ES Natural Horsemanship

06/05/2026

A little fun fact about the Standardbreds that are pacers! This is a natural gait for them and this little foal shows it off!

06/04/2026

Another chance to get a Mustang is coming to the east coast!

05/30/2026

Such a great program being launched! Go save a standardbred. Very similar to Mustang makeover formats but for Standardbreds to help showcase all they can do in their 2nd careers.

‼️CALLING ALL TRAINERS! ‼️

Our ReBrand Initiative Standardbred Makeover Trainers’ Challenge is LIVE!

The adoption organizations have been selected, and now applications are open to be a trainer for this amazing challenge that benefits Standardbred aftercare!

Selected trainers will be matched one of our chosen 501c3 Aftercare Programs, and be sent a standardbred to train for a 3 month period in the discipline of their choosing, with the ultimate goal of competing at the National Standardbred Horse Show at the Horse Park of NJ (Sep 18-20). Trainers provide professional care and training to these horses for the 3 month period to prepare the horse for adoption in a sport horse career, and also compete for prize money donations for the Aftercare Organization they are partnered with!

At this time, there is no prize money for trainers, but we do have some perks for trainers already—the horse park of NJ has donated a free stall for each trainer for the National Show weekend, SPHO NJ has donated 5 free class entry fees for the National show, and we will also cover braiding/banding for the competing horses. We are looking to add more perks and possible prize money for the trainers, which will be announced once confirmed, but at the moment these are the confirmed perks.

Trainers will be required to provide video updates and work with their Aftercare Organization for social media challenges (video/photo updates).

This is a wonderful opportunity to work with an amazing breed and make a big difference in Standardbred Aftercare and show the versatility of these amazing horses, as well as get your training promoted on social media!

More detailed information is available. If you have any questions please contact Ashley Parsells for the quickest response.

Trainer app is below. Apps are due by JUNE 8! If you have any issues, just contact our page, Brielle Roman, or Ashley!

https://forms.gle/1xeK5kQS2BeAxfJd6

05/30/2026

A lot of college equestrian programs are posting their search for more horses. I wanted to talk about my experience with sending my horse to college.

The decision to send Echo to college was not something taken lightly. Echo was my first horse and I trained her myself, she is truly the horse that showcased what I’m capable of producing. I felt that both of our hearts weren’t in the all around. So, I pivoted our training, when she was old enough I started her over fences. I found she really enjoyed jumping. Echo hated the trailer and although she did well when hauled, she was overall much happier staying at home. I have shown lightly in the hunters but I really wanted to get into ranch riding. I didn’t want to sell her because I didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. That’s when I started doing a lot of research on sending your horse to college.

I sent out emails to over 10 colleges with reputable programs. Wilson college showed interest in Echo first, after touring the facility and speaking with the coordinator, I felt the most comfortable with her going there. Echo is now used in western and English ISHA classes and she gets to show off her fancy skills without having to leave the college campus. I get to cheer her on from the sidelines at shows and she will come back to me when she’s ready to retire. Sending my horse to college wasn’t an easy decision but it was the best one for myself and Echo. Colleges depend on horse donations to help keep their equestrian teams up and running. These horses help further riders in their collegiate career. Most colleges allow you to fully donate your horse which can be a tax write off or just lease your horse. If we want a strong future for the collegiate programs we have to help colleges get the horses they need to continue teaching riders and hosting shows. They are a huge stepping stone in setting up the future of the horse industry.

05/29/2026

Community and collaboration over competition.

In the horse world, I feel like there can be a lot of gatekeeping and pettiness. Honestly, a lot of it could be avoided if we focused more on building positive relationships with one another.

Every trainer eventually reaches a point where they’re either full or simply may not be the best fit for what a client is looking for. That’s why building strong relationships with others in the industry is so important to me. I want to have a trusted network of people I can confidently recommend when needed.

Every trainer has something to teach you. New perspectives are valuable, and you should never stop learning. Even the best athletes and most established trainers continue learning from the people around them.

When you work with different trainers, you can take what resonates with you and what doesn’t, and use it to shape your own philosophy and style. Having the ability to learn from others is such a gift, and I think we should use it to our advantage.

There can be 100 horse trainers in the same area, and every single one will be different. We all have different experiences, methods, and ways of teaching, and that’s okay!

Collaboration, not competition, is what will move the horse industry forward and help create a more positive space for both horses and riders 🤍

05/27/2026

US eventing did an article and her partner of choice is a standardbred! Showcasing and breaking the stereotype that Standardbreds “can’t’” canter or jump.

Ateasha Baltodano is your typical adult amateur rider. She's a mother of three plus a bonus son, works a full-time job as an operations manager, and is just trying to enjoy eventing when she can.

Learn more about this hard-working eventer and her Standardbred partner!

05/21/2026

Echo is a Wilson college horse!! They have amazing facilities and people and it’s such a great place for horses to be at!