Razing The Bar Performance Horses

03/24/2024

I can’t put the book down! I love the stories you tell to help people relate and remember. Instead of just saying lift this rein use this leg to fix problems. You teach the “why” I have a feeling I’m going to read this over and over. Thank you again for all you do.

The most rewarding thing for a teacher is a student who applies themselves and does the work.

I had a lovely young lady stop by the booth at the Iowa Horse Fair and had me sign her book.

She had all the parts of the book marked and color coded.
I asked her what the colors indicated and she told be some of them are real life instances, some were things that pertained to her horse, some were things she wanted to remember and I can’t remember what else. It was just fun for me to see!

03/21/2023

People are trying to do the thing with the fear, the brace and the worry. It’s not that the horse can’t do the thing. The things that we are trying to get from them are things they already know how to do.
Think about that. let’s think more about how to get rid of the fear, brace, and worry more then trying to get them to do the thing.

12/15/2022

You always have that one horse that makes you stop and re-evaluate how you think about things, makes you become a better person, makes you slow down and just listen.

07/25/2022

07/23/2022

Roy’s first trail class went better then expected, he’s usually lazy over the poles doing the bare minimum lol. We have only been practicing going over more then one pole for a few weeks. He might make a trail horse after all. Ended up first under both judges!!! Today didn’t go as well as he decided the mare stalled beside him was his new girlfriend and he could not stay focused. But I have to remember he has only been stalled at a show a few times his whole life. We will get there. I have faith in this big boy ❤️

06/20/2022

06/03/2022

4 year old with about the same amount of time under saddle as a 2 year old. I think he’s finally figuring out his 16.2 hand frame 💁‍♀️

05/12/2022

Pretty good day with this big boy. Also first time working on the turn around and man for being 16.2 hands this boy is athletic! May have to change disciplines!

05/07/2022

I Only have been working with Chip for a few sessions and the weather being so crappy had to take a lot of time off. Besides all that he had his best day ever!

03/20/2022

Chips first day of school. First step is establishing directions and coming in to relax. He’s a very smart boy!

03/19/2022

Chips first day of school 💁‍♀️

03/19/2022

Always pay attention to how your horse reacts to everything you do. When you walk up to him watch him closely. Does he lift he head, do his eyes keep blinking or does he “freeze” does he turn to nip at you? Turn his head away from you or try to block you with his head from going to his side? Horses tell us if they are unsure or worried, but most of the time we don’t pay close enough attention to notice it. Then we start to have problems and we ask ourselves why? Make sure you are always paying attention to your horse. I’ve seen so many horses that are not ok with people just walking up to pet them. If you can’t walk up to them and pet them all over without a negative reaction I would not be tying him up to brush him yet until that is good. As humans we get so caught up in goals. Like today I want to go band my horses mane. So I am going to tie him up to do it so he stands still. If he doesn’t stand still on his own and you tie him you may start creating issues. Yes I have goals too but if one day I get my horse out and he is not ok with something I work on that even if I don’t get to the thing I wanted to do that day.

03/08/2022

Looking into offering online training/lessons since I have had so much interest from people out of state. Please let me know if this would be something that interest you. Send me a DM if you want more information.

03/04/2022

If I could only teach one thing about horses it would be that every single interaction, even the smallest ones many dont even realize you have with your horse dictates their actions. Always be aware of your interactions, as a horse sees you as a horse and reads body language better then we do.

02/11/2022

It’s not about what you can get your horse to do, it’s about “how” he does it. Picture taken when I asked Roy to come in and relax. Notice that he doesn’t just come in stiff as a board, he has a bend in his entire body, and his inside hind leg is stepping in front of the outside leg. Which is a sign that he is relaxed. If he was to shuffle his hind end around that is a sign he is nervous and may want to flee. With a bend like this a horse is not prepared for flight or fight. I have worked on disengaging his hind end on the ground standing beside him and rewarding him for the bend and the hind leg stepping in front. This may seem like such a small detail but it is huge!!!!
On a first ride I will first check that they can stand still on their own, then flex softly on both sides, then the first step with me on their back is to flex to on side and hold them add leg to disengage their hip. Watch what their legs do. Do their step behind with the inside hind or shuffle side by side? Those are signs that they are tense and nervous. Once they step in front with the inside hind release your leg but hold their head till they relax and get soft in your hand. Let them sit still and relax before doing it again.

01/19/2022

I don’t want to be known for winning an event or a trophy, I want to be remembered for helping people gain a true connection with their horse.

09/29/2021

From day one, to Roy’s first class under saddle as a 3 year old. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us!!!

06/04/2021

Roy was a complete angel today ❤️ the connection I feel with this horse is like nothing I have had before. Changing my mindset to, no expectations has made me slow down, relax and build connection before anything else, which in turn has made training and new experiences so much better.

05/30/2021

https://youtu.be/4Kyt3QaIH4E.

This is amazing!!!!! I have listened to The Journey On podcast with Elsa Sinclair and immediately wanted to see this! If you don’t know who she is, you need to. I can’t wait to watch this. I am always searching for ways to become better connected with horses without using force. I don’t care about the time it takes, I just want to do better for them.

The original short trailer for "Taming Wild - A Girl and A Mustang"

05/26/2021

Absolutely am in love with this boy!!!! Just got to a new barn yesterday to be closer to me, and his first ride went amazing today!!!! I can’t get enough of him. Roy just turned 3 and only a few months under saddle over the course of last summer and just a few rides this year. I also can’t believe he has grown to 16.2 and still growing!!! Like what! 😍

05/11/2021

Not bad for the 3rd ride this year, and 3rd time in a snaffle( first time in it this year) For being a 16.2 hand 3 year old I can’t believe his ability and intelligence! Only worked on the spin a few times and he decided today it was way less work to just stay in it on his own. 🤗

05/11/2021

What an awesome day it was! Roy did amazing ( 3rd time ever with a snaffle bit and it was the first time this year ) the sun is also shining! Could not ask for a better day.
For a 16.2 hand 3 year old I’m so impressed with his ability!

05/07/2021

Never a bad day when I am with this boy! 🤗