KH Equestrian

06/03/2026

Our lesson calendar opens on June 15th and we have openings. Reach out for more information and to get on our schedule.

Lessons are held at Too Shay Tack in Brookings.

📸: B, Karolynn’s personal horse

04/23/2026

It’s been a long winter and I know with this nice weather we are all itching to get back into the barn and riding. I know I sure am!

For those who are new to KH Equestrian I am currently pregnant due the 3rd week of May. This means I don’t plan to start lessons up again until late June as I adjust to life with a newborn during our busy time of year as hay producers.

For returning students I have been partnering with a close trusted friend to help get some lessons taught in the interim but their schedule can only accommodate so many students.

New this year for both new and returning students I will be doing a Google Calendar sign up system. My hours will also be a bit different with needing to have a little one home before too late. They will change in the fall when I go back to work full time so be planning ahead.

Lesson structure will stay the same; 1 hour lessons including catching, grooming, riding and turning out.

If you have any questions or would like to inquire more about lessons feel free to send me a message.

I can’t wait to see everyone back in the barn and back in the saddle.

-Karolynn

10/30/2025

For anyone looking for a helmet! Remember to check your helmets expiration date you may be surprised it’s time to replace it.

Safety first month of November. In the month of November, Too’Shay Tack will pay the sales tax on any helmet purchased. You pay purchase price only. I carry several different brands because they fit different shapes of heads. There are round heads, there are oval heads, and there are head shapes in between. I have schooling helmets priced from $60-$120. That is a rather cheap price for the protection of the most important part of you.

09/06/2025

Hay tests are critical when it comes to formulating diets. Don’t let the cutting fool you

08/28/2025

Wins for the week on this Wednesday!

Student A- Learned to sit her trot
Student B- Worked on patterns at the trot so close to cantering
Student C- Figured out her posting trot

An amazing week so far with amazing wins. Big or small we celebrate all progress because riding horses is hard!

07/23/2025

Horse Shows: Why do I do them? The answer may surprise you.

Its not for the ribbons or even the judging. Horse shows are a great way to take your horse out and have fun to spend time with other like minded horse friends. Yes, there is a financial investment and you want to do your best however many people put unnecessary stress on themselves due to that financial investment. Long story short you will have to spend money, long gone are the days of schooling shows with $5 classes (although you can find them) but if you know you plan to show; whatever the discipline, you need to make sure that you and your horse are prepared.

1) Make sure you've read the rule book and understand the rules. It makes no sense in getting disqualified from a class you paid money to enter because you didn't read the rulebook.
2) Make sure you and your horse are physically fit enough for the work you plan to do. Not only is it unfair to ask your horse who is not fit enough to do the work but it also can be a major safety issue.
3) Set a goal for your show, not I want to win 1st place but something obtainable (tangible) such as "I want to score better on this movement, even, this test than I have before" or "I want my horse to stand tied to the trailer and not pull back and break his halter"
4) Practice. Practice until you have it right. Practice until you are confident in it. Don't wait until the last minute and realize you have no idea how to ride something.
5) Recognize that horses are horses. They could care less about competing and the only one putting pressure on them is you. It could be your best show or your worst show but always thank your horse at the end of the day.

Happy showing!

07/19/2025

Riding horses is just one and honestly very small part of owning horses. Not only do we focus on solid foundational horsemanship but we also love being able to assist horse owners with managing their horses to their greatest potential.

We often see cases where people want their horses to perform as a high level athlete however the management doesn't meet the expectation of a performance athlete. Sound familiar? We are happy to help provide support.

07/18/2025

Forage is the foundation for horses. Need help determining if your hay is meeting your horse’s nutritional needs? Let us know!

🌧 Rained-On Hay: Is It Still Good for Horses? 🐴

Lately, many horse owners and hay suppliers have been battling rain while making hay. Don’t be too quick to write off hay that was rained on in the field, dried, and then baled — it may still be suitable forage for horses.

The quality of rained-on hay depends on a few key factors. Forage quality tends to be greatest if:
✅ Rain fell soon after cutting, before much drying occurred;
✅ It was a single rain event, not prolonged or lasting several days;
✅ Rain was intense but short, rather than long and light; and
✅ The hay hasn’t been rewetted multiple times

Interestingly, rained-on hay often has reduced carbohydrate content and may be a safer choice for horses prone to laminitis or metabolic disorders.

As always, we recommend testing hay for its nutrient content, which can be especially helpful when determining the quality of rained-on hay. 🌾🔬

How to sample hay ⬇️ 🎥
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJMyvYyYZekr

Learn more about rained-on hay ⬇️🌐
extension.umn.edu/horse-nutrition/rained-hay

07/17/2025

What have we been working on lately? Building a solid leg which in turn builds a solid foundation.

How do we do this? Integrating no stirrup work into our regular lessons.

Whenever I see a student struggling with having an effective leg and/or solid base the first thing I want to focus on is building muscles and muscle memory correctly to create an effective leg. You may hear about No Stirrup November but while you spend a concentrated amount of time over a month working on it that leaves 11 months out of the year that you aren't concentrating on it.

07/15/2025

The face behind the business: Karolynn Holler

🌟I grew up in Northern Idaho and moved to South Dakota in 2018 and got married this past May to a South Dakota local

🌟I started showing light horses and draft horses starting at the age of 10; in college I rode on the Washington State University Equestrian Team, taught lessons, managed a boarding facility and worked with a lot of different horses

🌟I always dreamed about eventing; my favorite 3 Day Event horse growing up was Teddy O'Connor, and I discovered the sport in earnest while in college

🌟I currently train with Laura from LR Eventing out of Pella, Iowa and am currently competing my Thoroughbred "B" at Novice level with hopes to move up to Training (although that requires him to be healthy for more than 6 months of the year)

I love being able to share my passion for teaching and horses with those who may not have the opportunity otherwise. Horses should be accessible to those who may not have the financial resources and I strive to offer affordable time with horses