Partners

01/04/2026

I get after my students for all sorts of things...and recently I've been on a roll about rein length and staying out of the horse's mouth when you don't need to be there!
Those times typically include warm-up, cool down, stretches, and quiet trailrides.
I had nothing planned with Nickle today, other than walking around and working on obstacles. So, after I was done riding, I decided to look at the few minutes of video and see if I practice what I preach!
I'm happy to say (as is Nickle) that today I stayed out of Nickle's mouth.
Set up your camera and take some video of your next ride and see if you allow your horse to do what he needs to do before and after the schooling! Do you give him rein when just standing? Or are you constantly in his/her face and never providing a reward?
Even though Nickle rarely uses a bit (no bit today), it's still important to provide reward and get off the contact!

01/02/2026

You've all watched devoted horse owner Marcie work with her amazing mini, Romeo. What you don't know about Marcie is that she has a popular podcast and is an author! Tune into her podcast and check out her book (link for that in the comments.

Explore the incredible world of working animals with Working Like Dogs—the top podcast for service dogs, guide dogs, therapy animals, and more. Hear from trainers, handlers, and experts on training, care, careers, and life with working companions.

01/01/2026

Nickle wants to be first. It's who he is.
BLM today with Molly on Krishna and Nancy on Dani.

12/31/2025

Romeo

Original music for Marcie and Romeo!

[Verse 1]
I see a giant heart, in such a tiny body,
with you I'm just so smitten.
We are a team, this is my dream,
and the story goes unwritten.

[Pre Chorus]
Freedom has a name; it flows like his mane,
this pony is just what I needed.

[Chorus]
You give me something I never had,
with your magic I can fly.
It's our special secret language,
my dreams now reach the sky.
With you I have no limits,
my fears have just all gone.
We'll teach each other patience,
with you, I so belong.

[Verse 2]
When I see you run, I run with you too,
it's like we share a soul.
I watch you leap, our dreams to keep,
It's your life that makes me whole.

[Pre Chorus]
Freedom has a name; it flows like his mane.
This pony is just what I needed.

[Chorus]
You give me something I never had,
with your magic I can fly.
It's our special secret language,
my dreams now reach the sky.
With you I have no limits,
my fears have just all gone.
We'll teach each other patience,
with you, I so belong.

[Verse 3]
Our future is blessed, a gift to me,
something I want to be chanted.
And when we get old, you'll always be told,
I won't take your big heart for granted.

[Pre Chorus]
Freedom has a name; it flows like his mane.
This pony is just what I needed.

[Chorus]
You give me something I never had,
with your magic I can fly.
It's our special secret language,
my dreams now reach the sky.
With you I have no limits,
my fears have just all gone.
We'll teach each other patience,
with you, I so belong.

12/31/2025

Beignet

Original music for Beignet and Franz

[Verse 1]
I see who you really are,
you're timid yet defiant.
A friend not quick to trust,
but try'n to be compliant.
I'll be the one who protects you,
on me, you'll be reliant.

[Pre Chorus]
The hand of kindness,
defeats cruel blindness.
My small and mighty friend,
I'll protect you and defend.

[Chorus]
You try so hard to be brave,
your secret's safe with me.
Someone treats you badly,
that ends now....I'll guarantee.
No more running in fear to hide,
instead, you'll stand near.
I promise to protect you,
And take away your fear.

[Verse 2]
Dressed formal for the dance,
you always show up for me.
I'll lead you now with sweetness.
and my pony, you'll always be.
Trust me to guide you in life,
new strength will come, you'll see.

[Pre Chorus]
The hand of kindness,
defeats cruel blindness.
My small and mighty friend,
I'll protect you and defend.

[Chorus]
You try so hard to be brave,
your secret's safe with me.
Someone treats you badly,
that ends now, I'll guarantee.
No more running in fear to hide,
instead, you'll stand near.
I promise to protect you,
and take away your fear.

[Verse 3]
How is it you're courageous,
and cautious at one time?
Do you know that I'm your hero,
Did you know that your mine?
I commit to give you care and love,
And promise you my friend; its genu-ine.

[Pre Chorus]
The hand of kindness,
defeats cruel blindness.
My small and mighty friend,
I'll protect you 'til the end.

[Chorus]
You try so hard to be brave,
your secret's safe with me.
Someone treats you badly,
that ends now, I'll guarantee.
No more running in fear to hide,
instead, you'll stand near.
I promise to protect you,
And take away your fear.

[Outro}
How did I get so lucky?
Is this what He intends?
My world is full of goodness,
spent with my best friend.

12/29/2025

Krishna

12/29/2025

Nickle

12/29/2025

Jazzy

12/29/2025

ZULI

12/27/2025

An original song I wrote about Nickle's journey.
Lyrics below.

(All rights reserved. Permission required for use, other than repost)

[Verse 1]
You don't know where I came from,
but you know where I've been.
You heard my life before,
broken, defeated, and thin.
A pony no one wanted,
not even auction barns.
I was so badly broken,
No one gave a darn.

[Pre Chorus]
No one asked,
but I have a name.
I'm not spare parts,
who is to blame?
No one listened,
I've been through hell.
They can't hear my cries,
I'm a good boy I yell!

[Chorus}
He's just a horse,
He's not that smart,
Lame and full of fear.
He's just a grade,
He's way too thin,
that's been all I hear.

If you're loud and profane,
your soul lives in pain.
If you're quiet and you feel,
my soul helps you heal.

[Verse 2]
Afraid that no one cared,
I just gave up on life.
My pony heart was broken,
too sad to deal with strife.
Every thing in pain,
tail to my nose.
My spirit cried so loudly,
defeated... my story goes.

[Pre Chorus]
No one asked,
but I have a name.
I'm not spare parts,
who is to blame?
No one listened,
I've been through hell,
They can't hear my cries,
I'm a good boy I yell!

[Chorus}
He's just a horse,
He's not that smart,
Lame and full of fear.
He's just a grade,
He's way too thin,
that's been all I hear.

If you're loud and profane,
your soul lives in pain.
If you're quiet and you feel,
my soul helps you heal.

[Verse 3]
Miles in the trailer,
not knowing my fate,
Thirsty for fresh water,
my last meal I ate.
Left at some place,
was this my new range?
Little did I know,
my life's about to change.

[Pre Chorus]
No one asked,
but I have a name.
I'm not spare parts,
who is to blame?
No one listened.
I've been through hell,
They can't hear my cries,
I'm a good boy I yell!

[Chorus}
He's just a horse,
He's not that smart,
Lame and full of fear.
He's just a grade,
He's way too thin,
that's been all I hear.

If you're loud and profane,
your soul lives in pain.
If you're quiet and you feel,
my soul helps you heal.

[Verse 4]
She looked straight in my soul,
saw damage that been done.
This wasn't just a human,
this human was the one.
Fed me and healed my pain,
I hoped I'd never leave.
Her open heart took hold of me,
and asked me to believe.

[Pre Chorus]
No one asked,
but I have a name.
I'm not spare parts,
who is to blame?
No one listened.
I've been through hell,
They can't hear my cries,
I'm a good boy I yell!

(Chorus}
I am her horse,
I am so wise,
no longer skin and bone.
She has my trust,
I have her heart,
I am finally home......

I am finally home.

12/27/2025

Krishna has been here two years.

He has bolted, bucked, bitten and reared.

So, we started from scratch.

You can't just "fix" problems. You have to find the cause, replace behaviors and recognize/REWARD the effort!

Does this mean he will never act badly again? There is never that guarantee, ever. But, if WE make different, better choices, acknowledge limits (mental and physical) and recognize when a horse is "ready" we affect how a horse sees us, views "work" and responds to our requests.

Krishna feels safe here and has become a willing Partner. Today he lopes circles with just a neck rope.

I'm proud of Molly's "little Big Man"!

12/27/2025

For Molly's lesson we did a lot of seat work, independent of hands.
One great way to do that is on a lunge line!

This kind of work requires a horse who is great on the line, voice commands are a bonus; Krishna has that! It also requires an expert on the line because your movements can throw a rider off balance if you interfere or cause a horse to bolt if you're whip skills are poor. A small space to start is also wise.

Krishna is very good at this. And Molly...she was amazing! All of these transitions done with seat! Seat also rated the speed and asked for the whoa. Well done both horse and rider!