Van Hargis Horsemanship

06/23/2026

Every great ride starts with connection. The communication between horse and rider is built long before the competition begins.

Reinsman products are designed to help strengthen that connection through every ride, every cue, and every moment in the saddle.

Built for connection. Proven through performance.

06/23/2026

“Reinsman products are designed to strengthen the connection between horse and rider”.

Every great ride starts with connection. The communication between horse and rider is built long before the competition begins.

Reinsman products are designed to help strengthen that connection through every ride, every cue, and every moment in the saddle.

Built for connection. Proven through performance.

06/22/2026

How horses learn… How horses get better…
Circle Y Saddles Reinsman Equestrian Arena Werks DH Braids Willow Lane Hat Co.

06/18/2026

Who are your “translators”?
Circle Y Saddles Reinsman Equestrian Arena Werks DH Braids Willow Lane Hat Co.

06/16/2026

“Yard by Yard Life is Hard
Inch by Inch it’s a Cinch”.
What’s the first thing you learned to read?
Circle Y Saddles Reinsman Equestrian Arena Werks DH Braids Willow Lane Hat Co.

06/15/2026

I’ve been a proud endorser of Reinsman since the very early 2000s. They built my line of bits that I use every day. Practical. Purposeful. Professional.

For more than 40 years, Van Hargis has earned the trust of horse owners through his professionalism, experience, and dedication to quality horsemanship. Known for his versatility across multiple disciplines, Van is passionate about helping both horses and riders reach their full potential. We’re proud to be part of his team and to support his commitment to excellence in the horse industry.

06/10/2026

Thanks to all that attended and participated in the recent clinic…
Circle Y Saddles Reinsman Equestrian Arena Werks DH Braids Willow Lane Hat Co.

06/10/2026

Be a LEADER…
A while back I read a post on being a leader to your horse. Since reading the article the first time I’ve seen it again and again. I agree that good leadership is good horsemanship. It’s also applicable in all aspects of life. I’ve been quoted numerous times saying, “Horsemanship is an opportunity to practice “humanship”.
Please read the article…
“𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩…

That statement puts some people off, and here’s why.

Many people don’t actually know what GOOD leadership is when it comes to owning and training horses.

They think it means a cruel dictatorship that “shuts down” horses.

But that could not be FURTHER from the truth.

Good leadership is a relationship with your horse that means security, CLEAR expectations, boundaries, predictability, and good timing, all SET BY YOU!

All of those things promote a horse that will WANT to work for you, not the opposite.

As a trainer I get horses into my program ALL THE TIME, who lack good leadership.

Many times these horses have been the ones making all the decisions instead of the person handling them, mostly because the person doesn’t want to “be mean” to their horse.

Want to know what all of those horses have in common?

-Frustration
-Spookiness
-NO work ethic
-Downright dangerous behavior
-And no trust or curiosity

That’s a recipe for bad experiences …

Now all of this is fixable with good training, spending the time to establish good leadership, and KEEPING UP WITH IT.

But as a horse trainer, the fads of “consent based training” and constantly hand feeding treats in the replacement of Pressure, is really doing more harm than good, and unfortunately many people who fall victim to it, end up with very dangerous and unhappy horses that trainers have to spend 2-3x the amount of time to fix.

I would really love to see more horse owners learn to adopt good leadership to change the relationship with their horse instead of shying away from being the leader that their horse really needs.”
📸 by Western Shot Media

06/10/2026

From the great folks at Reinsman Equestrian…
I’ve proudly endorsed them for over 25 years. They also make the Van Hargis Transition Series bit line.

Did you know your saddle pad also plays a crucial role in overall saddle fit? The right pad helps provide support, distribute pressure evenly, and accommodate your horse's individual needs.

However, more padding is not always better. Overpadding can make your horse wider and lift your saddle higher than intended, potentially affecting fit, balance, and performance. Instead of stacking pads, focus on choosing the correct pad thickness and material for your horse, saddle, and riding discipline. A properly fitted saddle paired with the right pad helps keep your horse comfortable and performing at their best through every stage of life.

06/06/2026

Are you gender biased when it comes to your horses?
Circle Y Saddles Reinsman Equestrian Arena Werks Willow Lane Hat Co.