Golden Reins Equestrian Center

04/10/2025

Remember that brainy idea I had to bring together teen girls that love horses, and Jesus? Well..... here's the first attempt.

Friday, April 18 6:30-8:30
girls ages 12 and up
Bring a lawn chair or blanket

A few things I could use:
A parent to help coordinate food/snacks
Firewood for a fire (of course we'll plan for s'mores)
Suggestions for a name (i planned to ask the girls too)
I have a parent to lead devotions this first time, but ideas going forward will be accepted.
If you'd like to be part of our "planning group" of parents, please reach out to me.

Use this link to register your amazing teenager!!
https://boards.com/a/12FZNS.6Wltfp
There is no cost to attend

04/08/2025

I'm looking for an instructor to start as early as June 1.
We offer English and western lessons (lately more western focus) with a larger focus on riding biomechanics and creating a thinking rider over being a show barn.
Much of our foundation is dressage based. Lots of room for growth to the right candidate.

04/07/2025

Something as simple as picking feet can cause unwanted discomfort in a horse and a negative experience for the next person.

This right here is one of the things I fix quickly when I see my riders doing it.
Sure, it doesn't seem like much, but lesson horses put up with so much. Anything we can do to minimize their confusion is best.

Their comfort is #1. Even if it doesn't seem to be a big deal, think about the response your horse is giving you before you assume they are being a brat. Too often, when a horse is giving trouble with a foot, it's a hind foot, and it might feel like they are threatening to kick. Most times in this instance, I see a person standing too far away from the horse asking a horse to do some version of a split. Allow the hoof to hang closer to the opposite hind leg and see if that gets you a more relaxed leg.

03/31/2025

Last night, when I was supposed to be sleeping, I realized I had forgotten about something in my June calendar and needed to reschedule the 2 day camp originally planned for the 16&17th.
We'll be moving that one to June 30/July 1

If you already sent a deposit, I'll be reaching out to either reschedule or refund if needed.

Reach out for a link to register!

03/14/2025

I have a weekly opening Thursday at 530 for a private lesson, any age or experience. Can also be a semi private if you bring a friend.

And we are always open to schedule any pony experiences, these are great as a one time gift, or come back a few times.

03/05/2025

I've been pondering an idea and looking for your feedback.

After working with kids and teens for years ive found i really enjoy the jr high and up crowd. That said I've been thinking about putting together a Bible Based Club for teen girls. Horse girls often feel like they don't "fit in" but once you get a few together the dynamics can really change.

So, here's where you come in, if your daughter were to be a part of this (yes ask them), what would they like to do or learn? I'm leaning towards one Friday a month, low cost, and likely wouldn't involve riding, more of a community and fellowship kind of thing.

Some ideas: of course learning about horses, non riding hands on activities,
ice breakers, bon fires, devotion and prayer time, maybe eventually community service even.

Share any and all of your feedback for me!
📸 credit Kasey Kreit Photography

02/26/2025

Bemer curious friends!! Now you can get a necklace piece and blanket for less than the blanket and cuffs. ☺️

A new set for horses!! Anyone been thinking about it? I can help!

02/12/2025

Super good visual!

02/04/2025

We're super excited to announce Lilly found her next love. 😍😍 This made it all worth it passing up that really cool gelding in NC.

Except I'm not allowed to post pictures until she comes home. 🙃
So here's a teaser because we have people asking every day. 🤪

01/27/2025

Boy this speaks my language!

01/22/2025

01/20/2025

In order to help me be better at organization, and help us keep track of things, I've got a few info pages I've created for new and existing clients.
Take a few seconds to fill out this form

If you are interested in more information regarding our program or have ridden with us but recently.
https://boards.com/a/12FZNS.Jv99q7

This one if you are a current riding family of ours.
https://boards.com/a/12FZNS.lVLMSL

If you filled out either, leave me a 🐎 in the comments.

01/20/2025

Happy Monday!

It's definitely a cold one this week but I thought I'd update you all.
Lessons are doable this week if your child wants to still come, we can discuss reschedule options also.
The arena has been cleared and hopefully the sun will help even more, driveway too!

We can do lots of things in hand with the horses, in the barn too, thank goodness for a heated tack room. There's so many things to be learned not on the back of a horse.

Personally riding in the snow is one of my FAVORITE things to do so it's definitely worth it if you can handle the cold temps.

If we haven't talked about your lesson this week reach out and let me know your thoughts.

Have an awesome day!

Pic of Lilly Last night ringing the doorbell at home to surprise Macy. 🤣

01/15/2025

I'm taking a second today while I'm inside and warm to say thank you to everyone who has stuck with us this far into winter.

It's never dull here on the windy hill, and I can't begin to tell you how many people have said, "It wasn't this windy at home" when they get to the barn. 😆

We've done a lot of rescheduling and moving things around to make sure our horses are safe and comfortable, too. It's not fair for them to be working on frozen solid ground, and until I strike it rich, I don't see an I door in the near future. 😉

I can't even believe it's time when parents start thinking about summer camps. In order to better prepare, I created this form to see what interest we have if you can take a few seconds to fill it out.

In the past, we've offered a tiny trotters 4-7 and older groups for the 8 and above kids.

https://boards.com/a/12FZNS.YfGRRz

01/09/2025

Someone just mentioned the book Chop wood, Carry water to me tonight. 😍

Who has read it or even heard of it?

01/07/2025

I often say horse people are crazy but they are also some of the most dedicated people out there.❤️

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

*thank you to whoever wrote this! Not my words, but certainly a shared sentiment!