10/21/2025
🌟 Have to give a shoutout to this rockstar student — Miss Aubrey! 🌟
Last week, our boy Storm was acting very “not-Storm” while Aubrey got him ready for their lesson. He was hyper-focused on the hay cutting next door, spooked at the barn flag (the same one that’s been there since August!), and even gave the mounting block a good side-eye. We decided Storm was just having a tough day — and that’s OK. Horses have off days too! So, we switched gears.
Learning to listen to our horses not only helps them trust us, but it’s also one of the best ways to avoid a preventable wreck. With the best attitude (mom and I were both so proud!), Aubrey untacked Storm and learned how to work with him in the round pen to re-engage his mind. She learned how to redirect his feet to bring his focus back to her, read his body language, and build calm through leadership. By the end, Storm wasn’t focused on the noise next door — he was tuned in to his kid, his leader, who helped him find safety and peace.
Last week was such a great reminder of why we value our ground lessons just as much (if not more!) than our mounted ones. That’s where students learn communication, leadership, timing, and feel — the real building blocks of horsemanship.
At Cole Acres Farm, my main goal is to help students lay a solid foundation in true horsemanship. I want every child who graduates from my program to carry forward a deep understanding of the horse — their mind, body, and needs — so that when they move on to more competitive or specialized programs, they’re doing so with confidence, compassion, and “horse-first” skills that will last a lifetime.
So when your child has one of those “take it to the ground” days, celebrate it! Those are the moments where the best horsemen (and horsewomen!) are made!
