Timberline Equine

07/07/2026

Dear Horse Industry,

Stop being awful.

Stop putting others down for the sake of one's own prosperity.

Stop the whispers in the warm up ring.

Stop the snarky remarks behind closed doors.

Stop with the clicks and underhanded complements.

Stop with the need for newest and latest fashions or tack sets but never riding your horse in fear they may get dirty.

Stop manipulating others words or actions.

Stop normalizing poor sportsmanship and start normalizing folks who work hard.

Chances are if you've had horses long enough you've encountered some sort of this. From the competition world, to trail riders, to rescues, to top level riders, it's everywhere and it's terrible and it's got to stop. It's got to.

I've met riders, young and old, who are petrified to ride infront of people because some where along the line, someone told them they weren't good enough. I've seen talented people quit because of gossip and I've seen people give up on what they believe in because folks made them belive they were only 1' tall.

When you see a rider kicking them selves after a bad ride, tell them great job for hanging in there and give them some tips.

When you see that girl show up in the rusty old bumperpull, know she likely put everything she had into her entry fees.

When you see an organization fighting for what they believe in, fight with them.

When you see the girl too shy to ride, ask her to help you out by hopping on to keep your horse company because it would be an awfully big help.

When you see the girl scared to death in line up remind them why they are there and they have this.

When you see the girl discouraged over progress, remind them how far they have come.

The world is full of ugliness, horses should be our escape, not a place we feel belittled. We are all incredibly blessed to have Equines in our life. Becoming better Horseman is hard enough without having folks tear you down.

Please start normalizing raising each other up.

-Erin O'Neill 🌿

07/06/2026

06/25/2026

I am a lesson horse.

I am a horse that isn’t as recognized as the top hunter jumpers, the best western pleasure horse, or the 1D barrel horse.

I am the backbone of the foundation to do all of those things.

I am not loved by one person. I am loved by several people. I don’t have my person, I have my people.

I will teach your child and yourself more than just to ride. I will bring your child out of their shell. I will teach your child about life. I will be yours and their shoulder to cry on.

I will bring my family the joy of teaching kids. I will bring my family business growth. I am so loved by my family, even if they don’t express it everyday. My family allows others to show me love and enjoy me.

At the end of your childs’ journey on a lesson horse, they will out grow me. They will find one that jumps higher, a horse that is show quality, a horse much faster than me. But, I will never outgrow being a lesson horse. I will be the one that loved your child and helped your child grow into the rider and person they are.

At the end of my time as a lesson horse; I will be covered in grey hair. Each grey hair came from each hour I spent as a lesson horse. I will be in a field of green grass, I will be taken care of as I was when I was a lesson horse. I will watch your child from across the pasture love her new horse. But, I will love your child more than any horse can. I will be the backbone of the business, the family, and your child. Don’t forget about me; I am a lesson horse ❤️

06/19/2026

The elephant in the room in the horse industry---

Yesterday I had a long conversation with a woman who is deeply involved in the show horse world, and she said that it doesn’t take a statistician to realize that the industry is shifting more and more toward the adult amateur.

These are the people with the funds, the interest, the motivation. BUT, she said, too many of them go about their horse activities with at least some degree of fear. And, if not actual fear, anxiety. This fear is the elephant in the room, and it is largely based upon, she believes, the fact that many of them lack the fitness and strength they need to cope with a sport like riding.

They quite understandably don’t want to get hurt, but at the same time they want to trot and canter on a thousand pound animal that can be quick and unpredictable.

Basically, she said, too many riders are at least a little bit afraid of the thing they love.

If this is so, then there seem to be a couple of solutions. One is for the rider to get stronger and fitter. Another is for the rider to find a quiet horse and do less strenuous kinds of riding.

Other thoughts?

06/16/2026

Openings for horseback riding lessons ✅ Flexibility with weekdays, weeknights or weekends! Learn to ride on SAFE & SOLID horses with impeccable resumes 🦄

05/15/2026

In 2019, I put on “Dreaming of a Horse” camp. If there is any interest out there in me putting it on again, please send me a message or comment below. This camp is for individuals with little to no horse experience. Private lessons are always available. 🦄

05/07/2026

☀️Summer Volunteer training!☀️
Whether or not the weather shows it, Summer is almost here!
Our volunteer training for our 4-week June Summer session will be held at the NDSU Equine Center May 26th 5:30-7:30pm.
No horse experience required to support our riders.
For more information please email [email protected].

05/05/2026

"How much for a lesson and what is included in that cost?"

How many trainers, stables, owners hear this question? We give a simple price and simple answer of $50 per hour for a private lesson, etc.

But what we really should be saying is you get all of this:

You get the years of knowledge and experience that a breeder put into breeding a quality animal that will be rideable.

You get the years of experience that it took to be able to properly select a horse safe enough for a lesson for your child.

You get the years of time spent by trainers and instructors putting education and mileage on the lesson horse to know how to do its job.

You get to use my tack that I spent hours searching for at the right price and fit, the saddle, bridle, martingales, bit, saddle pad, girth, half-pad. The halter and lead rope that brings it from the field. The hoof pick, curry comb, brushes, shampoo, hoses, buckets that we purchased to properly groom and bathe the lesson horse to keep them healthy for your lesson. You get the hay, grain, water, fly spray, wormer, vet bills, farrier and medicine, supplements, shavings, stall mats, barn, fencing, electricity, insurance, clippers, combs, rain sheets, winter blankets, towels, brooms, feed bins, water troughs, muck rakes, manure spreaders, washer, dryer, grooming boxes, saddle racks and horse trailer, tires, brakes and maintenance on the trailer and truck that hauls that is needed when the horse needs to go to the vet. You get the coggins, vaccines, dental.

You get the labor that goes into cleaning and feeding. The time and labor of the person who has to walk a horse thru the night that might be colicing. You get to put wear and tear on my farm, on the footing in my ring, my jumps and fields. You get the cost of my tractor and ring drag and their maintenance.

You get to let me put my lesson horse's health at risk when you ride them and hope for $50 they don't end up permanently lame.

There is a reason "we require a commitment to regular lessons.”

But, maybe people expect more for their lesson costs?

04/28/2026

If you are looking for a FUN summer activity, look no further🐴 Flexible lesson times available on weekdays/weeknights/weekends! ☀️ Learn to ride on SAFE & SOLID horses with impeccable resumes 🦄