Hidden Creek Farm

11/13/2024

Fall time at the barn! 🍂

10/13/2024

Hidden Creek Farm in Carbondale, IL is looking for 1-2 part-time barn helpers. We are a small privately owned Hunter/Jumper barn. Duties include mucking stalls (10 at max), feeding, waters, turn out and other general duties as needed. Morning shift 8am-12 pm 5 days a week. Evening and Weekend shifts available as needed. Must be reliable and have some horse experience. Pay based on experience. Send a PM if interested.

07/30/2024

Congratulations Aralyn on a great horse show with Cricket! They got good ribbons in a big crossrail division and even won one of the over fences and was reserve champion of the division on Saturday!

07/16/2024

Photos from some of the lessons over the weekend!

07/02/2024

06/17/2024

We had a great time at the horse show this past Saturday! Aralyn got the job to be the first kid to show Tilly at the pony’s second horse show ever, and she did a great job winning all of her ground pole classes. She looked like a total pro on a green pony and I couldn’t have asked for better rides! Cricket and Roxie got to go be show ponies again too! Neither one of them has shown in years. Cricket helped Aralyn get through her move up to crossrails and they were champion of the division. Roxie did the 2’ and had some good trips to be reserve champion!

05/14/2024

Frankie, you were a character and there will never be another horse like you. Rest in peace, sweet boy. You will be missed.

04/16/2024

Fun weekend with the ponies!

12/26/2023

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Hidden Creek Farm!

03/08/2023

First horse show of the season ✔️

02/27/2023

Some photos from the past few weeks!

02/07/2023

Thank your lesson horse

In this industry, we all too often see the average lesson horse viewed as lesser than or below other horses. Yet, they have the hardest job of any horse.

They do not complain when an unbalanced first time rider mounts for their lesson. They are a calming force for the most timid of riders, promising safety and security. They are patient and kind, allowing riders to grow and evolve in a safe space without fear of making mistakes.

They take the brunt of your “bad day” emotions, without complaint, even though the negative emotions should not be taken out on them in the first place. They would have every right to not perform or act out, yet they are gracious enough to be a shoulder to cry on.

They have the remarkable ability to sense your insecurities and needs, and provide you with the exact ride you need for the day. To teach the lessons you need in that moment, lessons you didn’t even know you needed to learn.

Even on the frustrating days, “when the lesson horse isn’t listening,” they don’t take your accusations to heart. They continue on with their masterful plans to instill humility, critical thinking, and grace in their partner - and you will finally understand that they’re always listening, and they’re always right.

And when you finally graduate to your own fancier horse, take a moment to think of all the lesson horses who brought you to this milestone. They gave you the knowledge, ability, and skill to be where you are right now. And they gave you their heart and soul in the process.

So next time you see a lesson horse, thank them. Give them a pat and a peppermint, a warm hug, and a promise to treat them with respect - for they are the backbone of this industry, and the foundation for all future equestrians.

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from all of us at Hidden Creek Farm!

11/10/2022

A little late, but Bits & Pablo were great at the horse show Halloween weekend! Bits was champion in the baby greens and Pablo was reserve champion!

09/17/2022

Bacardi’s double clear .85m round from Wednesday!

09/17/2022

Had a great week of horse showing with Bacardi this past week!

08/29/2022

The newest little rider at the barn, Nacho! ❤️

08/22/2022

A few weeks late but we had some fun taking the bridles off some of the horses and seeing what we could do!