02/20/2025
100%
I had a mom tell me once that I was very direct. She meant is as a compliment. I am always going to be direct, honest and explain everything in great depth if needed because this sport can be extremely romanticized.
It is magical-no doubt, but it’s unlike any other sport. It’s my job to keep everyone learning at a pace that is appropriate for the riders safety and education as well as the horses well being.
A good trainer should be direct, patient and compassionate. Never rush the basics and make sure you’re never making someone feel like they can be doing more just to make more money when your gut knows it’s not right by them or the horses involved 👍🏻
Let’s start today with this -
No matter what you have going on, you’ve got to be thankful for what you have.
In the horse industry (no matter what part) that can be tough some days, a lot of days. It’s hard, it’s so hard.
I’ve worked in many different areas of the horse world - from breeding farms to college equestrian team, show barns, lesson barns, camps, barn rider at sales barns, galloping, backing young horses, and rescue.
Regardless of where you’re at, you’ve got to play the hand you’re dealt like it was the hand you wanted. Your passion in this industry is what pays off.
No one has ever wrote me a check and said - here go buy whatever horse you want.
Ive worked my up from the bottom and ive made it with imported horses and with throw away ones.
Make the most out of every horse even if they arent overly talented. They all have something to offer. If you get a super talented horse, make the most of it, and build from there.
Everybody fails. It’s how you handle that failure that determines if you’ll succeed or not. You’ve got to be motivated by your failures. You must have resilience to deal with horses.
The ability to say no is absolutely critical. Being healthy and injury free is of utmost importance. That’s yours completely so say no if you need to. I used to ride some rank creatures back in the day just so i had horses to ride, getting started, just so I had business. If you don’t like something, if something feels not right, say no.
You’ve got to be honest. People dont like my comments about horses and how brutally honest I am with my descriptions sometimes but I look at it like my job is to keep people safe and horses can be dangerous animals. Any horse can be.
Your word is all you have. Stand behind your horses always.
If you have to lie to make $3 in the horse business - then you need a 9-5 job.
Good riding regardless of discipline is most important. It’s good to be able to do more than just one thing. Dont be one dimensional. Be able to ride all different types of horses and do it well.
Take every opportunity to learn from people and learn all you can. Never stop learning. There’s so much to know about horses and riding and no one ever learns it all.
