Horse Of Your Dreams

08/05/2025

I’ve had a lot of people ask how I teach a horse to take the bit and essentially bridle himself. I wish I could say there’s just “one simple trick”, but the truth is, it all comes down to a solid foundation and consistent work.

What many people are actually struggling with is that their horse is evading the bridle. That’s the real issue. And trust me, it’s incredibly common, so don’t feel discouraged if you’re in that boat.

The good news? You can fix it, if you’re willing to take the time.

I’ll link some older videos that show how I deal with bridle evasion, but I’m also happy to film a new one if people are interested.

The #1 skill your horse needs before you even think about the bit is the ability to lower his head on cue. Specifically from poll pressure (or neck pressure if he’s extra tall).
If your horse doesn’t respond easily to this cue in a halter, start there. You won’t get very far without it.

Once your horse can consistently drop his head, the next step is to be able to rub his muzzle with zero resistance. Then work up to gently inserting a finger into his mouth, again with no resistance. Once that’s solid, then you can begin introducing the bit.

Here’s the key:
When your horse resists the bit, don’t take away the pressure. Instead, hold the bit near his muzzle and wait. When he relaxes and lowers his head, even a tiny bit, remove your hand and the bridle, reward. You don’t even want to try to insert the bit yet. Remove the pressure when he relaxes and lowers his head. You will be tempted to try to insert the bit, but remember you are instilling a foundation habit. Take your time.
Be careful not to remove the bit while he’s fussing or raising his head, or you’ll accidentally reinforce the behavior you’re trying to change.

With a horse that has a history of bridling issues, I’ll put the bit on and take it off five times each ride. It gives me more chances to reinforce the correct behavior and build better habits.

Here are the old videos showing how I teach this (heads up: the audio isn’t great), but let me know if you’d like me to make a fresh one with better sound!

Lowering the head to halter.

https://youtu.be/ZZlvUl4QPYU?si=Gv0lVixIUUwDnptQ.

How we bridle our horses.

https://youtu.be/E6GLixfunWU?si=PYhVRciQQXwKvHKg

How to fix a horse that evades the bridle.

https://youtu.be/E6GLixfunWU?si=PYhVRciQQXwKvHKg

08/04/2025

Huge congratulations to Isabel Rainbolt for her outstanding rides at the Indiana State Fair! She placed 1st in Sr. Ranch Pleasure ( rail ) out of 32, placed 2nd in All ages reining out of 12 and placed 1st in Sr. Ranch Riding out of 21.
They purchased Steel as a weaning from us and have done a fantastic job with him.
So proud of this amazing team. 🩷

08/01/2025

Custom 16” Black Western Trail Saddle Handmade by Eli and Jake Miller. $1725. Black 16" Trail Saddle. Just a stunning piece handcrafted by the renowned Amish artisans Eli and Jake Miller in KY. This saddle is the perfect blend of comfort, quality, and style, designed to make every trail ride a joy. Imagine hitting the trails with a saddle that’s as reliable as it is beautiful, carrying the legacy of Amish tradition in every stitch. All handmade in the USA.

Crafted from premium black leather by Wickett & Craig, right here in the USA, this saddle is soft, supple, and built to last. The beautiful ebony leather gives it an understated elegance, while hand-tooled details and conchos add just the right touch of class. One of my favorite features is the wide edge trim with a custom weave pattern, a unique detail that makes this saddle truly stand out. It’s a piece that combines rugged durability with refined Western style.

The design prioritizes rider comfort for those long days on the trail. The 5” cantle and deep seat provide a secure, cradling fit, ensuring you stay comfortable no matter the distance. The turned stirrup leathers are a thoughtful touch, reducing knee strain and keeping your stirrups in the perfect position for a natural leg placement. Paired with lightweight aluminum stirrups, this saddle makes every ride feel effortless.

Built for both performance and trail riding, this saddle features a regular tree with a 7” gullet and flared J-bars, allowing your horse’s shoulders to move freely for a smoother gait. At just 25 lbs, it’s easy to handle without compromising on durability, thanks to the exceptional quality of Wickett & Craig’s American-made leather. This saddle is crafted to withstand years of trail adventures while maintaining its sleek, elegant look.

With a semi-QH bar (42° bar angle) and a bottom spread of 13”, this saddle offers a comfortable fit for both horse and rider. Every detail reflects the care and skill of Eli and Jake Miller’s Amish craftsmanship, paired with the trusted quality of USA-made materials, making this saddle a true treasure for any trail enthusiast.

Located in Bowling Green, KY, with shipping available at the buyer’s cost. Ready to make this exceptional saddle yours or know someone who’d love its blend of style and functionality? Message me for more details.

Specs:• Gullet: 7”• Tree: Regular, Semi-QH Bars (42° bar angle)• Bottom Spread: 13”• Weight: 25 lbs

Location: Bowling Green, KY.
Shipping: Available at buyer’s cost. $1725

07/30/2025

Dutch is so smart. He learned this super fast! Coming to take the bridle at liberty. 🩷

07/28/2025

Training bloopers alert! 🐎 Social media often showcases the polished, picture-perfect moments of horse training, but let’s get real: the setbacks, frustrations, and regressions are just as much a part of the journey. Hiding those does a disservice to horse owners. Sure, sharing less-than-perfect moments opens the door to trolls who love to criticize, but only showing the ‘good stuff’ creates a myth that training is a straight line to success. Spoiler: it’s not.
If you’re not seeing setbacks during training, they’re likely waiting to surprise you at the worst moment—like at a horse show. So, I’m launching a series of posts to share the real side of horse training: the wins, the struggles, and everything in between. In this video, Pete nailed this exercise perfectly yesterday, but today? He regressed. I suspect he learned it too easily with no hiccups, so when we hit record, the setbacks showed up.
Horse training demands repetition, patience, and trust in the process. I know Pete will get there as long as we end on a positive note and keep pushing forward. Stay tuned for more real, raw training moments! Have you faced similar setbacks with your horse? I’d love to hear your stories!

07/27/2025

My next video will highlight some real-life mistakes that happen during training. I want to dispel the notion that training is always seamless. Social media often presents it as a simple “do this and get results” process, which can leave us feeling frustrated when our own progress doesn’t come as easily.

The truth is, both horses and humans need to make mistakes in order to learn, it’s a necessary part of the process.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s video, where we get real: the good, the bad, and the funny!

07/26/2025

Three left.

Patience Pole Toppers - We have a few for sale. $200 plus shipping. We love our patience poles, in fact, I have three at my training stable. I find that they are invaluable for teaching a horse to stand tied patiently while keeping them as safe as possible. They are allowed to move in a circle, which will create less fear and resistance than a single or cross tie. It is hard for them to paw or pull back as the topper moves so freely, taking their nose in a circle. Once they are good on the patience pole, I find that they will tie anywhere that I put them, on the trailer, on a picket line, or on the wall. I like to tie my horses after every ride, this can prevent a lot of buddy and barn sour issues. They are a must-have at my operation.

07/25/2025

This

07/23/2025

Buns of Steel in the water box. No worries at all.

07/22/2025

On these hot days you have to share the wind therapy. 🤠

07/21/2025

Too funny. Agave just couldn’t decide on if it was best to play, roll or eat! 😂😂