Steady Horse

12/31/2025

As we wrap up the year, here’s a gentle reminder for every rider stepping into a fresh start:

Your horse doesn’t need big, dramatic breakthrough moments.
They need the small things done consistently—the quiet cues, the steady direction, the clear leadership they can trust.

If you want a calmer, softer, more connected partnership in the year ahead, it won’t come from doing more… it will come from doing the little things right.

In this week’s blog, we break down how small daily moments shape your horse’s confidence—and why consistency matters far more than intensity.
It’s the perfect mindset to carry into the new year. ✨🐴

👉 Read the full blog: https://vist.ly/4k8ej/post/consistency-over-intensity

And if you’re ready to make 2026 your safest, most confident year in the saddle, we’ve opened up access to a free training that walks you through the simple steps to build trust and connection with your horse.

🎥 Watch the free training https://vist.ly/4k8ej

12/26/2025

This is a good first grooming session.
Slate starts unsure, then settles, breathes, and stays connected.
That relaxation tells us everything we need to know.

👉 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: https://vist.ly/4js7m
💬 What’s your horse’s biggest grooming hurdle?

Huge thanks to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC ❤️
Their work gave Slate this chance.

12/24/2025

Most riders skip the backup because it feels too simple… but this quiet little exercise is one of the strongest ways to build softness, trust, and safety with your horse.

And on a morning like Christmas Eve, it feels fitting to remember that the small things matter. A few clear steps back can completely change the way your horse thinks, feels, and connects with you.

If your horse gets pushy, distracted, or forward-thinking, this will help you slow things down and rebuild connection with confidence.

Read the full blog ✨ : https://vist.ly/4jm2x/post/mastering-the-backup

And if fear or uncertainty has been creeping into your rides, there’s a free training to help you regain clarity and confidence.
🌿 Start the free training at https://vist.ly/4jm2x

Discover why mastering the backup transforms softness, safety, and connection with your horse—and how clear, confident pressure builds trust and responsiveness.

12/24/2025

Horses experience the world through feel first.
Something as simple as oil dripping down a forelock can catch them off guard — and it reminds us how important awareness really is.

Hang around horses long enough and you’ll hear some wild old-timer stories 😅
Some true… some questionable.

👉 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: https://vist.ly/4jma4

A big shout-out to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC ❤️
Their dedication is the reason Slate even had a chance to be here today. We’re honored to be part of his journey forward.

12/23/2025

Slate wasn’t reacting to the brush —
he was reacting to change.

Different side. Different people. Different feel.
Instead of correcting him, I slowed down and let him process.

That’s how confidence becomes real — and reliable.

💬 Have you seen your horse react to something that felt small to you?

👉 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: https://vist.ly/4jhu2

A big thank-you to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC ❤️
Their dedication is why Slate gets this second chance.

12/22/2025

Why your horse keeps “moving the hind” when you ask to flex.

A lot of riders stand by the shoulder and close the space — that makes the horse step the hind under instead of tipping the nose. Stand by the hip, maintain steady pressure, float with any hip movement, and only release when the nose softens. That subtle change is everything.

💭 Share this with someone who sits at the shoulder.

12/22/2025

Be honest…
Am I a horse trainer or a horse groomer?
Should I open a horse salon or what? 😂

One thing I’ve learned over the years is how creative and resourceful horse people really are.
I hear a lot of creative approaches when it comes to grooming, from coconut oil to WD-40 and plenty of other ideas in between, it all comes from the same place, wanting to help a horse feel better.

For Slate, I’ve leaned toward keeping things simple, safe, and intentional.
Something natural, something gentle, and enough time to let him relax into the process.

This horse has been in training with me for over a year now, and I couldn’t be more proud of how far he’s come.
Progress like this doesn’t happen overnight, it’s built through patience, consistency, and trust.

I want to thank everyone who’s been here from the beginning of this journey, and those who’ve just joined in and are seeing Slate’s progress now.
Your support, encouragement, and patience through this whole process truly mean a lot.

And a heartfelt thank you to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC for trusting me with Slate and giving him the chance to grow into who he’s becoming.

Now I’m curious…
What’s something unexpected you’ve used or learned that actually worked well for your horse? 👇

12/20/2025

When a horse overreacts, most people rush in to fix it.
I do the opposite.

I stay calm.
I act like everything is normal.
That’s how a worried horse learns they’re safe.

🎥 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: https://vist.ly/4j9vm

And a heartfelt thank-you to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC ❤️

12/19/2025

If your horse only backs under the halter, here’s what you’re missing.

Distance backing builds attention and keeps you safe. Some horses need one clear, “big enough” ask rather than a slow, gradual escalation — use the pressure they need, release immediately on the smallest give, then lower the intensity over time. That’s how you go from heavy-handed to light, consistent cues.

💬 Anything horse-related on your mind? Ask me in the comments. 👇

12/19/2025

I tried grooming Slate using coconut oil.

After reading through so many comments, coconut oil kept coming up — but WD-40 did too. Today, I decided to start with coconut oil and simply pay attention.

You could actually feel it beginning to soften as I worked through Slate’s mane, and just as important, he handled the whole process really well mentally. No rushing. No forcing. Just observing what helped him stay comfortable.

💬 Coconut oil or WD-40? Let’s hear your experience.
👉 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: https://vist.ly/4j6aa

A big shout-out to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC for this opportunity ❤️

12/18/2025

This moment isn’t about getting him to “stand still.”
It’s about showing him that no matter what he does, I’m not going anywhere.

When a horse feels unsure, they look for an anchor.
If we overreact, we teach them to worry.
If we stay steady, we teach them to trust.

That’s the work you don’t rush.

👉 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://vist.ly/4izq2

And a big shout-out to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC ❤️
Their dedication is the reason Slate even had a chance to be here today.

12/17/2025

“Where are the treats?” Here’s the honest answer.

Treats work fast, but they’re a band-aid. I build trust so a horse chooses rest and safety in the trailer, that gives them agency and keeps handlers safer. With pushy or aggressive horses, treats actually teach the wrong lesson.

💬 Got any horse questions? Leave them in the comments 👇