M4X Horsemanship & Training

07/16/2025

The Drill That Looks Boring… But Changes Everything

Let’s be honest—riding a straight line doesn’t sound all that exciting. But if you’ve ever struggled with a horse that anticipates, drifts, or needs constant micromanaging… this drill is your new best friend.

This one’s for:
• Horses that like to guess where you’re going
• Horses that can’t hold a line without you babysitting every step
• Riders learning to ride more with their seat and intention—less with hands and legs
• Anyone who wants better balance, control, and communication—no matter the discipline

Here’s the deal:
Pick a point across or down your arena and ride to it in a true, straight line. Don’t hold them with your hands. Don’t micromanage with your legs. Just sit square and trust your horse to follow your focus.

If they drift? Fix it. Then release. And let them try again.

This drill teaches your horse to move forward with confidence and purpose—without needing you to constantly steer every step. It also tunes YOU into your body’s natural cues, helping you become a quieter, more effective rider.

✅ Builds better lines between transitions, obstacles, or patterns
✅ Creates a more focused, forward-thinking horse
✅ Reinforces self-carriage and rider balance

It’s simple. It’s effective. And it works!
Straight lines might not be flashy—but they’ll level up your horsemanship in a big way. Need help tuning into this exercise? Message me!

07/12/2025

Want a Discount Code? Let’s Check In With Your Horse’s Needs 🐴🌿

One of my favorite things about Silver Lining Herbs is that it’s exactly what it sounds like—herbs. Long before horses were domesticated, they naturally grazed a wide variety of plants to meet their nutritional needs. But now, with most horses living in more controlled environments, a lot of that natural variety is lost.

Since incorporating these herbal blends into my horses’ routines, I’ve noticed a big difference in their overall health and well-being. ✨

Here are some of my favorite products I use for my crew (though not all of my horses are on the same supplements—every horse is different, and not every blend is the right fit for every horse).

Curious what might work best for yours? I’d love to chat and help you find the right support for your horse!

Already know what you’d like to try? Use my code M4XBRAND at checkout for 25% off your order!

07/08/2025

Just a Girl and Her Moo 🤍

A quiet moment between my daughter and the horse who’s been with me through it all. If you look closely, you might notice Moo looks a little puffier and more veiny than usual—and that’s actually normal for her this time of year.

Seasonal allergies don’t stop with spring! Different plants pollinate throughout the summer, and insect bites can also cause flare-ups. For Moo, these symptoms are predictable and managed with allergy meds and topicals to keep her comfortable.

It’s a good reminder that knowing your horse’s normal is everything. What’s typical for Moo would be a red flag for one of my other horses.

Pay attention to the small changes. They’re often the earliest signs that something’s up 💛

07/06/2025

Exciting things happening with 4H!! 🤍🤍

🚨 Coming Soon: Youth Camp at the Park! 🐴💛

We’re excited to launch a brand-new horse camp just for youth—led by amazing local trainers and mentors from Kittitas County! This weekend event will bring together young riders from across Washington for hands-on learning, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

📅 Details are coming soon—but we need your help to make it accessible to all.

👉 Your donation supports camp materials, facility costs, and scholarships so every kid who wants to ride can be part of it—no matter their financial circumstances.

💛 Donate now and help us build something unforgettable for the next generation of horse lovers!

07/06/2025

Kicking off our very first Client Spotlight is the incredible Toni and her stunning gelding, Ranger! 🖤

Toni joined the M4X Horsemanship program with her family in the spring of 2023, and since then, she and Ranger have been working hard, showing up consistently, and making huge strides—on the ground and in the saddle.

Their journey together is a testament to trust, curiosity, and listening to your gut (you’ll see what I mean 👀). I’m so proud of the work these two have put in—and I’m excited for you to read their story! ⬇️

1. How long have you been part of the M4X Horsemanship program with your horse?

I joined this program with my family in spring of 2023. It has completely changed how we view and conduct our horsemanship. We had been using a natural horsemanship curriculum, which was great, but Mackenzie helped us fill holes and level up our understanding of what a true partnership looks like with our particular horses.

2. Tell us a little about your horse—what’s their name, age, and personality like?

As of this moment, I am currently going through my first training program with Mackenzie alongside my best buddy Ranger! We have had him for almost one year now. He is a purebred black Arabian, and he’s 4.5 years old now. He is very playful, super curious, and a very social boy. He’s always doing funny things for us to video.

3. What first drew you to your horse, or how did you two become a team?

So I accidentally discovered Ranger on a day when I wasn’t looking. I saw a thread from an anonymous poster in a horse group, looking for leads on Arabians. I have always loved the look of Arabs, I love how smart and responsive my Arab mare is, and knowing this plus how much my late aunt loved them (her and I were very close) this sparked an interest. So I looked through the different horses in the thread and had to full stop on Ranger. He was identical to my mare. I did what any sensible horse owner does.. I reached out. I went to meet him the very next day. Right away he was meeting me at the fence, and he had the softest kindest eye. The thing that sealed the deal for me was the fact that I’d never felt so strongly in my gut that I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t bring him home. That gut feeling has actually helped guide me in other areas of my life because I learned through Ranger, how to listen and respond to it.

4. What’s something you and your horse have really improved on together during your time in the M4X Horsemanship program?

Honestly, everything. I’ve learned how to look for tiny details, I’ve learned how horses think. I’ve learned how he learns best, and I’ve really learned that it doesn’t take a heavy handed approach to build a great horse. It takes a lot more understanding than domination. Partnership on the ground has been the best part for me. I love spending that time with him, which I realized is largely why we’ve had such a great training experience so far under saddle.

5. What’s your favorite exercise, drill, or type of ride to work on as a team?

First and foremost, my favorite thing is slow and relaxed trail rides. It always will be. But one of my favorite things outside of that is sending him through obstacles. I love watching his brain tick as he thinks through it all and figures out where to place his feet. He’s very sure footed, and rarely misses a step. But he loves the challenge and thrives on fun new activities.

6. What’s one challenge you’ve worked through with your horse?

Food aggression. For some reason he gets very angry at feeding time, so it’s taken a long time and a lot of consistency to let him know that his behavior is unsafe and unacceptable. He’s so much better.

7. If your horse had a superpower, what would it be and how would they use it?

He would have the ability to fly. With how beautifully this boy can move, it’s like watching him fly. He would go on all the adventures!

8. What’s your 6-month goal for you and your horse, either in the arena or out on the trail?

My goals are based mostly on me. Once I realized that most of our issues involve my own inexperience, I started trying to learn new ways to ask my horse to do things. New ways to communicate. I also look at how my actions teach him to do the exact opposite of what I am asking him to do, so my goals are to refine myself in those areas so I can better teach him what his expectations will be. I primarily desire a trail buddy that will take care of me in the rugged region we live in.

9. What’s something your horse has taught you—about riding, patience, or even life?

Honestly, that all I have to do is ask the right way and he is willing to do just about anything for me. That trust is the single most important element. This horse will follow me into literally anything on the ground, so my hope is that continuing to build that trust will translate into the saddle. He’s taught me a lot about trust and partnership.

10. What’s your favorite part about working with your horse through the M4X program?

My favorite part…. All of it. This has been such a rewarding journey. Not every session has been easy, some days are hard, but I leave each time feeling like we built a little more and got a little further. That’s what’s important. We show up, we try to make time for our homework, and it is paying off!

07/06/2025

Such a fun day at the Roslyn Riders Play Day! Always a joy to support our local horse community and spend the day with our horses. Kai, my personal horse in training, got some great exposure to a new arena and we took the opportunity to work through the patterns slowly and thoughtfully. And a huge shoutout to our very own Sophie Beedle for earning high point in her age group! So proud of all the hard work she’s put in—what a day! Roslyn Riders

07/02/2025

🎉 Starting This Month — Client Spotlight Time! 🎉

I’m so excited to kick off a brand new series where I get to brag a little on the awesome folks (and horses) that make up the M4X Horsemanship crew.

Every month, I’ll be highlighting one of my amazing clients to celebrate their hard work, progress, and the unique journey they’re on with their horse. Trust me—these teams have been putting in the time, and it shows!

Stay tuned each month for a little glimpse into the heart of this program 💛

06/30/2025

🌟 Belated Birthday Wishes to the One and Only Moo 🌟

She turned 24 this month — and while I might be a little late on posting, celebrating this mare is something I’ll never forget to do. 💛

Moo has been with me through just about everything — the good, the hard, the messy, and the magical. She's carried not just my weight, but my heart, my grief, my dreams, and my hope. I always say a higher power sent my soulmate to me in the form of this little sorrel tobiano paint mare, and I stand by that every single day.

She’s retired from the lesson hustle but still keeps her title as queen of the herd — showing up with quiet wisdom and that signature Moo sass. This horse has taught me more about patience, resilience, and partnership than I ever thought possible.

Happy 24th, my heart horse. Here’s to more rides, occasional jackpots, soft nuzzles, and sunny days spent just being together.

06/25/2025

Why Your Kid’s Lesson Doesn’t Look Like Yours (and That’s a Good Thing!)

I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all riding lessons—because an 8-year-old, a teen, and an adult all learn very differently.

Here’s a peek behind the scenes:

Kids learn best through play and imagination—think games, animal comparisons, and short bursts of activity.

Teens are building independence. They thrive when they understand the why behind each skill and get some say in the process.

Adults often want structure, clear goals, and logical explanations—and sometimes need help getting out of their own heads!

Same skill, different approach—because confidence looks different at every age.

You might hear me say:

“Hold your reins like you’re holding an ice cream cone—we don’t want that to spill!” to a kid

“When you shifted your weight there, did you feel your horse adjust?” to a teen

“We’re building muscle memory so your body can support your horse more consistently” to an adult

It’s all intentional—and it’s how we keep things fun, effective, and tailored to you.

💬 Ever noticed a difference in how you or your child learn best? I’d love to hear what clicks for you!

06/19/2025

Why Weighing Your Horse’s Feed Matters 🌾

It’s easy to feed by eye—but when it comes to your horse’s health, close enough isn’t always good enough. Weighing your feed ensures you’re giving exactly what your horse needs, every time.

Here’s why it matters:

✅ Flakes and scoops aren’t consistent. One flake might weigh 2 lbs, the next 5. That makes accurate feeding impossible unless you’re weighing.

✅ Supports health + performance. Whether you’re managing weight, adjusting for workload, or feeding supplements—accuracy matters.

✅ Reduces waste and saves money. Feeding too much or too little adds up. Weighing keeps you in the right zone.

At M4X Horsemanship, I believe care on the ground directly impacts performance in the saddle—and weighing feed is one of the easiest ways to support your horse’s well-being.

06/15/2025

Happy Father’s Day to the men who support the dreams, the early mornings, the late nights, and everything in between. 💛

To my dad, Jeff—thank you for being my number one fan. You’ve believed in me from the very beginning, never questioning the path I chose, just encouraging me every step of the way. Your quiet support has meant more than words can say.

And to Scott—thank you for being the kind of dad who shows up, sets an example, and brings so much heart into our little girl’s world. Watching her grow up with you as her dad is something I’ll always be thankful for.

To all the dads who cheer from the rail, hold the lead rope, and pour love into their families—today we celebrate you.

06/13/2025

Friday Motivation! Some seasons don’t come with ribbons, milestones, or flashy progress photos.
Some seasons are full of quiet work—where you’re circling the same round pen, checking softness, waiting for a breath, and trying again.
And it might feel like you’re falling behind.
Like everyone else is moving faster, doing more, getting further.
But here’s the reminder:
You’re not behind.
You’re building something that matters.
The kind of partnership that lasts isn’t built in a weekend clinic or one perfect ride.
It’s built in the ordinary moments—
When you show up anyway.
When you stay patient through the sticky parts.
When you choose connection over shortcuts.
Keep going. Keep tending to the foundation.
You’re not late to the party—you’re just doing it right.