HorsePower Horsemanship

07/12/2024

Hey yall. I have a 2008 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 with a bad transmission. We believe some plastic part in the transmission cracked. It slips in R,3,5. The motor has over 300k on it but it’s a 6.0L LS. Those things don’t die.

I don’t want to scrap it. I’m attached to it.

Make me an offer. Use it for parts or fix it. It doesn’t stay running right now. (Bad battery or alternator or both)

It’s located in Manhattan. I’ll post it on the local groups after I see if any of my friends have interest.

Will consideder trade for a beat up quarter ton if it runs and drives.

Kyler Selleck. Caleb Jordan.

07/12/2024

Some pictures of us playing in the river the other day. They are screen shots of videos i (bravely) took while sitting on the “baby” horse. (He’s 4 now. He will always be the baby horse. LOL) Alyssa DetersTanya Marie

05/09/2024

Some video from the other day at Carls with Mike!

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

04/28/2024

I haven’t made a TikTok in a while. Here’s what I did today before the storms. Thank you Jeff for your help!

Check out HorsePower Horsemanship’s video.

02/26/2024

The weather is feeling like spring which means bring on the trail rides! Lesson students Camille and George braved our steepest trail today with Gigi and Paxton. I’m super proud of horses and riders alike, those hills are no joke!

(Camille’s walking down on foot because Gigi’s using a treeless saddle currently, which slides forward on these steep hills)

-Alyssa

Check out Alyssa's video.

02/05/2024

I’ve been bad at the social media thing lately. But to be fair, we have been battling mud and then -80 million degrees, and then mud again.

And not just regular mud. Like, other world, suck you into the upside down mud. 😭😭🫠 I’m ready for spring.

-Tanya

12/29/2023

In the competition world there is often the mindset that horses natural features such as ear hair or nose whiskers are untidy and messy.

Despite the growing bodies of evidence showing that these parts of the body serve the purpose of providing sensory input and protection from outside debris, the desire to remove whiskers is still something widely defended, even when show organizations finally make it illegal to trim whiskers, such as in the FEI’s case (however, in most non FEI sanctioned events, it is still legal to clip whiskers).

What’s most interesting is that there is benefit to the horse to leave these natural structures intact.

Meanwhile, there are other things that are done to change the appearance of the horse and/or help enable their performance in competition that are actually detrimental to health that often do not result in marks being withdrawn by the judge and often result in higher marks.

For example, obesity in show horses is fairly common and, often, preferred by judges (such as in the hunter ring).

Obesity is proven to be damaging to horse health, especially when we are asking them to do highly physical tasks, even if just look at the additional impact to the joints. This is without looking at all of the other bodily functions that are impacted negatively by obesity.

Another example would be the high prevalence of unhealthy hooves in show horses.

Hoof dysfunction is unlikely to be marked down even in competition rings where marks are more subjective and based off of appearance, such as in conformation classs.

Horses can be performing at high levels with entirely dysfunctional feet and not see any repercussions in judging because of this. In fact, many horse people can’t tell a dysfunctional hoof from a healthy one due to unhealthy hooves being so common that they appear normal.

A lot of competition rules do not protect the horse, and in fact, may encourage practises that are actually damaging to the horse.

Showing horses is a privilege and it should be one that is only had while keeping the well-being of the horse at the forefront of thought.

If we value human aesthetic preferences above the comfort and health of our horses, it becomes very clear that showing is all about prioritizing the rider over all else.

Given the fact that showing is already inherently selfish (as in, it is for human benefit and not integral to horse health), it is important that we create an atmosphere in which good horsemanship and adequate horse care are rewarded and encouraged, rather than discouraged through arbitrary judging preferences and rules that hold favour to damaging practices for whatever reason.

It really shouldn’t be controversial to say that we do not need to be clipping whiskers, leaving muzzles and ears bare, simply for human aesthetic preference when it can cause our horses discomfort and disable natural sensory capacities.

Our belief that our horses are fine without such protective barriers when many of us full board our horses, only seeing them for an hour or two each day throughout the week (if that) should not take precedence.

It doesn’t excuse an entirely unnecessary procedure solely for our preference when there is evidence that such structures serve a purpose for the horse. Even if they didn’t serve a purpose for the horse, it’s silly to make the natural appearance of the horse undesirable.

It is also very easy to claim that it doesn’t matter to the horse when we spend very little time watching them in their natural environment, or, deprive them of access to a natural environment altogether.

I think it is time that it becomes more commonplace for show organizations to encourage practises that have the welfare and comfort of the horse at the forefront.

Rather than appealing to rider preferences and upholding a structure that is largely about maintaining comfortable human belief systems at the expense of the horse, due to fear of disrupting a status quo that has been enabled for so many years.

Changing with new information and modernizing is a good thing.

Doing something for a long time does not mean it is the best or most correct way.

12/29/2023

“He’s not afraid! He’s just being stubborn! “

“She’s just being a b*tch, she’s done this a million times, she’s not scared!”

“Don’t let her get away with it!”

There are a thousand different variations of sayings like this, all used to claim that horses who are engaging in flight behaviours are doing so just to be defiant.

If there’s one thing we can surely count on with horses, it’s that they will be afraid of things.

They’re flight animals, after all.

When your horse is not being compliant you can almost guarantee the following:

1. They’re afraid

2. They’re in pain

3. They don’t understand what you want (and are therefore stressed and afraid because of that).

Flight animals do not waste energy in high energy behaviours for no purpose.

Flight behaviours are at their core escape behaviours, they’re about trying to create distance from whatever problem is causing the horse grief.

Being frightened and being in pain are both fear inducing for horses: being in pain means being compromised and unable to easily escape threat, potentially looking like an obvious target to predators.

Many of us have been trained to assume noncompliance is defiance in horses, that they do it intentionally to get out of work.

If this were true (which it is not), we should ask ourselves what about what we’re asking the horse to do is so awful that they would invent ploys to escape it?

If it were true, it’s a clear sign our horses hate their jobs and making them hate it more by being mean to them STILL isn’t an answer.

But, it’s not.

They’re not plotting.

They’re not deliberately defying you.

They are a flight animal expressing stress.

Don’t work with flight animals if you aren’t prepared to deal with this.

One thing I can promise you: scaring a stressed flight animal more won’t get you ahead nor will it improve your relationship with them.

12/11/2023

Thank you Mike and Carl for letting us come out and learn some new things!! Alyssa and I had a BLAST!! I think Gigi and Jasper enjoyed it too!

Warning. I drop a couple of tactical F words and S words in the video. 😅👀

Check out HorsePower Horsemanship's video.

12/09/2023

12/09/2023

Stay tuned for even more photos! Those of you in the photos, give me a few days to get my ducks in a row and I will get you your photos and the link that has a shop with awesome printing options!

12/07/2023

110% 🙌🏻
These are all super important to keep in mind when considering taking up horseback riding, whether as a child or as an adult!

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:

1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then you’re not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons, you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults. People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

We didn’t write this, but it’s right on point! 👍

12/07/2023

*HORSES HORSES HORSES*
Coming Soon...
We will be launching the gallery for HorsePower Horsemanship In just a couple days.
We're so excited to have this opportunity to work with such a professional group of Horse Trainers, Trail Riders, and everything else that goes along with Horses...
Their gallery is turning out to be phenomenal!!! You Will NOT want to miss this one for sure!!!

12/01/2023

THIS.

It’s strong to be soft. It’s brave to be gentle.

So often in the horse world, riders are ridiculed for not wanting to be “tough” on their horses, for not wanting to physically punish or get loud or “show the horse whose boss”

They’re told they’re snowflakes, they’re told they’re weak…

When in actuality, standing up to a culture that normalizes varying degrees of toxicity and abusive behaviour is one of the bravest things you can do…

Especially when you’ve learned to expect a negative response from people for doing so.

Standing up and advocating for the horse even in the face of being alienated from your peers is courageous.

It can be a lonely place to be and the isolation that may come with it is a deterrent for most… so being willing to push through that discomfort and maintain your gentle self is so exceptionally brave.

The harshness we normalize in horse training inevitably comes out in human relationships as well.

Healing our relationship with horses and altering how we handle them will in turn repair some of the harmful human interactions we have.

So, keep on being brave.

There is no shame in being “too” empathetic or “too” gentle because a lot less mistakes and regrets will come out of this than being too callous or too harsh.

Maintain your gentle nature and allow that to heal others.

Being gentle is being brave. Being kind is being strong. Maintaining your empathy and morals is having courage.

Don’t let people tell you otherwise.

12/01/2023

Sarah and Paxton doing some “target” training. Super proud of them!

I do not have a target. I DO have a fly swatter. It’s called “resourceful” 🤣🙃

Check out HorsePower Horsemanship's video.

11/28/2023

~~ STAY TUNED~~
We spent the day out in Manhattan, Kansas with the owners of HorsePower Horsemanship and WOW!!! did we ever have a phenomenal All Day Session with them.

So... Keep Checkin' In.... We have a gallery coming that will knock your socks off!!!

If you get a minute, check out their FB page, Instagram and they're also on TikTok.

11/26/2023

Alyssa and I made the best of the weather. This was before blow drying everyone with a hair dryer before blanketing them for the 18* night. lol

Check out HorsePower Horsemanship's video.

11/19/2023

Thanks for sharing this TikTok with me Ravin! I might have to get me a pair! (I love the color too!)

Winter riding clothes

9341 likes, 194 comments. “Thank me later🐴❄️ hitting the website tonight at 7 pm EST!”

11/16/2023

There should NOT be 2-3+ wrinkles nor should their be a gap between the corner of the horses lips and the bit.

The snaffle should sit comfortably in the corner of the horses mouth.

An IMPROPER adjusted bit will not only cause communication problems buts it can also cause the horse to hold extra tension/tightness throughout their body, be less focused, be more dull/less responsive to important requests you make of them and overall slow down the progress you seek for both you and your horse.

Saying ‘well we’ve always put the bit with 2 wrinkles’ doesn’t mean you should keep doing it.

This is a simple yet extremely important detail to make sure is taken care of.

If your headstall doesn’t allow you to adjust the bit where it needs to be, punch an extra hole in it so you can!

A bit just like a spur or a crop- is an AID.
However if the way you adjust it is causing more tension, a lack of responsiveness, a lack of focus- it is NOT an aid, it’s a hinderance.

-Colton Woods

11/15/2023

Here it is!

Check out HorsePower Horsemanship's video.

11/15/2023

Gigi had fun with us today!

Sneak peek while I wait for the TikTok to be reviewed.

11/14/2023

✨Let them run✨

Our beautiful Gigi is known amongst the HPH crew for her motor. We always joke that no one told her she’s only 14 hh, because when you’re up on her back you feel 10 feet tall.

A few months ago, Gigi started feeling heavy during rides, like a freight train instead of a Ferrari, and her lessons consisted of endless litanies of “half halt, deep breath, sit deep, tell her easy, give her a check, bring her in a circle…etc.”, switching her down into a snaffle, and then out of a bit entirely as she got more and more “rushy” and needed more and more micromanaging to maintain a steady tempo.

Finally, one of the days I was putting a schooling ride on her I decided enough was enough, and I was tired of this constant battle to keep her from rushing. So I let her run. And run she did. And boy was it ugly. But I let her go, I didn’t try to ask her to make it “pretty”, I just politely requested she keep us out of the fence line, and you know what? After those initial frantic hot laps, she settled in and I felt the gears start to turn again. She stopped being so preoccupied and worried by me trying to force her into a neat little pretty box of “less” and released a tension I’m not sure either of us truly realized she was holding.

Pretty soon we’d come back down to cruising nice one-handed circles where all I had to do was breathe out and she’d give me downward transitions. The rest of the ride was the same, a simple deep breath or a shift of my hips and she was on it. No more rushing, no more bracing, she was light in my hands again and I got off her back feeling light as air.

Gigi didn’t need the constant micromanaging, she was trying to tell us was that she just needed a chance to be a ✨Ferrari✨ again. We’d become so concerned with putting her in our neat little box of what we thought she *should* be doing (slowing down and moving flat enough that our intermediate riders didn’t get bounced right off her back) that we forgot to take into account what she was bred and built for. She’s a Reiner/cow horse, she’s literally designed to be quick and snappy, to be a forward mover, to anticipate the next cue. By fighting against that all we were doing was creating tension and frustration in horse and rider alike. So now lately I’ve been making it a point to try to balance asking her for “less” (slower with less “bounce”) with giving her a chance to be “more”, and her willingness to work and be moldable under saddle and throughout her gaits has gone through the roof!

Sometimes the answer really is as simple as getting out of their way and letting them find their groove, and once they realize that it’s not always about asking them for “less” you’ll be amazed at how much they’re willing to give.

11/07/2023

Sometimes you just have one of those days that tickles your soul. Today was one of those days. I can’t stop smiling watching this video. It really makes me think about how greatful I am to the people, animals, and things I have in my life. 💙

Check out HorsePower Horsemanship's video.

11/01/2023

Even fluffy they are still so shiny. 😍

Check out HorsePower Horsemanship's video.

10/29/2023

THIS!

It’s ok not not get back on. It’s ok to wait to get back on. It’s ok to take a few steps back and build the confidence back up!

“WhEn yOu FaLL oFf gEt riGhT bAcK oN!”
…. Or maybe don’t.

1.) it can take a good 30 minutes for the adrenaline shakes to wear off and for pain to kick in. Do you really want to climb back on before you actually know if you’ve been injured??
2.) What caused the fall?? Are you sure you’re sure? Many times I’ve seen people think they know what happened, but it’s clear that they have no idea what happened before that!!  or another version is that they have no idea how much they themselves got out of position.  if you have a good instructor with you, who saw the whole thing go down and can explain to you exactly what happened then your next ride you can have a good plan for fixing any awry muscle memory that may have gotten you into trouble but if you really aren’t sure, maybe you should make sure you have, some qualified help for your next few rides to make sure you aren’t repeating the process that got you off the first time.
3.) Is the horse scared? Even if the initial fall was in absolutely no way the horses fault (meaning the rider just lost their balance) the actual act of having a rider yet themselves can absolutely shake a horse’s confidence. And if the fall was caused, because the horse did spook or do some hippy-hoppies or ”act up” that could meet in Horse is not in the best mental place right now either. The next time someone puts their foot in the stirrup, they should be in a spot to help that horse or the horse might need some groundwork to help emotionally regulate them.

I’m not saying that it’s never okay to get right back on. Sometimes horse and rider are both obviously fine.  if a student falls off and appears fine I will sometimes hop on their horse while they take a few minutes just to be sure. That way I can feel for myself if there is something brewing in their horse., and the student not only gets a few minutes to compose themselves and check in with all their body parts, but they also get to see their horse being ridden. Maybe there is an issue that I go to work on, or maybe the horse is perfectly fine, but either way they either feel vindicated or reassured.

What’s more important then how quickly the person rides again, is how well it goes when they do!!!

Sometimes just getting back on is not the issue, but doing something similar to what caused the fall. For example, if they fell off cantering up a hill with a group of friends, then just riding again might be no big deal but cantering outside might be scary…. Or cantering at all. Or maybe that is fine but it’s riding in a group the gets the rider worried.
If you can break down all the ingredients and do them individually, and then slowly start to recombine them, it goes a long way to build a rider’s confidence again after a fall.

But please please do not get back on while you are still shaking from the adrenaline!!!!! Riding is a lot of fine motor skills which you have none of when all the blood is sent to the big muscles. 

Picture of cute kids petting a horse because thankfully I don’t have any great pictures to go with this post!!!!

10/24/2023

Some photos from the last few days! Alyssa’s grandma’s horse when we were bone hunting. (Photos to come in the next week or so of those, but I will nest them for those of you who don’t like that stuff)

Alyssa found a cowboy hat helmet and HAD to try it on 🤣

And nested at the end, a cow skull with our pumpkins that we carved from our Halloween get together.