Mhequus

21/05/2023

You drew stars around my scars🌌🖤

18/05/2023

I don’t have words to describe this feeling.

Sitting on your horse for the first time that was completely wild two years ago is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.

Knowing that every single thing they know you taught them is something so special it’s hard to find anywhere else.

Lyra has taken to me sitting on her back with such grace & ease. To her, it’s simply another step in our journey. She seems more perplexed and mildly surprised that I’m up on her back instead of next to her on the ground😆😂

All the prep, all the hundreds of hours of care and training have led up to this point. The bumps in the road, the fighting & the struggle. It was all worth it in the end🖤🌻✨
•
•
•
•
•
•

16/05/2023

Pony scratches are always priority, especially during a training session💯😆
•
•
•
•
•

15/05/2023

10/05/2023

One of the biggest challenges (yet one of the biggest lightbulb moments that can happens for a horseman) is to make things black & white for horses.

In consistency with what you are asking and expecting, they know where the boundaries lie and do not test them more than necessary.
One example is when you ask a horse to back up and stay out of your space, you shouldn’t let them step closer to you unless you ask. In letting them do that, you aren’t holding your expectations to them, and may possibly get annoyed one day when they do step close when you weren’t paying attention. From there, that’s where we can see people punishing horses for things they never knew NOT to do in the first place.

In addition to punishment, anxiety and stress can manifest when horses do not know what you want from them. Try not to be wishy washy with your cues, both on the ground and in the saddle. When you ask for something, ASK it. This doesn’t mean being rough or harsh whatsoever, but really put a true feel to what you are asking. That way, you aren’t fiddling around with your reins or lead rope and a horse can’t form anxiety or stress about what you might be asking. This is incredible relevant with more feely, sensitive horses.

I have found extreme calm and solidness in horses who know the black and white. In making things clear for them, they can be at peace when they’re with you because they know exactly what to expect. It takes discipline to get better at it, because it means changing all of *your* own habits, not the horse’s. But if you are diligent about making a change, you will see solid results.
•
•
•
•
•
•

04/05/2023

And just like that, we’re done✔️

Freshman year of college is in the books.

I truly have no words to describe what a year this has been. I’ve experienced more growth and change in and out of the arena than I ever would have expected. It’s been full of nothing short of hard, dedicated work. But beautiful proof of how when you put in the work, you WILL get results.

The people I met this year alone have changed my life for the better. I truly didn’t think I could find more genuine, hardworking, and passionate people, but I did and I’m so grateful they are in my life now. You guys know who you are🤍

Having Ranger here at first in Montana was a soft pillow to land on when I was feeling homesick or unanchored. Then, once Arrow got here, I was pushed out of my comfort zone over and over and over again, constantly forcing myself to step up for him. When he arrived, he was a green broke trail horse that had only loped in an arena twice. Now, he’s on his way to being one of the nicest horses I’ve ever swung a leg on. After seeing how much change happened in just one year, I’m so excited to see what happens after the next 3.

I owe more than words can say to little paint man. He’s going through this entire rollercoaster with me, and is literally carrying me through these 4 years. Happy freshman year Arrow🥰

Montana, you will be dearly missed these next 3 months. I can’t wait to be back already🏔️
•
•
•
•

01/05/2023

Low quality picture, high quality baby horse🤍🍼👼🏼

So stinking proud of Arrow. Yesterday I wanted to truly experiment and see with how much he responds to leg cues for steering and he didn’t prove me wrong. First time ever riding him without a bridle and he didn’t set one foot wrong. Granted, we were in a roundpen, but he still could have chosen to do anything he liked since he is a horse that will make his own decisions quite often. But he was absolutely perfect.

Walk, trot, lope both direction and steered and stopped almost completely off of legs and seat. Such a stellar boy💛 His progress since coming to Montana in October truly is remarkable.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

28/04/2023

Today marks 2 years worth of scratches with my Leap of Faith, my Lyra🖤🌻

Man how the time has flown. Two years ago today I picked out the horse that I never would have guessed I would have at the Burns Oregon wild horse corral. I wanted a roan, a paint, anything flashy. A gelding, preferably. But I decided on a mare, something different & out of my comfort zone. And then in the midst of the group of the flashy, pretty horses galloping around there was a plain black faced filly who was quietly standing, looking at me. Her eyes didn’t break contact with mine and I knew it was a sign from the universe that we needed to be together. It felt like she was choosing me.

So I took a leap of faith & decided on that plain filly who I had never predicted I would end up with. She earned her full name that day, but around the barn we call her Lyra🖤

It has been a rollercoaster with this mare. At time it’s been so easy it was laughable and other times I thought I’d have to sell her because she was behaving so erratically and dangerously. But I never gave up, and she never did on me. I’m so beyond honored that she chose me to be my first mustang. My life has not and will never be the same with her in it, and I’m so grateful every day she’s mine. The future is so bright for sweet Lou, and I can’t wait to be there with her every step of the way.

Happy 730 days together my Leap of Faith🖤
•
•
•
•

25/04/2023

Prioritize whole-horse horsemanship.

Being a good rider isn’t enough. Being a trainer with lots of feel & talent isn’t good enough.

Take care of your horse.

Clean their stall. Don’t make them stand for weeks or months on end in their own waste. It doesn’t take very long & if you keep up with it it’s an easy thing to work into your schedule before or after a ride. Even if there are barn employees, it’s easy for stalls to get skipped/ manure to be accumulated so CLEAN it. We aren’t trapped in a specific place day in and day out, so make sure it’s a nice droit for your horse.

Brush them after they get sweaty. Take a few to get them all settled in after a ride. It’s poor repayment to chuck them back into a stall after riding them and leaving without brushing, stretching, or checking in with them.

Make sure they have enough to eat. This gets overlooked SO MUCH. Horses are grazing animals meant to eat around 16 hours a day. When their stomachs are empty, acid accumulates and starts to cause discomfort, even ulcers.

Go out there and put in the work even if conditions aren’t perfect. You can’t wait for a sunny day to work your horse. Go out there even if there’s wind, rain, snow, clouds, or sun. I mucked stalls/walked horses in sub zero temperatures for a good few weeks on end. The weather might change but the horse keeping duties don’t.

To me, these things tell me the true type of horseman that you are. Not your riding abilities, not your accomplishments, not your buckles or ribbons or how well you can ride a pattern. Your horse husbandry practices speak volumes where your riding abilities can’t.
•
•
•
•
•

22/04/2023

Since no other types of manifesting nice weather seem to be working (eg. hoping, wishing, praying, begging, burning sage) maybe this picture of my favorite trail with my favorite old man will work🫶🏼

15/04/2023

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are horses.

No matter what, put in the work, and you will start to see results.

It won’t be linear, because working with horses isn’t linear, but if you can find at least one thing a day that was 1% better than yesterday, you’re on your way🙌

09/04/2023

A lot of people have asked me about Arrow and his story so I thought I’d share🏹🤎

Arrows origins are debatable. According to the local rescue that he was brought to at 2 years old,(top picture) he and 4 other horses were found in someone’s driveway and seized. However, this rescue isn’t the most reputable and stallions have been known to be kept loose with mares so I have a strong suspicion that Arrow and the dam and the 3 other siblings of his that were seized were perhaps just bred at the rescue. His story/early life is very debatable but the driveway story is super suspicious to me so we never will know🤣
He was adopted by a young woman in early summer of 2020 but unfortunately she was not very knowledgeable and he ended up with quite a big of baggage to unpack. He kicked and struck when his legs were handled, he was so ear shy he couldn’t even be haltered, and he had zero groundwork/manners. He was being kept by her at a mutual friends
house and my dad immediately clicked with him and fell in love. We weren’t planning on getting another horse but when he went up for sale we jumped at the chance. The rest is history, he’s one of the best decisions we’ve made🥰🫶🏼

A lot of people ask me his breeding but he’s actually grade! Not registered or a full breed. I would love to see some DNA testing for him because he definitely has some draft in him. We got lucky, he’s an extremely well put together horse for being backyard bred😍

So that’s sweet Arrows story. He has and will always be my dad’s horse, but I’ve done most of the training he has and taught him everything he knows except for leading. He’s truly a very special horse and everyone he meets falls in love with him.

30/03/2023

Spin your partner round n’ round.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

26/03/2023

Truly can’t wait to get back to work with this girl.

I have big plans for Lyra this summer. It will be the first summer in 2 years that I don’t have a summer project horse. Because I won’t have a project to keep my main focus, I can put al my effort and time into getting Lou back into shape and really start asking more of her. As a coming 3 year old, I’m going to be asking her to put on her big girl pants and really step up to the plate.

Some things I’m hoping to do are:
🌻Get her lunging walk/trot with little resistance
🌻Grooming/tacking up while tied.
🌻More groundriving.
🌻First sit & ride ba****ck.
🌻Later rides with a saddle.
🌻Getting basics of riding down: steering, stopping, moving off of leg.
🌻More off property trips to ride and take for ponying on trails.

I had a vet clear her for riding this year. While it will not be intensive in any way (I’m more conservative when it comes to starting young horses) I think it will be incredibly beneficial for her. She is a horse that loves to work and have a job and she is strong enough to be able to pack me around. I’m so excited for this summer and to see what we can do together.
•
•
•
•
•
•

22/03/2023

Why I don’t believe in errorless learning👇

I believe that we should let horses make mistakes. Not only let, but encourage them. If they mess up, we can tell them what we do want instead of just constantly holding them together hoping and praying they won’t mess up. A comparison to humans is kids that are helicopter parents versus parents who let their kids figure things out, even if they get it wrong. The kids that have had the chance to mess up and make mistakes are far more independent and overall confident because they have had the chance to figure things out for themselves.

Learning is sometimes uncomfortable. There is sometimes stress involved in figuring out new things. Learning is hard, it can be a mental or physical strain to grasp new concepts. And it’s a completely healthy part of working with your horse.

Now, is that to say that normal, frequent struggles on the horses behalf in training is good? No, I think we should always try to make things as simple to understand for our horses as possible when learning by breaking things into small steps and not throwing them into the deep end. Because after all, that isn’t learning. Having clear, consider cues and realistic expectations are super important.

However, overall, mistakes and even a little bit of stress is a healthy and normal part of the learning process at times and I don’t believe that never letting our horses mess up will do them good.

17/03/2023

Know the mechanics of your bit.

Far too often I see equestrians talking about a bit or bridle they use for their horse without truly understanding how it works. Understanding the way metal bends, twists, and potentially pinches in the mouth of an animal is something that is so important. Sometimes it doesn’t even matter what kind of hands you have-the mechanism of the bit is ill enough designed that even in soft hands it is uncomfortable and aversive by itself.

When I was 14/15, my trainer put Ranger in a step up bit. The only leverage bit I owned was a Tom Thumb my uncle had given me, so one lesson she switched out the snaffle for the leverage bit. No mention of how the bit worked, no mention of the fact that I should ride with primarily my legs and hold the reins one handed. She just slapped it on and I kept riding him.

All was fine, for a while. I noticed he had a tendency to tuck his chin when I picked up the reins but because that’s what I was taught to be collection, I thought that was fine. And then I started noticing things. A lack of control. He didn’t stop as quick as he used to, and would shake his head. He was avoiding being bridled, something that had never happened before. I was confused as to why he was acting this way.

I looked up “Tom Thumb bit” and articles popped up about the infamous nutcracker affect the bit has and how when even just too much pressure if applied, it will immediately jar into the roof of the horses mouth, causing, you guessed it, head tossing. I also learned that pressure applied on a bit with shanks is greater than what is applied on a snaffle.

I felt horrible guilt and Ranger has been bitless for 5 years now. It works best for him. Now, you also should be EXTREMELY aware of bitless mechanisms as well, because oftentimes I see bitless bridles used far more incorrectly than bits.

Know👏your👏tack👏

A little research before you start using equipment can save you and your horse years worth of misery.

16/03/2023

The cutest potato 🥔

Nothing says spring like chunky sweaty ponies coming out of winter mode and knocking the dust off their boots by getting back to work💪
•
•
•
•
•

06/03/2023

The one, the only, the Man✨

Ranger is always so eager to boast his numerous tricks he has up his sleeve to me in hopes for a treat🥹
He turns twenty-two in four days, man how the time has flown. He may be a bit creakier and crankier than he used to be but his goofy and opinionated personality is still very much there🧡
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

25/02/2023

This may be a slightly unpopular opinion to some, but it’s something I wholeheartedly believe.

Having a horse that cooperates, listens to your requests, and does what you ask does *not* mean they are trained through fear of punishment or through dominance. In fact, if you work with them in a kind yet firm way, it will make them *want* to work with you because it’s not a dictatorial relationship between the two of you.

I have high behavioral standards for my horses yet I still treat them with dignity and respect at all times. It’s truly the best of both worlds.
•
•
•
•
•
•

19/02/2023

Every time a horse does something you don’t want them to do, they are acting out of their own desires or instincts.

It takes time, but if you can get the horse to follow along with your requests happily & without resistance you have created the ultimate partnership!
•
•
•
•
•

15/02/2023

All horses are good horses🖤

Sometimes it just takes a little longer to find it.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

09/02/2023

We can’t make horses who they aren’t.

While we can get them close, it will always feel contrived and forced. Like a constant battle of wills between horse and rider, not the harmony that is desired.

Don’t get me wrong, horses can break barriers. Mustangs can cut cows, Quarter Horses can jump, Warmbloods can learn reining maneuvers. But sometimes it just doesn’t work.

Arrow is a chunky, drafty mutt that was likely bred at a horse rescue. He can show lovely movement at times but for the most part is in his element when he is leading a group of horses up a mountain, not doing rollbacks.

In this program, horses are taught finessed movements under saddle. Lots of them are kin to what working ranch horses know or learn. Arrow will have to work double time to figure out how to do these maneuvers, partly because he is a slower learner and partly because he can’t figure out where to put his body. It’s taken him 3 months to grasp what pivoting is under saddle and he still struggles with it.

While it may be frustrating or exhausting at times to try and mold a horse into a clay shape that they aren’t, it’s a good, solid reminder to play to a horse’s strengths. Do the best you can with what you were given. While Arrow and I will still work hard to try and achieve goals here, I also will be giving him slack because he lacks the natural ability and talent to move and ride like a Quarter Horse.

A horse can’t and shouldn’t be expected to be trainable, athletic, or natural at something. It’s not their fault if they can’t do it. So find what they *can* do and go with that. You will find that harmony you have been looking for all along.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

07/02/2023

The equine eye: so talked about, yet so little understood.

Ever had trainers or instructors or simply horse people tell you that a horse’s eye was a window to their soul? That in an entire lineup, they could pick out the most sane/safe/gentle/broke horse just by looking at its eye?

Horses eyes are the quickest way to tell if a horse is stressed or not. Some of the biggest telltale signs of a stressed eye are:
🔹Wrinkles above eyelids.
🔹Triangular shape to eye.
🔹Bulging above & below eye “whale eye”.
🔹Whites of eyes or sclera showing.
🔹Little or infrequent blinking.

These are the main things to look at when spending time with your horse. I especially pay attention to these signs when desensitizing or doing something a horse might be uncomfortable about, like bathing. Now, even though these are the classic and documented signs of a stressed or scared horse, that *DOES NOT* mean that any or all of these means that a horse is stressed. Context as well as individual horse’s facial structures matters, a lot. For example, Arrow has an extremely triangular shaped eye. This makes him have almost constant wrinkles on his upper eyelids. Even at rest he can have wrinkles, as well as the whites of his eyes showing constantly. Paints or Appaloosas commonly have their sclera constantly visible, which should not a cause for concern as much as with a bay or black horse. To add on to that, pictures are a moment or snapshot in time. If you see a picture of a horse with stressed eyes or facial expression, don’t judge too soon. There might be something in the distance that worries them, or maybe it’s windy. A stressed face doesn’t always mean bad handling or training practices. A stressed horse can also release extremely quickly and go back to normal in mere seconds.

Now let’s talk about signs of a relaxed eye.
🔹Soft, oval shape to the eye.
🔹Frequent blinking.
🔹Little wrinkling around bottom and top.
🔹Little whites of the eyes showing.

Knowing and understanding equine facial expressions and stress signals can help you help your horse when they are struggling. Knowledge is power🔥

05/02/2023

“Look at everything first & training last.”
-Mark Rashid, Finding the Missed Path: The Art of Restarting Horses.

When we train horses, especially ones with so called "issues" it's very important to look at every possible thing first.
Environment ↧
Management ↧
Good Fitting Tack ↧
Body Work ↧
Vet Assessment ↧

Then & only then should the real training and behavior modification begin. A horse that is uncomfortable cannot learn.
•
•
•
•
•
#

30/01/2023

Fluid and soft in the mind and body is always the ultimate goal🌀

A horse that is soft and anticipating cues will be easier and more enjoyable to work with as well as more relaxed overall.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

22/01/2023

The way that the pieces click so effortlessly when added together🧩🙌🏼✨

Usually when I try something new with a horse, they don’t find it that incredible or different because it’s simply just another step in their training journey. They have worked on so many similar little chunks before I try something new so it naturally feels like the next step for them. It limits frustration, confusion, and is a great confidence boost for them.
It’s great feedback from them to me to know that as the trainer I set them up for success!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

19/01/2023

A horse’s face tells all.

A change in expression is so clear because they are animals that wear their heart on their sleeve, as all animals do. Unlike us humans, they can’t cover or make things up.

Seeing a wild mustang go from terrified out of its mind at a human standing 30 feet away to them staring softly at me into the camera in hardly two months is something I will always hold dear to my heart.

Training Ikon truly made me realize how unhealthy being wild is for mustangs. That acute, chronic stress they face on the daily is so hard on their bodies and minds. For them to come into domestic life and not only have their body be treated of its pain but also their mind is something that will never *not* be in their favor.

Helping these horses is the most rewarding thing in the world💙
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

13/01/2023

It’s hard to do. But nothing, NOTHING will change unless horses are stood up for and people are called out.

I witnessed terrible behavior the other day from someone at my barn. It disturbed me, disgusted me, and most of all angered me. If it had been a dog, police would have been called. But because it was a horse, everyone looked the other way.

There is an unspoken rule that everyone stays in their own business and doesn’t get involved. That works, to a certain extent. Until horses are being blatantly abused and used for the humans ego boost. Until you become a part of the problem by staying silent.

I am in a program that is for Natural Horsemanship. We are supposed to be working on being BETTER with horses, and understanding them and our relationship with them. Certain behavior is absolutely inexcusable and falls under the category of straight abuse.

Horses are too kind to us. The want to please, them aim to please, they try so hard to be good. It’s a poor way to repay them by treating them like a commodity, an object.

Do not let someone’s behavior like that slide. I emailed my professors and let them know. Whistleblowing? Maybe. Snitching? Definitely. But it is at the cost of a living, breathing being, and in a program where the trainer should be found better than the majority of horse owners in the world.

It’s bloody difficult to speak up. It makes you scared, feel like a tattletale, and a know it all. But when an animal’s well being is on the line, nothing else matters. It’s time we stop protecting people who don’t deserve to be protected and help out horses.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

11/01/2023

Remember to say your “thank you’s” to the universe.

Yesterday I was riding Arrow around in the arena. We were in the back part of the arena near the white indoor where he’s known to get nervous around. He was walking around on a loose rein then suddenly spooked and bolted. He ran onto a patch of snow that had hidden ice underneath and before I had the chance to realize what was happening he was out from under me and we were both on the ground.

My feet came out of my stirrups before we landed and thank goodness they did because I could have had my legs or worse my entire torso or body crushed by him.

I fell on my side and got up immediately; Arrow caught the end of my mecate in my belt loop and was prevented from getting up. I ran around to the other side of him and gave him his head to get up. He struggled to since he was on a literal ice sheet but after a couple of times he did. I went into full panic mode for a second when he couldn’t get up, I thought something terrible had happened. He got up and walked out fine, tender and unsure but seemingly okay. We were both extremely shaken, but miraculously unscathed.

I came out with a bad bruise on my leg from the stirrup hitting me when I landed but that is the least possible injury that could have happened. I’m grateful I had my helmet on because I so easily could have been slammed into the ground.

I wanted to share this experience as a reminder that life is never guaranteed. A life with horses especially is always a risk, but we love it. Remember to say your thanks you’s to whatever entity you believe in/your guardian angel and count your blessings. I got extremely lucky yesterday and it was a sharp and strong reminder to always stay on my toes with horses and to do as much as possible to prevent injury. Helmets aren’t cool but accidents can happen at any time, no matter the horse and I personally like to be prepared for such events if they occur.

Feeling extra grateful today🤍

04/01/2023

Foundational skills always pay off.

Going back to groundwork, or pausing the practice of fancy maneuvers until you have relaxation, suppleness, and solid responsiveness is never w waste of time, and will ALWAYS help your horse in the like run.

If your horse is rushing jumps and set up in a martingale to prevent high headedness, time needs to be spent on the flat to get your rein cues back and to find relaxation to help with a high, anxious head before you start jumping again.

If your rodeo or gymkhana horse is rearing or head shaking in the gate, counter conditioning and training for anticipation needs to happen so you can have less frantic, hectic runs.

If your freshly gentled mustang is avoiding the halter, take some steps back to work on a “re” gentling protocol with touch & basic approach & retreat with not only the halter but also yourself.

Rushing will never get us anywhere. Taking steps back is not a sign of failure, rather an equestrian seeing a need that must be met & addressing it. You will come back into the game so much stronger once underlying holes in training are addressed.

26/12/2022

“I wish I could show my horse how much I love them.”

Then show them.

Give them freedom. Freedom to run, play, sleep with a herd, as much hay as they want to eat to keep their bellies full.

Give them security. Be a constant & comforting presence, never aggravating or compounding issues. Be non-partisan, & take what they are saying as the truth. Be a passive leader, always guiding but never bossing.

Give them a voice. Listen when they are telling you they don’t want to do something. Listen when they tell you they *want* to do something. Play to their strengths, & don’t make them something they aren’t. There’s a reason for everything they do, they do not lie. Sometimes the hardest pills to swallow are the biggest lessons they are trying to teach you.

Give them fun. Spend time with them outside the saddle. Play on the ground with them like you are both young colts, laugh when you are with them. Don’t be scared to feed them a treat every now and then. They are working with you after all, everyone likes to be paid, even horses.

And most of all, be their friend. You are their caretaker, their protector, their provider. When you let them be horses, they will know your love for them. Do all you can to make their lives as rich & joyful as possible & you will be surprised at the things they will do for you.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•