Hidden Hollow Stables

05/18/2026

Something I don't think we talk about enough in the riding world: 💛
How hard it can be to be an older rider.

The quiet voice that whispers maybe I should slow down.
The comparison to younger riders who seem to pick things up so easily.
The fear after a fall that takes longer to shake than it used to.

The feeling that the window for the riding you've always dreamed of might be getting smaller.

I hear this from so many of my students. And I want to say this as clearly as I can:
You are not alone. And that voice is lying to you.

Riders over 55 are some of the most dedicated, passionate, hard-working students I have ever taught. They show up. They try. They care deeply about their horses. And they make breakthroughs that take my breath away — every single week.
This community of older riders is something special. And it deserves to be celebrated.

🐴 So let's do that right now.
Whether you're 55 or 85 — whether you've been riding for 5 years or 50 — I want to know:
What keeps you coming back to the barn?
Drop your answer in the comments below. I read every single one. 👇

05/07/2026

Looking Glass Farm Tack Shop Announces Major “Inventory Reset Sale” with 35% Off Most Inventory

CARLOCK, IL —

Looking Glass Farm Tack Shop is making room for new inventory with one of its biggest sales events of the season.

From May 18 through May 31, customers can shop the store’s highly anticipated Inventory Reset Sale, featuring 35% off approximately 90% of inventory throughout the store.

Known for offering a unique mix of Western, English, trail riding, and everyday horse care essentials, Looking Glass Farm Tack Shop serves riders of all disciplines with both new and resale tack and equipment.

“This sale is about clearing space, refreshing inventory, and giving horse owners a chance to stock up on quality items at really significant savings,” said Laurie French of Looking Glass Farm Tack Shop. “We have a huge variety of merchandise included, and once some of these items are gone, they’re gone.”

The sale will include discounts on:
Saddles (Western & English)
Bridles, bits, reins, and halters
Saddle pads and blankets
Fly gear and grooming supplies
Boots and leg protection
Rider apparel and accessories
Helmets and riding equipment
Tack storage and barn supplies
Jumps & Trail obstacles &
Much more!

The shop emphasizes that all sale inventory will remain fully stocked and available throughout the advertised sale dates, making it worth visiting more than once during the two-week event.

Located just outside Bloomington-Normal in Carlock, Illinois, Looking Glass Farm Tack Shop has become a destination for riders looking for affordable tack, quality consignment items, and a welcoming horse-centered atmosphere.

Sale Details:

Looking Glass Farm Tack Shop Inventory Reset Sale

📅 May 18 – May 31

📍 81 County Road 2000E,
Carlock, IL 61725

📞 309-307-4665 (Call or Text)

Store Hours:
Monday & Wednesday: 5–8 PM
Saturday: 11 AM – 4 PM
Sunday: 1–4 PM
Or by appointment

Customers are encouraged to arrive early for the best selection.
For updates, featured sale items, and additional information, follow Looking Glass Farm Tack Shop on social media or contact the store directly.

Great Tack. Great Prices. Helping Horse & Rider Together!

02/27/2026

01/16/2026

It seems there’s a Barbie for every condition 😝

01/07/2026

11/22/2025

Horses don’t wake up with a diary full of performance goals. They’re not standing at the gate thinking, “I hope she schools me in a perfect 20-metre circle today.”

Their world is simpler and more honest. Safety. Predictability. Comfort. Herd. Food. Space. Rhythm. That’s the entire ecosystem of their wellbeing.

When we choose not to ride, we are not depriving them of something vital.
We are actually honouring their natural priorities.

Most days, what your horse wants is for you to show up with steady energy and a soft nervous system. They read the tension in your jaw, the rush in your footsteps, the way you hold your breath when you’re stressed. They know. And they respond.

A horse would rather stand with you quietly than carry you while you’re wound tight.

A horse would rather have a peaceful grooming session than be pushed through 45 minutes of schooling with winter wind rattling the arena boards.

A horse would rather feel you regulate beside them than feel you compensate on their back.

We often forget that riding is a human invention, not a horse requirement. What horses seek is harmony. A safe companion. Someone predictable enough that their bodies can settle next to ours.

When you decide not to ride because you’re tired, or the ground is frozen, or your brain is doing that loud static thing, you’re not failing. You’re speaking the horse’s language.

A regulated human is more valuable to them than a mounted one.

They don’t judge you for walking them to the field instead of tacking up. They don’t measure your worth by hours ridden. They care that you’re safe company. That you don’t bring storms into their space. That when you do ask something of them, it comes from clarity rather than pressure.

Some horses genuinely thrive when riding takes a step back for a little while. Their bodies get a breather. Their minds get space. Their relationship with you gets to be about connection rather than task.

If you’re showing up kindly, you’re doing enough.
If your horse is eating well, moving freely, living in a routine that makes sense to them, you’re doing enough.

And in the quiet seasons, the bond often grows deeper. Because horses remember who sits with them in the stillness.