Norielle James Horsemanship & Training LLC

01/05/2025

One of our students brushing our silly boy Apollo ⭐️

Apollo is an off the track thoroughbred (OTTB) from the east coast! He lived in a few different states before landing in Arizona where we gave him a home within our lesson barn!

Apollo enjoys jumping English or jogging lazily around Western. He’s a kind boy and our student’s love him!

12/27/2024

💛💛💛 It’s an honor to be a part of this partnership with Toni James, CPSA ~ Desert Winds Studio ~ Fine Art & Photography and the Cowgirl Artists of America and the .R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art. Can’t wait to see which photos she turns into incredible artwork!!

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from our little family to yours!! 🎄

12/19/2024

Every horse has something to teach us. And maybe we have something to teach them too. Look at every horse you ride with open eyes and surely you’ll dismount with more knowledge than you started with.

A small stab in the heart is what you feel when you put up the day's riding list and you see riders sinking heavily in their shoulders when reading which horse they are assigned for the lesson. A small stab in the heart for that horse that for an hour will carry around a rider who has already decided that he does not like his horse. A small stab in the heart for the horse that did not choose the rider himself but still does his best, lesson after lesson.

Riding is a privilege and something you have chosen to do. If you chose to ride at a riding school, your instructor assumes that you actually want to learn how to ride. The instructor's highest wish is that you get good at it.

Often there is a plan and a thought as to why you are assigned to that exact horse. Before you mount up next time, ask yourself "what can this horse teach me today?" All horses have something to give, a feeling or a new tool in the box.

The art is actually in being able to get a lazy horse to move forward, to get an uncertain horse to gain confidence, a naughty horse to focus or a tense horse to be released. It takes work. If you think a horse is boring, it's more likely that you don't ride the horse as well as you think! It's not easy to be confronted with your own shortcomings, but it is in that very situation that you get the chance to truly grow as a rider.

The excuse that "it's not my kind of horse" is actually a really bad excuse. A good rider can ride any kind of horse. A good rider has trained many hours on different types of horses to become a good rider. A good rider can find and manage the gold nuggets in every horse.

If we absolutely want to ride, it is our duty to strive to do it as best as possible, even if it's only for fun. We owe it to every horse that carries us upon it's back.

Copied and shared with love for all of our horses, ponies and riders 🐎❤🐎

12/13/2024

If you’ve ever worked for me or taken lessons from me, I’ve probably mentioned this. If you’ve taken lessons at our barn, your instructors have definitely explained this to you multiple times when you’re first learning to tack up. It is important! Check your cinches at home. How close or how far are they from the D ring? Are the little middle d rings in the middle of the cinch, in the middle of your horse when you look underneath?

12/13/2024

Class is in session, kids! 🤣

When you’re doing a little bit of energy work before starting a training session and all the other horses who were on the other side of the pasture come up to the fence to watch and see what you’re up to 😂

12/11/2024

Sweet little Misty has been learning to feel more comfortable in the crossties!

Our main instructor has been taking her time giving Misty lots of reassurance while in the crossties until she was ready to be groomed and even tacked up in the crossties. We are still taking it slow until she’s completely comfortable, but we are so proud of her progress this far!

Patience and kindness goes a long ways!

11/29/2024

Looking for a fun and unique experience to gift your child, grandchild, niece or nephew for Christmas?! Purchase a gift voucher for 4 or 8 riding lessons to give them an experience they will never forget!

Located in East Queen Creek, off Ocotillo Rd/Schnepf Rd.

11/29/2024

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! 🍁🦃🍂

I am so thankful for all my clients, their horses, our students, my instructors, my lesson horses, and for everyone that has ever been a part of our support system.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day with their family and friends, and takes the time to reflect about the things they are truly thankful for 🧡

11/12/2024

I am back in town and working to respond to everyone’s messages and get everyone back on the schedule. Please be patient this week as I play catch up and continue tackling a never ending to do list! Thank you!

10/18/2024

In the last year I’ve learned a lot about feet, and I am still learning more all the time. But this foot here, is more than just a foot, and I’ll tell you why ⬇️

This horse is so sweet and kind, but he’s always needed to be drugged for the farrier. The owner and I, for many health and body related reasons, made the decision to pull his shoes and get his feet healthy and hopefully, his body happy.

I’ve trimmed his feet twice now, with no drugs. 👏🏽 We give him breaks, and patiently work through some of his undesired behaviors, but overall, he’s been so good. 🥰

A combination of craniosacral therapy for bodywork and hoof trims/training sessions every few weeks has already made a world of difference. This boy hasn’t ran through the pasture bucking and playing and prancing around in nearly two years. His owner said after we did his first trim, a couple weeks ago, he started running and playing again 🥺🥺🙌🏼🙏🏼

Sustainably Balanced Equine LLC recently put out an incredible course, and over the last year has helped me immensely with being able to trim my own horses feet, and now, a few client horse’s that struggle to stand well for their farrier, like this boy.

I am so beyond happy for him, as he continues to make progress and we get him feeling happier and healthier. And I am proud of myself, because trimming is not easy, and working with horses that have trauma when it comes to the farrier is not easy either. But for my love of horses, I’m here to help horses like him ❤️

10/09/2024

The shorter the grass, the more sugar content!

Not a joke...

Have you ever wondered why you can have a 15 acre field and part of it is chewed down to nubs and the other part has grass a hand high, But your horse is constantly grazing in the chewed down part?

Grass 6 inches and taller has less sugars than grass under 6 inches.

For every inch drop below 6 inches, the fructan (sugar) content rises.

Grass under 6 inches is stressed like it's a Monday morning with a project deadline. It uses sugar to repair itself.

Stop mowing your fields short.

Stop grazing your chubbys on chewed down grass. (this is why grazing muzzles are so touted...they keep the horse from being able to get much short grass)

(We aren't saying let your fields be 3 feet tall, by the way. The optimal thing to do is keep them 6-8 inches tall and graze them in small areas there)

10/06/2024

🐴🐴 Calling All Parents! Unbridle Your Child's Passion for Horses!🐴🐴

Are you looking for an exciting, educational, and confidence building activity for your child? Look no further! Our program is designed to ignite your child's love for horses and create lifelong memories.

By joining our riding school (we only have a few spaces open), your child will become part of a supportive and vibrant community of parents and kids. We organize fun events, competitions, and special outings which help create strong friendships and unforgettable memories.

Getting involved with horses can boost self confidence and self- esteem as children conquer challenges and develop a bond with the horses. They can help teach responsibility and work ethic as children learn to care for horses as well as ride them. Riding horses gets your child out from behind a screen and into the outdoors.

We have programs for kids as young as 4 years old. Our experienced trainers provide top-notch guidance, ensuring your child gains a strong foundation for riding in a safe and supportive environment. Our well-trained and kind horses are perfect for beginners and more experienced riders alike.

Contact us today to sign up for an intro lesson with our special price of only $50 (regularly $70). Space is limited and once filled, we will be waitlist only.

Located in San Tan Valley, AZ