Be Your Best Horsemanship

In this episode, I'm answering some questions about what really goes on during my horsemanship clinics. Tune in as I break down some of the key themes, training philosophies, and perspectives that trainers need to have to get the most out of the clinic experience.

There's a big opportunity I see coming in our industry, and that is the growing need for quality colt starters. As the number of registered horses continues to increase, the number of people with the time, experience, and feel to start them right is getting smaller. Join me as I break down my perspectives on this topic, including a recap our recent colt starting mentorship―the conversations, c...

This is a republish of one of our most listened-to episodes, focused on the misconception that multitasking leads to more productivity. This is a topic that I wanted to bring up again because, especially this time of year, the temptation to multitask grows even stronger. As we head into the busy spring and summer seasons, it’s easy to feel pulled in a lot of different directions. When we're bu...

In this episode, I'm joined by one of my long-time friends and fellow horsemen, Mark Upton, as we discuss the importance―and challenges―of staying true to the process, both in life and horsemanship. Mark shares his perspectives on balancing his passion for horsemanship with his corporate career at Central Life Sciences and how he finds time to make meaningful progress with his horses. Join us...

In this episode, I sit down with Merck Animal Health’s Dr. Chrissie Pariseau to discuss what we learned from last fall’s EHV-1 outbreak and how it reinforces the importance of maintaining regular vaccination and booster schedules. Dr. Pariseau breaks down common vaccine programs, including core and risk-based vaccines, along with best practices for foals, pregnant mares, and newly purchased horses...

When you’re roping on young horses, introducing the right fundamentals early is key to building confidence, consistency, and setting them up for long-term success. Tune into this episode as I get into the basics of starting rope horses and some of the things to watch for that early on that can create bad habits down the road. I also touch on the tie-down vs. no tie-down conversation and what to co...

In this episode, I talk about how every response we get from our horses comes back to us—our thoughts, our body position, and the signals we give. That's why it's so important for us to stay sharp and in-tune throughout the training process. When we lack awareness, it often creates anxiety and frustration for the horse. Issues people blame on the gate, the box, or the environment are usual...

In this episode, I talk about something many trainers struggle with—perfectionism. That drive for perfection can contribute to high performance, but if we’re not careful, it can also become a roadblock to our horses’ progression. Tune in as I share a conversation I had with my interns this week about managing perfectionistic expectations and how to stay focused on a progress-oriented mindset inste...

In this episode, I talk about something I’ve learned over decades of trial and error — you don’t always have to do it the hard way. I’ve spent a lifetime figuring things out the long way. My interns don’t have to. They’ve chosen to step into an environment where they can learn from the mistakes, adjustments, and experience that took me years to develop. That’s not weakness — that’s wisdom. No matt...

In this episode, I'm talking about what we’re doing to prepare our colts as they progress toward the next phase of their training―which, in this case, is the roping disciplines. The goal is to prepare them through solid foundational training and exposure to new obstacles in the roping pen, so when it’s time to add cattle, those colts are mentally ready. No matter the discipline, the process is...

I just returned from a clinic in Stephenville, Texas, with one of the most―if not the most―elite and diverse groups of trainers I've ever had at a single clinic. Regardless of the discipline these trainers specialized in, there was one piece of advice that resonated with everyone: work as hard on yourself as you do your horsemanship. Join me for this episode as I share more about this philosop...

In this episode, I talk about what I call separators —and why they matter if you want to keep progressing. A separator isn’t always about being better than someone else. A lot of times, it’s about separating yourself from the person you used to be. It’s the attitudes, habits, and effort you choose when things aren’t easy that create that separation. If you want to keep moving forward—no matter how...

In this episode, I talk about the relationship between a horse’s mind, body, and feet—and why understanding that order matters in training. Tune in as I explain why everything starts with the mind, how the body follows, and how real control of the feet comes from clear communication. When you understand how a horse thinks and how their mind connects to their body and movement, your training become...

In this episode, I talk about what actually creates softness and collection in a horse—and why the saying “soft hands create soft horses” doesn’t tell the whole story. Softness isn’t about avoiding pressure or having light hands; it’s about precision, clear signals, and consistent releases. I explain why horses don’t learn from pressure—they learn from the release—and how improving your timing and...

In this episode, I talk about the importance of developing a clear training strategy for every horse you have in your program. Goals are important, but you can’t just put a goal on the calendar and expect it to happen—you have to build a plan and continually refine it along the way. Tune in as I share why regular check-ins, honest evaluation, and time spent in the saddle are what bring clarity to...

Each year, I always pick a word to guide my focus and my efforts for the coming season. This year, my word is: believe. Join me for this episode as I share the inspiration behind this choice and how making simple mental shifts can change your outlook, self-belief, and follow through on your goals and plans. Whether you are a trainer, horse enthusiast, or are just looking for a little motivation to...

In this episode, I'm talking about my first time welcoming interns into my training program. From training young horses to learning the ins and outs of facility management, responsibility, and work ethic, this episode is about more than riding—it’s about mindset, commitment, and understanding what it truly means to make a living training horses.

Challenging conditions have a way of exposing holes in your foundation—both in your horsemanship and your mindset. Those who are willing to saddle up on the days that others might not be have a unique opportunity to accelerate their growth in meaningful ways. Tune in as I share a story from the training pen this week where my interns and I braved the elements on a day with less-than-ideal weather...

In this week’s episode, I'm recapping my recent trip to Las Vegas for the World Series of Team Roping Finale. The week didn’t end with a win—or a big paycheck—but it also wasn’t a loss. It was an opportunity to learn. Tune in as I share some reflections on my preparation, how I showed up in the arena, and why I can still be proud of the way I competed. I also tip my hat to the NFR competitors...

During the ten days of the NFR in Las Vegas, we all get to watch the product of a year-long—and often lifelong—journey to the Thomas & Mack. What we don’t always see is the small army behind each competitor who helps make that run possible. In this episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with Lorissa Jo Merritt— sister of Katelyn Scott and sister-in-law to Halyn Lide, who both qualified for this yea...

In this episode, I am pleased to welcome Chrissie Pariseau, DVM, MS, DABVP (Equine Practice), cVMA with Merck Animal Health to share some perspectives on the current EHV-1 outbreak. Join us as Dr. Pariseau unpacks the myths and facts about EHV-1 and EHM, including her professional recommendations for monitoring symptoms, testing for the virus, protecting healthy horses in your herd, and caring for...

In this week’s episode, I’m talking about the importance of playing to your horse’s strengths. One of the biggest responsibilities we have as horsemen and women is to be good leaders — and a big part of leadership is recognizing the strengths of those we lead. Just like people, every horse has a different set of strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Our job is to identify what those are and set...

In this week’s episode, I’m talking about one of the simplest—and hardest—skills to master in horsemanship: the pause . The pause is the brief moment of release and reward that tells your horse, “You did it right.” It’s the part of the process that builds confidence, clarity, and understanding between horse and rider. But it’s also the step that many of us—myself included—tend to rush through. Tun...

In this week's episode, I am joined by Nikki Eggert, owner and operator of Never Stop Believing Performance Horses based out of Sauk Rapids, MN. Nikki is a recent graduate of our ⁠ Foundations Certification Program ⁠ and a true example of how self-image and belief can transform your life and horsemanship. Nikki shares her journey through the Certification Program — a process she describes as “...

In this week's episode, I am joined by Paige Whittaker, who is a recent graduate of our Foundations Certification Program . When I first met Paige at a clinic in Quinton, VA, it was clear she was a student of the game. She didn’t just show up to improve her horsemanship—she showed up with a desire to grow in every area of her life. Over the past few years, Paige has continued to invest in hers...