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HM Horse Training & Lessons

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HM Horse Training & Lessons

Waco, Tx Horse Trainer & Barrel racer

03/26/2024

If you treat your 5D horse like a 5D horse, then they will perform as such.
If you treat your 5D horse like a 1D horse, you have a chance at them competing better for you and even pulling checks
What do I mean by this exactly? I’ll use my mare as an example.
I always thought my mare would never run faster than an 17-18 second pattern or ever win a check. I thought that’s just her speed and I’ll have to deal with it, so I didn’t put much effort into her. Well, after years of running the same times and not really placing as well as I wanted to, I decided to change up our routine and act as if we were at a professional level, even though we aren’t. You may be thinking that this is a waste of time, but keep reading.
I started getting body work (chiropractic and massage) done on Shiloh, added a gastric supplement and alfalfa to her diet, exercised her more often with hill work and endurance being the main priority, got her teeth done by a professional equine dentist, I also focused a ton on my riding and slowed my body down because I used to always be worried about the clock instead of how I was riding.
After experimenting all of this and keeping it consistent, I noticed a huge change in how Shiloh preformed. She was actually wanting to run and she felt stronger under saddle.
We started placing at the top of the 5D and winning checks in 2021, enough to win our entry fee back which I am totally okay with.
This month, we competed at the biggest barrel race we have ever been to, she clocked a 16.9 with barely almost making a check after some tough competition. Even though we didn’t win a check and we placed in the 5D, she still ran a great time and we probably would have been at the very bottom of the results page a long time ago
My point is, if you want to see your horse perform better and actually feel like they are hustling and wanting to work, you have to prioritize their health and body condition beforehand. You can’t just let them sit for months in the pasture and then haul to a jackpot. You can’t skip out on a good diet, body work and dental care, this is the very root of getting your horse performance ready.

03/25/2024

if you are someone who practices barrels in the pasture, please read this👇
I know a lot of us can’t afford an arena with sand, so we resort to practicing barrels in a field/pasture because that’s the only option sometimes. One thing I do see a lot that bothers me though is the people who are running their horses on the hard ground over and over again. Pasture ground does not give like sand does, if you constantly make tight turns or run the pattern constantly on this ground, you are putting your horse at risk for slipping, pulled tendons, twisting an ankle, taking a wrong step and making them sore. Also, your horse cannot move correctly if the ground does not give. They cannot dig their feet into the ground and use their hind end correctly. Therefore you will feel the choppy and rough turns and this is a sign you need to slow down and not take that risk.
Yes, this can also happen in an arena, but the risk is way higher for hard ground like dirt or grass. The people I see that do this, are the ones who say that it is their only option and their horse hasn’t gotten hurt. I totally get that for some people, it is the only option, but for your horses safety you need to be cautious. I only practice big circles and I will walk around each barrel when I make those tighter turns. I will not risk my horse getting hurt simply because the pasture is my only option for practicing barrels. If you absolutely need to run the pattern, haul to an arena! Or have sand hauled in and put it around each barrel. You can also till the ground up around the barrels until the dirt is loosened up and soft.
Let’s not make excuses, put your horses health and safety first!!!

03/20/2024

Tips for training a young horses (2-4 yrs old)
If you are new to starting c**ts or finishing their training, here’s some tips for you!

1. Take it SLOW. Rushing a young horse and nit picking at everything they do wrong is setting them up for failure. It can take a long time before you get a really good handle on a horse as they mature. I like to spend 15-20 minutes everyday on training sessions and I’ll work on ground manners, flexing their neck, backing up, yielding the hind end, Etc.

2. Desensitization is so important in the early stages of a horses life. I love using tarps, feed bags, jumping around and being loud every once in a while to get them used to sudden movements and scary objects. We want safe horses, not reactive and dangerous horses. They will adapt to everything you show them with time so don’t do everything I listed in one training session lol!

3. Repetition is also very important. It’s good to do the same training technique repetitively and clearly so they understand what you are asking. Make sure you are clear with your cues. For example: if you sit deep when asking them to stop and then a week later you don’t sit and only pull the reins back, it’s giving them some mixed signals.

4. Don’t hold them back from making a mistake. Let them make a mistake and then go back and fix it. You won’t get anywhere if you act like a helicopter mom!

5. Take them on trail rides and ride different terrain. Rocks, hills, flat surfaces, and mud will get them using their bodies and learning how to balance themselves. It will also get them to be more confident in where they place their feet

I hope this helps🐎🐎

03/17/2024

For my new followers on this page!
This page is intended to educate my fellow horse owning/riding friends🙌🏻 I cover just about everything horse training and barrel racing related, and I tie in some of my own personal experiences as well.
If you are someone who is new to owning horses, barrel racing, or training horses, you’ve come to the right page!
We all need guidance at some point in the horse industry, so i am offering all my advice and coaching on here 🐎🛢️

03/10/2024

Have you ever gotten that feeling as your walking your horse through the alley way to make a run where you instantly feel the adrenaline that makes you anxious, shaky, and to the point of blacking out?
I know this feeling all too well as it is something I used to struggle with all the time. It got to the point where I’d forget how I did on the pattern once I got off my horse. I felt unfocused, not confident, and disappointed in myself.
I was constantly worried about whether or not I’d hit a barrel, I wouldn’t be fast enough, or I’d make a ton of riding mistakes that would cost me time on the barrel pattern.
I’ve come up with 3 simple tricks to help with this! I’ve tested these out myself, and it worked! Check them out down below and try them at your next barrel race.

03/04/2024

Update on the mustang mare “Dibs”

It’s been a while since we last updated on her, but long story short, we’ve had a heck of a time with this mare and trying to gentle her. The last time I was able to touch her was when I hand fed her.
That night, a storm came through and I guess she did not like that at all and ever since then, she had become a little aggressive in the pen when I would feed her (trying to charge at me or jump the fence)
So, after weeks of trying the same training techniques we decided it was time to rope her and get her in a confined area. After about 3 hours of her fighting against us, we finally got a halter on her and she let us pet her. We didn’t want to have to do this, but sometimes it’s necessary with horses like this.
More updates to come! And I hope it’s way better than this one 🐎

02/23/2024

Barrel racing/ Riding tip of the day!

02/20/2024

“I can’t seem to sit in my saddle without being bounced around when I go around a barrel.”
How do you fix this issue?

If you look at the photos below, and we look at the one on the left, you will see I am sitting square and not really doing anything with my body. A lot of the times I see barrel racers not do anything to help themselves in the turns which causes bouncing around, imbalance, and stiffness.

In the right side photo, you will see I have my hips tilted and my leg is pointed forward a little hit helping me stay stuck to the seat and distributing my weight correctly. This slight change in weight and body movement can greatly improve your horses turn around the barrel. You are staying in your saddle and telling your horse you are ready to make that turn

Keep this in mind the next time you go work on the barrel pattern!

02/20/2024

Quick tip on how to sit your turns better on the barrel pattern!

02/14/2024

The hardest part of training any horse, especially training wild mustangs

02/08/2024

If you would like to follow along with this mare’s journey, follow this page! I’ll be posting videos of our training progress with her
We are working on choosing a name for her as well so give us some options if you would like to 😄

02/07/2024

Have a cool surprise coming to us tomorrow 🫣🤩🐴

02/05/2024

I don’t think a lot of people realize that horses can feel just about every emotion that we feel, and that they are extremely sensitive in all ways. when you are on a horse that’s acting anxious or frightened, ask yourself if you are feeling the same way in that moment. As a new rider, you may be more timid and afraid. You’ll hear others say you need to relax and be calm in the saddle, because this plays a major role to horses. When you relax and stay confident, the horse will do the same.
This also goes for trainers and c**t starters, you cannot be afraid or become tense in the saddle when working with a horse or starting a c**t under saddle. This makes the process even harder for them because they will be bottled up with fear and confusion.
If you wonder how you can fix this problem and become more relaxed in the saddle, breathing and coming to with your mind will help a ton! We’ve all been there, we just need to take the time to fix it.

01/30/2024

We are now accepting training clients!
We currently have one stall open, please see the Ad below for what we offer currently
If you need your horse tuned up or hauled, we can do it! 🐎
Located in Waco, Tx

01/27/2024

Discussion post #3
🐎How do I prep my horse for competition after taking the winter time off?
Lots of people are slowly getting back into riding after the hard freeze and all the rain this winter. Here’s my routine for getting my mare in shape and ready to go for spring races
1. Maintain a good feeding routine. I feed alfalfa pellets and a good quality senior feed, as well as hay.
I add in a couple supplements such as glucosamine 5000 (joint support) and liquid 747 (has vitamin E, selenium, biotin, potassium, iron and zinc)
2. Get all the vet stuff taken care of for the year, that includes coggins, teeth, and vaccines. I do chiropractic work on my mare all throughout the year to keep her feeling good.
3. At home Massage therapy and stretching. It’s a good thing to learn how to do at home massages on your horse as it’s a great way to keep your horse from being sore. I have a massager in the barn at all times and I’ll work on her back, neck, shoulders and hips. I stretch her legs after rides as well. This helps with mobility and flexibility
4. Ride 4-5 times a week: on trails and practice barrels in an arena a couple times a week, sometimes less if it’s not needed. I do lots of walking and loping. Circles, backing up, flexing both sides of her neck helps to keep her responsive and soft. I sometimes sprint my mare to let her open up (this is a rare occasion)

It can take a few months to get a horse in great shape, so don’t rush through the process or overdo exercises!

01/25/2024

🙌🏻Quick tip!
The slightest mistake can take up a ton of time on the barrel pattern
Check out this example
In the top photo, you can clearly see my hips are tilted to help keep my butt in the saddle and sit down, and I’m slightly leaned to the outside of the barrel. My elbow is squared up as well.
In the bottom photo, you’ll see my hips are not tilted and my butt is out of the saddle, I’m also leaned towards the barrel and my elbow is not squared up, it’s outwards.
So what’s the difference?
-With me riding the way I am in the top photo, my horse can feel that I am ready for her to turn and I’m giving her the correct cue for it. I am quiet in the saddle as well as secured so I’m not flying all over the place giving her messy cues.
- in the bottom photo, the way I’m riding is setting my horse up for failure in the turn. I’m not sitting down or leaning to the outside, so she cannot prepare for the turn correctly, my elbow is pointed out and I am making myself pull the inside rein too early. This causes a choppy and slow turn.

01/25/2024

Discussion post #2
🐎Burnt out Barrel Horses🐎
Barrel racing is a tough sport, especially for our horses. When we overdo our practice runs at home or during exhibition time and we don’t give our horses breaks, this is a major red flag for your horse to become burnt out on the pattern.
So what are some ways to prevent our horse from never wanting to run barrels again and have struggles in the alley way?
1. Get your horse off the pattern when you can. Go on trail rides, ride through cattle or take a few days to bond with your horse (grooming, massage, stretching, short simple rides)
2. Keep your horse’s gut health in check. A lot of times diet issues can have something to do with your horse refusing in the alley way or having issues on the pattern and getting all hyped up and nervous. Stomach ulcers can be caused from poor forage intake, stress or anxiety. To take away this problem, feed your horse hay or alfalfa while you wait for your turn to compete. These forages will help keep the acid in your horse’s stomach in check. You can also feed gut health supplements like Daily Gold or put aloe Vera juice in there. Of course, if your horse already has ulcers, you will need a vet to scope your horse and give you the proper treatment plan.
3. Don’t constantly run the barrel pattern on exhibition nights or even at home. Walk the pattern or change it up by going different directs and take it easy. Our horses are not robots that can constantly run 24/7
4. Have your horse stand in the alley way while they are dragging the arena at barrel races. Let your horse sit in the alley way and take it all in. Walk up and down a few times and relax! Make it enjoyable and relaxing. If you stay relaxed, your horse stays relaxed

* horses that are badly burnt out and hot on the pattern should be taken off of barrels for quite a while until they are mindfully sound and ready to get back to their job. Visit your vet for treatment options and find a good overall supplement to support your horses mind and gut health.

01/23/2024

We all have something to learn, doesn’t matter if you are a beginner, novice or seasoned rider!
Here’s some helpful tips and advice I have for you:
1. Stay with the crowd that cheers you on even when you are in a rut. We need someone to stand by us and pick us up when we need it, because in this sport there is going to be lots of hardships to face.

2. Take care of your horses needs before entering every single jackpot you find. Your horse can’t work their best if they aren’t feeling their best. Chiropractic care, dental work, hoof care, healthy diet, adequate exercise and vet check ups are your best friend.

3. Don’t let the competition side of you get in the way of what truly matters. Down barrels, broken patterns, and rider errors will happen at some point. We can’t expect to win every single race. Getting out of the arena safely and making sure you had fun is what matters. Throwing your sucker in the dirt and wanting to quit after a bad run will get you nowhere. Rise above and keep going!

4. Go to some lessons! If you are at a point where you are stuck and can’t figure out why your horse isn’t running as good or fast, go get a few lessons in and you will notice a difference. We need other eyes to see our own mistakes sometimes

5. And finally, stay humble and gracious. This sport lacks a lot of it nowadays. We all need to support one another and be grateful for what we each have.

01/21/2024

Did you know?
- horses eat up to 15-20lbs of hay/forage daily
- they drink 6-10 gallons of water per day
- can eat 4-5lbs of grain daily

It’s important to make sure your horse has access to water and forage (hay/alfalfa/grass) 24/7! That is unless you have a horse with metabolic/insulin issues. These horses need limited grazing time on grass and a specialized low starch and sugar diet to control this. It’s good to know the signs of common diet and health issues in our equine friends, here’s one to look out for:

Equine Metabolic Syndrome: Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a disorder associated with inappropriate blood insulin levels (insulin dysregulation) along with a combination of increased fat deposition and a reduced ability to lose weight. When affected, horses consume meals high in specific carbohydrates, their bodies produce higher than normal levels of insulin and are slow to return to baseline values.
Horses with this disease can have visual signs such as a crested (fat deposits) in their neckline, fatty ribs and tail head region. They can also show excess drinking, loss of muscle mass, infertility, and changes in appetite.
Some of the reasons this is caused is by:
- lack of exercise
- high sugar diets / over feeding
- environmental factors
- genetics
- certain breeds that are higher risk

How can we help prevent or maintain this disease?
- low starch and sugar diet
- minimal to no grazing time on grass (keep in mind that short grass has more sugar contents then tall grass)
- consistent exercise

01/18/2024

Hi everyone!
For the new year I’ll be starting up some new stuff now that we’ve gotten situated here in Waco👏
Stay tuned for podcasts, educational videos and more🤩🤩
Topics that’ll be discussed:
- barrel racing
- training
- riding lesson videos
- mental game
- new horse owners
- riding tips
There’s so much more that I’ll be covering so keep up on this page for updates, it’s coming soon!!

Address

Waco, TX
76705

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

972-816-1747

Website

https://linktr.ee/hmhorsetraining

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Videos

Barrel racing/ Riding tip of the day! #barrelracing #barrelracer #coach #barrelhorse

Quick tip on how to sit your turns better on the barrel pattern! #barrelracing #barrelracer #barrelhorse #coach

The hardest part of training any horse, especially training wild mustangs #wildhorse #horsetrainer #traininghorses

She’s already starting to get curious 💛 happy with today’s progress, slow and steady!

Gypsy was a little spooky yesterday when I lifted up the stirrups and applied pressure. She also has a habit of walking off when you go to get in the saddle, today she’s showing some great improvement 🙌🏻

Working with a buddy sour horse 🐴

Doing a few more ground work exercises before we get started with riding and working on her barn/buddy sourness 👏

How do you correctly lunge a horse?🐴 Lunging horses shouldn’t be a battle, there’s a few things that you need to keep in mind with this ground exercise: Stay calm and be direct. You have to give the horse direct instructions and be calm about it. When we ask our horse to move or change direction unclearly and spasticly, they tend to get overwhelmed and may refuse or pull on you. Instead of this, stand still and lift the lunging whip up towards their hind end and the arm holding the lead rope will point to the direction you want your horse to go. Slowly add pressure by waving the whip up and down or side to side. Wait for the horse to walk forward in whichever direction they are supposed to be in. Then release the pressure by relaxing your arms. When you are asking them to switch direction, make sure the horse stops and is looking at you. You want them facing you that way you know they are focused and paying attention. When it’s time to give the signal to switch direction, this is when you’ll again, quietly move your whip up to their hind end and the lead rope needs to be pointed in the direction you want them to go. When finishing up this exercise, I like to have the horse back up a few times so they understand I still want them to respect my space just the same as I respect theirs when they are lunging. #horsetraining #traininghorses #horses