M4X Horsemanship & Training

10/29/2025

Winter Prep ❄️

It’s hard to believe October’s already wrapping up! As we head into the colder months, now’s the perfect time to check in on your horses, your setup, and your winter plan. A little prep now saves a lot of stress when the temperatures drop.

🐴 Health & Deworming

Late fall is the ideal time to connect with your vet for deworming, dental checks, or any updates to your horse’s care plan. Treating for bot flies before winter helps eliminate larvae that would otherwise overwinter and cause issues come spring.

💧 Water Systems

Make sure hoses are disconnected and drained, and tank heaters are tested and ready. Check that your electrical setup can handle the load safely — frozen water is one of the quickest ways for horses to stop eating and lose condition.

🧣 Blankets & Shelter

Pull out blankets early to wash, repair, and label them before the first cold snap. Even a thick-coated horse will appreciate a clean, dry layer on wet or windy days.

🌾 Feed & Body Condition

Horses burn more calories staying warm, so nutrition matters! Use a weight tape regularly and keep an eye on body condition. Many horses benefit from extra forage, which helps maintain both body weight and internal warmth. Always feed based on body weight, not just habit 🙌🏻

🧹 Hoof Care & Footing

Wet-dry cycles can be tough on hooves. Pick feet often to prevent thrush and packed ice balls, and chat with your farrier about the best plan for traction and maintenance through winter.

🔦 Lighting, Safety & Supplies

Shorter days mean darker chores. Replace bulbs, check your pathways for ice, and make sure you’ve got the basics ready:
• A spare tank heater
• Outdoor-rated extension cords
• Salt or mineral blocks
• Flashlights or headlamps

A quick first-aid kit refresh is also smart before winter storms hit.

Need a Winter Check-Up?

If you’re not sure where to start — whether it’s feed adjustments, facility prep, or organizing your winter setup — I’m happy to help. I offer custom barn and horse care consultations to get you on track for a smooth, stress-free season.

While I’m not a licensed veterinarian, I have extensive experience in equine health management and facility operations, and I’m always happy to share guidance and help you collaborate with your vet to create a plan that works for you and your herd.

Here’s to a warm, safe, and well-prepared winter for you and your horses! 💙🐴

10/26/2025

October Client Spotlight: The Elliot Family 🌟

This month’s spotlight is quite lovely — it’s for Taylor & LJ Elliot! ❤️

These two have been an absolute joy to work with. They take a couples lesson together (yes, the best kind of date night!) with their two incredible horses — and it only felt fitting to feature them side by side for this one. I love this family dearly and it’s been so fun to watch their progress, teamwork, and laughter in every ride.

Buttercup was actually part of my lesson program for some time, but she let us know she was ready for a change of pace from doing lessons. Now, she absolutely loves her new home with the Elliot family — and it couldn’t be a better match! I’m so grateful to work with these two, and it’s always a treat getting to see their wonderful kids around the barn too. 💛

1️⃣ How long have you been part of the M4X Horsemanship program?
Taylor & LJ: 9 months

2️⃣ Tell us a little about your horse(s)—what’s their name, age, and personality like?
Taylor: Janey is a 19ish year old grulla who is an athletic, spicy little boss mare that is very hyper aware of everything around her.
LJ: Buttercup is a 17 year old who loves to be a big puppy and loves pets and treats.

3️⃣ What first drew you to your horse(s), or how did you become a team?
Taylor: Her color and being my 1st horse she’s short and I found that to be less intimidating.
LJ: We first became a team when I first started at M4X as Buttercup was one of the lesson horses. We grew a quick bond and worked great together.

4️⃣ What’s something you and your horse have really improved on together during your time in the M4X Horsemanship program?
Taylor: Trust and confidence — when I first brought Janey to M4X I was scared of her and her “sensitive” personality.
LJ: We have improved on so much, but I think our groundwork has improved the most.

5️⃣ What’s your favorite exercise, drill, or type of ride to work on as a team?
Taylor: Trotting — as simple as it is, Janey has the smoothest, most rhythmic trot of any horse I have ridden.
LJ: Trotting around the arena and playing leap frog with Taylor and Janey

6️⃣ What’s one challenge you’ve worked through with your horse?
Taylor: It’s still a work in progress, but definitely staying calm and consistent when she tests boundaries and throws temper tantrums.
LJ: Posting.

7️⃣ If your horse(s) had a superpower, what would it be and how would they use it?
Taylor: Size manipulation — she would make herself big! She has big horse attitude and personality trapped in a little horse body.
LJ: To walk through fences to get to the hay pile to eat!

8️⃣ What’s your 6-month goal for you and your horse(s), either in the arena or out on the trail?
Taylor: Continue building confidence and trust in each other.
LJ: To continue to learn new skills with Buttercup and to be able to take on more difficult trails.

9️⃣ What’s something your horse(s) has taught you—about riding, patience, or even life?
Taylor: Little wins make big wins.
LJ: To slow down in life and enjoy time even if it’s an hour in the arena with the horse and with my wife.

🔟 What’s your favorite part about working with your horse through the M4X program?
Taylor: I can bring any question to Mackenzie (no matter how silly I think it may be) and she answers with kindness and a true passion for educating about horses and riding. She’s awesome 😊
LJ: Learning all the new skills and confidence to feel comfortable to take on new obstacles with my horse.

💛 Taylor, LJ, and the whole Elliot crew — thank you for bringing so much heart, humor, and positivity to the barn. Watching Buttercup thrive in her new chapter with you and seeing your teamwork grow every week has been such a highlight. Here’s to many more “date nights” in the arena, fun lessons, and miles of memories ahead! 🐴✨

10/25/2025

Happy 3rd Birthday, M4X Horsemanship & Training! 🎉

Three years ago today, I officially opened my doors as M4X Horsemanship & Training. I’d already been teaching and helping people with their horses for years, but this was the day I finally decided to take that next step and turn a lifelong passion into something bigger — something I could share with more people.

It’s crazy to think how far things have come since then. What started as a dream has grown into a program built on trust, patience, and connection — not just between horse and rider, but between all the amazing people who have come into my life through this journey.

I can’t even begin to put into words how grateful I am for everyone who’s believed in me, supported me, and trusted me with their horses. Every lesson, every breakthrough, and every smile in the saddle means the world to me.

To all my clients, friends, and supporters — thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me make M4X what it is today. Here’s to more growth, more learning, and more rides that remind us why we love what we do. 💛🐴

10/23/2025

October’s wrapping up, and that means it’s time to get my winter schedule set! I’ve got a few lesson spots open for riders who want to make the most of the season — slowing things down, fine-tuning skills (or learning a new one!), and building confidence for next year’s shows and rodeos.

Whether you have your own horse or are looking to learn on one of mine, my program focuses on creating confident, well-rounded horse and rider pairs. Winter is the ideal season to build consistency, refine equitation, and prepare for rodeo and patterned speed events, all while developing a deeper understanding between you and your horse.

At M4X Horsemanship & Training, we take pride in a thoughtful approach — one that doesn’t skip steps or rush results. Every session is tailored to your goals, whether that’s gaining confidence in the saddle, polishing your patterns, or simply becoming a stronger, more connected partner for your horse.

If you’ve been thinking about investing in your riding or giving your horse the foundation they need for the season ahead, now’s the time to start. 🌟
DM me or visit www.m4xhorsemanshipandtraining.com for more

10/22/2025

I love this post so much 🤍 What a lovely tribute to all of us horsewoman!

Letters to a horsewoman,

Sometimes it’s intimidating to discover that you have a voice, better yet, something of value to help others. Ignore the undertones of critics.

People mistaken your confidence as ego. You are free to express yourself.

Your pride in your training program mistaken as arrogance. Dont let others steal the joy of your hard work.

Your age for, you don’t have enough years clocked in so there’s no value in your experience. But in reality this is about the journey, as we all know, there’s no destination.

When you explain your horsemanship, folks think you’re trying to reinvent the wheel. No, you’re allowed to express what’s in your heart.

Heaven forbid, you can be just YOU.

The world does not favor strong, graceful, resilient women. They are intimidated by your energy.

Its a hard world out there sis but I bet when a fellow horseman or horse teaches you something,

…you’re the first one to listen. Keep going.

-Lucia Lhotak

10/20/2025

THE FIGURE 8 DRILL: Building Intention, Collection, and Flow

The Figure 8 Drill is one of my favorite ways to help riders develop rate with purpose. It encourages both horse and rider to focus on balance, timing, and body control — all while keeping a steady rhythm and flow between movements.

How It’s Set Up:
You’ll have three sets of figure 8s in a row — think of it like a line of infinity symbols. Each “8” is made of two connected circles, and you’ll move from one set to the next.

The black dots mark your entry and exit points for each turn — that’s where your circles connect. The red lines show where you’ll move into the next figure 8, and here’s the key: you’ll turn opposite of your previous direction to create the next “8.”

This helps keep your horse balanced on both sides and teaches them to respond equally to both legs and reins.

As you work through:
- Focus on rating your horse before each circle.
- Be intentional about where their feet go — shoulders, ribcage, and hindquarters working together.
- Ask for collection through the turns, then drive forward with purpose between each figure 8.
- Keep your eyes and body position guiding the shape — round circles, balanced transitions.

💡 Tips:
- Start at a walk until both you and your horse feel balanced.
- As you add speed, maintain the same level of precision.
- Prioritize quality over quantity — every stride should have intention.

This drill helps your horse understand when to wait, when to move forward, and how to stay connected through transitions. It’s perfect for building the kind of rate and control that makes every run smoother and more consistent.

10/18/2025

Let’s talk about RATE.

It’s a word we throw around a lot in horsemanship — especially in the speed world — but what does it really mean?

Rate is the ability for both horse and rider to regulate pace, balance, and timing — together. It’s not just “slowing down.” It’s that moment when the horse collects, lifts through the shoulders, and prepares for what’s next — whether that’s a barrel turn, a rollback, a pole weave, or a trail obstacle.

For the rider, rate is about feel and timing: knowing when to sit, when to support with leg, and when to allow your horse to move freely again.
For the horse, rate builds confidence and responsiveness. It helps them stay engaged in their body, maintain control in transitions, and stay mentally “with” the rider instead of charging ahead.

When rate is missing, you’ll see a horse that rushes into patterns, loses balance, or braces against the bit. But when rate is developed correctly, everything looks smoother, lighter, and more intentional.

Try This: Drills to Build Rate

Transition Ladders:
Walk-trot-walk, trot-lope-trot. Change gaits frequently to build responsiveness and awareness of your seat. Not to mention, it is a great topline builder when done correctly!

Circle Rate Work:
Pick up a lope on a circle, then rate back for a few strides before re-driving forward. This simulates that balance shift before a barrel or rollback.

Pattern Work with Intention:
Run your barrel or pole pattern at a walk or trot, focusing on where you sit to rate and how your horse responds — not speed.

Rate isn’t about taking away forward motion — it’s about adding balance, control, and communication. It’s the foundation of every great run, every clean turn, and every trusting partnership.

10/17/2025

“Progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s found in the quiet moments between strides — when your horse finally trusts your cue, and you both take that breath together.”
Thank you for capturing this moment with Kai and me — a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much more we’re learning every competition. 💛

10/15/2025

🌟 Gallop & Graze Girls Shined Bright! 🌟

I couldn’t be prouder of our Gallop & Graze crew at their show on October 5th! 💚 All of these ladies represented our club — and 4-H as a whole — with so much heart, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

Sophie and Annabelle both competed in showmanship and in-saddle classes and did an amazing job — all their hard work is really showing! Lucie rocked her showmanship pattern and did such a great job out there, even though I didn’t snag photos of her in action this time (next show for sure 😉).

I’m so proud to volunteer as this club’s leader and support these incredible young folks as they grow, learn, and continue to shine in and out of the arena. 💫 Keep it up, girls — you make me so proud!

10/12/2025

Big vs. Small ✨

Talk about perspective! On one side, we’ve got Nora, the tallest horse in the program at 16.3hh, and on the other side is little Miss Maple Stirrup, holding her ground at 13hh.

It’s always entertaining having both ends of the spectrum in the barn—one takes up half the arena, the other could practically sneak under the fence if she wanted. Both full of personality, both equally loved.

Here’s the real question: are you team “the bigger the better” or team “small but mighty”? 😇💪

10/11/2025

There’s nothing better than the sight of a full arena 🐴✨ My heart is so full seeing each horse and rider working toward their goals—it’s a reminder of why I do what I do. I’m beyond grateful for the busy schedule, the clients who trust me with their dreams, and the chance to watch progress unfold in real time.

A huge thank you to Twisted H for the use of their facility—it truly takes a village, and I’m so thankful for the one I get to be part of. 💛

10/09/2025

Many of my evenings end like this—dust rising in the arena, a horse to work, and my daughter along for the ride. Finding the balance between motherhood and horsemanship isn’t always simple, but it’s part of the journey I love sharing.

Working with Kai late at night reminds me why I do what I do: building trust, consistency, and progress one step at a time. It’s not about shortcuts—it’s about putting in the time, even when the sun has already set. 💛🐴