The Ideal Connection

12/27/2024

Hi friends and students,

I just want to give everyone a heads up that I have decided to delete this Facebook business page as I head in to the new year. I tend to post more often to Instagram, so head over if you’d like to follow along on my teaching, business and life journeys. My handle is . And I will still be keeping my personal Facebook profile.

Please know that you can connect with me via phone call, text, email, and Instagram messenger, if you ever need to reach me.

I will plan to delete this page by the first of the year.

Thanks for “following along!”

Ashley Ford Gayhart

12/24/2024

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from my family to yours! 🎄✨

12/19/2024

I know I said I would share a video of just how playful Rue was the other day (and I will 😉), but I just HAVE to share this photo that Ashley (our photographer), was somehow able to get of our family the other day 🥹 ⁣
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For this session in particular, our eldest Evelyn just wanted pictures of her and the horses (and none with her awesome incredible family 🙄🤭🫠). But regardless, Ashley was still able to capture some beautiful pictures that will live on the walls of our home forever 🫶🏼 ⁣
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Thank you, .photography !!
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12/07/2024

5 Reasons Why Having Farm Animals Is Good For You and Your Kids⁣
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1️⃣ Builds Responsibility & Confidence: Taking care of animals teaches kids responsibility, independence, and pride in their accomplishments. Those daily feedings and muckings? They’re raising leaders!⁣
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2️⃣ Encourages Daily Outdoor Time: Fresh air and time in nature are proven to boost mood, focus, and overall health. Caring for animals guarantees your kids are outside and active every day.⁣
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3️⃣ Fosters Empathy & Connection: Animals teach kids to be gentle, patient, and compassionate. These life skills carry over into every relationship they’ll have.⁣
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4️⃣ Promotes Problem-Solving: Farm life challenges kids to think critically—whether it’s fixing a fence, solving a feeding issue, or understanding their horse’s needs.⁣
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5️⃣ Simplifies Modern Chaos: A track system for your horses not only supports their health but also creates a seamless flow for your family’s routine, leaving time for you.⁣
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If you’re a mom who dreams of getting your family outside more often while still making time for your horses, I can help. Book a consultation or a lesson with me today—I understand the juggle of motherhood and horse ownership, and I’m here to help you make it all fit seamlessly. You can have kids and still have your horse time. ⁣
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DM me or visit my website (link in bio) to get started! 🐴🌱

12/02/2024

January lesson availability is now posted to the site ✨

www.ashleygayhart.com

11/28/2024

Grateful 🫶🏼

11/27/2024

A shift in topic, but a necessary one.⁣
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For anyone else out there grieving:⁣
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I see you. ⁣
I am you.⁣
I admire your strength. ⁣
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Keep going 🫶🏼⁣
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11/26/2024

You asked for the layout of our barn, so here it is! 🥂

After years of deliberation, we finally decided on this setup in order to be the most functional for our family’s needs.

🥇 My favorite feature, hands down — the way our stalls open up completely and convert the entire barn in to one giant run in.

At this point, the horses have only been using the barn for 5 months, so these things may change, but here are my favorite and least favorite things about the barn so far.

Favorites:
▪️ Having use of three stalls to keep horses in as I want/need for various appointments or when working them.
▪️ Three stalls instead of just two, so if I have to leave a horse inside while I work another horse, I could also leave a buddy for the horse inside (haven’t had to do this yet).
▪️ The hay is separate from the main barn, yet still connected incase of inclement weather.
▪️ There is plenty of room for each of our four horses.

Least Favorites:
▫️ Initially, it could be a little sketchy bringing the horses in for feeding time right from the run in to the stalls (food aggression etc). I have since remedied by feeding hay outside first, prior to bringing in.
▫️ Navigating the best stall dividers that still open up. So far, gates are working, but they are not safe enough for long term, IMO. (Thank you, pony club 🫡).
▫️ My husband seems to have taken over the hay area for not one, but TWO tractors and random tools 🙄🫠

I would love to know what you think!

📷:

11/24/2024

Happy ponies in their new field ✨ ⁣⁣
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11/15/2024

Ever since our eldest daughter Evelyn was born, I’ve been very intentional about not pushing horses on to her.⁣
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Yes. I bought her a mini when she was a few months old, but that was more so that she could have a little friend at the farm since she would be spending a lot of her time there with us. ⁣
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But… even with that being said, she often wants to engage with the horses, enjoys training and grooming and riding (when able), and absorbs everything horse related like a sponge. ⁣
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Today, I decided to see if she wanted to warm up Maestro for me at the walk, and she was so excited to. Then, I hopped on to work him and she watched from the mounting block. While watching, she asked so many good questions and made some keen observations. ⁣
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It reminded me of when she was only a couple of years old, and because of her, I made the commitment to try and be as kind as possible to my horses, in life and in training. I did away with whips and a lot of pressure, and now prioritize rewards and fun. ⁣
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Watching her watch me on the mounting block today, I was SO CONTENT with her seeing me train the way I do. ⁣
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📷:

11/08/2024

All for the horses 🫶🏼 and maybe the humans, too… 🧘🏻‍♀️🪬

11/08/2024

The front doors of our barn were finished last night! 🤩 ⁣
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We are so impressed. They are MASSIVE and the craftsmanship is top notch. The builder even said they were the biggest doors he’s done yet! 😗 ⁣
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They really pull everything together, and not only that, but the ponies will stay dry this winter! 😅 They’ll be back in a week or two to install the back doors, and then they may end up covering the rail in the near future. ⁣
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10/24/2024

The sunrise this morning was so beautiful 🌅 ✨ ⁣
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My best girl Rue snacking on her morning hay 🫶🏼

10/24/2024

Our arena is finished! 🥳⁣
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If you are interested in hauling your horse in to our farm for a lesson, simply go to the website. When you go to book an appointment, click on “Haul-In Session.” It’s that easy. ⁣
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On the other hand, if you’re not quite ready for a structured lesson off property, you are still welcome to come and school. There is also a place to sign up on the website to come and do just that. ⁣
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Let me know if you have any questions!⁣
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10/09/2024

November availability now posted! ✨

Connect more deeply with your horse, and have fun while doing so. Book An Appointment Online Courses Coming 2024 Intro To Clicker Training $49.99 One time Are you curious about clicker training your horse but you're not sure where to begin? In this course, you will learn how to introduce the clicker...

10/04/2024

Sharing for a student. Please spread the word!

10/03/2024

Just hanging with our best frandsss this morning 🫶🏼

09/16/2024

October Availability posted!

NOW INCLUDES Saturdays and Sundays ◡̈

Book Now 👇🏼

Connect more deeply with your horse, and have fun while doing so. Book An Appointment Online Courses Coming 2024 Intro To Clicker Training $49.99 One time Are you curious about clicker training your horse but you're not sure where to begin? In this course, you will learn how to introduce the clicker...