LTD Horsemanship

12/06/2025

Let’s talk about group lessons and the incredible benefits they offer. For some reason, group lessons have developed a stigma of being “less than,” when that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, you’ve probably noticed many trainers are now switching to, or exclusively offering, group lessons. There’s a good reason for that.

1. Riders learn from each other making mixed-level groups a huge advantage.

* Newer riders get to watch more advanced riders and see correct position, timing, patterns and confidence in action.
* More experienced riders get the opportunity to help beginners, and teaching or explaining something actually reinforces your own skills.

2. It Builds Confidence & Reduces Pressure

Private lessons can sometimes feel intense because all eyes are on you every second. Group lessons help riders relax, breathe and enjoy the process while learning alongside others.

3. Community Matters

Group lessons create friendships, support and a strong sense of belonging. Kids especially thrive when they can cheer each other on and feel part of a team.

4. We Get to Play Games & Try New Things

Games, patterns, obstacle courses, relay activities; group settings open the door to so many fun and educational opportunities that simply aren’t possible in privates.

5. Real-World Riding Isn’t Solo

Whether you’re in an arena, warming up at a show, or out on the trail, you’re rarely riding alone. Group lessons teach space management, passing etiquette, listening while others ride, and staying calm with movement around you.

6. Horses Benefit Too

Lesson horses enjoy the variety, social environment and mental stimulation that group lessons bring. A mentally engaged lesson horse is a happier partner.

7. Better Use of Trainer Time = Better Instruction

Group lessons allow trainers to step back and watch patterns, offer demonstrations, analyze from a broader view and coach more efficiently. This often results in stronger learning than constant one-on-one micromanaging.

At the end of the day, group lessons offer incredible benefits that riders simply can’t get in a private setting. And realistically, it isn’t feasible for trainers to offer only privates unless lesson prices doubled. Group classes don’t just keep programs affordable, but they genuinely make riders better.

They are fun, educational, confidence-building, affordable, community-oriented, and they help create well-rounded horsemen and horsewomen. If you’ve been hesitant to try group lessons, I promise they might be exactly what you or your rider needs.

And with all of that in mind, I will be transitioning to primarily group lessons of 2–4 riders moving forward. I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my riders who have already been participating in group lessons. I’m excited about the opportunities this will bring to our riders and our program!

12/05/2025

Nari didn’t know she was going to be front row to a fashion show 😂

12/05/2025

This is your reminder that horse training isn’t linear. It’s not a straight line of progress. Some days are beautiful and encouraging and you feel like you’ve got it all together. And some days… are not. Some days are physically, mentally and emotionally draining. We don’t talk about those days enough. Not every moment is inspirational. Not every ride is magical. Sometimes it’s just hard. It’s those moments that are supposed to build character right? 😅

Holli has been on one this week, and to be honest, our ride yesterday was awful. Mounting was fine, it was everything after. She was incredibly anxious, tucking her butt, wanting to bolt over every little thing and even threw one of her infamous tornados in there. I was really unhappy with how that ride felt, especially after how phenomenal she’s been doing.

I tied her up and let her stand for a while (which all my horses do regularly, but that’s a rant for another day 😂. Let them stand tied people). After lessons, I saddled her again and we tried in the round pen instead of the arena. It was better… but still nowhere close to the last couple rides.

And to be extra honest, I hated yesterday. As trainers, and just as people, we only have so much bandwidth, and mine has been stretched thin this week. I train, I’m a mom who homeschools, I have a barn full of horses who need time too, I run a riding program… some days that “nonlinear progress” hits a little harder. Sometimes when a horse has a rough day, it feels discouraging. It feels like it takes from the rest: from my kids, from my energy, from my other horses. And it’s okay to feel that. It doesn’t mean you failed. It doesn’t mean the horse failed.

Training isn’t linear, and neither are we. Give yourself grace, the same way you give it to your horses. Tomorrow is another day, and it doesn’t have to look like today.

If you’re in a season where things feel heavy or you’re stretched thin, you’re not alone. We’re all out here trying to balance real life with the passion we love and some days, that balance just tips a little. And that’s okay 🤍.

11/27/2025

Come feed Thanksgiving breakfast with me
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11/27/2025

Thankful today and every day. God is good 💛.

11/27/2025

Sweet girl 💕

11/27/2025

I don’t normally share videos of the “bad” because the internet can be… unhinged 😅 and takes things out of context. But I’m going to be vulnerable here because I’m proud of this mare, and her progress deserves to be seen.

For anyone new to Holli’s story: she had what I called a tornado problem 😅. The moment you’d hop on, she’d “explode”, spinning in circles like she was auditioning for the lead role in Twister. It wasn’t naughtiness or being “fresh.” It was anxiety. A trauma response to a human caused issue in her past which made mounting a trigger for her.

I chose to restart her and rebuild her foundation. And I want to note that we did all of this through groundwork. It’s not only okay, but often necessary, to go back to basics. Don’t let ego convince you to “ride it out” or “cowboy through it.” Slow down. Start at the beginning. Rebuild.

I honestly adore this mare. She has more try and more forgiveness than almost any horse I’ve met. She’s smart, kind and wants to connect. Show her something once in a calm, quiet way - no drama or pressure, and she’s like, “Oh, that’s it? Cool.” She remembers it the next day and the anxiety melts.

I chose to meet her where she was and not feed the anxiety. Now we’ve had three rides in a row with zero tornadoes. She stands quietly while I get on, waits for the cue to walk and yesterday it was like a switch flipped in her and she was so relaxed the entire time I worked her. No anxiety at all and she hung out with her head down, wanting all the loves and scratches.

I’ll always advocate for grace. Meet them where they are. Build a relationship. Most horses will walk through fire for you if you take the time to understand them and give them the same softness we expect in return ❤️.

11/26/2025

Geraldine is a sweet 18-year-old grade mare. She’s broke to ride, respectful and easy to be around. She has more go than whoa, so I recommend her for an advanced beginner and up, not because she’s naughty, but because she’s a forward mover who can feel intimidating for very young or timid riders.

She’s been used in:
- Walk/trot lessons
- Youth day camps
- Groundwork and in-hand activities
- Painting stations, grooming clinics and confidence-building exercises

She’s truly a level-headed mare and likes to have a job.

Maintenance & Care:
She does require light maintenance, we’re happy to discuss details. Teeth were done in October. She has recent front-foot X-rays available. She’s sound and comfortable for walk/trot work; I would recommend additional maintenance/injections if you plan to do consistent loping.

Good manners all around:�- Trailers easily�- Stands tied�- Fantastic for the farrier�- Settles into new routines well

She was used as a ranch horse previously, but with her current owners she’s been a steady walk/trot youth horse and a favorite for groundwork activities.

Low X,###

Videos & X-rays available.

Message me for more info or to come try her!

11/25/2025

My other business is creating all kinds of things, so I have to do a shameless plug and share here… 😅

I created a 24-day “Finding Jesus: Countdown to Christmas” for my kids (age 6), and it turned out so sweet that I decided to make it available as a printable for anyone else who wants to use it too!

It’s designed especially for younger kids (roughly ages 3–8) and includes:

⭐ A short Bible verse
⭐ A “Note from Jesus” written for little hearts
⭐ Daily activities
⭐ Optional matching coloring pages
You can use it on its own OR with a Jesus plushie (plushie not included).

Just print, cut, and enjoy a gentle, meaningful way to prepare for Christmas together.

The digital download is now available in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4411628807/finding-jesus-christmas-countdown-24-day

I’m so excited to share this! 💛 I created a 24-day “Finding Jesus: Countdown to Christmas” for my kids (age 6), and it turned out so sweet that I decided to make it available as a printable for anyone else who wants to use it too!

It’s designed especially for younger kids (roughly ages 3–8) and includes:

⭐ A short Bible verse
⭐ A “Note from Jesus” written for little hearts
⭐ Daily activities
⭐ Optional matching coloring pages
You can use it on its own OR with a Jesus plushie (plushie not included).

Just print, cut, and enjoy a gentle, meaningful way to prepare for Christmas together.

The digital download is now available in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4411628807/finding-jesus-christmas-countdown-24-day

11/23/2025

I don’t even know…

11/19/2025

While I’m addressing comments, I want to address another one because it made me laugh. Someone recently commented on this video that I ‘look stupid’ riding around with my feet in my son’s stirrups. Well… if looking cool was the goal, I wouldn’t have chosen a lifestyle involving a giant, emotionally unstable hamster whose main hobbies are humbling me and embarrassing me on the daily. I’ve actually had quite a few comments upset about “how dumb I look” here. I’m not sure why some people are so pressed when they’re not the ones folded up like an origami swan in a kids’ saddle 😅. Y’all need to laugh a little. Everyone else did at this show about it.

11/19/2025

I want to address a comment I’ve actually gotten several times from the same person, saying it’s concerning that a kids’ horse needs to be schooled at a show. They’re trying to turn it into a ‘catch me’ moment… but here’s the thing: kids’ horses only stay kids’ horses because adults ride them. A safe, reliable youth mount doesn’t happen by accident. Hollywood and Disney are not real. Stop romanticizing horses. Horses don’t magically sense that it’s a child and behave perfectly. Trust me, I’ve met plenty that would give themselves 100 points for yeeting a kid across the arena.

Kid horses are maintained through consistent schooling, reminders, tune-ups and keeping them honest. If your trainer isn’t regularly riding lesson horses, schooling client horses, and checking in on what your kids are sitting on, that’s when you should be concerned. Any reputable trainer is in the saddle often. It’s literally part of the job. And it’s the biggest reason your child gets to ride a horse who is kind, confident and well-prepared.
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