M4X Horsemanship & Training

M4X Horsemanship & Training Saddle up with M4X Horsemanship and Training! Offering quality horse training and riding lessons. Follow us for tips, fun updates, and our adventures!

✨ JUNE EVENTS ARE HERE! ✨From barrel races to patterned speed events and 4-H activities—there’s something exciting happe...
05/31/2025

✨ JUNE EVENTS ARE HERE! ✨
From barrel races to patterned speed events and 4-H activities—there’s something exciting happening all month long!
I’ve got a few trailer spots available for upcoming competitions, and coaching or photography services can be reserved upon request. If you're planning to attend any of these events and would like support, feel free to reach out!
🍀You’ll also see a few Gallop & Graze 4-H activities listed! While 4-H is not part of my business, I’m proud to volunteer as the club leader for our local group. If you’re curious about joining 4-H or want to get your kids involved, I’m more than happy to connect you with resources and answer any questions.
📍 Trailer spots are limited.
📸 Coaching & photography available—just send a message!
Don’t see your event on the calendar? Let’s get it added!

Confidence isn’t just for riders—it’s for our horses, too. 💭We talk a lot about helping people build confidence in the s...
05/24/2025

Confidence isn’t just for riders—it’s for our horses, too. 💭
We talk a lot about helping people build confidence in the saddle (and for good reason!). But just as important is helping our horses feel confident in their jobs, in new situations, and in us as their leaders.
Confidence for a horse doesn’t come from pushing them through pressure—it comes from guiding them through it with intention and clarity. It’s built in the quiet moments… the small tries we reward… the patience we show when something feels new or hard.
Every time we take the time to show them that they can trust us—not just to correct them, but to support them—we build a stronger partnership.
So if your horse is unsure, pause and ask:
✨ Am I giving them a reason to feel safe in this moment?
✨ Am I breaking this down in a way they can understand?
✨ Am I celebrating the little wins?
Confidence is a two-way street—and it starts on the ground.




Let’s give some love to groundwork today. 🧡It’s not just for colts or green horses—it’s for every horse. Even the broke ...
05/22/2025

Let’s give some love to groundwork today. 🧡
It’s not just for colts or green horses—it’s for every horse. Even the broke ones. Even the ones that know their job. Even the ones you’ve had forever.
Groundwork isn’t always about “fixing” problems—it’s about checking in. It’s where we see how responsive our horse is, how soft they are, how well they’re tuning in (or tuning out). It gives us the chance to say, “Hey, are our buttons still working today?”
Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it’s “ehhhh, kinda.” And sometimes it’s “absolutely not, please try again later.” 😂
Either way, groundwork gives us a place to build from—not just react to problems under saddle. It creates a partnership rooted in clarity, consistency, and communication.
So don’t skip it. Even if your horse is broke. Especially if your horse is broke.
Because a little groundwork now can save you a whole lot of confusion later.

Let’s talk about riding with intention. It’s easy to go through the motions—turn left, go right, stop, back—but when we ...
05/19/2025

Let’s talk about riding with intention.
It’s easy to go through the motions—turn left, go right, stop, back—but when we get intentional with our asks, everything starts to click in a much deeper way.
Are you asking for the shoulders to move—or are you hoping the horse guesses what you want? Do you want them shaped around the turn, or to drive their hindquarters across? Your clarity becomes their confidence.
Whether I’m on a greenie or a seasoned show horse, I try to make every cue purposeful. Because when we’re clear, consistent, and thoughtful in the saddle, our horses become more responsive, more confident, and way more fun to ride.
So here’s your reminder: next time you’re in the saddle, take a moment to pause and ask yourself—what am I really asking for right now?
Let me know in the comments—what does “riding with intention” look like in your rides lately?

Patterning a horse for events isn’t always sunshine and ribbons—especially with a sensitive or green horse like Kai. We’...
05/16/2025

Patterning a horse for events isn’t always sunshine and ribbons—especially with a sensitive or green horse like Kai. We’ve been hauling out, doing our best to get her used to new places, and I’ll be honest… it hasn’t been flawless. Some days we’re trotting patterns, other days we’re just trying to stay under threshold. It’s messy. It’s humbling. And it’s all part of it.
I want to share this because I know I’m not the only one riding the struggle bus with a green horse. Even as a trainer, I have to remind myself that showing up is the most important part. We’re not looking for perfection right now—we’re building experiences.
So if you’re out there wondering if you’re the only one circling the parking lot while your horse has a meltdown… you’re not alone. I see you. I’m with you. And I promise the effort is worth it.
Keep hauling. Keep breathing. Keep showing up.

Hey friends!It’s been a little quiet on here lately—but behind the scenes, things have been anything but! From busy less...
05/15/2025

Hey friends!
It’s been a little quiet on here lately—but behind the scenes, things have been anything but! From busy lesson days and training rides to 4-H fun and new faces joining the program, it’s been a full (and fulfilling) season.
I just wanted to pop on and say hi, and thank you all for being part of this journey. Whether you’re a current rider, a past student, or just someone who loves cheering us on—your support means the world.
I’ve got some exciting updates coming soon, and I can’t wait to share what’s in store for the summer. In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you—what’s something you’ve been working on with your horse lately?
Drop it in the comments, or just say hi—I’ve missed y’all!

Feeling extra grateful today 🎉My heart is so full—between the sweet card, the flowers, the balloons, and yes, the cookie...
04/22/2025

Feeling extra grateful today 🎉
My heart is so full—between the sweet card, the flowers, the balloons, and yes, the cookies that definitely didn’t make it to the photo because I was already eating them 😂—I feel so incredibly loved.
I’m beyond thankful to spend another year doing what I love, surrounded by amazing clients, kind-hearted families, and the best 4-H club crew a person could ask for. Y’all made me feel so special, and I couldn’t be more grateful. 💛
Here’s to another year of growth, goals, and great rides!

Let’s talk horse workload levels—and why they matter for your feeding program, conditioning plan, and overall horse heal...
04/16/2025

Let’s talk horse workload levels—and why they matter for your feeding program, conditioning plan, and overall horse health.
Understanding how much work your horse is actually doing each week helps make sure they’re getting the right fuel, recovery, and training pace. Here’s a simple breakdown of the three most common workload categories:
LIGHT WORK (1–3 hrs/week):
🔹 40% walk
🔹 50% trot
🔹 10% canter
Think: trail rides, pleasure riding, groundwork, or a horse just starting back into work.
➡️ Avg heart rate: 80 bpm
MODERATE WORK (3–5 hrs/week):
🔹 30% walk
🔹 55% trot
🔹 10% canter
🔹 5% skill work, jumping, or gallop
Ideal for horses in consistent training—like ranch work, western dressage, gymkhana prep, or lower-level showing.
➡️ Avg heart rate: 90 bpm
HEAVY WORK (4–5+ hrs/week):
🔹 20% walk
🔹 50% trot
🔹 15% canter
🔹 15% gallop, jumping, or advanced skill work
For horses doing high-intensity training: barrel racing, patterned speed events, polo, eventing, or advanced-level disciplines.
➡️ Avg heart rate: 110 bpm
👉 These categories cover most everyday riding programs—but keep in mind, certain disciplines and competitive levels may require more intensive work and nutrition adjustments!
If you’re not sure where your horse falls or how to support their workload through feeding, conditioning, or scheduling—let’s chat! I’d love to help you build a plan that sets you both up for success. 💛
Cited: Thompson & Redwood, based on the NRC (Nutrient Requirements of Horses)

Nora’s only been here for a short time, but she’s already making a great impression with her sweet, easygoing personalit...
04/13/2025

Nora’s only been here for a short time, but she’s already making a great impression with her sweet, easygoing personality.
She’s not being ridden yet, but that doesn’t mean she’s just sitting in the background. Lucy (pictured here) has been spending time with her during lessons—just quiet walks and simple, consistent attention. Nora seems to really enjoy the company and is settling in nicely.
It’s been a great opportunity for my students to practice reading a horse, respecting boundaries, and building trust without pushing for more than the horse is ready for. And for Nora, it’s a calm way to start getting to know her new people.
It doesn’t always take big actions to make progress—sometimes just being there and showing up the right way makes all the difference ✨

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about Nora lately, so I figured it was time for a little update—and hopefully a helpful p...
04/11/2025

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about Nora lately, so I figured it was time for a little update—and hopefully a helpful post for those of you who’ve ever wondered what goes into rehabbing an underweight horse.
Nora is the newest member of the herd, and she just arrived with me last Saturday (photos were taken Sunday April 6th). She’s settling in well, but she’s also in need of some serious TLC. Right now, she’s not being ridden—our main focus is helping her gain weight and feel better.
Rehabbing an underweight horse takes time, patience, and a thoughtful approach. I’m using her journey as a hands-on learning opportunity with my students, and together we’re working through what a responsible rehab process really looks like.
We’re focusing on:
• Nutrition adjustments tailored to her needs (not just throwing feed at the problem)
• Dental and vet checks to make sure nothing internal is holding her back
• A slow, supportive reintroduction to movement—just groundwork for now, based entirely on how she’s feeling each day
• Building trust through consistent, low-pressure handling
There’s no quick fix for a horse in need, but when we take the time to meet them where they are, the results are so worth it. I’m proud of my students for learning to support a horse through this process with curiosity, care, and compassion.
I’ll be sharing more updates on Nora’s progress soon—and as always, feel free to reach out with questions 🤍

04/08/2025

Todays line up 🎉
What does your work day look like?

04/07/2025

Jesse is really stepping up! 🐎✨ She started off super nervous and spooky, but look at her now—calm, collected, and engaged! We’ve been focusing on hind end engagement through turns and stops, and she’s keeping a cool head the whole way through. Before, she needed spurs to respond, but now she’s so light off my leg and seat—it’s amazing to feel her growth! Check out this 15-second clip of her staying soft and responsive. Love watching her confidence build! 💪🔥

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Cle Elum, WA

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