Do Better Horsemanship Coaching

Do Better Horsemanship Coaching A horsemanship & coaching program empowering others to do better, be better and bridge the gap between personal growth and our horsemanship.

Yesterday I had a new student show up as I was finishing my previous lesson and she asked me (as she was pointing over t...
06/19/2026

Yesterday I had a new student show up as I was finishing my previous lesson and she asked me (as she was pointing over to Jill) “Is that a personal horse of yours?”
And I kind of cheekily smiled and replied “Why yes, can you tell?”

She went on to tell me that she knew it was because Jill was so in tune to me and she could tell we have a special relationship 🥹♥️ Gosh that tugged at the heartstrings and I told her that’s the best compliment I could ever get.

What a lovely reminder ~ how special it is to have those soulmate/heart horses! 🥰

I like first rides in a halter.Not because I’m anti-bit.Actually, quite the opposite.I want to know what the horse under...
06/11/2026

I like first rides in a halter.

Not because I’m anti-bit.

Actually, quite the opposite.

I want to know what the horse understands before I start adding more tools.

If a horse can’t follow a feel, stop, turn, move their feet, or stay mentally connected in a halter — a bit isn’t going to magically fix that.

At the same time, I introduce the bit early because I want it to become another part of the horse’s education — not something that’s suddenly added later and expected to solve problems.

The goal isn’t halter versus bit.

The goal is understanding.

The equipment should support the training, not replace it.

A horse that only works because of the equipment isn’t truly educated.

The goal is a horse that understands the conversation — not one that’s dependent on the tools. ✨✨

One thing people don’t always think about with c**t starting is the physical side of it.I’m 5’1”. Valor is pushing 16 ha...
06/09/2026

One thing people don’t always think about with c**t starting is the physical side of it.

I’m 5’1”. Valor is pushing 16 hands and still growing. 😅

And there are days where I look at these c**ts and wonder if they got bigger overnight.

A lot of people focus on what the horse needs to be prepared for their first rides, but there’s a human side to it too.

C**t starting requires balance, coordination, mobility, strength, and the ability to move your body well.

Getting on and off horses all day.
Hauling saddles around.
Ponying horses.
Handling young horses on the ground.
Being able to react quickly when things don’t go exactly according to plan.

None of that means you need to be a gym rat or some elite athlete. But I do think it’s important that my body is capable of doing the job I’m asking it to do.

The better I can move, the better I can help a horse move. The better my balance is, the easier it is for me to help them find theirs. The better shape I’m in, the less likely I am to become the weak link in the partnership.

The horse isn’t the only one being prepared for the job.

One of the most valuable training tools we have is often standing right beside us.Another horse.When we’re working with ...
06/03/2026

One of the most valuable training tools we have is often standing right beside us.

Another horse.

When we’re working with young horses, we like to use pilot horses regularly — trying to use the way horses naturally learn.

Horses are herd animals. They watch each other. They take information from each other. They often gain confidence from each other.

A quiet, confident horse can help a young horse navigate situations that might otherwise feel overwhelming.

They can help a c**t settle in a new environment. Help encourage forward movement. Help bridge the gap between the arena and the real world. Help a nervous horse find enough confidence to think instead of react.

We use pilot horses when ponying, trail riding, introducing obstacles, hauling to new places, and sometimes even during first rides.

But there is an important distinction:

The goal is never dependence.

The goal is confidence.

Eventually, every horse needs to learn to stand on their own. They need to be able to leave the herd, focus on the rider, and work independently.

But confidence often comes before independence.

A horse that feels safe is far more capable of learning than a horse that feels overwhelmed.

That’s why one of our reminders throughout the c**t starting process is:

Confidence creates learning.

Sometimes another horse is exactly what a young horse needs to lower the pressure, process the situation, and take the next step forward.

Use the tools available to help your horse succeed.

Other horses are one of the best tools we have.

Before I ask a c**t who they can become, I want to understand who they already are.
06/01/2026

Before I ask a c**t who they can become, I want to understand who they already are.

Before I ever think about preparing a c**t, I try to prepare myself.C**ts are learning. They’re going to make mistakes. ...
06/01/2026

Before I ever think about preparing a c**t, I try to prepare myself.

C**ts are learning. They’re going to make mistakes. They’re going to get worried, confused, reactive, and sometimes test the boundaries.

If I show up frustrated, rushed, distracted, emotional, impatient, or focused on an outcome instead of the horse in front of me, I’m already behind.

C**t starting requires me to be sharp-minded, physically capable, and present.
It requires patience when progress is slower than I’d like. Awareness when things start to escalate. Good timing when a horse tries. And enough humility to adjust my plan when the horse needs something different.

Before a c**t session, I try to remind myself:
• Stay patient
• Be observant
• Be clear
• Reward the try
• Don’t make things bigger than they need to be
• Focus on understanding before performance

My job isn’t to force a result. My job is to create an environment where the horse can learn. Some days that means making big progress. Some days that means slowing down and ending on something small. Either way, the horse doesn’t care about my timeline.

Good c**t starting starts with the person holding the rope. ✨✨

To me, good training creates horses that are safe, useful, and understandable for more than just one person.Our training...
05/28/2026

To me, good training creates horses that are safe, useful, and understandable for more than just one person.

Our training program comes with the mindset that ideally every horse should be able to be handled by anyone and capable of stepping into some kind of lesson setting — whether that’s groundwork, riding lessons, confidence building sessions, or everyday handling.

That doesn’t mean creating dull, robotic horses.

It means creating horses that are educated, emotionally manageable, adaptable, and able to think through pressure in a way that makes them safer and more successful in the real world. 👏🏻

I want my c**ts to feel like they have somewhere to go mentally, not just physically.That means paying attention to the ...
05/26/2026

I want my c**ts to feel like they have somewhere to go mentally, not just physically.

That means paying attention to the little things:

* how they handle new pressure
* where they default when unsure
* whether they speed up, freeze, disconnect, or brace
* how quickly they come back mentally after a mistake or moment of stress

The goal isn’t to create a shut down horse that “doesn’t react.”

The goal is to create a horse that can process, soften, adjust, and stay connected.

Because that foundation matters later when the pressure gets bigger:
the roping pen, the barrel pattern, the trail, any chaos, rider mistakes, etc.

You’re not just training for today’s ride.

You’re building the horse they become later. ✨✨

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55 Lost Creek Trail
Kalispell, MT
59901

Telephone

+14068904516

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