Restivo Performance Horses LLC

06/17/2025

🌟 Equine Internship Series: Part 4 — Responsibility: The Horses Can’t Speak — But You Can 🌟

The moment you step into the barn, you’re handed more than a pitchfork or lead rope — you’re handed responsibility. And not just for the chores, but for the well-being of living, breathing animals who depend on you completely.

But responsibility isn’t just about what you do — it’s also about how you communicate, listen, and respond to feedback.

👉 The Horse Relies on You to Notice
Horses can’t tell us when something feels off — but they show us. Is he off his feed? Is there swelling you didn’t see yesterday? Is she standing a little funny this morning? The smallest details can be the earliest warning signs of a major issue. You have to be present, observant, and engaged — every single day.

👉 You Are Their Voice
If something seems wrong, say something. It doesn’t matter if you’re “just an intern.” It’s your duty to speak up for the horse. Don’t assume someone else saw it or that it’s not your place. Every great horseman started by learning to advocate for the animals first.

👉 Responsibility Means Proactivity
Don’t wait to be told what needs to be done. If the water bucket is empty — fill it. If the stall needs cleaned — clean it. If tack needs wiped down — wipe it. Seeing what needs to be done and taking action builds trust, respect, and shows your level of care.

👉 Mistakes Will Happen — Own Them
In this industry, mistakes aren’t the problem — failing to take responsibility for them is. If you forgot something, if you missed a detail, if you caused an issue — own it, fix it, and learn from it. That’s how true professionals are made.

👉 Communication Is Everything
There is no room in the horse industry for people who cannot take instruction, correction, or even occasional reprimand. The ability to accept criticism, process it without defensiveness, and apply it to improve your work is a vital skill. Good horsemen never stop learning — and they learn fastest by listening. If you shut down when corrected, this is not the industry for you.

👉 Transparency Builds Trust
Always be transparent with your supervisors, trainers, and team. Don’t hide mistakes, and don’t cover up problems. Honesty allows issues to be addressed quickly before they turn into bigger problems — especially when it comes to the care and safety of the horses. The more transparent you are, the more people will trust you.

👉 Responsibility Earns Trust
When trainers, managers, and owners know you care as much about the horses as they do, doors open. Responsibility, integrity, transparency, and the ability to communicate and take correction are what will separate you from every other person who simply “loves horses.”

👉 What You’ll Gain from This Phase
✅ A deeper understanding of horse care beyond the surface
✅ Confidence in your own judgement and decision-making
✅ The ability to see problems early and act
✅ The respect of horsemen who notice your work ethic
✅ Emotional maturity to handle correction and grow from it
✅ Trust earned through transparency and honesty

👉 The Bottom Line:
The horses can’t speak. You can.
Their health, safety, and care depend on your eyes, your hands, your voice, and your willingness to listen, learn, be honest, and take responsibility every single day.

Stay tuned for Part 5: “Growth: The Intern Becomes the Horseman.”

06/16/2025

🌟 Equine Internship Series: Part 3 — The Reality of Sacrifice: What the Horse Industry Actually Demands 🌟

Everyone loves the highlight reel — the fancy horses, the polished arenas, the big wins, and the beautiful photos. But behind every successful barn, trainer, and professional is something far less glamorous: sacrifice.

If you want to build a career in this industry, you have to accept that sacrifice isn’t temporary — it’s part of the lifestyle.

👉 Long Hours Are the Norm — Not the Exception
Horses don’t run on a 9-5 schedule. Feeding, mucking, treating injuries, hauling to shows, staying late to wrap legs — it all happens outside of “normal business hours.” Horses still eat, get sick, colic, or pull shoes on weekends, holidays, and at 2 AM. Being part of this world means you’re often working when others are off.

👉 Personal Plans Will Take a Back Seat
Family events, holidays, vacations, and social outings will sometimes have to wait. There will be birthdays you miss because you’re on the road. There will be weekends spent at shows instead of parties. This lifestyle requires the kind of discipline most people aren’t willing to live by — and that’s exactly why not everyone makes it.

👉 Comfort Will Be Rare
You’ll work in the heat, the cold, the rain, and the mud. You’ll wake up sore. You’ll work tired. You’ll deal with physical exhaustion and mental fatigue. But every professional in this business has paid these same dues — and they’ve kept going.

👉 Your Needs Come Second to the Horses’
The horses always come first — before your mood, your convenience, or your schedule. That’s the standard you sign up for when you work with animals who depend entirely on your care.

👉 Sacrifice Builds True Horsemen
This isn’t about being “tough” — it’s about being reliable. Horses succeed because someone is always willing to show up. Sacrificing comfort, convenience, and ease is what earns you respect in this industry. It’s what builds real horsemen — the kind that others want to work with, hire, and trust.

👉 But With Sacrifice Comes Reward
✅ You’ll gain real-world experience most never get.
✅ You’ll develop a work ethic few industries can match.
✅ You’ll build deep relationships with horses and people who share your passion.
✅ You’ll experience personal growth, confidence, and grit that will serve you for life.
✅ And one day, you’ll be one of the few who can say: I’ve earned my place.

👉 If It Was Easy, Everyone Would Do It.
The horse industry doesn’t need more people who love horses — it needs people who are willing to do the hard work that keeps the animals thriving. If you’re ready to make those sacrifices, this industry can give you a life few others can offer.

Stay tuned for Part 4: “Responsibility: The Horses Can’t Speak — But You Can.”

06/14/2025

🌟 Equine Internship Series: Part 2 — The Standard of Excellence: Learning by Doing 🌟

The best learning doesn’t happen in a classroom. In the horse industry, the most valuable lessons happen while you’re in the barn, hands on, fully present. That’s where good interns separate themselves from average ones.

👉 It’s Not Glamorous — But It’s Necessary
You won’t start your internship working high-end show horses or giving training lessons. You’ll start with the basics: cleaning stalls, feeding, grooming, hand-walking, wrapping legs, cleaning tack, and learning barn management.
Why? Because excellence lives in the basics. The greatest trainers in the world started by mastering these small, repetitive, seemingly “simple” tasks — and still demand them done right today.

👉 The Barn Doesn’t Run on “Good Enough”
Everything you do — from how you sweep an aisle to how you wrap a leg — matters. Sloppy work can risk a horse’s health or create dangerous situations. This is a professional industry where the details separate quality from chaos.

👉 Watch, Ask, and Absorb
Internships are not just about doing — they’re about watching. Pay attention to how trainers handle horses. How they time their corrections. How they read body language. How they adjust training methods to fit the horse. Don’t wait to be spoon-fed information — seek it out. Ask questions. Take notes. Observe how the best operate.

👉 Every Job Has Purpose — Embrace It
The horse industry is full of people who want to ride, but few who are willing to master the day-to-day grind that actually makes the riding possible. If you approach every task — no matter how small — with the same level of care you’d give to a world champion, you will stand out. How you do one thing is how you’ll do everything.

👉 What You’ll Get From This Phase
✅ A sharp eye for detail
✅ Strong habits that follow you through your career
✅ A real understanding of what it takes to keep horses sound, happy, and thriving
✅ First-hand exposure to how top programs are run
✅ A foundation that will serve you whether you become a trainer, manager, breeder, or owner

👉 You’re Not “Just an Intern” — You’re Building Your Foundation
Nobody builds a house by starting with the roof. A strong foundation takes time, patience, and steady hands. The same is true for your horsemanship career. Show up every day willing to do every job with pride — because this is how great horsemen are built.

Stay tuned for Part 3: “The Reality of Sacrifice: What the Horse Industry Actually Demands.”

06/11/2025

🌟 Commitment: What It Actually Means 🌟

When you step into an internship or assistant trainer job in the horse industry, you’re not just stepping into a barn — you’re stepping into an opportunity to build skills, work ethic, and habits that will serve you for years to come.

But before you focus on what you’ll get — you have to understand what you’re committing to.

Commitment isn’t just saying “yes” — it’s following through fully, from start to finish.

👉 The Program Is Counting on You:
Barns run on structure. Horses thrive on routine. Staff and trainers build schedules based on who’s committed to being there. When you don’t follow through, it creates gaps in horse care, delays in training, and extra work for others. You’re not just learning — you’re becoming part of a working system.

👉 The Horses Can’t Pause While You Figure It Out:
The horses you’re helping care for depend on you. They don’t get a day off because you didn’t feel like showing up. Consistency is critical for their health, development, and training. Your ability to be steady and reliable is a direct reflection of your care for the horse.

👉 Respect the Commitment You Made:
There will be long days. Hard days. Frustrating days. But real professionals show up anyway. Learning to keep going even when it’s tough is one of the most valuable lessons you’ll carry into your career.

👉 Consistency Builds Trust — Or Breaks It:
Showing up every day, on time, ready to work, and staying engaged — this is what builds trust with your mentors, your peers, and your horses. Inconsistency creates frustration for everyone around you.

👉 You Are Building Your Reputation:
In the horse industry, word travels fast. Your work ethic, attitude, and commitment will follow you long after the internship ends. This is how doors open (or close) for future opportunities.

👉 What Will You Get Out of It?
You will gain real-world, hands-on experience that simply can’t be taught in a classroom or clinic. You’ll develop your timing, eye, feel, and attention to detail. You’ll learn how a real barn operates day-to-day. You’ll be exposed to the care, training, and business aspects of a working program. You’ll make industry connections that may help you later.

👉 Reality Check — You Will Not Become a Trainer After One Internship:
No one becomes a professional horse trainer after one internship. This is a starting block — not a fast track. The foundation you build here is what will set you up to continue learning, developing, and growing into this industry long-term — but only if you stay humble and keep working.

👉 A Commitment Is a Promise — Keep It.
Before you say yes to any internship, ask yourself:
✅ Can I give this my full effort?
✅ Am I prepared to finish the full term?
✅ Am I ready to handle hard days without quitting?

If the answer is yes — then show up fully and own it. The horse industry doesn’t hand out shortcuts — it rewards those who stay committed.

Stay tuned for Part 2: “The Standard of Excellence: Learning by Doing.”

01/14/2025

Here's the latest edition of the Second-Career Stars series by Andrea Caudill:

With a pedigree filled with champions and a mind for work, Gone To Be Bright proved himself on the racetrack and is now seeking fame in the competition arena.

Gone To Be Bright is an Alberta-bred who began his career in Texas, but spent most of his 25-race career in Alberta. It was at Grande Prairie where he became a stakes winner in the Evergreen Park Distance Challenge, and at Century Mile where he would set a new track record at 400 yards while defeating the reigning Canadian champion, Bringonthewave. In a career shortened by the challenges of COVID, Gone To Be Bright ultimately won or placed in 12 of his career starts and earned $46,583.

Bred by Jack and Deborah Williams of Millet, Alberta, and raced by a syndicate, he is the only foal out of his dam, a daughter of DJ Bright Deja Vu. His sire, Gone To The Mountain, was a multiple racing champion and himself a son of champion Panther Mountain. Gone To The Mountain still holds the 870-yard world record of :43.029. From limited starters, Gone To The Mountain has sired the earners of more than $1 million, including graded-stakes winner Penny Snatchin ($131,260) and stakes winner Gone To Be Princess ($85,023).

When it was time for Gone To Be Bright to step away from the track, the Williamses called trainer Ashley Restivo, an AQHA Professional Horsewoman who spent her career as a show horse trainer, coach and judge.

“They called me and said, ‘Hey, we have this nice stud and would like to give him a second career,’ and I said sure, send him down here,” she said. “I rode him one time and said, ‘Man, I really like him.’ ”

Based in Chico, Texas, Restivo has taken up speed events as her retirement career, and loves the mind of the Gone To The Mountain foals.

“The ones I have are born broke,” she said. “They’re super easy to get riding around.”
She has found the 2015 black stallion to be no different.

“He's just a ‘Pick me!’ horse,” she said. “He’s ready to go to work every time you go to the gate. There’s not a challenge he’s not ready to conquer. Learning the barrel pattern was so easy for him. Every time he was ready to show me more and I was like, hey, buddy slow down! He’s just real honest. He’s the same horse every time you go in there.”

In his very first year on the barrel pattern in 2023, he earned more than $10,000.

His connections then decided the horse showed the talent for even more and pointed him to the show ring. This year, he debuted in performance halter classes, which he is automatically eligible for based on his racing ROM.

Unfortunately, at the same time, the black stallion faced several health challenges. First, he encountered a random eye injury, and then in late summer, he battled a nearly lethal bout with Colitis X. Fortunately, his owner nursed him through both events and found the stallion healthy with just over a month to go before the Nutrena AQHA World Championship Show.

Despite the less-than-ideal prep window, the game stallion rebounded and they headed to the ultimate event for showing an American Quarter Horse.

There, Restivo and Gone To Be Bright earned a bronze trophy in Level 2 open performance halter stallions, and AQHA Professional Horseman Todd Grant showed the stallion to a top-10 finish in Level 3 open performance halter stallions. In addition, the stallion finished in the top 10 in Level 2 senior barrel racing among more than 30 competitors, despite his lack of conditioning during his health recovery.

“He’s such a good boy, he went in and did his job,” Restivo said. “Next year, we’re going to take him and give him the time to get fit a little better, God allowing everyone stays healthy.”

The connections are moving one step at a time, but believe the horse has the talent to continue to achieve success in both halter and under-saddle events.

“He’s a really cool horse, he has great conformation, he’s a great athlete and if there’s one who can do an all-around type thing, it’s definitely him,” Restivo said.

Second-Career Stars is an ongoing series on retired racing American Quarter Horses in new careers. If you know of a horse that should be featured, write to [email protected]. AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow Racing on X and on Instagram, "like" Q-Racing on Facebook, and visit www.aqha.com/racing.

Photo by Shane Rux Photography

05/28/2024

Who needs Some custom spurs?? 🤩

05/21/2024

Gone To Be Bright - Gone To Be Bright inherited the remarkable speed and trainability of the extraordinary world record holder Gone To The Mountain, crossed on the stakes producing lines of AQHA Hall of Fame & World Champion running mare Maddons Bright Eyes. He is proven on the racetrack with a blazing speed index of 110 plus track records. He is demonstrating his prowess winning money in jackpots & pro-rodeos in his first year of barrel racing.

>>> https://stallionregisterdirectory.com/listing/gone-to-be-bright/

05/16/2024

05/08/2024

**Cooling Out Protocol after Riding:**

1. **Walk Cool Down:** After a workout, start by walking the horse on a loose rein for at least 10-15 minutes to allow the heart rate to gradually decrease.

2. **Proper Hydration:** Offer the horse access to fresh water to rehydrate, especially during hot weather or after intense exercise.

3. **Proper Grooming:** Gently groom the horse to remove sweat and dirt, paying attention to areas where tack sits to prevent chafing and discomfort.

4. **Stretching:** Perform gentle stretching exercises to help the horse relax and prevent muscle stiffness.

5. **Cooling Techniques:** Use cool water or a sweat scraper to help the horse cool down, paying particular attention to areas where heat tends to accumulate such as the back, neck, and hindquarters.

6. **Proper Rest:** Allow the horse sufficient time to rest and recover after exercise before returning to the barn or turnout area.

Always prioritize the horse's well-being and consult with your veterinarian or a professional trainer for personalized advice based on the specific needs of your horse.🫶🏻

04/04/2024

FF Equine Therapy and Conditioning offers Aqua-Icelander (aqua treadmill), Acuscope, Myopulse, Theraplate, and Free Style walker. Haul-ins and extended stays welcome!

03/01/2024

I have a few recip mares and broodmares up for lease this breeding season please PM me.