Romriell Performance Horses

05/15/2025

03/27/2025

702 reasons to NOT “bring your horse home”…
1.) horses are not meant to live by themselves, so having one by itself rarely ever works. If you have two they get so buddy sour you can’t do something with one without the other going nuts. Three is also inconvenient and gives few options for mixing pairs and preventing issues. So four is really the bare minimum to keep together
2.) Feeding twice a day is a minimum- even if they have access to hay/grass, plenty of water, and get no grain, you need eyes on them absolutely twice a day minimum. What if they are injured? Or a bird drowned in the water tank and it’s hot and the water is now full of bacteria?
3.) Horse care takes way more time than you think. If you think you’re going to save time by not having to drive to the barn, then I know how naïve you are on how much time it’s going to take to care for your own horse at home.
4.) Ever try self board?? Yay! That’s an adorable start, but you ain’t the one fixing fence, hauling out the manure pile, probably not ordering hay, and you ain’t making the tractor payment (doing maintenance on the tractor)
5.) think it’s gonna be cheaper??? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 it’s not. I promise it’s not. Most boarding barns actually subsidize the cost per horse, and they are buying in bulk. Keeping one horse is way more expensive than keeping 20 when you look at the cost per horse.
6.) Do you like having ANY amenities???? stalls if a horse hurts themself, or it’s freezing rain for a week? A hot water wash bay? Or even just an area with lights so that you can even see your horse in the winter?
7.) Do you think you’re just gonna ride out in the pasture? Because that only works for about a month until you tear it up so bad that the footing is absolutely dangerous.
I guess it would work if you only ride twice a month during perfect weather days. Not only does a small basic outdoor arena cost about $30,000, but you absolutely need a tractor and a good quality arena rake if you want to maintain it.
8.) Did I mention Tractor payment? Small tractors that can barely do the job are dangerous. Get more tractor than you think need.
9.) Do you ever go away? Kiss that goodbye. Or expect to drop some serious cash on a quality horse sitter. Want to go out in the evening? You’ll need to schedule that around evening chores.
10.) Right now you might love when you get the arena to yourself, but when you are by yourself ALL the time, its easy to lack direction or motivation.
11.) You’ll miss barn culture and riding buddies, and getting away from your spouse for a couple hours. There’s a reason why time flies at the barn!
12.) Mud.
13.) The tens of thousands of dollars you spend trying to get rid of mud, just to have more mud.
14.) have fun dealing with a manure pile on small acreage. It’s not enough to get anyone commercial to haul it out, but way too much to not have a place to go with it. 
15.) Lack of instruction. It’s hard to get an instructor to come to you.
16.) No one to share farm call fees with…
17.) IF you can even get a vet or farrier to come to you!

I know I’m 685 reasons short, but I promise they exist!!!! This is just a start! (And I’m sure others will leave their reasons in the comments.)

01/21/2025

HORSES IN TRAINING…

You pay that hefty training bill for the month.

You look to have you horse in training as little as possible so it doesn’t break the bank.

You’re disappointed when after 30 days or 60 days or 90 days, there’s still more work to be done or the goal hasn’t been met. Worse yet, it looks good, you take the horse home and it unravels piece by piece. All that money “wasted”.

When you pay a trainer, that money isn’t paying for a result, it’s paying for someone’s skilled effort.

At least for me, when someone gets unhappy that their horse “isn’t fixed yet”, or comes “untrained” after it’s been home a while, makes the task of training horses for other people, discouraging. Discouraging because the efforts are being made, usually my best efforts that are filled with compassion, determination and lots of ruminating on how to fix complex issues a horse may have. Their disappointment becomes my failure basically. I know that’s not an actual truth but it’s never rewarding when someone is disappointed due to their own expectations.

Training a horse is NOT like being a mechanic on a car. Its not a tune up, it’s not the simple replacement of a part. It’s an animal with thoughts, feelings, emotions, habits, talents, etc. You don’t just program them, tune them up or replace a faulty part and send it back good as new.

You arent paying for results to happen within your timeline, you are paying for the time it takes to reach a desired result. The more complicated the project, the bigger the investment. The more baggage a horse has, the more effort it takes to unravel the mess. The bigger the goal, the greater the investment.

People send their horses to certain trainers because they want the outcome that trainer proves they can achieve. The problem is, people want that result in the shortest time frame possible because time, again, is money. It takes the time it takes to create the vision and time costs money. People who have a diy mentality, value the effort so much more when they themselves invest their own energy into a horse rather than just paying for it. I really feel that those who do it themselves, come to appreciate the efforts it takes far more than those who sign the check.

Be nice to your trainers, they work hard. :)

Credit goes to:
Katy Negranti Performance Horsemanship https://www.facebook.com/share/1BPC3yLZYx/

12/24/2024

: Accuracy is free. Big moving horses are expensive, and if you ride a 100% accurate test on a normal mover, and someone else rides a 100% accurate test on a mega mover, you’re probably gonna get beat, and that’s that. But if you ride that same test, and the rider of the mega mover couldn’t find the letter she’s supposed to be riding to for love nor money, there’s your shot at the win. Accuracy is free, and does not require an expensive horse 🐴

📸 Sue Stickle

12/22/2024

➡️ Why I Choose Horses for My Kid: Lessons Worth Every Penny

People often ask me, “Why do you spend so much money on horses for your kid? They’re just ‘money pits,’ emotional heart-breakers made of tissue paper that can kick your lights out. Why?”

The answer is simple: because horses teach kids more than any iPad, social media influencer, or textbook ever could.

Yes, you’re right—horses are relentless in every way. They demand your time, energy, and finances. They can test your patience, challenge your emotions, and consume you entirely. But look at what they give in return.

⚡️ Lessons That Last a Lifetime

Horses teach my child skills no technology, trendy outfit, or peer group could ever provide:

• Nonverbal Communication: Learning to “speak” with a 1,200-pound animal without words develops awareness, empathy, and understanding.

• Responsibility: Early mornings, late nights, and putting the needs of another being before their own teach kids accountability.

• Confidence: The triumphs and struggles in the saddle or barn instill self-belief and grit.

• Emotional Intelligence: Handling setbacks, managing fears, and celebrating successes alongside a horse build emotional resilience.

• Decision-Making & Problem-Solving: When something goes wrong, as it inevitably does, kids learn to think critically and act swiftly.

• Goal Setting & Consistency: Progress with horses comes through small, consistent efforts—a powerful life lesson. swiftly.

• Value of Networking & Mentorship: The horse industry molds kids to be coachable and open minded to collaboration with their peers. Success in this industry requires a network - they learn that quickly.

Beyond the tangible skills, horses bring kids closer to nature, science, and even spirituality. There’s something deeply humbling and awe-inspiring about working with these magnificent creatures. I know for a fact they bring you closer to God as well.

🔥The Physical and Mental Challenge

Many don’t believe equestrian activities qualify as a sport. To that, I can only say: spend a day in the barn. The physical demands of mucking stalls, lifting hay bales, and conditioning a horse are real. Riding itself is a full-body workout that requires balance, strength, and coordination. These kids spend more time practicing their skills than most athletes on the planet.

But the mental aspect is just as significant. Equestrianism teaches kids how to master pressure, manage performance anxiety, and handle adversity with grace. Those are skills they’ll carry into every aspect of life.

👉 A Priceless Investment

I would rather my child be so consumed by the living, breathing responsibilities of horses than searching for validation on social media, in peer groups, or, worse, through harmful substances.

Horses are an investment—not just in riding lessons, vet bills, and show fees—but in my child’s future. I’d rather spend my money on building her character, teaching her discipline, and giving her life skills than on fleeting trends or technology that will soon be outdated.

Yes, horses are expensive. Yes, they’re challenging. But they’re also one of the greatest gifts I can give my child. Because when I look at her, I don’t just see a rider—I see a confident, capable, compassionate human being. And for that, horses are worth every penny.

11/20/2024

In the Collective Marks section of all of our national dressage tests, there are two score boxes for the rider. The first of these is for “position and seat.” What the judge assesses to determine this score are elements of equitation that are the foundation for effective communication with the horse. A correct, balanced, and independent seat is necessary for successful training and competition.
The test sheets list five directive ideas that the judge considers in formulating the collective mark for rider position and seat:
* Alignment
* Posture
* Stability
* Weight placement
* Following the mechanics of the gaits.

In this first part in this new series from USDF Connection magazine, Jayne Ayers looks at how judges evaluate the rider in the dressage tests, beginning her focus with the first directive: “alignment”.

Filled with helpful diagrams, you won’t want to miss this rider biomechanics article: https://yourdressage.org/2024/10/18/rider-biomechanics/

09/11/2024

Looking for evening help, someone to feed two evenings a week and sometimes fill-in on the weekends when I’m at the shows 2 to 3 hours per night, please message me for more info

09/11/2024

A good coach plays multiple crucial roles that directly impact the growth and success of their riders. Some of these key roles include:

Mentor – Beyond just sport, a coach helps riders grow personally, sharing valuable advice and wisdom from their own experiences.
Motivator – They inspire and push riders to reach their full potential, fostering a mindset of positivity and determination to meet their goals.
Teacher – Coaches educate riders on techniques, strategies, and the rules of the sport, enhancing both their skills and understanding.
Strategist – Developing effective game plans, coaches leverage riders’ strengths while working on areas of improvement.
Communicator – Clear and effective communication is vital. A coach provides clear instructions, feedback, and support, ensuring riders fully understand their roles.
Disciplinarian – By enforcing rules and maintaining high standards, they promote discipline, respect, and structure within the team.
Supporter – Coaches offer emotional and moral support, helping riders handle pressure, setbacks, and success with resilience.
Evaluator – Regularly assessing riders’ performances, they set goals for improvement and help riders recognize areas for growth.
Role Model – Coaches lead by example, demonstrating sportsmanship, integrity, and a strong work ethic, shaping the attitudes and behavior of their riders.
Team Builder – By fostering camaraderie and teamwork, coaches create an environment where riders feel connected, valued, and supported.
Each of these roles plays an essential part in shaping athletes both in sport and in life.

However, one of the most critical traits of a great coach is the ability to handle the unexpected. Things rarely go as planned, and managing unforeseen challenges in a calm, efficient manner—especially around horses—is, in my view, the most vital quality a coach can possess

07/25/2024

I love this ! Well written and so true. I have all kinds of lesson horses and they’re all mentioned in this article and if I put someone on a certain horse, there’s a reason!

A small stab in the heart is what you feel when you put up the day's riding list and you see riders sinking heavily in their shoulders when reading which horse they are assigned for the lesson. A small stab in the heart for that horse that for an hour will carry around a rider who has already decided that he does not like his horse. A small stab in the heart for the horse that did not choose the rider himself but still does his best, lesson after lesson.

Riding is a privilege and something you have chosen to do. If you chose to ride at a riding school, your instructor assumes that you actually want to learn how to ride. The instructor's highest wish is that you get good at it.

Often there is a plan and a thought as to why you are assigned to that exact horse. Before you mount up next time, ask yourself "what can this horse teach me today?" All horses have something to give, a feeling or a new tool in the box.

The art is actually in being able to get a lazy horse to move forward, to get an uncertain horse to gain confidence, a naughty horse to focus or a tense horse to be released. It takes work. If you think a horse is boring, it's more likely that you don't ride the horse as well as you think! It's not easy to be confronted with your own shortcomings, but it is in that very situation that you get the chance to truly grow as a rider.

The excuse that "it's not my kind of horse" is actually a really bad excuse. A good rider can ride any kind of horse. A good rider has trained many hours on different types of horses to become a good rider. A good rider can find and manage the gold nuggets in every horse.

If we absolutely want to ride, it is our duty to strive to do it as best as possible, even if it's only for fun. We owe it to every horse that carries us upon it's back.

Copied and shared with love for all of our horses, ponies and riders 🐎❤🐎