached to the bit.

I’m searching for the sole purpose of long lining and being able to cool him out under saddle without having to completely change tack and rather just taking a surcingle off the saddle so I can get on.