M&R Stables

04/06/2025

📣 🐴 💕 Meet our barn friend Alisha Tilley!
Her love for horses began at a young age, growing up riding and showing. As a kid she spent countless hours in the saddle, honing her skills and developing a deep bond with her horses.

😃 🤠 Now an active member of the Hartford Fair Board, Alisha works tirelessly to encourage the next generation of riders. Her dedication to promoting horsemanship shows in her efforts to inspire kids to get involved with horses and experience the joys of riding. ♥️ Whether it’s through mentoring, hands-on instruction, or simply sharing her enthusiasm for the sport, Alisha is a strong advocate for helping young riders find their confidence and connection with horses. 🐎
💖 She also cherishes her retired show horse Skye, and two lovable mini donkeys.

When she’s not at the barn, Alisha brings her expertise to the insurance industry, where she works in training and development. Her background allows her to help others learn and grow.

🐴 🦄 Alisha and her (soon to be) hubby Josh are frequent visitors at the barn, always willing to share their time with students, whether it’s riding together or simply being present to offer encouragement and support. Alisha is truly appreciated as a "barn sister" by all of us!

🤗 We’re grateful to have Alisha as part of our community, and we look forward to many more memories with her, Jethro, and all the wonderful animals she loves!

03/30/2025

🦄 ✨ Our next is dedicated to Sadie Lynd !

🤠 🐎 Sadie has been riding horses for about 7 years, gaining experience at various barns and specializing in hunter/jumpers. 🏆 She has participated in IEA for a couple of years, and also had the exciting opportunity to show locally at the Hartford Fair, where she gained valuable show & show prep experience. 💞 Although Sadie has never owned a horse, she’s been fortunate enough to lease a few, and she’s truly loved every moment of it!

Currently, Sadie is focusing on her education at C TEC, where she’s studying Dental Assisting 🦷 . ⏰ Despite her busy schedule, we’re thrilled that she has been able to join us M&R Stables, helping take great care of the horses & facility.

😊 As a newer smiling face at the barn, Sadie’s positivity and enthusiasm are a great addition to the team, and we’re excited to work with her!

03/29/2025

☀️ 🌼 The best way to spend a Saturday morning! Hanging at the barn with friends 😻

03/23/2025

🌟 Meet Kaylee Ann Taylor! 🌟

You’ll see Kaylee at M&R stables at least once a week, but she’s been riding since she was 5 years old!🐴 In 6th grade, she joined the Autumn Rose Farm equestrian team, and that’s where her equestrian journey really took off. Over the years, she has earned 3 national titles through IEA! 🏆

🐎 She found her true passion in 7th grade when she discovered the sport of Reining – and shes been hooked ever since! 🎯
In 2017, Kaylee had the incredible experience of showing at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Reining, placing 16th out of 105 riders, and she traveled to NRHA shows that summer. 🌟She then joined the IHSA team at Lake Erie College as a freshman and was honored to be the team captain in both her junior and senior years. 💪🏽

Now, Kaylee is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), teaching in Delaware at Stockhands Horses For Healing, and absolutely loves helping others experience the joy of riding! 🏇
The horses of M&R Stables love when Kaylee comes out for their exercise & training rides! She helps keep them fit & ready for riding lessons. 🐴 ❤️

When she’s not at the barn, you can catch her at the rink cheering on the Blue Jackets! 🏒⚡️

We are so happy to work with you Kaylee!! ♥️

03/22/2025

🐴✨ Spending time with horses offers profound mental and physical benefits that we often overlook.

Horses encourage outdoor activity, which has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall health by balancing the nervous system. 🌿💪 They also promote mindfulness, helping you stay present and reduce anxiety by focusing on the task at hand. 🧘‍♀️💆‍♂️

🐎 Additionally, interacting with horses builds confidence and emotional regulation. 💖 Whether for mental clarity or physical wellness, horses provide invaluable support to our well-being, offering a refreshing escape from the pressures of modern life. 🌞

https://gohorseshow.com/2025/03/a-leg-up-how-horses-improve-your-mental-and-physical-well-being/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0jLxLdNlCPrd9SK5F-nkXyZ-7CUMQj3LJSm2CZJbpBfUQuz889YafBIks_aem_XJTxQP9-nUdEbLvMeLZhHw

We’ve all seen the memes and heard the jokes. And although funny at times, the truth is that horse ownership isn’t for the faint of heart. Horses are time-consuming, expensive, injury-prone, and progress is never linear. So, what is there to gain from horse ownership beyond heart palpitations, a...

03/20/2025

💐 ☀️ Spring?!? Is it you that Harrods sees off in the distance?!?

Happy First Day of Spring! 🐥 🌼 ☀️

We loved the warm weather from yesterday and earlier this week 🏝️ The horses are shedding their winter coats and they are spending all day outside, basking in the sunshine.

🌅 ♥️ The longer, warm evenings are perfect for horseback riding 😍
Call or DM us today to get your riding lessons scheduled!

03/18/2025

🥹🥹 Here’s a throwback to 2 of our favorite young riders. These little ladies make us so proud!

Growing up around horses and in the barn offers kids more than just learning responsibility—it teaches them patience, empathy, and a strong work ethic. 🐴💪

🌾 From feeding and grooming 🧽, to learning to communicate with these amazing animals, children gain confidence, a sense of care, and a lifelong bond with nature. Plus, outdoor adventures and fresh air do wonders for everyone’s mental and physical health! 🌱

Join us today!!

03/14/2025

☀️ Good morning from M&R Stables! 🌅

Picture this: 📸
The sun is just starting to peek over the horizon, casting beautiful orange highlights behind the barn. 🧡

☀️ There’s something magical about watching the first light of day break through the morning mist, bringing with it the promise of new beginnings and endless possibilities. Here’s to a fresh start and a day full of hope, hard work, and the love of 🐎 horses.

03/11/2025

💥 Check out the latest updates to the barn!
Things might look just a little different next time you stop by….

📢 Shout out to Ellie for showing us how the new hardware looks and works! …& special guest Tony!

03/09/2025

🐴✨ Meet our next behind-the -scenes gal, riding instructor, Nancy Bullock! ✨🐴

Nancy has been around horses since she was a baby, and with 20+ years of teaching experience, she truly knows the ropes! 🏇💪 Not only does she teach horseback riding lessons, but she also breeds and raises beautiful American Quarter Horses, showing them at Quarter Horse and local open shows. 🐎🏅 (that’s 2 of her home-raised babies in the pictures! )

Her passion for horses doesn’t stop there—Nancy LOVES participating in riding clinics to expand her knowledge and bring the best to her students. 🌟 Whether you're a beginner or looking to expand your skills, she’s the perfect guide to show you the ropes of the wonderful world of horses! 🐴❤️

We’re so lucky to have Nancy with us—thank you for all the love and wisdom you share! 🙌

03/07/2025

🐴 🩷 💜 Just a muddy horse appreciation post!!

Robbie and Jethro really enjoy a good mud bath in the spring 😂 Don’t worry guys, all the horseback riding lesson students are ready and waiting with rubber curry combs and hard-bristled brushes!

Fingers crossed for warm days so these dirty guys can get a real bath! 🧼 🧽

03/02/2025

✨ You’ve met our horses, now it’s time to meet the women behind the scenes at M&R Stables!

Meet Taylor! 🐴✨ She is a Riding Instructor and our Chief Barn Hand who's been surrounded by horses her whole life. (Check out that cute baby pic!) Her Nana was a horse trainer for many years, so it's in her blood! 🏇💕

Taylor loves trail riding, especially in the beautiful Tennessee mountains 🌄🐎. She had her own Arabian horse as a child, who was her best friend and partner in adventure 💖

Starting her first official barn job in high school, Taylor has been dedicated to the equestrian world ever since! Her fun ideas and kindness make her a favorite among both the horses and her students! 🌟🐴 … even when she assigns Horse Homework to work on after lessons 😂

We ❤️ Taylor and are so happy to have her on the team!

02/27/2025

🙋🏻‍♀️ ⁉️ So what will we DO during riding lessons?

🐎 All of our horseback riding lessons are customized to each rider and their current skill level and goals. Everyone learns and grows differently! Our instructors enjoy coming up with variety and new challenges!

🎥 Check out this video for a small sample of some things you might work on.

Reach out 📞 today to get scheduled!

02/25/2025

☀️ Finally! The sunshine is a welcome sight for us and the horses after weeks of rain, snow, and gloom.
💐 Spring is right around the corner. It’s a perfect time to think about starting your journey on horseback 🏇

Reach out today, schedule a barn tour and get on our Spring Lesson Schedule!

02/23/2025

🐎 📣 Our final spotlight for the horses of M&R Stables is none other than THE QUEEN herself…. Murcie! 👑 👑 👑

💙 Murcie is a 15 year old, black, Warmblood mare. She excels in Dressage and flat work, and rides strictly English-style.

🐴 Her first love will always be Harrods, but her owner Ellie and mud puddles are a close tie for second! We love how expressive and talkative Murcie is, and her love-hate relationship with Robbie is definitely a dynamic that keeps us all guessing!

✨ Big in stature and in personality, Murcie’s elegance and royal presence is felt throughout the barn and every time she steps hoof in the arena. ✨

❤️ 👍🏻 Murcie loves compliments, so be sure to give her some love in the comments!!

02/20/2025

🤓 Heads up for some Equine Education!

On our last post ⬇️ we showed a picture of Murcie as she got up from rolling in her stall. This is a normal behavior for her because we know she LOVES to scratch and roll around in the fresh sawdust! The other horses at M&R Stables also love to lay down for naps and roll in different spots around the farm.

⁉️ But when should a horse owner be alarmed about their horse rolling??

Every horse might be a little different in how they tell you they have a tummy ache, but here is a handy graphic with some of the most common signs of a belly ache or “colic” in horses. ⚠️ If your horse is displaying these symptoms, you should call your vet and get started on their recommended colic treatment immediately!

02/18/2025

💥 Caption this!! 💥

Also, what do you think Murcie is doing ?! 😂

📸: Alisha Tilley

02/16/2025

📢 Today’s introduction goes to none other than Robbie’s BFF…. JETHRO!! 💗

🩷 Jethro is part 2 of the “Bay Bro Duo”, and he is a 14 year old Quarter Horse gelding. Horses are very strong herd animals and Robbie and Jethro are no exception.

Jethro is a barn favorite, soliciting treats and pats from everyone who stops by. He doesn’t usually participate in riding lessons, but his kind nature makes him the perfect horse for introductions to grooming, leading, and parts of the horse. His strong bond with Robbie also sets the perfect scene for observing horse behavior and interactions in a herd environment.

⁉️ Fun Fact about Jethro: His person, Alisha Tilley is a Hartford Fair Senior Fairboard Director, so Jethro is a HUGE advocate for joining 4-H!

Reach out today if you want to come out and meet Jethro and Robbie! (Jethro says you should definitely plan a visit to feed him extra treats!)