"Education is not the Learning of facts, but the training of the mind to Think"
-Albert Einstein
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I'd like to introduce you all to Oakie's little sister Ophelia. One foal crop behind Oakie, this filly is here being started. Glad to have another Clark Farms Quarter Horses here to ride. Side note, I love riding my young horses in a hackamore. What's your go to tool for young horses?
A year apart...
One year ago I drew this very special mare in the Clark Farms Quarter Horses c**t starting challenge. From the moment I saw her picture, she was my top choice to start and she showed me what she was made of as soon as we stepped in the pen. I knew from the first ride I needed to take her home. Fast forward to this past weekend, Oakie showed off how she's grown in the past year at this years competition as my mount to host and announce. I am so thankful to have such an incredible partner in this mare and can't wait to see the things we will do together.
Miss Poco Oak!
One of my favorite events every year. Although I didn't compete this year it was an honor to be the host and help make the event the best it can be. It was great to see old friends and make new ones. To all of the competitors, you did amazing work and I'd be happy to work alongside any of you any day. I hope to see you all again soon!
Wave if you see us heading down the road with our new Exiss trailer! Thank you Butch and Georgie, we wouldn't go see anyone else for a trailer.
Going to Maryland !
Thank you Dan & Katie - Moltion Equine Services, LLC
Sign upgrade!
Suggestions if we should paint the top fence rail behind the brand so the brand stands out more?
I busted the zipper on my chaps several months back. I finally had a moment to send them out to Pisano Riding Boot Repair and im so excited to have them back! Thank you Dan Pisano for your fast and great work. If you're ever in need to have repairs done I highly recommend.
The two best friends you can count on, your horse and your dog.
Working hard or hardly working?
The C**t Saddle
The one you swing over the fence of the round corral. The one that melts to your arm when you pick it up for a first saddling. The one that feels like home when you sit down for a first ride.
I like using a good quality, tough, comfortable saddle for those first experiences. My go to is a Jeff Smith's Custom Saddles cowhorse. It fits nearly every horse I put it on and stays secure for me and the horse. I also ride all of the young horses with a "cowboy seatbelt." If I'm going to start a bunch of horses, I'll rig up a rope strap which I can grab quicker and keeps me smooth and relaxed in the saddle no matter what happens. When I don't have that, I keep a night latch on my saddle. Mine is cut from an old stirrup leather and it similar to a dog collar.
Share a picture of your go to c**t saddle that you trust to always keep you cowboy side up!
Thank you SMQHA-Southern Maryland Quarter Horse Association! Can't wait to be part of your team.
Our show schedule is filling up for 2024, be sure to contact with dates soon!
SMQHA would like to welcome Daniel Moltion from Motlion Equine Services of Cecilton, MD to our show! 🤩
Dan will be our new announcer for the Suntan Circuit Show July 18-21, 2024, at the Prince George Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD!
Thank you Dan for joining the SMQHA-Southern Maryland Quarter Horse Association family! 😘
We are very excited you have joined the Suntan Circuit Show.
Thanks again, hope everyone is enjoying there Saturday! SMQHA-Southern Maryland Quarter Horse Association 🤠
It finally quit raining enough the other day that I could get my new Diamond Wool Pads saddle pad out and give it a try. I'm a big fan of using as many natural materials as I can with horses and wool felt is my go to. I'm looking forward to the future this pad has!
What type/brand of saddle pad is your favorite and why??
Guess what CNY? I'll be coming back for a 2 day clinic in May! I can't wait to get back for this clinic it is guaranteed to be a great time for everyone. Sign up while we have slots!
Come learn how building a strong foundation can improve communication and performance for any breed, discipline, age, or experience. Auditors welcome!
This is a topic I frequently discuss with people. "Why is the horse doing xyz?" Horses don't know what is "right" but they do know what is comfortable and uncomfortable. Because we don't speak the same language, it is our responsibility to not anthropomorphise (apply human emotions to something not human), but to understand what the horse's emotion is. This can be more difficult later in life if the horse is what I call "foundationally bankrupt" meaning that they haven't been given the right tools to succeed. When we start young horses we keep all of these and more in mind and try to create a solid foundation to always fall back on when the horse is uncertain.
So true 💭
Had a great weekend announcing for the New Jersey Quarter Horse Association spring show! What a great group of staff and exhibitors to work with. Next stop, American Quarter Horse Association L1 East. Can't wait to see my Ohio friends!
The life of the pony horse may not be glamorous but Oakie seems to like it
Working on developing these c**ts before the rain comes in!
What do you think about using horses to help each other?
Welcome to the Farm!
I am excited to announce that my new official home base will be my own farm here in Earleville, Maryland.
It is pretty special to me to put my own name on this growing and developing property where I will be able to help developing horses and horsemen and women. I will still be traveling for clinics and lessons in addition to my work here.
Don't forget to follow for more updates and send a message for training, lesson, or show availability!
First show of the year is in the books! It was a great week in Scottsdale and first Sun Circuit Experience. I can't wait to see all my good friends at the next one.
Had a great time visiting with Becca Truax yesterday and starting Oakie on the flag and tracking a cow. The last time she has been around cows was the final for the c**t starting last June. Thanks for the help Becca!
Break time for Cricket and a quick picture of more fence coming together!
We're organizing up our fields in preparation to have some openings for training coming up in the spring.
Training openings coming as soon as mid March! PM for info.
Official farm sign being made!
Trying on the new reins for size! I think they fit pretty nicely with the new bridle thanks to Cliff Schadt Performance Horsemanship.
Clinic Update!
We are booking clinics for winter and spring '24. Get in touch to lock in dates.
Topics to include:
-C**t Starting (prepping and first rides)
-Young Horse Development (what to do next)
-Horsemanship (creating good habits in the barn, on the ground, and in the saddle)
-Developing Performance through rhythm, balance, and impulsion
-Problem Solving
-Ranch Riding
Got to take the new saddle for a test drive. I think we are both liking it! Thanks Terry Clibborn! Now time to start getting fit
Papers may not be everything but confirmation and good genetics are. We need to consider form to function when selecting the right partner to complete the task we want to do. Flaws will be exposed during training and can lead to long term soundness issues. Knowing and understanding confirmation is essential for any horseman.
Ideal conformation maximizes potential in the show pen 🐴 https://hubs.li/Q026_8cK0
Settling back in at home after finishing out this year's show season with the American Quarter Horse Association World Show. What an incredible experience seeing the talented horses and riders from across the country compete for the globe. I am thankful for the great people I have worked with, thank you all for making my first world show one to remember! I'm also grateful for the many great friendships that I have made while working these events and I always look forward to seeing everyone at the next one.
Earleville, MD
21919
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I'd like to introduce you all to Oakie's little sister Ophelia. One foal crop behind Oakie, this filly is here being started. Glad to have another Clark Farms Quarter Horses here to ride. Side note, I love riding my young horses in a hackamore. What's your go to tool for young horses?
A clip from the clinic today at Asbury Equestrian Center getting this colt ready for a first ride! Excited for day 2 tomorrow. Heidi Chamberlain
Here's another view of the same process on a different colt I have in here.
I had a few people ask to follow up on the clip I posted yesterday of Cliff Schadt Jr. Getting on a colt for the first time. Here's the first steps to broke for one of the colts I have in right now. I want them to feel balanced when I get on, so I teach them to brace their front legs by shifting the saddle back and forth. Once I am on I want them to feel comfortable unbracing and moving their feet starting with the hind end. Notice I am not pulling his head around but I am lifting the rein up along his throat latch and using my leg to push his hip. Once he releases quietly I can let go then start again. Once he feels confident unbracing his feet, I rock my saddle to get him balanced for me to get off. First "ride" in the books!
Working on developing these colts before the rain comes in! What do you think about using horses to help each other?
Got to take the new saddle for a test drive. I think we are both liking it! Thanks Terry Clibborn! Now time to start getting fit
"Shoulder by shoulder and side by side we'll start these young horses to ride." I heard these words from my friend Cliff Schadt Jr. every time we'd get on a touchy colt or started to work a group of first rides. I always loved it and it made me sit tall in the saddle and give these horses the most confident first experiences that set them up for the rest of their future careers. I'm glad that through the years of growth and development that some things remain the same. The other day my 3 year old filly, Oakie, got to try her hand at helping to move some young warmbloods around for their first experiences. It's Oakie's 11th ride and first time flagging and this colts 2nd ride. I'm pretty proud of this example of Babies helping babies and friends helping friends. I'm proud of every time I step into the pen to work alongside of my friends and help these horses. #oakiesjourney
About a week since our last ride and here's an Oakie update! At this point she has had just shy of 10 rides. I want a horse to feel confident, balanced, and relaxed no matter where I direct their feet. This is where I set that foundation. I'm not working on starting or introducing any maneuver. Instead I'm working on directing her with my seat, leg, and hand until she feels soft and balanced then letting her go. #oakiesjourney
