JL Performance Horses

02/25/2025

Instead of questioning your trainer why your kid is not excelling as quickly as others in their riding, maybe look at how much your kid practices. If you’re only willing to commit to two lessons a month for example, that’s 2 hours per every 30 days on average. 2 hours out of 720 hours a month. Now let’s look at a year. 24 hours total. On average your kid then practices 1 day out of 365 days per year... let that sink in.

Our sport is much harder than most and takes a lot of practice and skill, but for some reason people do not look at it this way.

For example when I ran track, we practiced minimum 5 days a week for 2 hours a day. I put the sweat and time in to improve. Chorus - practice daily. Cheerleading - daily. Football - daily.

Now, I also understand our sport is expensive. However, I find it imperative that as a parent you look at these numbers... and before you come complaining “my kid isn’t improving fast enough,” truly look at how much she practices. I am good at what I do, but I can’t work miracles.

I constantly get parents comparing their kid to student “X.” However, student X is out at the barn working for extra ride time on anything I will give them and always ready to put in the work. As trainers we always have horses that need to be hacked. “But I want to jump,” I hear so often and the biggest thing is that these riders don’t realize jumping starts with flat work. Come work in exchange for ride time. Drop your stirrups and practice what we do in our lessons. Make yourself stronger and watch how much quicker you excel. All jumping is is flat work with sticks in the way.

I was a barn rat growing up. I worked my butt off just to get on any horse my trainer would let me. The bratty pony needs a schooling? Done. The wild TB needs a hack? Done. The true and seasoned lesson horse needs a light hack! Perfect! I can work on me.

We need to truly change these mindsets in our industry. Let’s be honest with your expectations.

24 hours - 1 day - out of 365 days. Let that sink in.

Now let’s just add once a week lessons. 4 hours a month - 48 hours a year - 2 days out of 365..

Credit to author
Megan Nicole Hopkins

02/25/2025

JL Performance Horses is one of the oldest privately owned horse farms in Dutchess County, offering affordable boarding, lessons, leasing, and training for horses and riders of all ages and skill levels. Whether you ride English or Western, our experienced instructors can help you achieve your goals—whether you’re a recreational rider or looking to compete.

Our facility features scenic trails, obstacle courses, a variety of jumps, a professional-grade 60’ custom round pen, and both indoor and outdoor riding arenas for year-round training and enjoyment. We offer flexible scheduling to fit busy lifestyles, along with opportunities to participate in competitions , parades and community events.

Full service to self care affordable , options available.

Message or call learn more about JL Performance Horses 🐴
845-260-0962
www.DutchessCountyHorses.com
Ask about our Veteran and Senior discounts.

Dutchess County,NY

02/24/2025

🍀🌈 Lucky You! Last 24 Hours to Sign Up! 🌈🍀

Don’t miss this magically fun opportunity to learn all about horse and pony care! 🐴✨

🐎 Saturdays in March – 4 Classes for Just $99! 🐎

🌟 Unmounted Equine-Assisted Learning Activities
🌟 Hands-On Horse & Pony Care
🌟 Learn How to Care for These Amazing Animals

💚 Children of all ages & abilities welcome!
💚 Parents & adults can join too!

Sign up NOW to lock in the special discounted price before it disappears! 🍀

📞 Call 845-260-0962 to register!
🌐 www.NYEquine.com

02/24/2025

📢 LAST CALL: Homeschool Horsemanship Enrollment Closing Soon! 📢

⏳ Registration Closes Thursday, February 27! ⏳

Looking for a hands-on, educational, and fun outdoor experience for your homeschooler? 🐴🌿

Join our Homeschool Horsemanship program this March & April 2025! Designed for students of all ages, our weekday sessions offer:

✅ Hands-on horse care & riding instruction
✅ Lessons in responsibility, teamwork & confidence
✅ A unique way to meet NYS humane education standards
✅ A welcoming environment—no prior experience needed!

📅 Groups forming now—don’t miss out!
📞 Call 845-260-0962 to register today!

02/24/2025

Saintly, confidence building gelding waiting to be your child’s new best friend.

02/22/2025

Discover the Magic of SAFER Horsemanship – Where Trust, Connection & Mastery Begin

If you love horses, this is your chance to take your skills—and your partnership—to the next level!

For over 50 years, I’ve worked with horses of all disciplines, discovering the secret to true horsemanship: it’s not about rushing for results, but about building trust, play, and understanding. That’s why I created SAFER Horsemanship—a unique approach combining classical training and natural horsemanship to help riders and horses connect on a deeper level.

Now, I’m inviting YOU to become part of this journey.

Join Our Exclusive 3-Month Horsemanship Program
📍 Dutchess County, NY

What You’ll Gain:

✅ Master key horsemanship skills – groundwork, riding, liberty, trailer loading & more
✅ Work with your own horse or one of ours – no horse? No problem!
✅ Private & group lessons – tailored to your experience level
✅ World-class instruction – based on proven training principles
✅ Full access to farm amenities – learn in a safe, supportive environment

✨ Limited-Time Offer – More Than 50% Off! ✨
Sign up in March & Get Your First Month of Board for Just $800!
(Offer includes 2 private lessons + 2 group classes per month!)

Weekend Training & Boarding Special
Looking for an immersive experience? Join us for a weekend of intensive training and boarding for just $500!
✅ Private & group training both days
✅ Stay on-site with your horse (or we’ll assign 1 to you).
✅ Personalized instruction to accelerate your progress

This is more than just lessons—it’s a new way of thinking, a deeper connection, and a lifelong journey with horses. Whether you're looking to gain confidence, solve challenges, or refine advanced skills, SAFER Horsemanship will take you there.

Spots are limited, so don’t wait! Sign up today & start your journey!

📍 Dutchess County, NY
🌎 www.NYEquine.com
📞 Call 845-260-0962

Enjoy comfortable on-farm accommodations for overnight and weekend stays—immerse yourself in the full horsemanship experience! (Additional fee applies.)

02/22/2025

MARCH MADNESS ☘️🌈
www.NYEquine.com

02/21/2025

WEEKEND FLASH SALE 🎉 $99

HORSE CARE classes every Saturday in March. 9am - 10:30am. Advanced sign up required.

➡️ Equine behavior & communication

➡️ Horse care & grooming

➡️ Equine nutrition

➡️ Safe horse handling skills

Register for all 4 Saturday class package for just $99! Must register and pay before Feb 25th.

This is an awesomely and AFFORDABLE opportunity for:
➡️ You to expand your horse knowledge and skills…

➡️ A great way to introduce your child to horses ….

➡️ Enjoy mornings on the farm, breathing fresh mountain air and surrounding yourself with natural beauty ….

➡️ Open for everyone who loves horses 🐴

Call is register. 845-260-0962
(Riding classes available for additional fee).

02/19/2025

Don’t forget to invite our equine ambassadors to your next event.

⭐️ We love going to the libraries.
🎉 Our equine ambassadors are always popular at community events , political fundraisers and parades.
🐴 Happy to celebrate your ribbon cutting or grand opening event

➡️ Book your date now! Call 845-260-0962

02/19/2025

We cater to what kids l❤️ve 🎉 horses 🐴 and ponies 🎉

➡️ Family fun environment in a clean professional setting with a positive atmosphere 🌈⭐️ including imagination station playground

➡️ Celebrate your child’s special day with the Best Pony Parties

➡️ Mommy & Me classes, Pony Play Dates, Trotting Toddlers

➡️ SAFER Horsemanship training for horses 🐴 and humans 😎

➡️ Homeschool Horsemanship

➡️ Feild trips welcome

➡️ All weather facility with trails, obstacles and jumps

➡️ Blending natural horsemanship with classical training techniques for English & Western riders

➡️ Horse 🐴 Pony boarding, Shareboarding & Lease options

➡️ Private / Semi- Private all day turnout with matted, run-in sheds

➡️ Affordable

➡️ Self Care options

Visit www.NYEquine.com or call 845-260-0962

02/19/2025

Regain Your Confidence in the Saddle with JL Performance Horses!

Does fear or lack of confidence hold you back from truly enjoying your rides? You’re not alone. Whether it’s a past fall, a spooky horse, or that nagging self-doubt, riding should be joyful, not stressful.

At JL Performance Horses, we specialize in SAFER Horsemanship, a proven method designed to help you feel secure, confident, and in control—without expensive gadgets, endless lessons, or years of frustration.

✅ Stay balanced & secure, even on a fresh horse

✅ Master clear, calm communication with your horse

✅ Overcome nerves & regain control with ease

✅ Discover why traditional lessons fall short—and what actually builds real confidence

✅ Understand your horse’s behavior & develop non-verbal communication skills

🚀 Join the thousands of riders who have transformed their confidence in the saddle. Are you next?

Private, semi-private & small group sessions available.

🌟 Certified professional training in a supportive, all-weather facility 🌟

📍 Visit www.NYEquine.com or call 845-260-0962 to book your session today!

02/19/2025

Thank you to The Ponysitters from JL Performance Horses for spending Valentine’s Day with the Union Vale Senior Club and sharing their equine knowledge.

02/19/2025

We’ve got unicorns 🦄 waiting to welcome your child. Call 845-260-0962

02/19/2025

Congratulations 🎉

02/16/2025

We team your teen with a horse they are responsible for caring for. Pm

02/16/2025

02/15/2025

Mother Nature and Jack Frost has certainly been challenging equestrians, including The Ponysitters this year.

At JL Performance Horses, the health and safety of our horses and riders come first. The PONYSITTERS adjusted their schedule to focus on unmounted lessons and catching up on chores (like tack cleaning, culling & cleaning tack boxes, cleaning grooming totes and utensils, etc) that get pushed off when they are busy working & exercising horses and ponies 3-5 or 6 days a week.

While it may be tempting to maintain a full training schedule through the winter, working horses in freezing temperatures—especially below 30°F—presents serious risks that outweigh any benefits. From respiratory issues to increased injury potential, extreme cold can have lasting negative effects on both equine and human health.

👉The Hidden Dangers of Cold-Weather Workouts / 👉Respiratory Risks: The Damage of Frigid Air

Horses rely on steady, deep breaths during exercise, but when the air is below freezing, their respiratory system is put under immense strain. Studies have shown that breathing in extremely cold air can cause inflammation in the airways, leading to long-term lung damage. In sub-zero conditions, the risk is even higher, with frozen air causing microscopic frostbite inside the lungs. Even mild exertion in these conditions can contribute to irreversible respiratory issues.

👉 Joint and Muscle Stress: Cold Exacerbates Injuries

Just like humans, horses’ muscles and joints take longer to warm up in cold weather. This means a higher chance of strains, sprains, and even more severe injuries. Senior horses, in particular, struggle with stiff joints in the cold, making any forced exercise uncomfortable and potentially harmful. Additionally, frozen ground increases the risk of slipping, causing avoidable accidents and stress on tendons and ligaments.

👉 Dehydration and Colic: A Hidden Winter Threat

Horses naturally drink less in colder weather, leading to an increased risk of dehydration and colic. Intense work in low temperatures accelerates this issue, as horses may not rehydrate properly after exercise. Even with heated water sources, the cold suppresses thirst, making it difficult to maintain proper hydration levels.

👉 No training session is worth the risk of serious health consequences.

👉 ‼️ When Is It Too Cold? 👇
➡️ 32°F (Freezing): Workouts should be significantly adjusted. Avoid intense work and include longer warm-ups and cool-downs.
➡️ 20°F and Below: Work should be avoided due to respiratory strain and increased injury risk.
➡️ 10°F and Below: Working horses becomes dangerous; frostbite risks increase, and hydration is compromised.
➡️ Sub-Zero Temperatures: Exercise should be entirely avoided. Cold-induced lung damage, joint stiffness, and frostbite risks are too severe.

👉 ‼️ Prioritizing Safety Over Routine

At JL Performance Horses, we believe in responsible horse care. We can not control Mother Nature or Jack Frost Instead of working horses in extreme temperatures, we adjust to alternative ways to stay engaged, such as groundwork in a sheltered area, stretching exercises, or mental training activities, as well as unmounted lessons and educational activities to continue advancing our PONYSITTERS, owners and students.

Providing extra hay, ensuring proper hydration, and protecting against serious risks takes priority over maintaining a strict riding schedule.

You don’t abandon your horse, your learning or your responsibilities just because you’re not in the saddle. Owners, students and PONYSITTERS are encouraged and welcomed to take active hands-on roles caring for their horses and ponies.

Cold weather is inevitable, but putting the well-being of our horses and riders first should is non-negotiable. Training can wait—health and safety cannot.