Ark River Performance Horses and Training

01/09/2024

This past weekend we took a little field trip to Lawrence for a barrel race.
We took five horses and we all had a great time.
Three of the horses were there for just some life experiences and to be Ian's and Dallas's rides. The last two were there to compete.

First- Woody, who is Dallas's reining cutting bred gelding went just to see some cites and for fun.

Second- Goldie, who was solid as always and took care of our newest lesson student lilly for her first race. Goldie and Lily were a great pair for their barrels and pole runs. Lily ran a 25.19 barrel pattern and sadly the pole time.

Third- Indie, her and Laikyn had a good weekend. Not what we had hoped for but for a pair that was just put together and didn't have a lot of practice time they did amazing. We are so proud of Laikyn overcoming some challenges last weekend. This pair will have a bright future this season once they get meshed together. Laikyn ran a 22.74 barrel pattern and a 29.48 which was four seconds faster than she was at her last race.
Fourth- Saga, Dallas took a training horse so we could play around. Saga took everything in stride and was a little nervous and excited in the beginning but settled in after a couple of hours. Dallas took he rin a couple of exhibitions just to see how she would do and she did amazing.
Fifth- Zelda, Ian took Zelda so he would have a horse to ride and so she would get out on the town. For Zeldas first time being hauled anywhere and being in an arena full of horses coming at and around her she handled it great. She didn't like the big banner at first but got over it and was walking, trotting and loping like a pro. He also took her in a couple of exhibitions for the fun of it and she did alright definitely have some work to do but that will come with time.

01/04/2024

Today was Bert’s first ride out alone. He’s starting to settle down to think and process everything he put towards him. To see him putting his trust into us is an amazing thing, that lets us know that we’ve made it to the partnership stage. Bert is going to be an amazing horse!

01/04/2024

Winston Wednesday.

A little appreciation post this week. We had gotten Winston for our stallion West as he gets very nervous at shows but we never thought about any other horse that comes to us. He truly is our therapy goat to all the horses. Last month when we had Firefly was in for training Winston would always go and eat with her no matter what.
This day in the video we had just brought Firefly back inside from being in the round pen and Winston was there to show her his love and to calm her down as it was a new thing for her to do.
She is not the only horse he is close with Brisket and him sleep together every night when we turn the lights off and any time he sees the trailer and we take west to the trailer he is right there in front loading up with him( He loads better than most of our horses.)
So if you have a nervous horse maybe they just need a Winston.

01/02/2024

Bert has come a long way in the last 30 days. We’ve been working on lunging and ground manners. Personal space was not a thing.. Bert can be very sensitive and get overwhelmed quickly. We are working him slower but for longer periods of time to make sure we can end on the best note possible. Bert is for an 82 year old and we want him perfect for them when he goes home. Today we had our second (first on camera) ride. We’ve been working on moving the saddle, jumping up next to him, putting weight in the stirrups anything possible to get him ready for a rider in the saddle. He’s been a little jumpy when working with him. Today he had no jumpiness to him. We love when we can see the progress or when something clicks in there mind. As well as being very proud of him and want the best for him and his future rider.

01/02/2024

Brisket update

Brisket has been a joy to have in the barn for training. She has been a hot red head so we have taken it slow with her as she can be quite reactive at times. Tonight she had her very first ride an took it as well as she could. Ian forgot he was wearing bumper spurs so she was a little bit sensitive to his legs but they ended on a good note. She’ll be a fun one to watch as she progress.

If you have a young one and are wanting them started right, send us a message to set up a date to bring your filly or c**t to us for remarkable results!

01/01/2024

Zelda update

Zelda has come so far in her training and is really starting to blossom as a horse. She has been slower to start as Ian is a big guy and she is a little her horse. But she has taken everything we have thrown at her in stride. We do tons of trails with her and he is not afraid to cross any kind of water, ditch or mud spot. She is a fearless little girl and has taken so far a couple of horses and students on their first trail rides as the guide horse.

The first video is her third ride and is being ridden by our intern Laikyn who has not ridden her before and she just takes such great care of her

The second video with Ian is her tenth ride and as you can see she is much improved with her lateral and vertical flexion. And she has really started to learn to lift in her back when she is going around and when she is being backed up.

If interested in this little filly feel free to give us a message and we can answer your questions. We will be sad to see her go but will be very happy to see her with a little girl creating dreams together.

12/27/2023

Watch this amazing team work. These two filly’s are progressing everyday we work them. Each time they’re hooked up it’s like they’ve been doing it for years. We excited to see how they mature into an excellent driving team.

12/27/2023

This 2 year old filly’s 5th ride and she’ll take you anywhere and everywhere you want. With the correct start to a horse is very important. Soft, gentle and kind hands will take you far!

12/27/2023

Feel free to share!

We have four training spots available for the month of January if interested in training get in touch with us because. Before you know it spring will be upon us and you'll be ready to ride on your freshly training partner. Get your horses in for training before it’s to late! Contact us and let’s arrange the arrival.

12/25/2023

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Have a safe and blessed New Years and may it all be in your favor. From our barn family to yours.

12/18/2023

This weekend we went to another Wild Wind Horse show. We also went to the one they put on last month as well but never posted about it.. Oops.. we took West, Woody and Dolly. Dolly is a client horse that is being refreshed on the cattle work. Ian showed her in single boxing, double boxing, herd work and ranch rail. She’s exceptionally talented and athletic. Dallas showed Woody on Saturday and West on Sunday. They showed in the ranch classes and in double boxing. On Sunday Dallas showed in all the walk trot classes Western Pleasure, Showmanship, Horsemanship, HUS, Trail. Ian Showed West on Sunday as well, in all the same classes as Dallas but at the lope, showing in equitation as well.

We were so very proud of the horses in how much they are improving. We can’t wait to show West at the APHA shows next year!
Results for Saturday

Woody was consistent with 5th place (and there were more then 5 participants in each class).

Sundays results on West:

Showmanship-
Dallas- 2nd

Trail-
Dallas- 3rd
Ian- 1st

Western pleasure-
Dallas- 2nd
Ian- 3st

Horsemanship-
Dallas- 2nd
Ian- 1st

Hus-
Dallas- 1st
Ian- 1st

12/14/2023

A day late and a dollar short.
Winston Wednesday
Jori Harvey has wanted to pet Winston since day one. She’s been very close but, not quick enough. She was finally able to capture him to give him some love. She definitely enjoyed it more then he would admit. He was calm and didn’t try to get away as we massaged him and gave him some scratches. After she let him go he definitely started to have a grudge on all of us.

12/13/2023

❌Edit ❌
Two horses up for consideration

REDUCED PRICE!

Sold-Buckskin quarter horse mare 19ish years old, 14.3 hands high, stands amazingly, picks up all four feet (recently trimmed), walks, trots, will lope but takes some encouragement. Would make a great trail horse or beginner horse. Asking 3🅾️🅾️🅾️ obo

Black Tennessee walker filly, 6 years old, 16.1 hands high, stands amazing, picks up all four feet (recently trimmed), she’s broke but needs some more miles. Walks and has a very smooth gait. Very sweet and gentle filly, wants to do something. Would make a good trail horse after some more time. Has a good stop and back as well. Asking 2🅾️🅾️🅾️ obo

We are very negotiable on the PRlCEś. If you are interested in either of them please feel free to message us. Videos apon request. Would like to get them moved ASAP. PPE are welcome at buyers expense! Both are located in wellsville Kansas, but can be brought to overbrook to be ridden in an arena.

12/11/2023

We’ve Decided to make a list on what we could use here at the barn. People have been asking us what we need/want for Christmas. This is the best way to do it that way you can have multiple options to choose from. We do not expect anything, but greatly appreciate it! The link below will lead to you to everything on the list. If there’s something you have in mind that’s not on the list feel free to get it.

https://www.myregistry.com/wishlist

It's time to celebrate! You can check out the wish list here.

12/09/2023

Today we went out and did some quick farrier work and a of site lesson. Dallas finished up trimming star and Ian went right into his lesson. Star came to us at the beginning of the year for training. The horses that come in for training continue to learn and show there talent when they leave!

12/09/2023

Up for consideration is a Gypsy x filly, born 6/6/2023. This filly is an absolute wonder, she’s halter broke and stands tied. She’d make a wonderful Christmas gift 😉. You still have time to make that imprint on her. Her momma is a halflinger and is currently with us now. Her sire is a gorgeous 14.4-15hh gypsy stallion. Pictures shown of Dam and Sire.
She’s located in Ottawa, Ks
Asking 8,@@@ Obo

Please feel free to help find this Beauty a new home by sharing.

12/08/2023

Big things are starting to happen for Miss Brisket.
She has taken the saddle great. She has not had a saddle on her back before coming to us. She is such a smart and willing filly. She has a bright future in whatever event her owners decide to do with her.

We have quite a few young ones in for training so be sure to keep an eye out as we start putting first rides on them. This way you can truly see how a great start to a horse's training is important.

12/06/2023

🐐Happy Winston Wednesday.🐐

Winston decided that taking a nap in Briskets hay was the best thing to do on this fine Wednesday afternoon. Shortly after this he decided to get up and have the roomies and ram the horses and the shavings ( it's his new thing to ram everything on site.) So enjoy this picture of him before he causes chaos in the barn as this is the time he is the most at peace.

12/06/2023

Let’s welcome indie and Luna, these two halflingers are in to Learn to be a driving team. We are beyond excited to get them going. Be on the look out for there updates on this identical pair.

The only way we can tell them apart is by their height! Also their manes fall on different sides.

12/05/2023

A very merry Christmas party happened on Sunday and all the kids and adults had a great time.
All the kids got to decorate a ginger bread house and whoever gets the most likes will win a prize of their choosing.

To say the least the kids were definitely on a sugar rush by the end of it with all the icing that they had and cookies. So happy to have all these kids be a part of the Ark River Performance Horses family.

12/05/2023

We have a few horses to introduce you to so hang tight.

Let’s start with Lad, Lad is a AQHA bred gelding that was originally bred and born here at this very own barn 14 years ago. Lad was previously broke to ride. He took a few vacation years and wants to get back into the swing of things. As he is a swing to get up on, pushing 16.2-3 hands high.

Next is FireFly, Firefly is a mid yearling Quarter Horse filly. She was rescued a little under a year ago and has been treated so well since being rescued. She is very curious but nervous. After getting her in and out of the trailer and putting her halter on, she’s still nervous but much more comfortable.

Lastly is Rhonda, Rhonda is a mid yearling thoroughbred filly. She has had a little bit ot work done with her. She’s needing some more direction as she can get carried away at times. Her main goal while being here is to be able to pony alongside of another horse, stand tied, lunge and trailer like no other.

Stay tuned for a few more introductions!

12/04/2023

Boot camp has been going good for Mr. Burt. But if you ask him he’d disagree.. Dallas has been working on ground manners especially staying out of your space. The first day of lunging was an experience, from being buddy sour and pulling away to go back to the Buddys. After a few days of working on him moving in on the pressure we are now able to lunge better circles.
Today was also another mild stone for Burt. His first saddling. He didn’t budge a bit, but for sure was upset that it was on him.

12/04/2023

Today was Zelda’s First ride. Ian’s been working on getting her ready for this milestone. With lots of ground driving and lunging she was finally ready. Here’s a short clip of how it went. Zelda is progressing just how we expected.

Don’t forget that she is for sale! She would make an excellent Christmas present. Who doesn’t like themselves a beautiful grey AQHA filly?

11/28/2023

Let’s welcome Burt. Burt is a 2 year old AQHA, halter bred Gelding. He is in for a longer stay. Burt is in to be started in the right direction. Today we stood tied as he made it seem that he hasn’t ever done that! Be sure to stay tuned for updates on this 16 hand boy.

11/28/2023

Welcoming Brisket (not an official name), she is a 2 coming three year old AQHA filly. She is in to be started for one of the ranch disciplines. She is slightly halter broke, as today she began training. She stood tied for 30 minutes. That was a long 30 for her. Towards the end she started to realize that pulling back wasn’t the answer.

11/28/2023

It was an eventful day, Dolly was ridden by Ian and Saga was ridden by Dallas. Today was a relaxing day of training for them. Nothing like a trail ride to soothe there minds. Mr. Rocket got his feet trimmed and his very first saddling and let us tell you for him, that he took it like a champ!

11/25/2023

🎄 It is official the Christmas season 🎄
All the festive decorations are up for the season. We are still missing the wreath, but will soon be out!
We wanna wish everyone a happy holidays and safe travels in this winter weather! We can’t wait to see everyone again.


11/24/2023

The other day we took some horses to the chiropractor, thanks to Elite Chiropractic and his amazing skills they’re all feeling much better. This was saga’s, Woody’s and dollys first time. All three of them did wonderful for him. West is a “princess” and gets special treatment, so this wasn’t his first time. Winston decided to load himself in the trailer and didn’t wanna unload him self so he tagged along as well. He had quite the energy.

11/23/2023

Happy Winston Wednesday.🐐

Winston wanted to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving this week and safe travels to the people who are traveling.
Winston had a busy time this week as he traveled with us to Lyons Kansas for a horse show. He made sure West and Woody were on their A game for Ian and Dallas. By the end of the weekend he just had to sit down and rest.

11/22/2023

Gorgeous, well minded and great to work with.
AQHA registered, two coming three year old grey filly. She has all the ground work you need just hasn't been sat on yet. Has been saddled, lunged and had a bridle on.
Built very correctly and straight, her siblings have been successful on barrels and in the roping pen. make great ranch horses.
Located in Overbrook Kansas
Low mid 4 figures
She'll make a great Christmas present under the tree this year.