Magnifinity

06/12/2025

“Think about what the Olympic level would look like for every little thing." - Tik Maynard

Tik told me that 7 yrs ago, while we were working on something I don’t even remember now, but I've kept thinking about what the olympic level of every little thing would look like ever since.

What would the Olympic level of putting on a bridle look like?
Olympic-level of putting on the halter?
Olympic-level of standing in the cross ties?
Olympic-level of picking up their feet?

Just because it is good enough today doesn't mean it can't be better tomorrow.

There is always another level of good.

There is always an olympic level
at the walk
the trot
the canter
the gallop
the reinback
the halt
the jump
the groundwork
and everything before, after, and in between.

When you consider the ideal version, it is easier to see how you can make the task better and better.

Keep striving for the next level of good in everything you do with horses and with life. It will lead you to greatness. It might even lead you to the Olympics.

05/30/2025

Nipping/chewing on stuff is usually anxiety or fear-related. Help them feel safe and help them understand.

05/29/2025

05/19/2025

Happy Horses, Happy life!

I always appreciate the work my students put into understanding not only their own behavior and biomechanics but their horses, too. Those two things go a long way towards helping horses become strong, balanced, and happy athletes.

03/20/2025

Talk less, observe more.

The most important things I can teach my students to do is to be able to observe and problem solve.

They must be able to observe the horses body and thoughts through their own body - The hands, the seat, the leg, the eyes all working together to feel and observe the hoof, hocks, knees, shoulders, hips, neck, jaw, and back as if they were an extension of their own body.

They must feel the muscles. Know where tension should and shouldn’t be. They must learn to feel, observe, and accurately predict the horses thoughts and they must be able to control and quiet their own thoughts.

I try to teach every student to have great observation skills because those lead to good timing and excellent solutions.

My job is to teach them how to be a horseman even when I’m not around. If I teach my students to think - really think, observe, feel, and listen to their horse, their horse will be their greatest guide and teacher for horsemanship and life.

03/03/2025

Thank you to Christina Fox Photography and Miller's Unbridled Horsemanship for coming down from Ohio to share their knowledge and talents with me, my horses, my students, and their horses. We learned a lot about groundwork, riding/training, and rider fitness and we had plenty of fun in the photo shoots!

02/27/2025

Blind Trust and the Role of a Good Instructor

Imagine being blind and following someone you know nothing about. That person could have perfect vision, limited sight, or be just as blind as you—but you wouldn't know. Even if you ask, they might overestimate their own ability or simply be mistaken.

This is how I think about the relationship between a student and an instructor. A student steps into the learning process knowing little or nothing about the subject, trusting the instructor to guide them. But not every skilled rider is a good teacher. A great horse trainer isn't necessarily great at teaching people—and vice versa.

This is why it's important to me to stay open-minded and continuously improve in all areas of horsemanship: riding, training, instructing, and managing. Each aspect is interconnected, and deeper knowledge in each area helps solve problems at the root rather than just treating symptoms.

Explaining concepts clearly often requires looking at problems from multiple perspectives. I enjoy listening to other instructors to learn new ways to phrase things—or recognize approaches to avoid. Watching different horse trainers work through challenges expands my toolbox, giving me more strategies to help horses and riders alike.

Because the horse is just as much a student as the rider, and each learner—human or equine—absorbs information differently, a good instructor must adapt their teaching style. Riding is a game of precision; sometimes, the difference is just an ounce more pressure or a degree of change. To teach effectively, I have to imagine, feel, test, and analyze problems from all angles.

A great instructor draws from experience but remains willing to test theories, admit mistakes, and keep learning. They recognize patterns—like how an off-track Thoroughbred is likely to be anxious and sensitive, a five-year-old child may struggle to tighten a girth, or a 50-year-old amateur might have limited flexibility.
With experience, good instructors can predict where issues will arise and proactively address them.

But the most crucial trait of all? A good riding instructor, trainer, and teacher in general must stay humble.

If you find yourself blindly following an instructor, unsure of their competence, look for these qualities. The best instructors don’t claim to have all the answers—they commit to finding them. They never stop learning, refining their methods, and improving their process. That’s the kind of guide worth following.

02/19/2025

I often catch myself thinking “horses are so cool”

The thought will come to mind when I watch them jump 5ft, nail 15 strides of single tempis, cut cows, or eat hay. Sometimes and maybe most often this thought shows up just watching them stand and sleep or beg for a treat or carefully carry a 3yr old child around the round pen.

The more I learn about them, the more I love them, and the more I am certain they are the greatest gift to all of mankind.

They are most definitely the greatest gift to me.

02/17/2025

Auditors Welcome!

Participant spots are full but auditors are welcome to watch the groundwork sessions at 10am and 11am on Saturday, March 1st in Reddick Fl. $25/ auditor.

PM or message through the Website to sign up to audit.

Sessions are geared towards first-time horse owners, beginner horsemen/aspiring trainers, & riders looking for tips to improve ground manners & safety.

https://www.magnifinity.com/

01/26/2025

I learned how to start young horses under saddle when I was 10yrs old.

My mother taught me and my grandfather taught her.

From them, I learned that the most important part of training horses, whether young or old, is to carefully explain the job and let them know you’re there for them if they have questions.

When you ask a horse to carry you, you’re giving them a job. And in that moment, you become their manager. So, here’s the big question:
Are you the manager you wish you had?

Here’s a few ways to be a good manager for your horse:

1) Give them jobs within their abilities.
2) Provide them with the best equipment you can afford—and upgrade when you can.
3) Invest in their education, ensuring they have the training they need for new responsibilities.
4) Treat them like the Employee of the Month—every month.
5) If they fail, don’t blame them. Their failures are your failures. Take responsibility for their shortcomings and ask yourself how you can do better.

And just like any valuable employee, they deserve the full benefits package:

Paid time off.
Premium medical care.
A thoughtful retirement plan.

Here’s the truth: horses don’t apply for these jobs. They don’t get to choose their employer. But when they work for me, I want them to know:

They are heard.
They are valued.
They will be given the tools they need to succeed.

Being a good manager means constantly improving as a teacher, nutritionist, physical therapist, psychologist, and leader for them.

My family taught me that training isn’t just about tasks—it’s about respect, partnership, and care.

Be the manager your horse deserves.

01/22/2025

I've spent 4 days learning from the equine industry's top riders, trainers, breeders, judges, show managers, technical delegates, Olympians, and marketing experts.

The #1 statement: "The welfare of the horse is my priority"

These words were repeated over and over, and it’s clear the heart of our industry beats for the horse. Every professional I listened to—regardless of their role—chooses this path out of love and respect for the horse. They are committed to constantly improving, learning, and growing to ensure the care and future of these incredible animals.

It's a privilege to be part of a community that prioritizes equine well-being and strives to preserve the future of our sport.

Thank you to the United States Dressage Federation Official Page, , & The Dressage Foundation for making these educational events available and to all the amazing professionals who inspire and motivate the rest of us by showing up and sharing their knowledge.