http://www.deadbrokecoltcompany.com/

Dead Broke Colt Company, Morton, IL (2025)

09/16/2025

Hey’ darlin’,

There’s something to be said for the kind of woman who doesn’t need noise to feel like she matters. She doesn’t post every win or explain every decision. She just lives with a kind of quiet certainty that speaks for itself. Not because she’s trying to impress anyone, but because she knows who she is, and more importantly, whose she is.

We live in a world that celebrates fast moves, loud voices, and curated chaos. But there’s another kind of beauty. The kind that shows up in consistency, in thoughtfulness, in choosing depth over distraction. And darlin’, that’s the kind of beauty I hope you chase.

You don’t need to go viral to be valuable. You don’t need the whole world’s approval to build a life that’s rich in meaning. Just be faithful with what’s in your hands today. Trust that God placed you exactly where you are on purpose. Not to blend in, not to hustle harder, but to create something real with the time you’ve been given.

Keep building. Keep showing up. And let your life be a quiet rebellion against everything fake and fleeting.

You’re not behind. You’re not missing out. You’re just growing roots.

And roots are what hold steady when the wind picks up.

—Naya

https://deadbrokecoltcompany.com/blog/rooted-not-rushed

09/08/2025

We’re excited to introduce the newest member of our lesson herd… Meet Pip Pocket!

Pip Pocket (aptly named, as she’s a pipsqeak that’ll steal your heart!) is as sweet as she is pretty, with a roping and reining background that makes her a fun, versatile addition to our program. She’s a cute mover and FEARLESS, and we’re looking forward to polishing her skills and building her into a lesson horse that riders of all levels will love!

Whether she’s teaching someone the ropes for the very first time or showing off her reining buttons, Pip is going to fit right in here at Dead Broke. We can’t wait for you all to meet her and watch her journey unfold.

Welcome home, Pip!

09/02/2025

Big shout-out to one of my barn kids, Kate, who spent a whole day last week helping me out. She worked hard all morning and then got to go on her very first trail ride in the afternoon... this pic says it all. So thankful for her help, I love getting to share these kinds of “firsts” with the kids at the barn!

08/30/2025

Never Grow a Wishbone Where a Backbone Ought to Be

Life has a funny way of testing whether you’re built for wishing or working. Around here, we don’t get much done with wishbones…. they break too easily. It’s the backbone that gets you saddled up in the morning, filling up water tanks when it’s ten below, or climbing back in the saddle after the horse just handed you your pride on a bed of dirt.

NEVER GROW A WISHBONE WHERE YOUR BACKBONE OUGHT TO BE. It’s an old saying, but it fits like a well-worn pair of boots.

It’s easy to sit on the fence and dream about the life you want… the well-trained horse… the perfect relationship… the shiny truck… the business that just takes off… the post that went viral. But wishing alone won’t get the arena dragged… it won’t teach a horse to stop… it won’t build a life worth living. Backbone is showing up when you’re tired. Backbone is saying yes to the hard work, and no to the shortcuts that don’t last. Backbone is riding through the buck, pushing past the fear, and owning your place in the saddle.

Unlike those wishbones, backbones are pretty hard to break.

One of my favorite things about horses is they don’t let you fake anything. A horse reflects the rider. If you show up with only a wishbone, easily broken and lacking strength, they will meet you there with no confidence and full of fear. If you show up with a backbone, steady and strong, they’ll meet you there too, full of confidence and strength.

Backbone isn’t just about grit for grit’s sake, it’s about growth. Every time you dig deep and show up with backbone instead of just wishbone, you’re building something bigger than muscles, you’re building character. That’s why here at Dead Broke, we teach more than just how to sit a trot or neck rein. Our whole program is built around horsemanship that toughens the mind and softens the heart. It’s about teaching riders to do the hard thing, to push past their limits, and to discover that they’ve got more backbone in them than they realized.

So next time you’re tempted to just wish for something to change… whether it’s with your horse, your work, or your life… remember: wishing won’t get the job done. Backbone will. Because around here, we don’t have time for wishbones in places where backbones ought to be. We’ve got horses to ride, lessons to teach, fences to mend, and lives to build. And all of that takes grit, grace, and a whole lot of backbone.

https://deadbrokecoltcompany.com/blog/never-grow-a-wishbone-where-a-backbone-ought-to-be

**tCo

08/29/2025

Huge congratulations to Karen on her brand new partner, Poncho! We can’t wait to watch this duo grow together. Here’s to trail miles, new adventures, and plenty of learning along the way!

08/24/2025

Happy Birthday to the SWEETEST lesson girl, Savannah!! You are such a light in the barn… always smiling, always thoughtful, and always sending me little updates from your adventures. I love it!! I absolutely love having you (and your amazing family) here… you all make this place brighter. Wishing you the happiest day full of love and laughter!!

08/18/2025

RIDING LESSONS ARE NOW OPEN!!

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to get in the saddle, this is it! Lessons at Dead Broke C**t Company start at age 8, but there are special options for the younger cowpokes who aren’t quite ready to ride just yet. Whether you’ve never touched a horse before or you’re ready to sharpen your skills, I’ll meet you where you’re at and help you grow in confidence and horsemanship.

This isn’t a “sit on a horse and take a picture” kind of thing. You’ll learn all aspects of horsemanship here… how to handle a horse, how to ride, and how to connect with them in a way that sticks for life. It’s safe, it’s fun, and it’s the real deal.

Message me today for more information and to snag your lesson spot before they’re gone. Openings don’t last long… they disappear faster than a horse that just heard the dinner bell! Located just outside of Morton, Illinois.

08/18/2025

Let’s set the scene.

It’s 6:27 a.m. You’re wearing pajama pants tucked into Muck boots. You have one eye open, a halter slung over your shoulder like a weapon of war, and a coffee you’ve already almost dropped twice. You whisper a hopeful “hey, buddy” as you approach your horse with the kind of optimism usually reserved for Hallmark movies and people who do CrossFit.

Act I: The Approach
Your horse sees you. A glint of recognition sparks in his eye. He takes a step toward you. You smile. You believe in love again. Then he turns on a dime and disappears into the far side of the pasture like a feral cat with a personal vendetta against morning routines.

Act II: Negotiations
You try the friendly approach. You try bribery. You try cussing. You wave a treat bucket with the energy of a deranged toddler in a marching band. He watches. He calculates. He walks halfway to you, stops, p**ps, and walks away again. You question every life choice that brought you here. Your coffee is now cold. So is your soul.

Act III: Defeat and Redemption
Twenty-seven minutes later, you finally trap him in a corner of the pen using nothing but sheer spite and a slowly unraveling sense of self. He lets you halter him like it was his idea all along. You walk back to the barn. He spooks at a butterfly. You consider spooking back.

You realize that you actually hate horses. But you made it. And that, friends, is horsemanship.

**tCompany

08/12/2025

Remember this sweet girl? A few weeks ago, Scarlett left our barn for her next chapter. I knew she’d be loved, but I didn’t realize she’d also become the center of a brand-new friendship!

Meet her new buddy, Gatlin! 3 years old, full of grit, and absolutely smitten with his mom’s new horse.

The bond between people and horses is powerful, but the bond between a child and a horse? That’s something that can shape a lifetime. It teaches patience, courage, kindness… and gives a kid a safe place to dream big!

Scarlett may belong to his mom, but Gatlin’s heart is set. They’re actually on the hunt for a pony just for him now… because some connections are simply too strong to ignore.

This is why we do what we do at Dead Broke… We’re not just selling horses, but helping create these stories. Stories of love, trust, and the kind of joy you can only find between two very different souls who somehow speak the same language.

08/08/2025

You don’t think much of a hoof pick… Until you don’t have one when you need it.

It’s one of the smallest, cheapest tools in the barn. Easy to forget… easier to lose. But when you’re standing next to a horse shifting their weight, flicking a tail, and uncomfortable because something is packed deep in their foot, it suddenly becomes the most important thing in the world.

That’s how it goes, isn’t it? Being prepared rarely feels heroic. It could be seen as boring, even. It looks like showing up with your gear checked, your tack clean, and yes, your hoof pick in your back pocket. It’s never dramatic. It’s just… steady. But it matters.

And in this line of work, whether you’re starting colts, trailering out, or chasing down loose horses in a thunderstorm, being prepared is the difference between a situation and a setback. My Dad always said that I need to follow the 6 P’s… Proper Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performances! Back then, I always used to roll my eyes and carry on with whatever I was doing. Now that I’m older, there may be somethin’ to the crazy old man talk… (He’s not really old, but he’s my Dad, so old to me😉)

You don’t wait until a horse is lame to check their hooves.
You don’t wait until the gate’s open to wonder if your fence is good.
You don’t wait until things fall apart to decide to show up ready.

Out here, we teach that. We live that. It’s in the little things… like having your hoof pick where it belongs. Like taking two minutes to clean feet before a ride instead of assuming all is well. Like setting up your ride for success before your foot ever hits the stirrup.

Because being prepared isn’t just a checklist, it’s a mindset. It’s respect. It’s responsibility. (Thanks, Dad.)

So here’s to the hoof pick.
The humble tool that reminds us:
If you want things to go well, you better be ready… Watch those P’s!

**tCompany **tStartingTruths

08/06/2025

BREAKING NEWS:
Triple Crown Senior has been liberated from its bag and is now free-roaming across the barn floor.

The bag split when I picked it up, which means I have no one to blame but myself… and yes, I absolutely stood there for a solid 30 seconds deciding if I could scoop it back up. (Spoiler alert: I did. Dead Broke goes for both horses and my bank account.)

If you’ve never stared at $35 of premium feed on the concrete and thought, “I could scoop that back up… Right?”… are you even running a barn?

We’re Dead Broke C**t Company.
The horses are well-fed.
The floor is too.

**tCompany **tStartingChaos

08/04/2025

There’s something magical about teaching kids to ride. By “magical,” I mean chaotic, dusty, slightly loud, and 10% chance of someone crying (sometimes me). But hey… that’s ranch life.

Our lesson program is where dreams come true, reins get dropped, helmets go on backwards, and prayers get answered. We start with the basics: how to lead, how to groom, how to remember which end of the horse is the business end. The golden rule? Don’t stand behind the business end.

First-time parents always come in so hopeful.
“She’s horse-obsessed. Watches Spirit every night.”
Five minutes later:
Child is clinging to me like I’m a lifeboat and the 14.2 hand gelding is a kraken. Spirit who?

Some kids are timid. Some kids are feral. One sweet girl asked me if she could gallop in her second lesson. Another tried to call every horse “Sparkle” despite them being cranky 20-year-old geldings with resting mare face… bless her heart.

The horses? Patient. Saints, really… mostly.

I’ve had lessons where we never made it past the mounting block because we got sidetracked talking about how horses p**p standing up. That same lesson kiddo had to clean up her first pile of horse droppin’s that lesson, and apparently had “THAT smell stuck in her nose for THREE DAYS.” I’ve had kids show up in shorts and crocs. One brought a stuffed animal for emotional support *respect*. Another, dead serious:
“I only want to ride horses that I can trick ride off of.”

And don’t get me started on the weather. If it’s 80 and sunny? Bugs. If it’s cool and rainy? Mud wrestling with a lesson pony. Winter? Ah yes, the thrill of teaching in a parka while your breath fogs up your sunglasses and your student asks if horses get snow days.

But through it all, something clicks. They find their seat. They learn how to steer. They trot for the first time and grin like they’re flying. And I remember why I do this.

Because teaching lessons isn’t just about riding. It’s about callous-forming grit day in and day out, shoulders-back confidence when you have to try and try again, and side-splitting laughter when those piles of horse business stay in your nose THAT long. It’s also about building cowboys and cowgirls who might one day help me catch a loose pony.

And maybe the best part? I was that kid once (see photo for reference). The one taking the lessons, never wanting to leave the barn. I remember the smell of leather and dirt, the way a pony’s trot felt like flying, and the trainer who believed in me before I ever believed in myself…. shoutout to Georgia at Prairie Creek Ranch😉 Now I get to be that for someone else… and that’s a kind of magic I’ll never get over.

So if you’re thinking about signing up… Bless your brave little heart. It’s gonna be a wild ride. Just remember: we’re Dead Broke C**t Company. The horses are trained. The trainer is caffeinated. And the kids? Well… they’re well on their way.

https://deadbrokecoltcompany.com/blog/welcome-to-riding-lessonswhere-the-horses-are-broke-but-the-kids-are-not

Dead Broke Colt Company

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