Madella Stables

06/18/2025

Happy 17th birthday to the 👑 🐝

It’s impossible to describe Secret fully. She is larger than life, loud and demanding, dramatic……and the best partner I could ever ask for.

"There's something different about the way a good mare connects with her rider. It's special. Like an unspoken agreement. Once a mare chooses you as her person, it's like she has an instinct to protect you, to fight for you. It's almost as if she takes ownership of you.
I believe the good mares have a deep sense of intuition.
They can read your mind. They know what you're thinking even before you do. The good mares I know breathe fire in the face of challenge and then somehow, miraculously, know to quiet themselves when a timid child is plopped on their back for a pony ride.
They are clever, cunning and calculated, which can be your greatest enemy or your saving grace. The good mares I know do not tolerate egotistical riding. They do not tolerate force. They demand tact, finesse and emotional control. But once you have won a mare's heart, you have won all of her. In exchange for your best-and nothing less
—she will give you everything."
Written by: Lindsay Paulsen

06/13/2025

This miiiiiiight just be a cat account at this point 😅😂

Cutest Felicia sploot for your Friday 🐈‍⬛

06/11/2025

Camp 2025 session 1 ✅

We had a BLAST for our first camp of the year. Tested out some brand new activities, like pony popsicles and barrel jockeys, and learned some amazing equestrian skills with all of the campers. Ginger photobombed a few times - per usual 😂

Campers, if you’d like your riding pictures and portraits sent over digitally - shoot us a message! We will see our second set of campers very shortly, for session 2 on June 23rd ☀️

06/09/2025

It's the first day of the summer season! June is almost full, but head over to our booking site to snag some spots before fall.

And with the hotter temps, here are a few reminders of some of our most important barn rules:

1. Bring water! Students work hard any time of year, but the increased heat means hydration is paramount for safety and success.

2. Wear long pants. While we understand its hot and many would love to ride in shorts, this is unsafe. Students must wear long pants (preferably breeches) in order to ride during their lesson.

3. All attendees must wear close toed shoes if they would like to be in the barn or near any horses. Students must wear boots at all times for safety.

4. While we LOVE that students bring their family for support and encouragement, we ask that all guests wait in our waiting areas (barn porch or under the trees by the arena/round pen) for safety. Activity around the property is distracting to students and horses, and often disruptive to the farm. Hay/brush/rocks/etc should not be played with or thrown, and equipment should not be climbed on for safety. Families are also welcome to park their cars facing the rings to enjoy air conditioning while they watch!

06/04/2025

“Horses are so expensive."
l agree, they cost me a lot everyday.

Horses cost you your selfishness.
Having horses means everyday you are alive you must consider someone's needs before your own, multiple times a day. Even when you're away from them arrangements must be made, this builds character and gives us self worth.

Horses cost you your ego.
Right when you think you have it figured out, you will undoubtedly be presented with a humbling experience either in the arena or out. They will force you to reach out for help when your expertise is maxed out. If you are wise, you will realize life is like this too. Maybe we should reach out for help more frequently and we would get further.

Horses cost you your laziness.
You will never progress with an equine partner by leaving it turned out, just as you will never progress by staying checked out. Do the work and you will get somewhere.

Horses cost you your heart.
They never fail to find a way to touch us deep within even (and especially) when we are feeling cold to the ways of the world. There's something special about getting to interact with a being that becomes softer when we soften. We should learn to respond to one another similarly.

Yes, horses are so expensive. But everything they've ever cost me has also made me.

- Amanda Barlow Radford

06/02/2025

It’s a sad day at the barn today - we said goodbye to beloved Bubbles this morning ❤️

We were blessed to have this tenacious little mare in our program the past two years, and cannot count the number of kids she taught during this time. She was sassy, stubborn, but oh so sweet and just the perfect teacher to our students.

Bubbles developed arthritis in her knees about a year ago. This had been fully managed through injections until last month, when they completely stopped working. Ultimately, Bubbles’ arthritis had progressed, leaving her with little range of motion and increased discomfort. We had hoped she could spend a few more comfortable years out at pasture, but unfortunately the progression was so severe that even medication would not make her comfortable enough for this.

This is the hardest part of farm life - we love our animals like family, and only want to see them happy and healthy. Bubbles was able to say a peaceful goodbye to her friends, and had all the cookies and grain one could wish for before crossing the rainbow bridge. She is pain free now, enjoying the greenest pastures in heaven.

It takes a special horse to be a lesson horse - and Bubbles did her job dutifully every single day. Thank you, Bubbles - we will miss you, sweet girl 🦄

05/31/2025

Spring 2025 ✅

Yesterday was the final day of the spring riding season - and we are moving on to summer, starting off with camp on June 9 🐴

A big thank you to our amazing team of equestrians who made this semester so wonderful! We are so proud of everyone's progress and achievements over the past year. Can't wait to spend the summer learning new skills and further expanding our equine knowledge!

05/29/2025

👏

🌟 Dressage: Where the Movements Are Precise and the Mental Breakdowns Are Silent 🌟

Let’s be real for a sec, how often do we actually take a moment to reflect on our success as riders? Not just the ribbons (if we’re lucky to get one that isn’t “participant”) but the real wins. Like staying in the saddle during that “expressive” spook, or finally nailing that leg yield without looking like you’re signaling a plane to land. ✈️🐴

In this sport, it’s way too easy to brush off our progress and keep chasing the next goal. But every little step, every small win, every “oh my gosh, I didn’t die” ride is a stepping stone and let’s face it, some of those stones are wobbly AF… but they still count.

The dressage world can be tough. It’s filled with pressure, perfectionism, and more white breeches than any sane person should ever own. 😅 But don’t forget: your mental health matters. A little self-love, a mental reset, and maybe a glass of wine (or three) can do wonders.

So celebrate your wins, no matter how small. Gave your horse a great ride? Win. Stayed patient through a meltdown (theirs or yours)? Win. Didn’t cry in the tack room this week? Big win. 😂

Keep going. You’re doing better than you think and your horse probably agrees (even if they’re pretending not to). Let me know below how you look after your own mental and self care.

05/29/2025

We are saddened to announce that our Awards Night tomorrow evening has been cancelled due to the excessive heat watch. We unfortunately do not have enough shade at this hour, nor cooling capabilities, to safely hold the event. Those who had RSVP'd for the evening, please see your emails for additional details.

We are so grateful to have such an amazing group of passionate young equestrians, and want to congratulate everyone for their achievements this year - each and every rider has shown incredible dedication and determination, and we could not be more proud of your progress!

05/27/2025

Summer booking is now open to all students! Follow the link below to book.

Reminder that ALL new students (and those who have not ridden in 6+ months) must book an introductory lesson first. This allows us to assess skills and properly place the student in the ideal lesson type. Please see booking instructions and policies when booking.

Charter students: please send us a message if you have a certificate on file and would like to book.

https://madella-stables.as.me/

05/24/2025

The barn hens are on overdrive and we’re drowning in eggs 🥚 we’ve stashed a bunch in the fridge for students to take as needed!

BYOC (bring your own carton) and stock up next time you’re at the barn.

05/23/2025

*cough* Secret *cough* 👀😂