Miranda Allyn Horsemanship

01/02/2025

Don't let fear get in the way of your dreams.

12/31/2024

This is a blog post that is near and dear to my heart and something I wished I had known many years ago.

Relationships are the reason that sets horses apart from any other hobby that a person could have. Relationships are built on trust, and building trust can take time, but here are my thoughts on helping speed up that process.

12/27/2024

You know it's gonna be a good night riding when it's warm enough to wear one pair of pants!

Woohoo above freezing ride! 🙌

12/18/2024

It’s that time of year where I get a little burned out, and take a bit of a social media break…

There are a lot of voices out there who have much to say, and little to show, and it gets discouraging for those of us who are in the arena, quite literally, day in and day out.

I think the most common experience in the horse world is well-meaning owners letting the voice of others become more important than their horses’.

As we approach the new year, I encourage everyone to leave in 2024 anything that isn’t serving their horses.

Specifically, any methodology that just gets louder when horses plateau, rather than listening.

Pull the shoes that are keeping an unbalanced trim locked in.
Shoe the horse that isn’t thriving barefoot.

Try a curb on the horse who hates snaffles.
Try bitless on the horse who hates bits.

Be skeptical of those who get defensive and dismissive when someone suggests a horse’s behavior may be a result of pain.

Be skeptical of those who use boundaries and pressure as domination.

Be skeptical of those who are dismissive of horses becoming less and less emotionally regulated when we remove boundaries, or who don’t empower them with the superpower of navigating mental and emotional and physical pressure.

Take everyone’s advice and opinion with a grain of salt. That includes famous gurus, both old and new.

Don’t put anyone on a pedestal.

Don’t take anyone’s feedback to heart if your gut says otherwise. Whether it’s a vet, a farrier, or a trainer.

Second opinions are good, third and fourth opinions, however many it takes, until you find someone who sees what you’re seeing, as the person who knows your horse best, are even better.

Our horses have no choice but to trust the decisions we make for them, so we should make sure those decisions are based on listening to our gut and our horse, and not just the loudest voice out there.

Seems like everyone’s trying to sell us something, even if they aren’t asking for our money.

The truth for each horse sells itself.

It’s loud out there.

What drew many of us to horses in the first place was the ability to withdraw and get quiet, just us and the horse.

We need to keep learning and evolving, yes, but there’s always going to be the necessity of going to the horse, and letting all that noise fall away, so we can listen.

12/17/2024

I'll be checking all my saddles after this!

12/16/2024

12/14/2024

Yesterday was National Day Of The Horse.

Fun Fact: The day was started several years ago by Ty Murray (king of cowboys) and a few others. It was passed very quickly with a duh why hadn't anyone thought of this before? Sweetest part, Ty picked his mama's birthday for the day.

I personally had a hard time this year thinking of what to post since this was the first time all of my horses I've ever owned are gone earth bound.

Every day I'm so thankful for the horse, the blessings they've bestowed upon me, my family, and all the amazing friends I've made because of them.

Give your horse(s) an extra big hug for me today. 🩷

12/13/2024

It may be winter, but that's doesn't mean your horsemanship growth needs to stop.

I currently have some availability for 🐎 lessons this winter.

Group lessons get a discounted rate!

Winter is the best time to prioritize groundwork & building a relationship with your horse.

12/13/2024

I'm officially referring to horses as cooked steaks 🤣

Is that green broke mean he's raw, rare, medium rare, or even almost medium? Because if I'm shopping for a medium rare/almost medium, I sure as heck don't want no rare c**t 💁‍♀️😁

12/13/2024

It's not a how bad do you want it, it's how much do you love it?

Current temp is 16 degrees, feels like 4 degrees.

I was the happiest popsicle tonight getting to do some groundwork on a 2 year old and having a relaxing ride on a good ol mare 🥰

12/12/2024

This is definitely the best story to be following at the nfr this year ❤️

The same wind that fuels a forest fire extinguishes the candle..

BE THE FOREST FIRE 🔥🔥






Photo by Jamie Arviso snapshot

12/10/2024

Do you know the difference between direct and indirect pressure when working with your horse?

Understanding these communication styles can transform your horsemanship, strengthen your bond, and improve your horse's responsiveness.

In my latest blog post, I break down techniques and share practical tips to help you use them effectively. Whether you're building trust on the ground or refining your cues in the saddle, this is a must-read for every horse owner.

Read my full blog post here 👇

Discover the difference between direct and indirect pressure in horsemanship. Learn how these techniques impact your communication, build trust with your horse, and improve your groundwork and riding skills.

12/10/2024

Are you Interested or Committed?

Phil does an excellent job at distinguishing the difference between the two. It was definitely a wakeup call I needed to hear.

What the NFR is teaching me this year ⬇️

As I drive out to Las Vegas today, I'm reflecting on watching the best of the best compete in the first few rounds of the National Finals Rodeo, and it is nothing short of inspiring. If 10 days of elite athletes leaving it all in the arena doesn’t light a fire under you, I'm not sure what will.

Here’s the truth I’m reminded of every time I watch these athletes: You have to be 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 to your goals, not just 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 in them.

👉 Being 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 means:
• You have a goal but lack a clear plan to achieve it.
• You dream about success but don’t set timelines.
• You work hard but without clear direction.
• You want results, but keep finding reasons why you haven’t seen those results yet.

👉 Being 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 means:
• You have a clear vision and set specific, actionable goals to support this vision.
• You have a plan and you stick to it, even on the hard days.
• You hold yourself accountable and take responsibility for your progress.
• You are disciplined and find a way to make it happen—no excuses.

The difference between 𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 and 𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 isn’t talent; it’s 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. Your daily habits, no matter how small, determine your results.

So, as you set your goals for the year ahead, ask yourself: Are you 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝? Or are you 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝? The choice is yours.

12/10/2024

I may not be proud of some of the rides I had growing up, but I also wouldn't be the person that I am today if it wasn't for all the failures, setbacks, and humbling moments.

You learn more from when life starts bucking then when you win.

12/08/2024

C**t starters should be the highest paid!

A positive start to a solid foundation is the most important part of a horse's training.

Do it wrong & you'll have nothing but bad habits & fights for years. But do it right & you just may have the next life changing horse in your barn.

It’s that time of year!!! The barn is full of elementary kids! My favorite part to be honest.
However, when you send your horse off to a c**t starter, I think there is some confusion about what you are paying for. First, everyone has different goals. Completely understandable. For that first 60/90 days. ( don’t even speak of 30, it’s just dumb for everyone) Maybe your goal is to ride them in Medora with your family this summer, maybe to send it to a specialist and go futurity, maybe you want to do lot of the training but that first ride just gives you nightmares, (understandable) maybe your goal is just to ride the thing this year. Remember though, that c**t starter is not just an insurance policy that you won’t end up in the hospital with a broken bone because the first ride didn’t go so well. Yeah, hopefully as a professional we are stickier than most, but that isn’t the job. Yet, time and time again it gets treated like that’s all it is, therefore should be cheap and quick.

Which is why it is a dying art.

We get asked all the time; how many rides will he have in 60 days? How long do you ride her every day? I can’t answer that. It isn’t a paid by the hour thing. It’s a feel thing. Sometimes Princess might be in the arena for 16 hours honestly, she might take many hours of sweat and hard core work, sometimes maybe I might put her away after 15 minutes. It cannot be said enough, horse training is a feel. Where does this feel come from? Yeah talent but gosh; years of work, years of learning, years of mistakes, of accomplishments, of tears, of frustrations, of sleepless nights. It’s knowing when to s***k on one, when to back off and just be quiet. When one needs to go outside and trot down the road, when it just isn’t ready to for a full arena just yet. It’s experience and guidance bottled up into an art that I can now put into your c**t. A pr***en that came in barely handled and turn him into something that can now be ridden, potential seen, and on his way to being a real member of society in just a couple months. That is what you are really paying for. If we say your c**t needs more time or give you advice on what do do with your young horse please please Listen. This is just the beginning of your horse’s education, most would argue the most important. We that like riding c**ts are here for the horse, or we would charge what we are really worth.
Ash

12/06/2024

Written by Amy Skinner "When you pay for a lesson or training, you aren’t buying an hour of my time. You’re paying for thousands of hours of sweat, struggle, success and tears. You’re buying injuries, mistakes, and revelations. You’re buying nights awake thinking about a horse or student I need to help more, thinking about what could be bothering a certain horse. Searching on the internet about possible medical causes for certain behaviours. You’re paying for the time i spend updating owners late at night about how their horse is doing. For the emotional toll it sometimes takes on a trainer when an owner is dealing with big emotions. You’re buying hours of hauling hay, mucking stalls and grooming, of carefully checking your horse over like It was my own. You’re paying for my further education, because i still take lessons as frequently as possible. You’re paying for my care, concern, over dinner conversation, and you inevitably become a central part of my life.
You can’t put a price on education, or personal development, or the bliss of finally being “with” a horse. Thank you for sharing with me, teaching me, and letting me teach you, while I put food on my table and hay in my barn with the most fulfilling job ever. "❤️

12/03/2024

Goodbye is never easy, even when it's from afar. Yesterday I received news that my sassy, ornery, heart of gold, rock star beauty queen, Queenie, was laid to rest.

I had the pleasure of owning her for 10 years. Our journey started out with her being a very green broke 6 year old that I took to Montana for my c**t starting horsemanship classes. That mare taught me more about having patience and the importance of building trust than other horse I've ever worked with.

There was no bulling her. There was no forcing her to do something that she didn't want to do. And don't get me started on her goofy quirks, like being deathly afraid of plastic bags.

But just like any mare, if she had your trust she would run to the moon for you, plastic bags and all.

I sold her when I got pregnant and couldn't give her the attention that she deserved. She was able to spend her last several years at a loving home that treated her like the Queen that she was. She even helped a couple different people learn how to fall in love and feel safe with horses. There is no amount of words that can explain how proud of that mare I am.

I'm thankful for all the memories and thankful that she is no longer suffering from old age that was unkindly creeping in. You never know when your last hug, treat, or ride will be, so make sure you make the most of everyone and never take a good horse for granted.