Tilley's Custom Colts and Horsemanship

12/24/2024

Merry Christmas to all! We would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to all of our family, friends, horse training clients, clinic participants, clinic hosts and all those who made 2024 a great year! We hope you take the time to enjoy your family and those who are important to you this holiday season.

12/18/2024

Updated. Spots are Filling up!

12/13/2024

This Christmas give the gift of horsemanship. We have gift certificate’s available. By giving someone the gift of education, you are giving them something they will have forever. Pm us and we will help you find an option for your budget.

12/06/2024

Semi Private Clinics 2025!

A special and unique workshop, completely customized to each participant and the horses they bring. These clinics are kept to small numbers, so there is limited space. Reserve your spot to avoid disappointment. Deposits are not required until the new year! All Semi private clinics are held at our place near Leroy, Saskatchewan.

May 23,24,25
June 20,21,22 FULL
July 15,16,17
July 23,24,25
Aug 13,14,15
Aug 20,21,22 - FULL
Aug 27,28,29
September 5,6,7 Only 2 spots left

Horsemanship, Stockmanship, Cow Work, Roping, Colt Starting, Halter Breaking, Cross Heels, Special Projects, Trailer Loading, etc.

Three full days of instruction, up to 2 horses allowed, endless topics addressed, complementary parking/electrical camping, complimentary home cooked suppers shared together followed by campfire and cowboy poetry, and complimentary stalling.

And for anybody wanting to rent the barn room, reserve early. One booking per clinic- Barn room accommodates the 1-2 (from same group).


We come together as students and leave as friends!

12/05/2024

The Day That Mom Got The Flu

By: John Tilley

Natural disasters aren’t funny, a fire or flood that is true
But the worst thing that I think I’ve saw happen, was the day that mom got the flu
It started the evening before, when at supper time she said “good night.”
I knew she was down bad this time, and tomorrow would sure be a fight

I woke up enthusiastic, thought really how hard could this be?
I come to find out that this woman, each day does enough work for three
The kids were sure awful helpful, they got all of their own things done
But how did mom’s day ever get started when these kids were still awfully young?

I started out doing her chores with pigs, goats, chickens, and sheep
She does that much work twice a day, without ever making a peep
I jingled the horses alone, painstakingly brushed out their hide
And thought getting each one brushed out, takes longer than it does to ride!

I had to feed a couple of bales, thought no problem, this will go great!
First snag that I encountered, was now who’s gonna open the gate?
I bowed out at teaching the school, that’s something I just wouldn’t try
Just ask me some simple math questions and you’ll know exactly why

It’s only 11:30 and there’s chores piled up at my feet
The last thing I wanted to hear was” dad what are we gonna eat?”
There’s a pot on the stove boiling over, the dryer is starting to groan
The dogs at the door and he’s scratching, and I can’t answer this darn ringing phone

Barn boss, teacher, counselor, and also the head cook too
How does she not end up crazy with all of this work to do?
Well, I finally hit the recliner, thankful that this day is through
Tomorrow I’ll take a vacation, if mama bear still has the flu.

11/28/2024

https://youtu.be/DYP33WJO28I?si=LY9owELQhvE3PAid
Here is a poem I wrote and performed at the show in Jansen with Ryan Fritz. It is fitting for the weather we are having. Title: When Winter Sets in

Video by: Jim Haussecker

Cowboy Poetry at it finest.

11/23/2024

Thanks to all who commented on our post yesterday! We did 2 draws. One on this page and one from our personal page. The winner’s of the audit passes were Heather Davey and Woodrow Bangle!

11/22/2024

Look who dropped in for a visit! Put this young fellas correct nickname in the comments for a chance at a free audit pass to use at a clinic next season.

11/22/2024

Poem:

A December To Remember

By: John Tilley

Horses galloped through my mind, since I was just a lad
They are all that I could think of, I wanted one so bad
I’d make a bed roll on the floor, with my stick horse grazing there
Nap with thoughts of wild horses, a boy without care

I wore out Western Horseman and my folks ears every day
“I really want a horse!” is all that I could say
They never did say yes, but they never did say no
The problem was, we lived in town with no place for it to go

My Aunt Willa had a place, with several horses too
I’d follow her around with lots of chores to do
When my eleventh birthday came, chores still needed done
We headed out to beat December’s early setting sun

We slid the barn door open, and there standing eating hay
was a tiny weanling filly, a skinny little bay
I said “Dad why is this horse here? I thought we came for chores?”
He said “ we did, now feed her, cause this little horse is yours.

My eyes filled up with tears, I had no words to say
A feeling each December, I remember to this day
I called the bay horse Dolly, off together we would go
With tough and happy times, together we would grow

I’ve had a lot of presents, that cost a pretty dime
But this was the first one I couldn’t break by suppertime
My new present came without instructions or a fancy box
It came with paid tuition to the school of hard knocks

The theory “they will learn together”, I wouldn’t recommend
For many kids, this kind of way would be a certain end
But I wanted it so badly, though it did scare me some inside
I was bound and sure determined that I’d have this colt to ride

We made a lot of memories, like riding into town
Lopin back in the evening before the sun went down
And doing lots of wild things, but coming back alive
And helping out some friends, with their cattle drive

I kept her all through high school, but sold her after grad
I was heading off to rodeo and needed money bad
to you have to part this way, left me feeling some remorse.
But Joy came knowing that another kid had found their special horse

I hope that my Aunt Willa is there to brush and give you hay
and take care of you ol’Dolly, till we meet again someday
Every year another birthday has always went, then came
But since that one in 90, my life has never been the same

11/17/2024

Our 2025 schedule is now released! Save your dates and we look forward to riding with you all in 2025!

Tilley’s Horsemanship 2025 Clinic Schedule

May 2, 3, 4 2025

Tilley's Horsemanship Clinic

Second Wind Stables

Moosomin, SK.

Contact:

Gail Venaas

306-435-9212

-----------------------------------------------------

May 23, 24, 25 2025

Tilley's Semi Private Clinic
Leroy, SK.

Contact:

Jamie and John Tilley

306-287-3389

[email protected] or on facebook

-----------------------------------------------------

May 30, 31, June 1 2025

TIlley's Horsemanship Clinic

Biggar Rec Valley

Biggar, SK.

Contact:

Lindsay Sagon

306-948-6555

----------------------------------------------------

June 6, 7, 8 2025

Tilley's Horsemanship Clinic

Melville Agripark

Melville, SK.

Contact:

McKenzie Stevenson

306-620-8083

[email protected]

-----------------------------------------------------

June 20, 21, 22 2025

Tilley's Semi Private Clinic

Leroy, SK.

Contact:

Jamie and John Tilley

306-287-3389

[email protected] or on facebook

------------------------------------------------------

June 27, 28, 29 2025

Tilley's Horsemanship Clinic

Carnduff Agricultural Grounds

Carnduff, SK.

Contact:

Colleen Goertz

306-339-7997 text or facebook messenger

----------------------------------------------------------

July 16, 17, 18, 2025

Tilley's Semi Private Clinic

Leroy, SK.

Contact:

Jamie and John Tilley

[email protected] or on facebook

---------------------------------------------------------

July 23, 24, 25 2025

Tilley's Semi Private Clinic

Leroy, SK.

Contact:

Jamie and John Tilley

[email protected] or on facebook

---------------------------------------------------------

August 1, 2, 3 2025

Tilley's Horsemanship Clinic

Horses in Motion Arena

Portage la Prairie, MB.

Contact:

Crystal Neudorf

[email protected]

204-252-2179 or on facebook

--------------------------------------------------

August 13, 14, 15 2025

Tilley's Semi Private Clinic

Leroy, SK.

Contact:

John and Jamie Tilley
[email protected] or on facebook

-----------------------------------------------------

August 20, 21, 22 2025

Tilley's Semi Private Clinic

Leroy, SK.

Contact:

John and Jamie Tilley
[email protected] or on facebook

-------------------------------------------------------

August 27, 28, 29 2025
Tilley's Semi Private Clinic

Leroy, SK.

Contact:

John and Jamie Tilley
[email protected] or on facebook

-----------------------------------------------------------

September 5, 6, 7 2025
Tilley's Semi Private Clinic

Leroy, SK.

Contact:

John and Jamie Tilley
[email protected] or on facebook

-----------------------------------------------------------

September 12, 13, 14 2025

Tilley's Horsemanship Clinic

Pine Notch Stables

Limoges, ON.

Contact:

Eileen Wiskar

613-795-9370 or on facebook messenger

Cortney Honey
[email protected] or on facebook messenger

---------------------------------------------------

11/14/2024

Poem

Good Horses

By John Tilley

Good horses are like fine art, they always catch your eye
You can’t ignore a good horse, each time that it’s rode by
I believe most horses souls are good, cause’ that’s how they are made
But to be good in their work, a foundation must be laid

A good horse is not a good horse, if not rode without the care
And to rob him of his fullness, that wouldn’t be quite fair
So when I see a good horse, he operates with “Feel”
There’s a peace inside his soul, something that is real

A good horse wasn’t rushed, he learned his job so well
When under lots of pressure, you can always tell
Because he never does get lost, he tries the whole way through
He knows what is expected and does what they ask him to

Good horses exude love, where time and patience went
And the rider beams with pride because of passion that’s well spent
I think it’s so important, to have done the best you could
You’re going to ride them anyway, so they might as well be good

A life well spent with good cause, working at your trade
A legacy that lives on, one you hope that never fades
When the good lord calls you home and your spirit changes courses
You’ll hope your headstone reads “ he always rode good horses”

11/11/2024

Thank you to all who have served our country. Past, present, and future.

11/05/2024

Poem:

The Porcupine

By John Tilley

There aren’t too many ranch dogs, that haven’t felt the wrath
Of the dreaded porcupine, when he came across their path
Your dog gives out a high-pitched bark, you know that something’s weird
When you finally roll up on him, he’s got himself a new white beard

In the nose, in the mouth, and also in the feet
It’s going to be a week or more before he can finally eat
after several hours, the vet says that they’re all through
Now to pay a hefty bill, is all that’s left to do

Your best cow spies a critter and she feels him with her snoot
Then she spends the next two hours with her head locked in the chute
She put her tail straight in the air, the next time you rode by
She doesn’t want you anymore and porky knows just why

Old Roany’s got a limp coming up there at the back
Wonder what’s the problem? must be feeling that hoof crack
Well his leg looks like a cactus, as he finally gets up near
A Visit from the porcupine, the answer is quite clear

He’s been keeping vets in business since the dawn of time
That pesky little critter, they call the porcupine
I’m pretty sure I’d get along and live my life just fine
If I never ever, ever saw another porcupine

I trust in God’s creation because he knows his work the best
And the ones that still should be here, have truly stood the test
Of all of God’s great creatures, most I sure don’t mind
But I’ll never understand why he made the porcupine

11/04/2024

Poem

Mules Are More So

By John Tilley

I’ve always heard it said, that mules are more so
And it doesn’t take them long, and they know what you know
And the people that don’t know, will end up looking just like asses
That’s the reason mules don’t appeal to the masses

Compared to horses often, by those that just don’t know
I’ll say it once again, mules are more so
Yes they can ride, and they can drive, and they can pack all day
But they don’t work for just anyone, first they read your résumé

But there must be something to them because the mule folks are loyal
And they always pick a mule, to help them through the toil
A stubborn beast some say, but I’m not sure it’s true
he’s a little more methodical and must think what he should do

They’ve packed into the canyons and hauled out of the mine
They’re a version of a semi truck long before it’s time
They got the west all settled before the railroad tracks
And they helped to build a country upon their tired backs
They deserve a lot of credit, despite their reputation
Most would admire a mule more but they lack communication

We’ve all heard the stories, about the runaways
where mules were recovered after several hundred days
Then there’s the ones that bite and kick ,that you just couldn’t shoe
The ones that just won’t come around, no matter what you do
And I too, have heard the stories and been held back by fears
I’ve always been quite hesitant to work with the long ears

But….They say once you get them figured, they are the keeping kind
A more loyal tough companion, you will never ever find
Remember Mules have a soul and they aren’t just a working tool
If you think you’re a good Horseman, just go try it with a mule

10/31/2024

We had a great show last night! It was an honour to share the stage with Ryan Fritz . Thank you to all that came out! Thank you to Rob Krieger and Dustin Lynch for helping get things organized. Big thanks to the Jansen kinsmen for providing refreshments. Here’s to hoping we do it again sometime!