Erben Equine

07/18/2024

Hello everyone!!

I believe at this point I've touched base with most of you, but if not, this is just an FYI. I will not be around Thursday 7/25- Sunday 7/28. As a result, I have opened up Sunday 7/21 and Monday 7/22 for those that typically have lessons later in the week. Please send me a message if we have not moved you already to get in the books.

Thanks!!

07/04/2024

Happy Independence Day!!

Hope everyone has a great time celebrating with friends and family!

06/16/2024

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dad's out there!

06/15/2024

The never-ending figure 8 or the 4 leaf clover.

This is a great exercise for circle symmetry, relaxation through change of direction, rhythm of gait, and response to leg pressure.

I've expressed the benefits of circles before, but just like you, our horses get bored. Try different drills to keep them engaged. This exercise is especially beneficial for horses that want to brace up through a change of direction. By keeping it on a smaller scale, you can change more frequently, while doing a pattern holds you and your horse accountable. It also helps with tempo control.

The end goal is to do the pattern on a loose rein, using only leg pressure to keep your horse's body engaged and supple through a change of direction, while using only your seat for tempo control. Bonus, if you've got a wet or drug arena and can double check your work.

This piece of arena art brought to you by Prada.

05/27/2024

Today, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you to the men, women, and animals who gave their lives protecting our freedoms.

Stay safe everyone and have a Happy Memorial Day.

05/23/2024

"Every horse deserves to be loved by a little girl at least once in their lifetime."

So happy that Ash will be sticking around a little bit longer. One of my lesson students and her family decided to lease Ash, and I am overjoyed! Jesse has been riding with me close to three years now and has ridden everything I have available to ride. She has so much talent, and only a few horses I have available have the ability to continue to push her. Then, in walks Ash. Jesse hopped on Ash just a few days after her arrival, and the chemistry between the two of them was palpable. Ash has continued to get stronger, and their relationship has continued to grow.

I'm SO excited to see where these two will go in 6 months. Keep an eye out for them because once they really hit their groove, this duo will be unstoppable!

05/16/2024

Not too bad for only about 60 days back into work. 💪
If she's looking this good after that short amount of time, imagine what she'll look like after 6 months being back at it.

She even brought home a Highpoint Award in the Jr Ranch Riding with Briley a few weeks ago! Which, apparently, was her first show.

She's a special girl, a lot of fun!

Kickin' Ash

05/12/2024

Happy Mother's Day!

I know so many incredible moms. You all are so powerful, beautiful, and just outright incredible. You probably don't get told this enough, but thank you for all that you do. It does not go unnoticed.

I hope you all have amazing days and feel an outpouring of love. You deserve it. ❤️

04/28/2024

I am SO incredibly proud of this team. The growth not only from last year, but just show to show, was outstanding!

I tell all of my people, ride against yourself. You show, go home, practice, make the next one better. Ribbons are fun and flashy and pretty, but that's not why we do this. I want all of my team to leave the arena going "I did the best with what I was given." In this sport, the ball has a mind of its own, and sometimes that mind is NOT in the show pen. Regardless of how much we beg and plead. Just like us, horses are bound to have bad days, but we just have to move on. Different day, different judge, different results.

If you leave the arena proud of your performance, you won.

I'm so grateful for all of the Erben Equine team! Every single one of you should be proud of your rides today!

04/10/2024

Stands tied: yes
Stands on cross ties: yes
Ground ties: also yes

Still available!

Also, yes I know I'm in slides. Do as I say, not as I do 🤣

03/24/2024

Hello everyone!
Just wanted to let everyone know I will be unavailable from Thursday evening (March 28th) until Monday (April 1st). I'll be back in the barn Tuesday April 2nd.

I'm heading to Vegas for a NvRCHA event. They also have a raffle for a free custom hat provided by Hayes Hat Company. If you'd like a raffle ticket while I'm there, feel free to send me a message. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. The drawing will take place at their show May 3-4.

03/21/2024

She's here!! (Palmetto, FL)
Fresh on consignment, Ash is a 6yo Quarter Horse/ Thoroughbred cross. Standing at 15.3, she's a great size for most riders. She's been hauled extensively and is a great passenger. She hops right in the trailer. Stands great for the farrier, as she was owned by one, so she knows the rules. She is currently barefoot and sound.

Ash is broke, just out of shape. She has seen and worked cows, worked the flag, and been roped off of. She's a mountain goat out on the trail, and goes through, over, or under whatever you ask her to. She has incredibly smooth gaits and is already a barn favorite despite being here less than a week.

In on consignment due to time restriction of owner. This mare likes to work and will take someone very far. Owner wants to do best by this special girl and sell her to someone that will enjoy her to the fullest extent.

Asking lowest of xx,###

*Update. 3/26*
Now have some videos of her doing obstacles on trails. Will be getting some of all her gaits in the arena. If you're wondering if she's child safe, Ash has had children between 11 and 16 on her in the past week and took it with stride. I jumped on her ba****ck last week and she was relaxed and very comfortable.

**Update 4/3**
Have videos available.

03/08/2024

Happy International Women's Day!

I am so fortunate to know so many incredible women inside and outside the equine industry. Women who are strong, fearless, intelligent, and courageous. So many incredible women have shaped me into the person I am today. As a woman, I hope I'm doing the same for others out there. Setting new limits and paving the way for other females behind me.

Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. ♥️

02/29/2024

👀 What's this? 👀

Little sneak peek of something exciting coming soon!

*This something will be available.

02/16/2024

Attention Team!
In case you missed the announcement, due to weather, the show scheduled for Sunday was moved to April 28th.

Those who could not make this show, check your calendars for April for the opportunity to come along!

Also, I will not be around Tuesday 2/20 as I'll be celebrating my birthday!

01/27/2024

Another day, another horse show!

Good luck to Aubrey and Lacie who are showing 4H at the county fair. If you're looking for something to do today, come out and support all the young equestrians!

01/23/2024

So so proud of everyone who showed on Sunday!

Day was cold and started out with some fresh horses who were all really feeling themselves, but as the day went on, they started to check in.

Everyone went home with some sort of placing, including a high point and reserve high point award, but more importantly, goals met and new ones set! So incredibly proud of my team!

01/16/2024

01/15/2024

It's show week!! On Sunday some of our team will be heading to our first show of the season!! Times may be limited this week to make sure everyone feels confident and ready.

Here's to a new season, continued growth and reaching new goals!!

01/01/2024

Happy Birthday to all our equine friends!

01/01/2024

Happy New Year!

12/28/2023

Circles, circles, circles

A few years ago, I went and rode with a trainer in his massive arena working on my horse's lope. I was just going around on the rail, which took what felt like an eternity when he stopped and asked me why. Why was I just riding the rail? What was I accomplishing? Honest answer, no idea. I had no idea what that was accomplishing or why I was doing it, other than habit and years of instruction of "ok, go to and stay on the rail."

Surprise, Surprise, I came off the rail and everything fell apart. Turns out my horse was running away from my outside leg and I was using the fence as a crutch to catch her. And that is when the value of a circle slapped me in the face.

Whenever I added pressure, she got faster instead of moving away. Now, I try to avoid the rail. I want to make sure that every step has a purpose and every step is directed. Especially when you start talking showing and a pattern calls for a specific maneuver at a set location. I want to make sure I have the control to get it done. Or, in reining events when they call for large and small circles, the goal is to hit center and make your circles consistent in both directions. How do you get that control on the rail? As. I realized that day, you don't.

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas from the entire Erben household ♥️

07/24/2023

Friendly reminder,
This is my final week before my leave. If our new rider decides to make an early appearance or there are any changes I will let everyone know.

As stated previously, my current plan is to take August and September to be with my family. Starting October, I plan on being back at the barn, but baby will be with me, so I may not be able to have a full schedule again right off the bat. With this in mind, I respectfully ask that you please refrain from calling/ texting about scheduling before the end of September.

We're very excited for this next chapter, and I appreciate all of your love! I'm fortunate to have all of you!

07/18/2023

So, since I'm so close to having one, let's take BABIES (the 4 legged kind)!

What are some skills that you feel are important for your foals, weanlings, and yearlings? I know some people like to leave them unhandled, while others like to imprint right away. Which side are you on and why?

What are some skills you think they should have? For me, I think by the time they're yearlings they should be able to lead, tie, load, and stand for farrier and grooming. Other things obviously come with these skills, like yielding the shoulder and hind quarters so you can move them around.
Then, I start desensitizating. Throwing new things at them and help them learn to think through new situations and new items.

How about you? Do you do the same or are there other items you like to focus on? Let's talk about it!

07/07/2023

06/26/2023

Hello everyone!
With just 6 weeks to go before the expected arrival of Baby E, I just wanted to provide a quick update on plans.

Currently, the doctors are wanting me to wind down a little due to the heat and extreme UV index. Due to this, and the well being of the horses in the heat, I will only be doing morning or evening lessons moving forward.

As of right now, I plan on the last week of lessons being the week of July 24th. Currently, I'm planning on taking August and September to be with my family.

I will keep everyone posted as any changes or plans occur, if the need arises.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. We're getting close to the finish line!❤️

06/12/2023

Congratulations to Briley who celebrated winning the High Point of a series in Jr. Ranch and went home with her first buckle. I'm so incredibly proud of you and your dedication and hard work.

I can not wait to see what the future holds for you. I know you've got big things in your future. I'm so happy to be a part of your journey.

Sorry I wasn't able to be there, but know that I am so proud!

Thank you for picking up my awards as well. Letty and I were reserve high point in open ranch.

06/03/2023

Hello all!
I will not be available Saturday, June 10th through Monday, June 12th.
If you would like a lesson with me that week that is not already scheduled, please send me a message ASAP so I can get you on the books.
Between the heat of mid-day and afternoon rain storms, I'm doing the best I can to get everyone in. Thank you for your understanding.

05/05/2023

I've been trying for the past few days to think of what to say, but there just doesn't seem to be the right words.

I did not know Hannah Serfass, but have heard about the tragic accident that occurred.

Every time we swing our legs over the back of a horse, heck, even handling them, we take a risk. We put our lives in our hands and in our equine partners. But, the truth of the matter is, most of us wouldn't change it for the world. While every sport has its inherent risk, in this sport, the animals we work with have a mind of their own, their own freewill, and their own bodies they are responsible for, all while carrying us.

If you're reading this, like myself, we have been fortunate enough to live through falls and freak accidents. Sometimes, we can get up, dust off, and walk away with nothing but a little bruised pride. Other times, there are some broken bones and recovery time, but we've all received the blessing to continue on. I pray that every time, we are all this fortunate.

My heart goes out to Hannah's family, friends, trainer, and equine partner. I hope they find solace in knowing she was doing what she loved so much and was so passionate about. Ride high in the sky, Hannah, and know the equine community is missing you.