Norielle James Horsemanship & Training LLC

07/03/2025

Some of the wonderful artwork our summer camp kiddos created in June! 🤩

06/17/2025

WE DON’T HAVE TO MAKE ANYONE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. INSTEAD, SHOW THEM. LET THEM SEE THE RESULTS. LET YOU AND YOUR HORSES HAPPINESS SPEAK FOR ITSELF. ✨

Be the best horse owner, lessor, student, trainer, practicioner, therapist, etc etc that you can be to the horse(s) that you interact with.

SHOW THEM how good we can be to our horses, by just being good to your horses. 😊

It is not your responsibility to convert anyone to do anything, even if you have the horse’s best interests in mind. I have found the best way to convince anyone to try something different is by not trying to convince them at all. 🤯😉

Just BE THE EXAMPLE. SHOW THEM what is possible. SHOW THEM what your horse is capable of when you:

⭐️ Give them a healthy and safe environment to live in (Friends, Freedom, Forage)
⭐️ Feed them a non-inflammatory diet
⭐️ Give them a choice in interacting/training
⭐️ Use different training methods
⭐️ Have tack that is fitted properly
⭐️ Do things they want to do too
⭐️ Learn and recognize what their body language and energy is communicating with you
⭐️ Create a real connection
⭐️ Address their pain
⭐️ and so much more…

THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. We know they do. We have seen it first hand. Be the example, and they will see it too.

✅ If you are doing the best you can to do right by your horse, then you are making that horse’s world the best one they could possibly live in, and that is an incredible gift to give.

You are contributing. You are making a difference. Thank you for doing everything you do for your horse(s). 💛

06/03/2025

"Cool" hot weather tips! ☀️

The notion that a hot, recently exercised horse needs to walk until they are completely cooled off is a myth. A 2020 study found that out of the five methods tested, the quickest way to return to normal body temperature was stationary with continuous tap water application. This doesn't mean that you should abruptly stop exercise—finish your ride or training session with a slow walk to allow your horse's heart rate and breathing to gradually return to normal, but after that your sweaty, hardworking horse should be offered a cool shower and drinking water (small but frequent amounts) without delay.

Overall, enjoy your summer rides but be aware of signs of heat stress in your horse. When heat and humidity soar, even moderate exercise can push your equine friend's body temperature beyond safe limits! Be sure to contact your veterinarian for more information about heat stroke and for recommendations tailored to your horse's individual situation.
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Information brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

05/26/2025

We hope everyone enjoys their Memorial Day, and remembers to feel grateful to all the men and women that have served our country 🇺🇸

05/08/2025

So excited to be here for day two of Emotional Horsemanship by Lockie Phillips clinic after an amazing day one!

05/04/2025

‼️Horsemanship Summer Camps‼️
Join us for a fun time riding horses, learning about horses, and making new friends!

PONY PALS CAMP -—
☀️For ages 4 – 7! No experience necessary.
Anyone in this age group can attend! Spaces are limited.
📅DATES: TUESDAYS, June 3rd, June 10th, and June 24th from 7am – 10am (Check in at 6:45am).
💸$95 per single day, OR $275 for all 3 days. A $35 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your child’s spot, per day. Payment may be completed with ESA, Credit Card, Zelle, or Venmo. Cash or Check can be given in person at first date of camp for remaining balance due. Deposit must be paid prior to camp start dates.

HORSEMANSHIP CAMP -—
☀️For ages 8 and up! No experience necessary. Spaces are limited.
📅DATES: THURSDAY – SATURDAY, June 5 – 7 or June 19 – 21 from 6:30am – 10am (Check in at 6:15am).
💸$110 per single day, OR $300 for 3 days. A $35 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your child’s spot, per day. Payment may be completed with ESA, Credit Card, Zelle, or Venmo. Cash or Check can be given in person at the first date of camp for remaining balance due. Deposit must be paid prior to camp start dates.

🐴 Our horses are well trained, well cared for, and safe! We will have lots of time riding, horseback games, knowledge stations, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, and much more!

03/08/2025

I am continuously a student of the horse. I learn something every time I train, teach, perform bodywork, conduct energy work, or trim. Any horse person worth their salt, in my opinion, should always be learning from the horses they interact with.

This big gal had some realllly long feet. Playing with how much to safely take off can be tricky. She’ll be on a shorter trim cycle for a bit til we get her where we want her to be.

In the meantime, I’ll look at all the things I want to change on each hoof 🧐 but I’ll also try to remind myself I did good work and give myself some grace. If we are doing the best we can, that’s the best we can do! 😉

03/04/2025

Some of our students helping unbraid and rebraid Hunter’s mane and tail ☺️

We like to rebraid our horse’s manes and tails every 2 weeks to keep their hair healthy and cared for. We enjoy teaching our students to also care for their horses in a knowledgeable and timely manner 😎

02/10/2025

Had a great time judging such a fun group of kids and adults! It was a beautiful day to judge beautiful horses and their horse loving owners!

02/08/2025

THIS. This is why I do what I do. To help those that carry trauma and to teach the young ones as best I can so that they may be successful, happy, and un-traumatized for as long as is possible.

Horses endure so much more than we could possibly know by the time we purchase them (in most cases). Don’t label your horse as a sh*thead, b***h, a**hole etc. Ask WHY. WHY are they acting in that type of way? Because if you asked them, they would always a valid and understandable answer. You just have to take the time to ask the right question.

I don’t think people realize just how many horses out there carry trauma with them.

With that, I don’t even mean severely abused horses that have been starved, or beaten heavily. There are plenty of those around, and those usually cause a lot of outrage (as they should).

What I am talking about though, is the horses whose trauma is never really recognized as such. The ones who tolerate humans and their requests, but never learned to trust them. Those who get extremely obsessive about food which are labelled as “bossy” or ”dominant”. Those who deal with severe Separation anxiety, which are said to be “dramatic”. Those who cannot self-regulate, or co-regulate and constantly carry tension. Those who try to express their pain, which get punished for it because “just a mare”.
Those who are “perfect” until they finally get a choice.

Between Unethical weaning practices, unsuitable welfare, constantly moving homes & and ownership, and aversive training/handling approaches, most horses at some point experience trauma. And this trauma can present itself in a variety of ways. Some are more subtle than others.
Trauma doesn’t have to be this huge explosive reaction. Just like people, horses can carry trauma and move on with their lives fairly normally. It can shape their personality just like it can shape ours.
However, that doesn’t mean doing so is healthy.

The horse that has been in 6+ homes before the age of 10, and thus can’t cope with changes. That is Trauma.
The horse that has never had consistent companionship and becomes obsessive with certain herd mates. That is Trauma
The horse that has only known corrections when they tried to express their confusion, fear, or dislike, and turns from “a perfect beginner’s horse” to “Don’t touch me” the moment you stop using corrections. That is Trauma.
The horse that never had a chance to learn from other horses or connect with people and thus can’t trust people to make good choices for them, can’t self-regulate or co-regulate, and can’t think their way through a situation. That is Trauma.
The horse who was only ever fed 2 times a day and was left without food for 6 hours each night, and has thus become food-aggressive. That is Trauma.
The horse who experienced highly aversive training techniques, and thus now gets frustrated, tense and severely stressed out anytime they are handled in a similar manner. That. Is. Trauma.

Sometimes, awareness of this can be a frustration and defeating realization. I think as equestrians we are often blind to this reality, because sadly, it’s just so common to see horses like that.
It’s not until you work with young, untraumatized horses, or rehabilitated horses, that you realize: “Oh! This is how it should be!”

02/04/2025

Thank you to everyone that has been patient with me rescheduling you this week. I can barely whisper as I seem to have laryngitis and a sinus infection that are being stubborn about improving even with antibiotics. Hopefully it will be just a few more days and I’ll be on the mend 🙏🏼

02/04/2025

For those that take lessons at our lesson barn, y’all know this little cutie as “Squirt”. That’s the name she came to me with, but ever since I got her I always felt she wasn’t fond of the name.

The lovely Aubrey with did a brief animal communication with her so we could ask her if she liked her name. She expressed that she disliked it strongly! 🙈😂 So we have been playing with some names and we found one that when we called her by it, she pricked up her ears and even left her hay net to come up to me! She seems to love it! So, we are excited to announce that “Squirt’s” new name is now……

Drumroll please 🥁🥁🥁🥁

❤️ Reba!!!! ❤️