Heritage Stables

10/29/2025

Happy Halloween from our barn to yours🎃

10/28/2025

Every day there are clinics and riding lessons and round pen demos all over the world. There are lectures and videos and books about riding, how to ride, how to train.

But I think what any rider needs most can be encapsulated in just two words, "seat" and "attitude."

One is a physical skill. The other is an emotional quality.

When a rider has what is called "a good seat," or "an independent seat, " that rider's seat meshes with the motion of the swinging back of the moving horse in a harmonious fashion.

When a rider has achieved an independent seat, that rider can have soft, independent arms and hands. The rider with an independent seat and arms and hands will be able to be virtually a part of the moving, breathing horse in ways that do not interfere with or hinder or unbalance the movements of the horse.

The other word, "attitude," refers to whether or not the rider is in control of his or her emotions and thoughts. A "good" attitude describes the rider who is patient, and empathetic, and stays calm, who does not get frustrated or have issues with temper, and who tries not to use force or coercion, and tries to become educated in better ways.

If a rider has a good seat and a good attitude, the horses that rider rides have little to fear. If a rider lacks either of those, it doesn't matter how many clinics they attend or lessons they take or books they read or videos they watch, because in so many cases they already know what they need, and are simply trying to avoid the reality of having to achieve them.

(Photo--Klaus Balkenhol and Goldstern)

10/26/2025

What an awesome surprise! Thank you Casey💖

10/23/2025

Bubba is having the retirement years that every horse deserves. A pile of hay, a room with a view and a friend 💙

10/18/2025

The arena turned out really nice with the big load of sand added one wheel barrel at a time! We are ready for winter riding🐎

10/18/2025

10/14/2025

We sure have fat ,shiny and happy ponies ❤️

10/02/2025

Tom is coming back to the Midwest and Deanna Hertrich is willing to share him with our barn! We will have riding spots on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning available! Also day and overnight stalls ! It will be closed to auditing to ensure the best learning environment for riders !🦄

10/02/2025

You can’t force it, or fake it. You just have to show up, every single day and keep chopping the wood.

The most meaningful part of training horses isn’t the big wins or the picture-perfect moments.

It’s the quiet work, the everyday moments where a horse chooses to trust you a little more. When they soften, when they breathe, when they realize you’re not going to rush them and you're in this together. That’s when the magic happens.

09/23/2025

Celebrating Maureen s Birthday 💖🐎