The Horsemanship Academy

04/03/2025

Who would like to see me teach a troubled horse liberty work and show how it can build confidence? Leave the word Liberty in the comments and I will message you!!

27/02/2025

I am super excited to be partnering with Aiken Technical College to share this wonderful Horse Psychology Class.

17/02/2025

The next Lesson Day at The Horsemanship Academy is this coming Friday (and Sat. by request). I do know it might be cold, but don't let that scare you off!

The Working Equitation Ease of Handling Course will be set up and the round pen will be available. You are welcome to focus your lesson on the ground or in the saddle, or a combination. I am happy to help you with anything from Liberty to Ease of Handling Course. If you are new or it's been a while, I recommend working on the ground with me for a little bit, then getting in the saddle.

The time spots are 45 minutes but our lessons will run 50 minutes. Private lessons are $90 and Semi Privates are $50 each person, payable on the day of the lesson.

Here is the link to sign up. If you are not sure you got your spot booked, just send me an email and I will confirm. If you need to cancel, please give 24 hours notice. In case of inclement weather, I will let you know the morning of what our plan will be. Click below to reserve your spot.
https://calendly.com/julierobins/working-equitation-lessons

ALSO, please save the date! Sat and Sun. April 12-13, there will be a Working Equitation Schooling Show for FUN at 3 Feathers Farm in Aiken, SC. This farm is on Shaw's Fork Road and I will have more information for you soon! This is a great chance to give the sport a try! Please help support this show by joining in the fun! This is being put on by Channing Bump.
If you aren't able to compete, please think about volunteering to help out!

If you have any questions or I can help out in any way, just let me know! I am here to help you "Enjoy the Ride!"

Please select your time for 45 min lessons with Julie on the topic of your choice. Working Equitation Ease of Handling Course will be set up and the Round Pen will be available. You are welcome to work on the ground or in the saddle, or both.Lessons are $90 payable cash, check or Venmo. If you'd

06/02/2025

Time for our first Immersion of 2025!! After a flood in the clubhouse and days of panic, I’m happy to report. We’re ready to get started with an hour and a half to spare! 

22/01/2025

Good snowing morning!! Wondering what kind of fun might be had in the snow today??

13/01/2025

I couldn’t agree more!!

Why so much, so young?

The horse industries, particularly racing, have operated the same way for centuries, pushing 2- and 3-year-olds hard. But that doesn’t mean other disciplines should follow the same path.

I take a conservative stance when it comes to a horse's age.

A yearling is still a baby—let them run and play in a field.

A 2-year-old is also a baby—still best left running in a field.

At 3, a horse is still a baby, though now big enough for some handling. Forget about "futurities" or "young horse programs." If you can’t resist doing something, put a saddle on, maybe work on long-lining, and get on occasionally to make sure they don’t buck you off. But then—send them back to the field.

If all you’re doing with a 3-year-old is the basics—shots, feet, teeth, leading, just like a yearling or 2-year-old—I don’t think you’re falling behind.

At 4, they are a young adolescent. Like most adolescents, they need a job, but not a demanding one. No speed, no tight spins, no pounding work. Focus on slow, steady physical development—lots of walking, building muscle, and gaining body mass. You're still in a foundational stage.

By 5, they’re either still a baby or starting to mature, depending on the horse. Train carefully, and above all, avoid injury and stress. Don’t rush them into some performance-driven "young horse" program unless they’re an early maturing type—and even then, be cautious. Definitely avoid this at 4.

By 6, they’re ready to start becoming a "normal" horse.

I know my timeline is unconventional. Many horses are worn out or injured by age 6, 7, or 8—some even younger. They're mentally exhausted and physically broken by trainers and riders who pushed them too hard, too soon.

But if you can be patient, allowing them to grow and strengthen, those same horses can still be in their prime into their late teens or even early 20s and retire at 30.

What’s the rush? Seriously.

Written by Tamarack Hill Farm

Farmleigh Storm Connemara Pony, a late maturing breed. Aged 6 year,

03/01/2025

01/01/2025

Happy New Year!

I hope 2025 brings you all that your heart desires! 2025 is a big milestone for The Horsemanship Academy! It marks the 20th year of my business on my farm! 20 years of training horses, teaching clinics, running my own farm, and working to make a difference in the lives of horses by teaching people how to build better relationships. And what a ride it has been! I am blessed and I have worked hard! It's been a journey for sure! I look forward to sharing some history and lessons learned with you in 2025, as well as celebrating!

As you may already know, I have a tradition of selecting a Focus Word for the year for my horsemanship and life! My word for last year was Love! And that was a great word to remind me to soak it in, to spend more time doing things I loved with horses and people I loved. And for me, I took time to also love myself, to be nice to myself, and give myself grace when needed.

For 2025, my Focus Word is Cadence. I hope to find my rhythm in movement, and to have the ability to pace myself in work and in my personal life. I tend to find something that interests me and dive deep, often ending up down a rabbit hole, then coming back up for air trying to remember what sent me in that direction in the first place! I'd like to find a little more cadence, a little more purposeful progress if you will. To have a better ability to speed up and slow down, with slowing down being the hardest for me.

What's your Focus Word for 2025? I'd love to know!

I wish you the very best for 2025! May you above all else, Enjoy the Ride!

22/12/2024

Such a fun memory that was just shared with me! Helping people get connected with their to have more fun is what I do! The Ultimate Equine Partnership Process is how I do it!! To learn more about how I can help you just send me a PM!

https://www.facebook.com/share/17o46p1baH/?mibextid=CTbP7E

19/12/2024

Have you joined the Ultimate Equine Partnership Group?
This is a great place to learn more about connecting with your horse and a place where I post free training. Drop me a note below if you would like a link!