Big Dark Horse Development

Big Dark Horse Development We offer horsemanship residency programs for adult amateurs in Austin, Texas, blending natural horsemanship and English performance.

05/24/2026

Many adult amateurs dream of buying and bringing along a young horse.

It’s an incredible experience - and it also can take a lot of patience, knowledge, and support.

When we first started our horsemanship residency program, I was a little bit surprised how much interest students found in watching us work with our own horses, in addition to being coached on theirs.

The overwhelming interest in experiencing horses of different ages and education levels has led us to make a string of our personal horses available to resident students - whether for groundwork, riding, or demos.

From the 8 year old confidently showing as an Eventer, to the 6 and 7 year olds just starting their over-fences and cross country careers, to the broodmare-with-baggage-restart, and the sweetest yearling ever to walk the earth - we have the full range of education, ages, and personalities.

If you’re interested in developing your skillset with young, green, or challenging horses, consider coming to stay and ride with us for an immersive riding and training experience. Link in bio.

Many riders dream of working with young or green horses, and off track thoroughbreds can be an appealing entry point int...
05/19/2026

Many riders dream of working with young or green horses, and off track thoroughbreds can be an appealing entry point into this under the right circumstances.

Training is very different from simply riding - jumping meter+ courses, crushing your dressage test, or going double clear xc on a “finished” horse doesn’t necessarily translate to developing young, green, or “challenging” horses. Riding and training are separate, but related, skills.

But still, horse development is simply a skill that can be learned. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to learn - but it doesn’t require any magical, inborn talents. It requires information, time, and support.

If you have ever wanted to expand your skillset with young, green, or “problem” horses, we offer unique, immersive training experiences through our horsemanship residency programs for adult amateurs in Austin, TX. You’d be surprised how much you can grow in 1-2 weeks of immersive experience. Link in bio.

05/11/2026

How do you manage horse and dog introductions?

It took me four years to work up the courage to introduce my dogs and horses without a fence in between. I was worried about the risk to my dogs - even if the possibility of a serious kick is low, the consequences could be high.

But in the end I decided the reward was worth the minimal risk. I don’t bubble wrap my horses and keep them in a stall to avoid injury - I keep them out 24/7 in a mixed herd, because that’s what living well looks like for a horse. I want the same for my dogs 🐶 🧡.

05/08/2026

Natural talent versus learned behavior?

04/29/2026

I love watching horses learn and problem solve.

The true behind-the-scenes of moments like these doesn’t always make for riveting videos. Addie probably took around 30 minutes to figure out how to get down this bank. A lot of the process was a much quieter waiting game. Allowing her to explore the edge, encouraging her forward, and rewarding by releasing every time she made the slightest try.

Cross country overall is a big game of teaching horses that forward is the answer. They build confidence over months and years of small, progressive successes, and also through learning that the can come through some “scary” experiences or some uncertainty and be just fine on the other side.

04/23/2026

Getting forward back after ulcers can be challenging and emotional.

A lot of horses who get labeled as “difficult” are really in need of understanding and guidance.

To leave a horse stuck in a pattern of tension and defensiveness - to tiptoe around them, or treat them like a victim - is not a way to help them.

To force them past a threshold, without listening, understanding, or caring is a way to make both the problem and the relationship worse.

Learning to walk the line in between is the work of horsemanship. To listen and care without over-empathizing with fear. To lead to without dominance or ego. To guide instead of correct. To be honest and clear and fair at all times.

“The true mind can weather all the lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can tough the poison of hatred without being harmed. Since beginning-less time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light”. — Avatar: The Last Airbender

04/21/2026

Darn kids, am I right?

In all seriousness, I find it absolutely adorable that the oldest member of my herd is the most willing to play with (or sometimes, just tolerate 🤣) the youngest member of my herd. They are both instigators of this kind of mischief and also spend sweet, quiet time grazing together.

One of the most wonderful things about having your horses in your backyard is getting to witness moments like this. I am constantly learning from watching herd dynamics, and it’s pretty entertaining too 😊.

04/19/2026

Cruella’s full birth story is available on YouTube. Link in bio!

See her first steps, first attempts at nursing, how we did Imprint Training, and even scenes from the actual delivery.

We were so lucky to have our videographer on site to capture all of these moments while we focused on making sure mother and foal came through the birth and critical early hours healthy and successful.

Having my first foal was truly a peak life experience and took me through the full range of emotions. There was joy, fear, magic, blood and gore.

Cruella will grow up to be my personal “everything” horse. I can hardly imagine a stronger bond than the one we already have, but love every day with her and am so excited for the years to come 🧡🐎

Address

Georgetown, TX
78626, 78627, 78628, 78633

Telephone

+13134107813

Website

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