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Our little Fayth 1st solo ride!! This girl here is what true determination really means. We have watched her go from not being able to walk/stand alone, to leg braces, riding ponies with with 2 helpers on each side, and now riding solo.
Such a moment to watch. God is good!! ❤️❤️
Keep up the good work kiddo, so proud of you❤️❤️🥹🥹
With more of the kiddos showing interest in goat tying lately we took a portion of our Rodeo team practice lastnight to work on dismounting and getting the concept of tying.
Some of these girls have been on the fence of trying but with the encouragement of the other team members who already do it they were on board to start learning something new. Some of these horses and kiddos have never done a moving dismount and it was fun to watch them both figure it out and by the end of the night it was starting to stick.
Can’t say enough good things about this group of kids. They are always there for each other and always willing to help eachother out when in need!
Keep up the good work girls! 
Alyssa and Apollo
A moment she has waiting for, for a long time now. Alyssa’s 1st ride on her boy Apollo.
Apollo has been here going on almost 3 weeks. With no respect, spooky, bucking, pushy, and very much so intimidating to his owner. Never did she imagine in just 3 short weeks she would be stepping foot into the stirrup to get her 1st ride in.
What started out rocky with Mr Apollo has turned into something beautiful.
With the correct direction some corrections on bad habits and clear communication Apollo is turning out to be the best boy for her.
Good Job Alyssa!
How it started vs how it’s going.
One month working with Lakota and her teen rider. Lakota started out very head shy, disrespectful, and almost to the point it was becoming dangerous for her young owner.
Last videos were taken this evening during our training session.
Trusting the process, listening to the horse and correcting the things that needed corrected so her owner could communicate clearly and confidently.
Can’t wait to see this team 6 months from now!
Love the horse
The importance of loving the horse 1st then the sport. Doesn’t matter which discipline you and your horse are embarking on, make that horsemanship is a top priority.
Respect for your horse, for other competitors, and everyone involved in putting these events on. It cost zero $ to say encouraging words and telling someone a compliment or a congratulations.
The strength that this girl here has and doesn’t even know it. Miss Fayth you are a true inspiration baby girl! ❤️ A true reminder daily how Great our God truly is
🐴❤️ Lakota
Being able to walk with control and know your horse respects you builds all the confidence ❤️
Miss Caitlin taking her girl for a little
Stroll for the 1st time since being in our training program. Miss Lakota arrived here earlier this week with some major disrespect for her handler. Couple short training sessions and now she shows the desired respect we are striving for. Can’t wait to see how this team transforms in the next few weeks❤️
❤️🐴 Rascal
How it started vs how it’s going…
Meet Rascal and boy did he fit his name lol
This cute little spunky thing came into training about 3 weeks ago. As much as you want to love on him you didn’t turn your back long and he was taking a chunk out of you. Watch out of those legs too because he would turn and use you as target practice. Spicy little guy lol
1st time with a rider he was very dramatic and acted like his world was ending, trying to persuade me that he just couldn’t do it. As i laughed and loved on him even more his dramatic side was short lived.
Fast forward to present day, not only is his little owner walking him with confidence and he is just a good boy, she successfully climbs on and off of him without worry.
Good job little Rascal ❤️❤️
Owned by the Baue family
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This makes my heart happy❤️ Little JJ came to here scared to go out of a walk and timid to handle even the smallest of horses, now she riding like one of the big girls❤️😍 There isn’t much gonna stop this little firecracker. So beyond proud of her progress and all the vital skills she is learning along the way.
Blessed to be able to provide such a wonderful and judgement free environment for all these students. Regardless of age or experience level, the confidence I have seen so many grow inside and out of the arena is simply amazing. Horses are just good for the soul and when you have just as amazing support around you in your journey makes it even better ❤️❤️
So proud of you kiddo!! Keep up the good work, can’t wait to see what the future holds for you❤️❤️🐴
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Mackenzie and her boy have came a long way since our 1st lesson. This young 4 year old Rocky Mountain Horse is going to be an amazing trail partner for her in no time.
They have came together and have a common understanding. Young horses can be quite the challenge at times but if anyone can do it, it will be this girl here.
Yesterday was his 1st time carrying a flag and took it with stride. Getting them comfortable and confident with all things to ensure he can handle all challenges that they may come across on the trail with his thinking side of the brain not his reactive side.
Good job kid proud of you and your consistency!
Happy 4th of July from all of us here at Knop Equine and Cattle!
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The true reality of seasoning a horse.
Regardless what discipline you are in or what event you are preparing your horse for this is some of the reality of getting that horse prepared for it.
Horses just like people can have moments where they cannot control their emotions and actions. Does it make them bad, absolutely not. It’s part of the process of doing something that is difficult at the moment. No different than you going to the gym and working with a personal trainer they are there to push you to your potential and no matter what you say during your training session or how many times you break because it is hard, they are there pushing you the next time you come holding you accountable to your goal.
Here Sinatra was laying on my right leg coming to the 1st barrel, becoming weak and lazy in the movement I was asking for and when asking to keep himself underneath himself he expressed he feelings about it. If i allowed him to continue he wouldn’t make the turn that is desired to get the job done correctly with balance, causing undesirable results of shouldering, hip swinging, blowing the barrel or possibly running into it. Is he sore or hurting no not at all it’s just simply the reality of getting that horse ready to perform at their peak. Worse thing you can do is let them train improperly and weak because as you add speed it will just continue to get worse.
Everyone wants quick results, but listen to the horse slow things down and do it correctly, instead of sloppy and lazy. It will save you in the long run. Running just to run with no control will ultimately lead you to failure.
Best advice i can give you as a rider is control your emotions when these things arise, nip the behavior in the butt and give them that release when they give you what you are asking for. There is a big difference between a reaction due to pain and a reaction due to being lazy and not wanting to be accountable. Does he behave this way often no, but always prepared for that
