Karla Altmann Performance Horses

11/13/2023

KA Performance Horses went to our last show at MD Performance Horses last Saturday. Rowan Regan McCann Everett and Matthew Ellsworth did a great job. It was great to see Alayna Rosynek , Sally Rosynek and Dakota Davidson the kiddos did a great job. Next year will be exciting. Matt and Diesel placed 2nd out of 14 in Halter. Rowan placed 2nd in horsemanship no pattern. Had some great goes.

10/18/2023

09/29/2023

We wanted to let those who trail ride around the farm that deer season will be starting this weekend. One of our trails does go thru property not owned by our landlord and they do hunt that section of the trail. If you have been on that trail then you may have seen the tree stands and the ground blind. So with that being said, if you see orange near the tops of a tree please avoid that area. And to be on the safe side please wear a safety vest when you go out. If you dont have one we will provide you one. Be careful out there this time of year everyone!

08/21/2023

I'm looking for someone to do a western saddle fitting. It's a Dale Chavez show saddle.

07/29/2023

Tach cleanout sale is underway! Stop by and have a look. All must go! We are here till noon!

05/20/2023

At the Nine Pines horse show this weekend. We started out with Rowan in in-hand trail. She showed Tessa and Dude and was spot on with Dude thru all the obstacles. Unfortunately the judge didn’t think so on to tomorrows riding classes. Rowan with Tessa and Matt with Goober. Looking for a fun day of riding.

04/09/2023

Yesterday I worked with Bruce and we restored the footing in the indoor, digging out all the built up sand from the corners and the walls. We now have about 3 to 5 inches of footing from the center out! It turned out really well and am thankful he offered to help. Cant wait to try it out later today!

04/09/2023

Hallelujah!

02/13/2023

Big reveal
coming out some time next week or the week following! Oh baby i smell Diesel in the air!

01/02/2023

For my fellow barn owners/ trainers out there!

Lessons learned long and hard in the horse business as a professional..

1. It's easy to fall in love with your customers. They become a family who you spend a lot of time with. However, in the end they will do what's best for themselves. And, for you and them, those paths may not be the same. Prepare to get your heart broken. Keep business and personal relationships separate.

2. People will not always trust in your experience and will second guess you. They will think they know better because they read it in a book, or saw it online. Don't try to be all things to all people. Do what you are good at. Run your barn in a way that you can sleep at night knowing that you did right in your mind by them and their horses. The clients opinion of that may be different than your beliefs, but you have to live with choices that leave you at peace. That may mean confrontation, hard conversations and even asking people to move on for your own peace.

3. Horses are easy 99% of the time. It's the people who come with them that make things complicated.

4. Remember that horses need to be horses.

5. People will always judge you, and have opinions. The better you are, the more haters will have opinions.

6. Success isn't measured by ribbons and show placings. It's measured in happy animals and the quality of their lives.

7. There is always an exception or quirk that doesn't " follow the rules" in horse care. Do what works, not what the books say works.

8. When you get annoyed by seeing somebody's car pull in to the barn, it's time to let that person move on. Your barn should be a happy place. It literally only takes one bad sour apple to ruin the whole atmosphere and dynamic in a barn.

9. Let it go.... if someone moves on don't be upset by it. Ignore what they say. Don't take it personally. Every barn is not a good fit for every person.

10. This is a business. If a person or horse isn't working for you, or the compensation isn't offsetting your cost, it's time for them to go. The exception to this is your retired horses, see #11.

11. Horses only have so many jumps, so many runs, so many rides. Don’t waste your horses. Teach your students they aren’t machines. You owe it to your retired horses to have a safe, comfortable and dignified end. Your schoolies worked for you. When the time comes they can no longer do that, either give them a pleasant retirement, or put them in the ground where you know they are safe. Do not dump them at auctions or onto other people where you are not 100% sure that they will be cared for.

12. There is no shame in euthanasia for a horse owner. Always better a week too early then a second too late. Do not judge anyone for their reasons for doing this.

13. Most clients fall Into two categories. Those who are "high maintenance", open in their opinions and will confront situations head on. The second is the quiet type who will not say a word and will not openly talk with you about their expectations or issues. You have no idea they have a problem until it's too late. The people in between these two are the clients you want. They will be long term and make life easy.

14. Know your worth. KNOW YOUR WORTH. Your time and experience has a monetary value. Don't do things for free, even if you like the person. Every bit of time or effort you give to clients has value. So when you don't value your effort, neither will a client. They will come to expect "freebies", which always leads to resentment from someone.

15. Be honest. It's not always easy. But in this business it takes forever to build reputation and seconds to destroy it.

16. Remember horses are dangerous. Always use your best judgment and air on the side of caution when working with horses and students. Their lives and your own life can change in an instant.

17. Get paid up front. Keep good records. People don't go to the grocery store and ask for food they will pay for next week. Good business practices keep everyone honest and sets boundaries for clients.

18. Normalize passing on price increases. Service industries, especially ones like ours always "feel guilty " when raising prices. You are not there to subsidize someone else's horse habit. Prices have been going up on costs, so should your fees.

19. The buck stops with you. Your employees mistakes fall back to your responsibility. Always verify and check on important care aspects of daily activities.

20. Make time for family and rest. Too many of us get burnt out from the stress of expectations in this industry. In the end, boarders and students come and go. Your family is who you will have left.

Thanks for reading my thoughts. I hope it can help support some of you feeling burnt out, and maybe help some people who are starting out in their journey into this industry.

Written by Rhea Distefano

12/24/2022

It’s a big fat zero here not to mention the wind. All the babies are locked in and snug in their stalls. Last bed check for the night and all look good. If your coming over tomorrow, everything has flash froze including the lower driveway. Please use caution as the salt we put down is not working well with the cold. Hope to see some of you here tomorrow!

11/06/2022

Saw Diesel, LuLu, and Dude in the pasture hanging out yesterday morning and it reminded me of an Oreo cookie😂. Stormy was having his lesson and joined them a little later. The three amigoss and LuLu’s BFF Stormy keeping the kids in line❤️

10/25/2022

Matt and I wish everyone, and every horse, well on their way to Texas. We pray for traveling mercies and that every horse and person arrive, and return, safe and sound! And a winner!! Good luck to all competitors!

10/09/2022

KA Performance Horses in Northampton is looking for stall cleaners and feeders am/pm. Reliable transportation and horse experience a must. References

These positions are in exchange for lessons or money off lessons or lessons with a lease or money off boarding. Other opportunities available.

We show on the ApHC circuit, open, LVDA and driving. Lessons in English, western, western dressage, dressage, ranch and driving.

This is great for a working mom or a student.

Any questions or interested send me a pm.

09/28/2022

KA Performance Horses in Northampton PA has openings for lessons. If you are looking for a barn that shows and want to join our show team. Or if you don't have a horse we have a few lesson horses that can show.

Beginner through advanced lessons on well trained lesson horses. Or trailer in with your own horses. We have easy access. We give lessons in english, western, western dressage and driving. Trainer has over 30 years experience.

We show on the ApHC circuit, open, and LVDA.

We also have a few stalls available.

Indoor/outdoor (New footing in outdoor)
Hot/cold wash stall
Round pen
Acres to ride on
Manager lives on premises
Great people

If interested pm for information

09/05/2022

Courage, confidence, grit, and determination. This sums up Rowan and Tessa’s last ride at this weekends show. After 12 hours of on and off showing throughout the day and night, Rowan battling a cold, Tessa in heat, and the heat, Tessa was ready for it to be over and got a bit cranky. Rowan reminded her who was in charge after her temper tantrum and went on to complete the trail course. She could have turned left and walked off, but didnt. We are beyond proud of this young lady and what she has learned and accomplished with Tessa.

08/26/2022

Anyone who doesn’t realize these beautiful souls have hearts and emotions and families has simply spent no time with them or paid attention. We had to euthanize Ajax this afternoon. It was gut wrenching, heart breaking and a loss that will never be filled. Quarter Quarter - on the right - loved this big draft gentleman. He was one of a kind amazing and gentle and taught this little man all about being a horse. So I wanted him to be able to say goodbye to Ajax and find an understanding in his own way as to why he was going to be gone and never come back. I didn’t want Ajax to just “disappear” and Quarter look and cry for him as I have seen happen with others.

Quarter spent over an hour trying to get Ajax up. He pulled on him. He bit him. He pawed him. He pushed him. He whinnied at him. Over and over for more than sixty agonizing minutes. When I or his mama tried to move him away or console him he laid his ears back, bared his teeth and pushed us away from Ajax’s body. He was guarding him and wanted nobody near. Finally, he fell to the ground next to Ajax and cried. I don’t really care if anyone believes a horse can cry, this little man did and it has left me sobbing for three hours. Deep, guttural wails of grief. And so he lay, until his mama finally forced him to his feet and we were able to move him out of the riding arena so we could take Ajax away.

The lessons we could learn that are right in front of us that so many simply can’t see. This is family. This is grief. This is love. It just looks different.

08/14/2022

08/14/2022

KA Performance Horses in Northampton PA is looking for a part time barn manager. Experience with horses, reliable, and have their own transportation. A stall is available in exchange for work. This would be great for someone looking for a part time job where they can keep their horse. Maybe a mom with a daughter that wants to take lessons. We are flexible but need weekends. I also have leases available.

Duties include but not limited to feeding, turnout, fill in for stalls and watch over the farm on weekends when I'm away at shows. Odds and ends jobs. Other opportunities maybe available.

We offer full care, daily turnout depending on weather, indoor and outdoor, round pen and acres to ride on.

We give lessons in english, western pleasure, ranch, western and traditional dressage, and driving.

I have over 30 years of experience showing in many events. Many regional championships in different events. Trained under Gayle Matson-Kozak and Lisa Mann. I'm always continuing learning.

If you are interested pm me and we can talk about your goals.

07/24/2022

Back at the farm safe and sound after a successful, insightful, and hot PA Jr Horse Championship. Today was Rowan & Tessa, NLCHOCOLATEONMYPILLOW, turn in the show pen for their Western Riding classes. This would be there first time showing in the walk, trot, lope class! The two of them get along so well together it is neat to watch them take care of each other! In their 1st WTL class they earned a red ribbon and then a second red ribbon in there WTL Horsemanship (Skills) class! Very proud and excited to see what the future holds for Rowan and Tessa! And a big, big thank you to Regan McCann for all your help and support this weekend and everyday!

07/24/2022

It was a very long and hot day but worth it in the end! The boys did a fantastic job with Alayna in the In Hand Trail Class. Both Dude, NL MYHOTCHOCOLATEBUNZ, and Diesel, NL SOHOTIMELTCHOCLATE, each earned a blue ribbon in the trail class. For the championship round, both groups were combined to determine the overall
champion of the trail class. Dude and Alayna had a near perfect run and that got them the championship ribbon. Alayna also took Diesel thru the trail class and also did an excellent job with him. Their side pass over poles was textbook! Diesel and Alayna earned a 5th place ribbon for there efforts in a tough championship class! And this was her 6th trail class of the afternoon which was 90 percent trotting in 90 degree heat! 4-H should give her a medal for the exhibitor with the most stamina!! Tessa is on deck for tomorrow in the western riding classes and then we are headed east. Congratulations Alayna and all competitors!

07/23/2022

We had a safe and uneventful trip out to Centre Hall this morning for the 4-H Junior Championships. We only lost one hay bag🤦‍♂️. We have 3 horses with us on this trip. Rowan will be showing Tessa, aka NL CHOCLATEONMYPILLO, in halter and western riding. Alayna Rosynek will be showing the two brothers, Diesel and Dude. Diesel, NL SOHOTIMELTCHOCLAT in halter and in 2 year old in hand trail. She is also showing Dude, NL MYHOTCHOCOLATEBUNZ in yearling halter and yearling in hand trail. Keeping the horses cool and hydrated is our priority this weekend. The barn and arena are rather cool here but the trail classes are all outdoors! Best of luck to all competitors! #4-H .
Update: Rowan and Tessa placed 1st and 4th overall in their Mare classes! Diesel and Alayna Rosynek placed 1st and 3rd overall in the 2 year old gelding classes! And Dude and Alayna place 1st and Grand champion in their yearling gelding classes! Great work by all competitors in setting up and showing off your horse!

07/17/2022

Congratulations Sherri Green and Magnum (A GENUINE BANDIT) on their score of 64 in there very first dressage test at the LVDA schooling show this morning!! You two did a wonderful job and their were plenty of compliments on your ride! We have a couple of things to work on and then on to the championship show! Very proud of your progress and accomplishments over the past few months and today!!!

06/08/2022

A very proud husband moment tonite here on the farm! Karla received her year end awards from the Appaloosa Horse Club. Bronze Medallion in Open Yearling Geldings and Territory 6 High Point Medal in Open Yearling Geldings, both in halter class. She was also Hi point in the Nation for Yearling Lunge Line! This is the icing on the cake for the amount of time, work, tears, and dedication she has put forth with, and into, Diesel, aka NLSOHOTIMELTCHOCLAT, just as she does with all the horses and students she has trained and instructed, and continues too do on a daily basis! And to Ellen Gallagher, thank you! Our gratitude for what you did will not be forgotten❤️. And we want to give a big shout out to Nicole Twiss on bringing this boy into the world! We love our 2 Hottie boys! Congratulations babe, these are well deserved! ❤️

05/28/2022

KA Performance Horses in Northampton PA is looking for a part time barn manager. Experience with horses, reliable, and have their own transportation. A stall is available and pay. This would be great for someone looking for a part time job where they can keep their horse. Maybe a mom with a daughter that wants to take lessons. We are flexible but need weekends. I also have leases available.

Duties include but not limited to feeding, turnout, fill in for stalls and watch over the farm on weekends when I'm away at shows. Odds and ends jobs. Other opportunities maybe available.

We offer full care, daily turnout depending on weather, indoor and outdoor, round pen and acres to ride on.

We give lessons in english, western pleasure, ranch, western and traditional dressage, and driving.

I have over 30 years of experience showing in many events. Many regional championships in different events. Trained under Gayle Matson-Kozak and Lisa Mann. I'm always continuing learning.

If you are interested pm me and we can talk about your goals.

03/16/2022

We received our year end award certificates today from the APHC and I could not be a proder husband and student of my wife Karla and our “baby” Diesel! Karla has never shown longe line in her carrier as a horse trainer yet she mastered it and was able to teach Diesel and me, i still have learning to do, and the results speak for itself! Also having a fantastic looking c**t in Diesel and him being an awesome mover, thanks to her, gave them both the recognition they earned and deserve this year in the show pen. We are looking forward to this years show season with his younger brother Dude in all the same classes and also the in hand trail and hunter in hand. We learned a few things last year and will apply them with Dude. Congratulations Babe, so very proud of what you and ”D” accomplished last year!

01/07/2022

Welcome to 22! I am sure most of us who have or had horses had to deal with a cast horse once or twice, or 10 times in their stall, in the BARN! Never would have guessed a horse could cast herself in a 40ft round pen. But, then again, never thought covid would shutdown the world. Cheers to 22! Let this be the last of the not so great adventures this year. A few superficial cuts and scrapes thank God. She laid still after she figured out what she did to herself.

12/02/2021

Truth🐴 same goes for the young men💪

03/06/2018

The power is on! Can we get an amen! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who went the extra mile the last 4 days! We are so thankful for all the help with watering the horses, modifying your schedules to do stalls during the daylight, cutting up the trees that took out pasture fence and getting the fence back up. It is truly appreciated by the horses and me! 🙏

03/03/2018

Good morning! Everything is good at the farm except we have no power. Contacted PPL and they have no eta when it will be restored. If your stopping in the roads are relatively clear just watch for the drifting snow as the wind is whippin! Everyone is fed and Karla and I hauling water now. So stop on over!

02/15/2018

KAPH has 2 stalls open. I am taking new students for riding lessons as well. PM me for information.

Lesson discount for new students. Buy 5 lessons for $125. That is a savings of $75.

01/31/2018

I want to congratulate Laura Hurlock and family on their purchase of Surpriseimallzip aka Goober. We thank Cierra Donahue for selling Goober. Goober is a 5 year old appaloosa gelding by All Hands On Zip. We look forward to a fun and exciting year ahead.

01/08/2018

NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt

Horses themselves can be the best teachers.

WATCH: Up in the Colorado Rockies, inmates are learning how to tame wild horses in a unique rehabilitation program.

01/08/2018

Be sure to make some time to get down to the Farm Show. Something for everyone and especially the kids! Good luck to all of the exhibitors!

12/25/2017

Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope your day was memorable and joyous! All the best from Ernie, Sassy, Spud, Clio, Nada, Jack Jack, Koda, Karla Altmann and Matt.

12/14/2017

ISO someone who will help me run KAPH. Duties will be but not limited to fill in for stalls when someone calls off, feeding, watering, turnout/turnin. In exchange for free board and lessons.

Opportunities are unlimited. Great for a working student or a stay at home mom. Looking for someone that has horse, experience, reliable and honest.

If you're interested please pm me.

12/09/2017

A very nice evening out attending the Mannheim Steamroller concert in Reading. Fantastic concert and inspirational Christmas music was just the ticket to get into the Christmas spirit. Highly recommend if you get the opportunity to see them that you do. We were not disappointed!

11/24/2017

ISO someone to work in exchange for board and lessons. Perfect for a working student. Other opportunities available.

11/23/2017

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!!!!!

11/19/2017

Photos from Karla Altmann Performance Horses's post