Troll Knoll Equine

Troll Knoll Equine We offer c**t starting, restarting, desensitization, problem horses, performance training

We offer riding lessons for ages 3-103, english & western!

As well as performance lessons and coaching at shows! We also offer pony rides for events & horse camps!

A good ride doesn’t start at speed, jumps, or barrels—it starts in the warm-up.Warm-ups are where you set the tone for y...
06/24/2026

A good ride doesn’t start at speed, jumps, or barrels—it starts in the warm-up.

Warm-ups are where you set the tone for your entire ride, both mentally and physically.

When you take the time to warm your horse up properly, you’re doing more than “getting started”—you’re preparing their body and brain for the work ahead.

✅ Loosens muscles and prevents injury
A cold horse asked to work hard is at higher risk for strains, soreness, and tightness.

✅ Builds mental focus
Warm-up time helps your horse shift from distracted or tense to tuned in and listening to you.

✅ Establishes connection and respect
This is where you check your steering, brakes, softness, and responsiveness before you ever pick up speed.

✅ Improves performance
A horse that is physically and mentally ready will always perform more consistently and confidently.

A solid warm-up doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be intentional. Walk, trot, soft circles, transitions, bending, and letting your horse relax into your hand and seat can make all the difference.

Skipping warm-ups might save you a few minutes, but it can cost you in performance, soundness, and mindset.

Contact us today for our availability for lessons, training, clinics and consignments👇🏼
💬 dm us
📲 681-389-9374
📧 [email protected]

One of the most common questions I hear is, “I want to ride horses, but where do I start?”The answer is simple: Start wi...
06/24/2026

One of the most common questions I hear is, “I want to ride horses, but where do I start?”

The answer is simple: Start with the basics.

Every great rider—whether they barrel race, jump, trail ride, or compete at the highest levels—started by learning the fundamentals.

✅ Horse safety and handling
✅ Grooming and tacking up
✅ Proper position and balance in the saddle
✅ Steering, stopping, and controlling speed
✅ Understanding horse behavior and communication

It’s easy to look at experienced riders and want to skip ahead, but a strong foundation creates confident, capable riders and safer partnerships with horses.

Remember: Progress isn’t measured by how fast you move up. It’s measured by how well you master each step along the way.

Whether you’re 5 or 55, it’s never too late to start your riding journey. Ask questions, stay patient, and enjoy the process. Every rider begins somewhere!

✨ The best rider isn’t the one who learns the fastest—it’s the one who never stops learning.

Contact us today for our availability for lessons, training, clinics and consignments👇🏼
💬 dm us
📲 681-389-9374
📧 [email protected]

🚩Alley Issues in HorsesAlley problems usually aren’t “bad behavior”—they’re a response to pressure, discomfort, or learn...
06/23/2026

🚩Alley Issues in Horses

Alley problems usually aren’t “bad behavior”—they’re a response to pressure, discomfort, or learned anticipation.

Common causes include pain or soreness, anxiety from past experiences, over-arousal before entering the arena, or a horse that has learned the alley means speed and stress. Rider tension can also play a big role without us realizing it.

Signs can look like rushing through, refusing to enter, backing up, spinning, or getting tight and anxious as you approach.

The fix starts simple: slow it down. Walk in and out quietly, stop, back up, and just stand. Take the pressure off and make the alley feel boring again. Reward softness—any sign of relaxation like lowering the head, breathing out, or standing still.

Always rule out pain first. If something hurts, training alone won’t fix it.

With consistency and patience, the goal is a horse that walks into the arena calm, confident, and relaxed—not rushing or bracing for what comes next.

Contact us today for our availability for lessons, training, clinics and consignments👇🏼
💬 dm us
📲 681-389-9374
📧 [email protected]

🐴 Understanding Equine Bits: It’s About Communication, Not ControlOne of the most common questions riders ask is, “What ...
06/23/2026

🐴 Understanding Equine Bits: It’s About Communication, Not Control

One of the most common questions riders ask is, “What bit should I use?” The truth is there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

The “best” bit depends on your horse’s training, experience level, sensitivity, and your own riding skills.

⭐ How Do You Choose the Right Bit?
Ask yourself:
✔️ What level of training is my horse at?
✔️ Is my horse soft and responsive, or do they lean on the bit?
✔️ Does my horse show signs of discomfort (head tossing, gaping mouth, rooting)?
✔️ Am I trying to solve a training problem or a communication problem?
✔️ Does the bit fit my horse’s mouth correctly?

⚠️ Remember: A stronger bit does not create better brakes. Training, consistency, and rider education are what truly improve communication and control.

The goal isn’t to find the strongest bit—it’s to find the bit that allows the clearest, most comfortable conversation between horse and rider.

What bit does your horse go best in, and why? Let us know below! 👇🐎

Contact us today for our availability for lessons, training, clinics and consignments👇🏼
💬 dm us
📲 681-389-9374
📧 [email protected]

The equine world needs more kindness, not competition.Let’s be honest — the horse world can be incredibly toxic sometime...
06/22/2026

The equine world needs more kindness, not competition.

Let’s be honest — the horse world can be incredibly toxic sometimes. The judgment, the comparisons, the gatekeeping, the behind-the-scenes talk… it’s exhausting. And at the end of the day, it pushes good riders, good trainers, and even good horses out of spaces that should feel supportive.

Horses don’t care what barn you’re from, what trailer you pull, or what place you got last weekend. They respond to patience, consistency, and respect. We should be holding ourselves to the same standard.

There’s room for all of us here — different disciplines, different levels, different goals. We don’t have to tear each other down to succeed.

Imagine what the horse world would look like if we chose:
• encouragement over criticism
• education over ego
• support over judgment

We’d all get better faster. And honestly, our horses would benefit the most.

Just something worth thinking about next time we’re tempted to compare instead of connect.

Contact us today for our availability for lessons, training, clinics and consignments👇🏼
💬 dm us
📲 681-389-9374
📧 [email protected]

🐴✨ SATURDAY SERVICE HIGHLIGHT: HORSE FINDING ✨🐴Struggling to find the right horse? Let me help take the guesswork out of...
06/22/2026

🐴✨ SATURDAY SERVICE HIGHLIGHT: HORSE FINDING ✨🐴

Struggling to find the right horse? Let me help take the guesswork out of it.

My Horse Finding Service is designed to match riders with horses that fit their goals, experience level, and budget — whether you’re looking for a barrel prospect, a lesson horse, or your next trail partner.

✔ Honest evaluations
✔ Help sorting through ads & sellers
✔ Pre-purchase guidance
✔ Support from search to saddle

Finding the right horse isn’t just about what looks good — it’s about what fits.

Contact us today for our availability for lessons, training, clinics and consignments👇🏼
💬 dm us
📲 681-389-9374
📧 [email protected]

A day late, but Happy Father’s Day! 💙To the dads who show up, work hard, lend a helping hand, haul horses, fix what brea...
06/22/2026

A day late, but Happy Father’s Day! 💙

To the dads who show up, work hard, lend a helping hand, haul horses, fix what breaks, cheer from the sidelines, and support our dreams even when they don’t fully understand the horse obsession—thank you.

Contact us today for our availability for lessons, training, clinics and consignments👇🏼
💬 dm us
📲 681-389-9374
📧 [email protected]

There’s a clear difference between riding alone and riding with others—and both matter for becoming a well-rounded rider...
06/18/2026

There’s a clear difference between riding alone and riding with others—and both matter for becoming a well-rounded rider.

🐴 Riding alone is about focus and independence.
It’s you and your horse. You’re working on timing, cues, feel, and connection without outside distractions. Every decision is yours, and every correction builds your confidence and your horse’s understanding.

🤝 Riding with others is about awareness and responsibility.
Now you’re sharing space. It’s not just your ride anymore—it’s everyone’s safety and experience. You have to think ahead, communicate, and stay aware of where other horses and riders are at all times.

Good arena habits when riding with others:
✔ Announce your direction (inside/outside, passing, stopping)
✔ Don’t cut off or crowd others
✔ Give space, especially around green or nervous horses
✔ Keep your eyes up and plan your track
✔ Respect everyone’s ride, no matter their level

The goal isn’t just to ride well when it’s quiet—it’s to ride well even when it’s busy.

A solid rider can handle both:
quiet focus when alone, and safe awareness when sharing the arena.

Contact us today for our availability for lessons, training, clinics and consignments👇🏼
💬 dm us
📲 681-389-9374
📧 [email protected]

Body position and balance are everything when you’re on a horse — especially when you’re competing.It’s not just about l...
06/17/2026

Body position and balance are everything when you’re on a horse — especially when you’re competing.

It’s not just about looking “pretty” in the saddle. Your position and balance are what control timing, speed, and how well your horse can actually do their job. When you’re balanced, your horse can stay straight, turn cleaner, and move more efficiently. When you’re off balance, even slightly, they feel it immediately — and it usually shows up in the run.

Balance starts from the ground up: feet even in the stirrups, weight centered, core engaged, and staying with your horse instead of ahead of them or behind them. Your upper body should stay quiet while your seat and legs do the work of staying connected.

Small things matter more than people realize — eyes up, shoulders square, hips underneath you, and staying centered through every stride. The better your balance and position are, the less you have to “fix” mid-run, and the more your horse can just do their job.

Contact us today for our availability for lessons, training, clinics and consignments👇🏼
💬 dm us
📲 681-389-9374
📧 [email protected]

Some runs just don’t go the way you planned….Not every round is going to be clean, fast, or what you pictured in your he...
06/17/2026

Some runs just don’t go the way you planned….

Not every round is going to be clean, fast, or what you pictured in your head. Sometimes things fall apart in the pen, sometimes it’s rider error, sometimes it’s just one of those days where nothing quite clicks.

When it happens, pet your horse regardless and give yourself 5 minutes at the trailer. Be upset, replay it, feel it. Then it’s time to get it together. Untack the horse, take care of them first, and start shifting your focus forward instead of staying stuck in the run.

There’s always something to take away from a bad round — what went wrong, what to fix, and what to work on before the next one.

Going to regroup, go back to basics, and come back sharper next time. Horses owes us nothing — it’s our job to do better by them next run.

Contact us today for our availability for lessons, training, clinics and consignments👇🏼
💬 dm us
📲 681-389-9374
📧 [email protected]

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Martinsburg, WV

Telephone

+16813899374

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