Hillbrooke Stables

10/13/2025

10/05/2025

Some straight talk about riding ba****ck---

99% of riding well is about creating one creature out of two, the prime example of which is the mythical Centaur.

Little kids who were able to just climb onto their ponies ba****ck and go play and ride developed a feel and a balance and a sense of security that almost nothing else can replicate.

Yes, you can fall off, and yes, you can get hurt, and yes, we now live in a highly litigious society where coaches and barn owners don't dare take the risk of letting kids do this.

But, if you can do it, do do it. It will give you gifts and skills that will last a lifetime of riding, and there is not much else that a rider can do to become as close, literally, to the living, breathing, moving horse.

09/08/2025

I had a great afternoon with these two sweet granddaughters!!

09/07/2025

This is my motto when it comes to horses!

08/13/2025

How well do you really know your horse’s herd? 🐴👀

I love watching my horses out in the field with their friends—it’s fascinating. There’s so much subtlety in the way they interact, from the gentle step-aside look the confident leader gives to the way a less confident horse might startle and zoom back to the herd.

Too often, people use the fact that horses can be forceful with each other as an excuse to be forceful themselves. But if you actually watch them, you’ll notice: there’s strategy, negotiation, and personality in every move.

Do you know:
✨ Who moves for who in your horse’s pasture?
✨ Who might hang by themselves off to the side?
✨ Who scratches who’s back?

Herd dynamics are always changing—especially among my young mares, who grow more confident as they age, or whenever a new horse joins (or leaves) the group. It’s a living, breathing social network (maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always found social networks insightful—sociology major vibes 🧐).

And a gentle reminder: horses NEED friends. Thoughtful grouping matters, but taking away social interaction permanently? That’s unkind. Pasture time with buddies isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for their wellbeing.

07/06/2025

I had a great day today riding with old friends and relatives from years gone by!… reunion of 50 years ago!! Geez! How did that happen?!

06/16/2025

💬 “How much would you charge me to do this job?”
the customer asked, looking over some blueprints on the table.

“$150,” the craftsman answered, calmly and confidently.

“$150?! That’s outrageous!” the customer blurted out.
“Why so expensive?”

The craftsman didn’t get upset.
He simply smiled and asked politely:

“And how much do you think it would cost to do it yourself?”

The customer paused for a moment, then replied:
“Hmm… I guess maybe $80. I mean, it doesn’t look that hard.”

The craftsman nodded slightly and offered:
“Then I have a better idea — do it yourself for $80.”

“But… I don’t know how!” the customer said, flustered.

“No worries,” the craftsman said with a kind tone.
“For the same $80, I’ll teach you step by step how to do it. That way, next time, you won’t need anyone.”

“Huh… Interesting. I’m in,” the customer said, now curious.

“Perfect,” the craftsman replied.
“So you’ll need a sander, a drill, a jigsaw, a rotary hammer, some measuring tools, and a few other things…”

“Wait, wait!” the customer cut in, eyes wide.
“I don’t own any of that. And I’m not buying all that just for one little job!”

“No problem,” said the craftsman.
“I can rent you all the tools for $30 a day.”

“Umm... okay, I guess...” the customer mumbled, now unsure.

“Great,” said the craftsman.
“I’ll see you at 7 AM sharp on Tuesday. You’ll need to load all the tools into your car. And don’t be late.”

“7 AM?!” the customer groaned, throwing his hands up.
“Man… I’m not even awake at that hour!”

He stood there silently for a second. Then sighed and said:

“You know what? On second thought… just take the $150. In the end, it won’t actually be cheaper, and I’m sure you’ll do it way better and faster than I ever could.”

The craftsman smiled — not smugly, not arrogantly —
just respectfully.

“Sometimes, what seems expensive… really isn’t, once you understand what’s behind it.”

💡 Reflection:
When you pay for a job well done, you’re not just paying for the task.
You’re paying for years of skill, the cost of tools, the knowledge earned through mistakes, the early mornings, the sore backs, and the quiet pride of someone who’s done it a thousand times before.

Behind every fair price… is experience, effort, and mastery.

You’re not losing money.
You’re gaining peace of mind, time, and quality.

And that’s worth more than it seems.

05/21/2025

“You still have 40 years left…” - sounds pretty good, but…

“You only have 40 summers left in your life.” – makes you think.

Maybe you only have 40 more chances in your life to feel the warmth of summer on your skin.

40 more times to see the leaves change color in autumn.

40 more times to feel the chill of winter and the first rays of spring sunshine.

Or maybe less. Maybe 10. Maybe 5. Maybe… this is the last time.

We live as if we are immortal. We postpone dreams, loves, passions for “later.”

But what if that “later” never comes?

What if this is the last morning you smell the scent of coffee?

THE LAST DAY TO TELL SOMEONE YOU LOVE THEM…

This isn’t pessimism. It’s the brutal truth.

Don’t waste today! There might not be a tomorrow! 🖤🕊️🤍

Tre Wheway 📸

05/19/2025

Bathing 2 horses in one day is not so easy anymore!!