Equi-Centric Horsemanship

06/12/2022

Congratulations Diamond Elmore on your purchase of the good mare Shez Sooo Hott by the great Hottish !

What a good team you two are making !

05/08/2022

Happy Mother’s Day ❤️🌹to all the 2 legged & 4 legged mamas out there.

You loved us at first sight and are loved by us when you are no longer in our sight. There is nothing like a Mother’s love.

Nothing.

God Bless you all.

04/30/2022

Any day now….2 beautiful new foals will be born!😍

Katie is expecting a foal by Woody Be Tuff and Monroe is expecting a foal by Copy Cat, the genetic replica of Highbrow Cat.

Couldn’t ask for a more beautiful and serene setting for these coming babies!

04/17/2022

12/14/2021

It’s the daily affirmation and care that shapes the future of a horse.

Sure, time with a trainer helps a horse to learn to accept the finer points of being ridden for a specific discipline … but how that horse is handled the other 23 hours a day makes or breaks the outcome.

A trainer can not imprint upon a horse enough to outlast improper handling once they go home. Our barn help is essential to our horses success.

They don’t simply clean a stall. They are teaching a horse to respect boundaries and be relaxed in close proximity to activities.

They aren’t just grooming dirt off the horse, they are instilling patience and acceptance to being touched and remaining calm throughout the pre riding process

They don’t simply throw feed & hay into a feeder. They are teaching manners and instilling respect for herd hierarchy by not allowing aggressiveness.

There is so much more … but in the end , it is day to day handler that gives a piece of their heart to each horse. It is those memories that a horse takes with them that prepares to face the future.

Like with most anything, it’s the little things. Although the trainer gets the most accolades, the barn helpers are equally important, yet mostly invisible in the larger scheme of things.

God bless our helpers who daily influence and shape our horses outlook on the future. They are important and they leave a bit of their hearts with each horse.

I assure you, they matter. They are an integral part of any horse’s herd behavior.

Letter from a Groom

Yesterday was a hard day. I loaded a horse onto a trailer. I kissed that horse's neck, just like the last million times, and told him to behave himself. Not that he was going someplace bad. I actually didn't know where he'd end up. I told him to behave because any decent horseman or woman will respect that quality and treat that horse well. I don't know if he will get that respect. But I know he will behave.

Yesterday, I touched a horse for the last time. He had only lived 28 days. I stayed with him during his very first 24 hours. I lifted him to his feet so that he could nurse. Every 20 minutes. His color changed from dark wet sleek to fluffy baby brown. And many days later, when he was much stronger on his spindly legs, in a big green field, another mare kicked him. So I kissed his neck and told him to go run and play.

Yesterday, I held a horse in the Winner's Circle. I smiled as we became part of history. The world could see what that horse had done. And I had helped him. It was just one day, a few minutes really, but one of our best and I was proud. So I patted his neck and said "good boy".

Yesterday, I walked into the barn. I'm always the first person there. It's early but I don't mind because twenty pairs of eyes look at me eagerly and nicker to me with breathy voices. I kiss a few muzzles but not everyone tolerates the nonsense of a late breakfast so I quickly get the grain. Their voices are music to my ears.

Yesterday I waited, my whole heart hurting as you stood in the field with a broken leg. When the vet finally showed, he drove straight down to where you stood shaking and immediately started grabbing needles and pulling blue liquid. I was his only helper and he instructed me through the din of my uncontrollable sobs. I held your artery and told you that soon you wouldn't hurt anymore. I let go and then fell to my knees to lay across your neck.

There are pieces of my heart out there. And I don't know which goodbye is worse. When it's cold, I pray that you have enough hay to eat. I hope that someone cares enough to give you water and exercise and a pat on the neck. Are your feet trimmed? Did you get your spring shots? Does your leg bother you still? Do they rub liniment on it or ice it or is it completely healed? I still see you in the barn. I can still see you in a picture, but every day when I walk past your stall, there is another horse there.

I will give my best to him too.

There are pieces of my heart out there. And the best goodbyes come with the knowledge that my horse still has a job and a home with horsemen and women who respect him.

(Picture of amazing Mario)

12/05/2021

Beautiful
Breath taking
Blessed

And now exclusively private.

Text or message to inquire about upcoming availability on our waiting list.

06/19/2021

The Milt Bradford Heritage of Ranching/Agriculture Memorial Scholarship will fund college studies into agriculture and ranching industries.

05/19/2021

Our wild and beautiful Texas skies at sunset ! ❤️😧

05/17/2021

Aubrie and Hickory head out on a trail lesson, crossing the tank 👍 So relaxed and confident! 👏❤️🐴


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05/16/2021

Lera and Misty enjoyed a great lesson together! 👏 Good job transitioning into the canter 👍

05/13/2021

Jacquelyn & Hickory did an excellent job during their jogging lesson 👍 Older sister Margo joined in the lesson for her first ride 👏 She said it was “the best day of her life”🐴 Hickory has another new fan ❤️

05/12/2021

Welcome Addison ! What a fun first lesson she had with Hickory 👏🐴 Addi fed all the animals and did a great job! She gave Hickory a pat and told him that he was a “good boy” 😍🐴


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05/10/2021

2 yr old VV did a fantastic job reining Hickory during her lesson !😊🐴👏 Happy horse lover right here!

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05/10/2021

Oh man! What an excellent trail riding lesson for Mother & Son team, Marlene and Mikey! 👍Mike crossed the water unassisted and jogged up the hlll👏 He saw the Blue Heron and a little turtle sunning himself 😊❤️

05/09/2021

❤️Happy Mother's Day! ❤️

Sending love and a lifetime of gratitude to all our Mothers that care for us, teach us, lead us and live their lives for us.

Whether we are 2 legged for 4 legged, you help us survive and flourish. We depend on you. Know how loved you are. You are God’s treasure, the giver of our very life, our selfless angel on Earth.

05/09/2021

❤️Happy Mother's Day! ❤️

Sending love and a lifetime of gratitude to all our Mothers that care for us, teach us, lead us and live their lives for us.

Whether we are 2 legged for 4 legged, you help us survive and flourish. We depend on you. Know how loved you are. You are God’s treasure, the giver of our very life, our selfless angel on Earth.

05/09/2021

Welcome back Jen! So great to have such a good student & friend back in lessons 👏😊 Jen is making time to ride and looking forward to owning a horse again ❤️🐴

05/06/2021

Look at Nathaniel and Hickory go! 🤠 Jogging over a raised ground pole 👏👍

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