KP horsemanship

08/22/2025

08/22/2025

Why Saddle Fit Matters

So many “behavior problems” people run into with their horses actually come back to one thing… saddle fit.

A horse can be the best trained, the kindest soul, and you can ride with the softest hands, but if that saddle is pinching, rocking, or sitting wrong, it’s like asking your horse to carry you while running a marathon in shoes that rub blisters. Eventually, they’re going to say no thanks.

Poor saddle fit can show up as soreness or tenderness in the back, white hairs or rub spots, short choppy strides, or a horse that feels tight and cranky. Sometimes it looks like bucking, refusing to lope off, or just plain attitude under saddle.

Here are a few easy things you can check at home.
First, look at wither clearance. Put the saddle on with no pad and see if you can fit two or three fingers between the withers and the gullet. Too tight means pinching, too wide means it drops down and rubs. Next, check balance. Step back and look at your saddle from the side. Is it sitting level, or does it tip forward or back? A tipped saddle means uneven pressure. Then feel under the bars. Run your hand underneath the tree bars. The pressure should feel even from front to back with no sharp points or gaps. Finally, watch your horse move. Do they stride out comfortably, or do they feel short and tight? If they suddenly “forget” how to move, it might be pinching.

Now here’s where a lot of folks get confused. Tree size and gullet width are not the same thing. Tree size, like semi or full, is about the angle of the bars. Gullet width is just the measurement right up front between the bars. A wide gullet doesn’t automatically mean it fits, and a narrow one doesn’t mean it won’t. It has to match both the angle and the width of your horse’s back.

A simple way to check is to take a flexible piece of wire, mold it over your horse’s withers a couple of inches behind the shoulder, and trace it on cardboard or paper. You can use that shape to compare against different saddles and see how the bar angle lines up.

And yes, brand does matter. Those cheap fiberglass tree saddles you see floating around rarely fit real horses. They’re made fast, with poor weight distribution, and they don’t hold up. A good saddle with a solid tree, wood or reinforced, will not only last but actually sit correctly on your horse’s back.

When you’re buying, don’t just look at the tooling or the nameplate. Look at how it sits on your horse without a pad, check the balance, and if possible, ride in it. Pads should make a good fit more comfortable, not try to fix a bad fit.

At the end of the day, the right saddle is an investment. It keeps your horse sound, happy, and willing. A horse in a saddle that truly fits will move freer, lift their back, and carry you the way they’re meant to, and that’s worth every penny.

08/19/2025

“Soft Hands Make Soft Horses”
We hear this quote alot

If you took away your bridle, could you still stop and turn your horse?
If the answer is no, then you don’t truly have a soft horse.

That’s not to say every soft and well-trained horse will stop in every situation, but we shouldn’t need reins or a bit in their mouth to control them. What we really need is a strong foundation. Just like children start with kindergarten, horses need well-structured, consistent foundational training.

One of my favorite exercises, whether starting a c**t or refreshing a broke horse, is using a neck rope. From the ground, standing at the shoulder, you can teach neck reining, yielding the hindquarters and forequarters, backing, and side passing. All without ever swinging a leg over.

Groundwork not only strengthens cues, it builds a deeper bond with your horse. You can even begin teaching leg pressure by using your elbow softly where your leg would sit, asking the horse to step away or into the pressure.

The more we prepare on the ground, the safer and more enjoyable it will be when we finally climb in the saddle.

For example, when I brought Salem home, I could have hopped on him the very first day. He probably would have been fine. But that wasn’t what I wanted for him. Instead, we started slow, refreshing his memory with all the groundwork we had done before I ever asked him to carry me. So far, he has just been toting me around ba****ck, working on stopping off my seat and yielding to my legs.

This way, he is gaining back confidence in himself, learning he doesn’t need me dragging him around with a halter or bit. He is allowed to think through what I am asking, rather than being forced into it. After years of finding myself in sticky situations on horses, I’ve realized the more we drag their nose around, the less they think for themselves. Then, when something spooks them or danger shows up, they don’t know how to self-regulate the emotions they are experiencing.

Look at the c**ts that people pony along, or even turn loose to run beside a trail ride. Those horses learn to think for themselves. They develop problem-solving skills and emotional regulation because they have had to. They weren’t forced through by someone hanging on their face, they were given the chance to figure it out. And you know what? Those are the happy horses. The ones without constant stress responses. The ones that often become kid proof before they ever hit double digits in age.

We aren’t doing our horses any favors by shutting them down and just making them get the job done. Horses truly learn when they’re given the opportunity to think things through and the time to process what just happened.

08/16/2025

🐴This is not your average riding program 🐴

we go far beyond just getting in the saddle and going for a ride. My goal is to create confident, knowledgeable horsemen and horsewomen, not just riders. That means learning every part of what it takes to care for, connect with, and truly understand these amazing animals.

With us, you’ll have the chance to do things you’d normally never experience unless you had your own horse at home. We don’t just ride, we live horsemanship.

Here’s a peek at what lessons may include:
💧 Bathing and grooming your horse from head to hoof
🖐️ Bonding and trust-building exercises
A lot of the same proven methods I’ve used for years with rescue and feral horses
🌿 Groundwork that builds communication before you ever step in the saddle
🪢 Learning safe knots, handling, and everyday horse care skills
🐴 Tack and saddle fit—why it matters, and how to recognize it
🪶 And of course, time in the saddle—developing balance, control, and partnership with your horse

What makes this program so special is the opportunity to build a real relationship with our lesson horses. Each rider has the chance to create an individual bond based on trust and respect, not just “hop on and ride.” When that bond clicks, something truly magical happens. The horse starts working with you, not just for you.

My mission is simple: I want to give every rider the tools, confidence, and knowledge to eventually not even need me... however I love nothing more than hearing from my students when they’ve reached milestones on their own like finally bringing home their own horse.❤️

📍 Lessons are offered in Valley Head, Alabama
🐴 Horses provided, safe and well-loved
📅 Weekly or bi-weekly private lessons available

If you or your horse-crazy kid are ready for more than just pony rides, if you’re ready to truly learn what it means to be a horseman, then I’d love to welcome you into the program. 💚

Message me to grab one of my open lesson spots before they fill up!

08/16/2025

At KP Horsemanship, we keep a limit on lessons and for good reason. 🐴💚

We only use a handful of safe, reliable lesson horses, and their care always comes first. That means you’ll never show up to ride a tired or overworked horse.
We strive to make sure our horses stay happy and healthy and so you get the very best experience every ride.

And here’s the exciting news:
👉 We now have a few private lesson spots opening up!

Our private lessons are tailored for every rider:
• Beginners learning the basics like grooming, tacking, and balance in the saddle
• Riders who want to build confidence and better communication with their horse
• Intermediate riders looking to sharpen their skills and develop more advanced techniques

Each lesson is one-on-one, meaning you get my full attention, step-by-step guidance, and a horse perfectly matched to your comfort level. You’ll not only learn to ride, you’ll learn true horsemanship from the ground up.

📍 Valley Head, AL
📅 Weekly or bi-weekly options available
🐴 Horses provided

Spots are limited and fill quickly
message me to reserve yours today!

08/15/2025

“Look Where You Want to Go” 👀🐴

One of the most common riding mistakes I see (and one I’ve made plenty myself!) is getting caught up looking down, at your horse’s ears, at their head, or even straight down at your hands.

The problem is, when you do that, not only does it throw off your posture, but your body also starts sending mixed signals to your horse.

If you’ve been in my lesson program, I know you’re probably tired of hearing me say, “Look where you want to go!” 😅 But I promise y’all, I say it out of love not just to drive you crazy.

When you look up and in the direction you’re headed, it automatically sets your shoulders back, keeps you from slouching, and most importantly it helps guide your horse in the right direction.

Let’s forget about the reins for a second and think about our body.
👉 Say you’re making a left turn. As soon as you look that way, your shoulders shift, your seat follows, and after a few lessons your legs will naturally fall into place too.
That sends your horse a clear, direct signal: “Hey, we’re about to turn.”

And here’s the cool part depending on their level of training, some horses will start turning just from that body cue before you ever touch the reins.

A lot of riders think control comes from the reins. And sure, reins have their place. But I prefer my horses to be soft and subtle in the face, always willing, never heavy or forced.

When you learn to ride with your whole body instead of just your hands, it frees the horse and it frees you too. That’s when riding becomes a silent conversation, where you and your horse move together without a word.

And to me, that goes way deeper than just “riding.” That’s true horsemanship. 💚

08/14/2025

Today both Freya and Fergie were seen by our amazing chiropractor, Melissa, and I couldn’t be happier with how well they’re both doing. Freya, especially, impressed us all with just how flexible she is for her age and I think she’s already catching on to how loved and spoiled she is here. ❤️🐴

Moments like this are a reminder of what your support means when you book lessons with me. It’s not just about riding it’s about being able to give these horses the top-notch care they deserve. From regular chiropractic work to quality feed, farrier visits, and vet care, every lesson helps ensure these incredible animals live their best, healthiest lives.

So when you ride with me, you’re not only investing in your own growth and horsemanship you’re also directly supporting the care and well-being of the horses who give us so much every day. 💚

08/09/2025

The lesson program and I could not be more proud of this big hearted beauty. Her heart is every bit as big as she is, and I can already tell she’s going to become a true barn favorite.

One of my girls had the chance to try her out today and to say she was in love is the understatement of the year. 💖

We’re so thankful to have Miss Freya here and can’t wait for all the amazing memories we’re going to create together. Here’s to many years of love, learning, and adventures! 🌟

08/07/2025

Our amazing boy Patches is living his best life! 🐴💁‍♀️
Today he officially has an entire harem of girls at his disposal, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him happier. He’s strutting around like he owns the place and honestly, he kinda does. 😂💚

08/07/2025

Horses and Energy 🐴⚡️

If you’ve ever ridden with me or taken one of my lessons, you’ve probably heard me talk a lot about energy. I ask questions like:
• What kind of energy are you putting out to the horse?
• What kind are you taking from them?
• Are you aware of how you’re sending and receiving energy?

All of this matters. But when people hear the word “energy,” a lot of them think I’m talking about something mystical some kind of “witchy woo-woo” stuff.

So let me explain it in a different way.

Think about electricity.
Ever walked past a power box and heard that soft hum coming from it? Or plugged something in and felt a little static pop or seen sparks? You could feel that energy in the air and your body picked up on it, even if you didn’t touch it directly.

Why? Because we, as humans, are made of electrical energy.
And so are our horses.
Our emotions, tension, intention, it’s all energy. And whether we realize it or not, we’re constantly sending that out. Horses, being prey animals, are incredibly sensitive to this. They feel us before we even lay a hand on them.

So no, I’m not talking about shocking your horse or casting a spell.
I’m talking about becoming conscious of the energy you’re putting out, and learning how to use that energy to communicate with your horse.

Horses don’t speak English.
They don’t understand sentences or commands the way we might hope. But they do read body language. They understand movement, tension, intention, rhythm, and feel. That’s why learning how to read and speak through body language and emotional awareness is absolutely essential when working with horses.

One of the biggest mistakes I see in training is people trying to teach a horse like it’s a human. You can’t do that. It won’t stick.

But when you train with the horse’s natural body, instincts, and energy in mind, that lesson becomes something they truly understand. Not just in that moment but something they’ll carry with them.

You won’t have to repeat the same thing 30 times.
You won’t have to “drill” it in.
Because the horse will have felt it clearly, understood it, and remembered it.

That’s the kind of horsemanship that lasts.
That’s what I teach.

Picture of me on one of my clients gorgeous geldings for some attention ❤️

08/07/2025

We welcomed a new girl into our herd today. 💖🐴
She’s a big, beautiful Quarter Horse mare whose previous owners loved her dearly but knew she needed more. In a true act of love, they chose to share their gorgeous girl with me and our little lesson program, so she could have the time, attention, and purpose she deserves.

I’ve been spending time with her, getting a feel for her energy, and thinking about a name that suits her best. I’m a big believer in fresh starts and new beginnings and with that in mind, I think it’s time she steps into this next chapter with a new name.

Meet Freya. 🌹
A strong, red headed beauty with the kind of presence you don’t forget. For some reason, the name just fits. I can already tell she’s going to be something special here.