Gray Horse Training

08/05/2024

08/04/2024

Make Them Carry Their Saddle

A father of a darling girl and I were talking last week and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.

Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)

When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.

When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.

Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.

When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.

After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.

Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.

Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.

So parents, make your children carry their saddles. Don’t do the hard parts for them, as long term it actually hurts them. To advance with their riding, they must get stronger. You can help by doing the high parts.

I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.

Hannah Campbell Zapletal

07/31/2024

07/27/2024

When your mini donkey won't leave any protection on and his legs are literally running blood from the flies.... you get him doggy PJs!!! After a good scrubbing bath , some corona and a heap of fly spray he got to eat grass and dry off and then I suited him up.

07/19/2024

FROM A PARENT:
One of my friends asked "Why do you pay so much money for your kids to ride horses?" Well I have a confession to make, I don't pay for my kids to ride horses.

So, if I am not paying for them to ride, what am I paying for?

- I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired they want to quit but don't.

- I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are "too tired" to go to the barn but go anyway.

- I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined.

- I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body.

- I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good team mates.

- I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don't get that score they'd hoped for, but still have to work hard in the grading.

- I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals.

- I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours and hours and hours of hard work and practice to create a champion, and that success does not happen overnight.

- I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships.

- I pay so that my kids can be in the arena instead of in front of a screen...
..I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for horse riding, I pay for the opportunities that horse riding provides my kids with to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far I think it is a great investment!

Unknown Author

07/13/2024

I’m sure Opal finds my antics hilarious right 😆 after a year of earning her trust and buying her love with rice crispy treats she left me trim her bridle path today! May seem like nothing to you but to the beaten and terrified little mustang I bought for $700 last year … we have moved mountains together! Healing and trusting is hard for humans and we are supposed to speak the same language! Give these animals grace and they will give you forever love and trust !

I wish I could speak human as well as I can horse !

07/04/2024

😆

😂😂😂

07/03/2024

Take steps to keep both you and your horse safe in the summer heat!

06/27/2024

Training spots available for July pm for details.

06/24/2024

A Horse’s love is the best love
❤️🐴❤️

06/21/2024

Cowboy’s new little cowgirl , Miss Ellie! Addy is so happy her pony is staying in the family and I have to say so am I ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I think they are going to be a awesome team! Watch out here they come!

06/20/2024

Once again pictures or it never happened with this girl 🤣 she promptly went and rolled in her stall , which thankfully I anticipated and deep cleaned and put down fresh flakes 😜

06/12/2024

Oh Opay your such a big girl!!!! First time with a saddle !!!!! Only s**t herself once and not bad lol!!! Now if I can get a farrier to trim all four! I have dorm gel to!

05/02/2024

Faith hope and love … it all goes into the making of a good horse ! That and remembering some of the BEST horses are the hardest, always follow their lead and you will never go wrong! Dolly has taken her dear sweet time but she is going to be a rock solid chick ! And she would follow me through fire!

04/26/2024

How often do we have post run, activity, day, practice conversations where we struggle to see the positive in the obstacles we were faced with that day?

Hard is a blessing.
Problems are a blessing.
Obstacle are a blessing.
Challenges are a blessing.
Struggles are a blessing.
Hard is a blessing.

These things are what make us stronger, give us a reason to get better, direct and redirect us, build our relationships, and most importantly bring us closer to the Lord! Hard things help prepare us for the amazing path and opportunities God has for us.

The next time you find yourself facing a “hard” day. Look for the lessons and thank God that he’s helping shape you into the person you need to be to fulfill his purpose for you.
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Rodeo athletes, ask yourself, are you throwing your sucker in the dirt after a “hard” practice or being thankful for the opportunity to see your weaknesses and get better?

Parents, ask yourself, are you throwing a negative context when your kids face trials and hard times? Or, are you teaching them to be thankful for them and helping them learn to navigate the situation and add tools to their tool box?
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Remember, the best way to lead is by example! 😉
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“Jesus came so that we can have life and have life in abundance.” John 10:10

04/26/2024

04/22/2024