Happy Hearts Horsemanship

08/12/2026

Congratulations Kimberly!

🎉 🎉 Please Welcome Our New Board Vice President — Kimberly A. Loveless! 🎉

We are excited to welcome Kimberly as the new Vice President of the Best Horse Practices Summit!

Kimberly has been part of BHPS since the beginning, serving on the Steering Committee since 2019. Her years of involvement and commitment to the Summit make this next step into leadership especially meaningful.

Kimberly’s journey with horses began almost before she could walk. After an early career training Thoroughbreds and showing Hunter/Jumpers, and nearly 30 years in Federal Service, she returned to her passion for horses and founded Gin Lot Farms, LLC in Virginia.

Since adopting her first Mustangs in 2007, Kimberly and her husband have specialized in gentling and training American Mustangs. Her goal is to help other adopters succeed while building harmonious relationships with their horses. She believes in treating each horse as an individual and keeping their mental and physical well-being at the forefront of training.

Today, Kimberly enjoys dressage and hacking her horses, while also continuing her work with Mustangs, an OTTB, and a young eventing prospect.

We are thrilled to have Kimberly bringing her experience, thoughtful horsemanship, and years of dedication to BHPS into this leadership role.

Please join us in welcoming Kimberly as our new Vice President! ❤️🐴

08/10/2026

❤️

Anyone can put a shingle out and take money.

But what does it actually take to be a true teacher?

What separates an instructor from a lifelong mentor?

A sincere desire to help.

The passion and drive to spend long hours learning your craft—not just until you’re good enough, but for as long as you have something to learn.

The discipline to become the kind of person you want your students to be.

Thick skin for the people who will criticize you, insult you, dismiss you, or fail to appreciate what you’re trying to give them.

Enough humility to recognize how much your students sacrifice to learn from you—to let go of your own importance and make it about them.

And enough curiosity to keep questioning, exploring, and learning, even after you’ve established a “system” that works.

Because putting yourself out there is hard.

Doing it well asks for everything.

Anyone can earn quick admiration. Anyone can position themselves as an authority on something.

But a true teacher is something different.

A true teacher is an earth angel.

They shine a light into the dark corners, sometimes even for the people who can’t—or won’t—see it yet.

They give more than information. They give perspective. They give courage. They help someone see what they are capable of becoming.

And I have a deep, abiding gratitude for the teachers who have done that for me.

The ones who kept showing up, the ones who challenged me.

The ones who believed in me before I knew how to believe in myself.

Those are the people who change lives.

08/09/2026

Introducing our new Board President, Daniel Dauphin of Dauphin Horsemanship!

Daniel has trained horses for three decades. He earned a B.S. in Animal Science from Louisiana Technical University. He has been working as a clinician since 2012. He’s best known for his bitting video, online course, and presentations. He’s also written many articles and has a podcast where he and guests work up figurative wet saddle pads on the issues of the day.

Daniel presented at the 2022 Summit and appreciates the Summit’s goal of bringing truth seekers and advocates together for the betterment of our horses.

He was a part of the pilot group for Buck The Trend, a sister initiative of the Best Horse Practices Summit, dedicated to supporting the mental health of agricultural workers, farmers, ranchers, and horse professionals. Daniel is committed to carrying the Summit forward while also helping support the important work of Buck the Trend.

We're excited to have Daniel as our Board President. He is a big reason why BHPS is still going strong.

Stay tuned for more introductions of our newly formed Board of Directors.

08/06/2026

And thats a wrap for this Tiny Tots seasons ❤️ These kids worked hard, made friends, learned lots and had a blast! It was so fun to watch their curiosities and confidence grow 🌱

If you're interested in 1 on 1 lessons for your kiddos ages 5-9 (70lb weight limit), reach out to me! I will be scheduling individual kid lessons once my knee improves.

While we're on that subject, I am dealing with a bit of a set back after my MUA. My extension is worse instead of better. Definitely not the outcome I was hoping for.

A big thank you to everyone for your patience while I navigate this challenging time.

08/04/2026

It was a privilege to be at the Brent Graef Horsemanship clinic this weekend. He is the epitome of wholesome and I learn so much everytime I get the chance to be around him. Not just about horsemanship, but about myself too. He makes me want to be a better person, not just a better horseman. 🥰

Here are just a few quotes from this weekend.

"It's not about just about influencing their feet it's about getting to their mind first. Lets do this together."

"They're learning things everytime we're around them. Be mindful of what you teach them."

"Get the softeness in the forward first. Slow your lower back, tighten your core. There's your stop"

"Flex one calf then the other, than the other again, does your horse move off nicely from just that?"

"How much pressure did you use? Do less next time and see how it goes"

"How deep you want to go is up to you"

I cannot recommend Brent enough. He is truly all about the horse and he cares about the human next to them just as much. ❤️

08/04/2026

👀

08/01/2026

Horse clinics... what are you hoping to gain when you attend one?

There are clinics for just about every discipline imaginable—foundational horsemanship, groundwork, advancing under saddle, cavaletti, ranch work, jumping, gaming, Working Equitation, dressage... the list goes on.

But what you take away from a clinic, whether you're participating or auditing, is ultimately up to you.

Some people attend looking for an entertaining demonstration with a little learning mixed in. Others come ready to absorb every detail, even if the work isn't flashy or exciting.

The reality is that good horsemanship isn't a show. It's slow. It's repetitive. It's often tedious. It's a lifetime of refining the basics, and even the best horsemen never stop finding ways to improve.

Clinics are an investment, and it's up to us to get the most from them. You can decide the work is boring and mentally check out, or you can stay engaged, ask questions, observe closely, and look for the lessons hidden in the small details. There is always something to learn. Sometimes we learn a new skill. Sometimes we learn what doesn't work for us, or even who isn't the right instructor for where we are in our journey.

Not every clinic is the right fit for every horse or rider. Some environments can be overwhelming, some teaching styles may not align with your goals, and some methods simply aren't appropriate for your current stage of learning. That's why doing your homework beforehand is so important.

And sometimes... even after all your research, the experience isn't what you expected.

That's okay too.

Every clinic can teach us something if we approach it with an open mind and a willingness to think critically. The key is knowing why you're there in the first place.

So I'll ask again...

What are you hoping to gain from the next clinic you attend?

07/30/2026

You may have noticed it's been a little quiet over here... like crickets 🦗 But don't mistake the silence for inactivity. Behind the scenes, we've been working hard to ensure the future of the Best Horse Practices Summit.

Like many non-profits, we've experienced some changes. Our previous Board of Directors has dissolved, and our former Board President, Maddy Butcher, has shifted her focus to an incredible initiative: Buck the Trend.

Buck the Trend is a sister initiative of the Best Horse Practices Summit, dedicated to supporting the mental health of agricultural workers, farmers, ranchers, and horse professionals. Through peer-focused support, practical skill-building, and guidance from experienced mental health professionals, it creates a safe, welcoming space for meaningful conversations and positive change. We wholeheartedly support this mission and believe it's one our industry desperately needs.

At the same time, the mission of the Best Horse Practices Summit remains as strong as ever.

Our purpose is to bridge the gap between equine research and horsemanship by providing a common-sense, research-supported conference that strengthens the horse-human connection. We believe that making horses' lives better also means empowering the people who care for them with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to become better partners, better horsemen, and a stronger community.

To continue that mission, we've been hard at work assembling an entirely new Board of Directors—an incredible group of passionate individuals committed to carrying the Summit forward while also helping support the important work of Buck the Trend.

And this is just the beginning.

Over the coming weeks, we'll be introducing each of our new board members, sharing the vision we're building together, and giving you a sneak peek at what's in store for the future of the Best Horse Practices Summit.

We're excited. We're energized. And we're just getting started.

Thank you for sticking with us. The future is bright, and we can't wait to bring you along for the journey. ❤️

07/28/2026

✨️Changes to my training program going forward ✨️

It's hard to believe it's already been 4 months since my accident. Today I'm recovering from my second procedure to break up the scar tissue thats preventing my knee from bending and straightening. I'm very sore but doing well.🫠

As recovery continues, I wanted to take a moment to update everyone on where I'm at and share some exciting changes to my training program.

My knee injury brought my normal routine to a halt, giving me the opportunity to take a fresh look at my training program. Throughout my recovery, I've carefully considered what has been most successful and how I can continue providing the best experience for both my clients and their horses.

As my knee continues to heal and I work toward getting myself back in the saddle, my focus will be shifting to the areas of training that I am most passionate about.

I will continue offering:
• Youth horsemanship lessons with my pony, Chip, at my home farm.
• One-on-one lessons with adult clients and their own horses, helping each partnership reach their individual goals.

The biggest change to my program will be regarding training horses.

Going forward, I will no longer accept green or unstarted horses for training undersaddle unless the owner is able to commit to a minimum of 90 days of full training. Young horses needing a beginning foundation through groundwork will require a minimum of 30 days of full training before transitioning home.

An equally important part of my program is owner involvement. I believe owners should be active participants throughout the training process so they have the knowledge and confidence to continue building on their horse's education once training is complete.

I will continue to offer mobile lessons and training (I come to you and your horse) or haul in lessons and training at Le Phantom Farm. Although, I won't be taking on any riding clients until my knee is fully recovered. I'm hoping I will be ready in the Spring.

This decision is not about increasing training commitments—it's about providing the best possible results. My goal has never been to prolong the process or ask clients to invest more than necessary. In my experience, working with green horses only one or two days a week, or sporadically throughout the month, often slows progress, creates inconsistency, and can ultimately be frustrating for both horse and owner.

By setting these minimum training standards, I can create a safer, more consistent learning environment for both myself and the horses in my care, while ensuring that owners leave with a horse that has a solid foundation and the skills needed to enjoy a safe, successful partnership for years to come.

Thank you to everyone who has trusted me with your horses over the years and for your continued support as I begin this next chapter! I'm excited for what lies ahead. 🤠

📷 Photo of me and my Lacey girl. The one who opened my eyes and forever changed my horsemanship journey shaping me into the horsemen I am today 🥰

07/25/2026

One of my favorite upgrades just arrived!

I received my new dressage panels for my Chicago saddle from Hug Your Horse : Adjustable Saddles, and just look at the difference in the weight-bearing surface! More contact area means better weight distribution, which helps improve comfort for the horses in my training program. Their comfort is always a top priority, so I'm excited to put these to use.

One of the things I love most about Hidalgo saddles is how adaptable they are. If you have a hard-to-fit horse, a young horse that's still developing, or a horse whose body changes throughout the year, Hidalgo is absolutely worth considering. Being able to swap panels instead of replacing an entire saddle is a huge advantage.

Tiffani at Hug Your Horse is fantastic at helping riders find the right fit by offering demos and virtual saddle fittings. If you'd rather have an in-person fitting, I'm also a Hidalgo Saddle ambassador and Saddle Fitter and would be happy to help.

If you're thinking about making the switch to Hidalgo sattels, you can save with my discount code: HAPPYHEARTS24 ❤️🐴