Herd of Two

07/03/2024

Doing the most fun thing a lot this summer. Plus got to say hi to a bear on the trail

06/27/2024

I haven't posted much lately because I've been in a growth mindset and exploring new avenues of horse development. Specficially, I've been moving forward with deeper dressage concepts. I'm trying to figure out how to utilize everything I know about horses and horse psychology while shifting my focus to their physical well-being.

I care so much about understanding their mental state and ensuring that I don't create emotional stress or conflict that the horse can't overcome. I want them to have challenges with me that empower their confidence and emotional growth, not break it down or leave them struggling.

I'm learning just how valuable the movement can be to their mental and emotional comfort. How straightness, forward, engagement, suppleness, can change the way their brains are perceiving the world around them. It's been fascinating!

For a moment, I didn't use the methods I know to help horses get comfortable. So far, what I see is they can be so troubled but when i ask for movement, their troubles begin to melt away.

Here's the kicker! When I use MY methods, they stay with me even when they aren't moving. When I use movement for emotional/mental well-being, it may not last and it is not as effective at having them feel connected to me later.

More to come as I explore this new avenue in isolation from what I've come to know through the decades. The journey to fully understanding the horse continues.

04/16/2024

Day off doggo fun 🐕♥️

03/27/2024

What's new with Meili?

03/08/2024

The beginning of the Thoroughbred journey to Kentucky ♥️

03/05/2024

This beautiful mare was learning a to play at liberty today. She's a special one! The grey is a horse in training and they really like each other. Horses are so amazing 😍

02/22/2024

I mean, I've seen worse deals for horses that won't load!

Trailer loading is such a simple and complicated thing. The equine confidence gets shaken so easily and how we behave in that moment sets the tone for everything that follows. But really, it's not about the trailer! It's about how willing they are to trust, follow a suggestion, and try.

More trailer loading clinics at my place beginning in the Spring! You can have a huge impact on your relationship with your horse through sessions at the trailer. These clinics help ensure that the impact you have is positive, not negative. 🐴🤩

02/15/2024

I am officially accepted! I found a really nice filly to bring along and I'll also be competing on Team Sully with Tracy!

Very excited for this journey! I'll be posting along the way so stay tuned. 🥳

12/25/2023

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with love, light, and joy!

Sincere appreciation for your support and friendship in 2023! We look forward to seeing you in 2024 🎄❤️🐴

12/14/2023

National Day of the Horse! I'm so grateful for equines and for getting to spend my day with them. So here are my... ahem .. 8 horses. 🥲

12/07/2023

Feeling judgy? 🤣

11/23/2023

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Hope you are with the ones you love today with plenty to be thankful for!

It's Widom's 3rd Thanksgiving!

11/13/2023

This is an amazing time of year for riding in Colorado. We have winter dipping in sometimes, but most days are warm, sunny, and dry.

A lot happens in horse development in the fall around here. I'm working on developing my dressage riding with hopes to show a little this winter and be ready for recognized shows in spring.

Jace has explained to me that his kissing spines has progressed too far for any more riding, which is such a heartbreak. But Chance has stepped in and April is trying to help by working on her forward so she can dance, too. The c**ts are growing up right and will get their under saddle careers really going next summer.

The students are all thriving and I'm so proud of them all!! Amazing growth, effort, and experiences happening here every day!

I love my life and I'm always so grateful for the horses, the people, the land, and my family.

Looking forward to Thanksgiving and slowing down for a minute to really reflect and appreciate. Sending love out to all of the HERD OF TWO family!! ❤️❤️❤️

10/04/2023

While I don't love the "always" part, I spend so much time focusing on this in my riding and horse development. I preach it to my students at every chance, too.

I have Ray Hunt's voice in my head daily and I'm forever grateful for him, the Dorrances, and the other "greats" whose shoulders I get to stand upon.

The bottom line is this: it takes a lot of hours with a horse to develop the feel of doing less sooner! So spend the time, make mistakes, get better. Your horse forgives you and knows you're trying.

♥️

09/26/2023

This will likely be my last clinic of 2023. This Saturday, from 9am -4pm, focusing on obstacles and patterns.

Hope to see you there!

Book a session with Tia Jones today...

09/18/2023

A HUGE Thank you to all who made it to my clinics this weekend! I loved seeing each one of you AND your horses! I hope you felt the growth and your horse partnership improved. 💞

I don't have very many pics - would love for participants/auditors to post theirs in the comments!

09/09/2023

September Clinics at Herd of Two!

September 16th - Advancing Horsemanship focusing on posture and healthy biomechanics for your horse

September 17th - Trailer Loading! (this one is full but auditors welcomed)

September 30th - Advancing Horsemanship focusing on obstacles and patterns

Go to www.herdoftwo.com to snag a spot. Hope to see you and your horse in September! 🐴😀

Book a session with Tia Jones today...

08/29/2023

This one just has me so happy! Little Phoebe turned 3 this month.

She's the first equine that's ever been born on my property.

I got her momma from a kill pen with the help of a friend (Mary Walters). I wanted to foal a horse out for the first time and I thought the best idea would be to get a pregnant mare off that crappy feed lot and let her foal at my place.

Phoebe's mare, Saturn, is one of the most special horses I've met. She's deaf and she communicates beautifully. She was a wonderful horse to start under saddle and she continues to learn and grow with grace and patience.

Phoebe is one of the moons that orbits the planet Saturn. We chose her name carefully.

Saturn is now an 8 year old trail horse beginning to learn more advanced, dressage-based things.

Phoebe might make a great h/j pony! Time will tell.

I'm so happy I embarked on this journey. These 2 mares are more than I ever could have expected.♥️

08/26/2023

Thanks to my amazing apprentices, and to my handsome steed, Jace, yesterday was super productive!

Little Miss Phoebe has begun her under saddle life. ♥️ She keeps everyone smiling! She'll make a fine child's or small adult's pony someday.

Bonnie got to experience a human on her back and then a saddle. She's doing well with her driving and now I'm trying to have her ready to ride, as well.

My fabulous c**ts, Lucky and Wisdom, got to carry saddles for the first time. They did some sweet synchronized bucking! 🥳🐴

Jolene continues to improve her under saddle canter work. She's the bravest, smartest, cutest pony!!

Thank you, Cyndi Windecker , Jessica Hieber, Carin Bassett and Kaytia King! Super day!

08/22/2023

My next clinic will focus on TRAILER LOADING! We've moved out of the wild, wet season and now it's time to think about making sure you can get your horse loaded in case of evacuations in fire season! Or maybe, it's just time to confidently get your horse loading for some fun.

I will cover really important methods and concepts that will change everything for you and your horse when it's time to haul. You and your horse will have the tools you need to make trailer loading issues a thing of the past!

Hope to see you on Saturday! Auditors are welcome.

*** If you don't think you can get your horse TO THE CLINIC, send me a message and I will help get your horse there!

https://fb.me/e/6SQCUOEhn

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=15326836&appointmentType=49989248

08/05/2023

So much exciting stuff going on at Herd of Two! Horses getting developed, students getting better and better with their horses, riding, playing, learning and growing!

I sat on my amazing c**ts (Lucky and Wisdom) for the first time! They are just barely 2 so no real riding but fabulous to get up there and let them know it's ok!

Hope you are having a productive summer with lots of horse time!

07/15/2023

The first clinic of 2023 went well! Lots of humans learning to help their horse find a settled and responsive way of being.

Thank you all for coming and here's a pic I snagged of all those great horsey hindquarters! ♥️♥️♥️

04/15/2023

More snow than I was expecting today! So fun.

03/18/2023

This beautiful mare, Saturn, came to us 2 years ago. I wanted to experience foaling out a mare, so I got her from a kill buyer's feed lot. I figured better to help a mare that's already pregnant than breed (better for me, that is).

She's deaf. She's a beautiful paint and she birthed a brave, obnoxious, darling filly we named Phoebe.

Finally, I am getting Saturn under saddle and figuring out how being deaf affects a riding horse. She's very sweet and very special! Kaytia, my apprentice, is riding her these days. We really love this sweet mare at Herd of Two! ♥️

03/17/2023

This little man, Lucky, turns 2 today!! He's such a well put together, handsome c**t! Super excited to get going with him (lightly) this summer ♥️ In the meantime, he's doing great growing his brain with groundwork.

12/29/2022

Colorado tried to kill us all last week with that crazy cold but this week... I'm not mad at you anymore, Colorado! Awesome, heavy, fluffy powder!

12/14/2022

National Day of the Horse! I celebrate and express gratitude for horses every day. I'm so thankful for their presence in my life.

Here's a few pics of the c**ts, Lucky and Wisdom! Ohhh, they are so awesome! Wisdom is nearly 1 1/2 and he's already 16hh. 💪😀 Lucky will be 2 in March and he's 16hh, too. Wisdom is going to be a big guy! They are growing up perfectly.

11/24/2022

Wishing you a wonderful day today! Hoping that you're surrounded by family, friends and those you love.

We are so grateful for those who have chosen to spend time with us, either on our ranch or elsewhere.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!