Determining Realistic Development Timelines for Performance Horses

This episode is all about habits―developing the routines, mindset, and systems to be your best everyday. Join me as I share some of my favorite takeaways from James Clear's book, Atomic Habits, and how these philosophies carry over into the horsemanship journey.

One thing I've learned over the years is that preparation has a way of showing up when it matters most. In this episode, I talk about preparing our horses by exposing them to new situations that build confidence instead of fear; preparing ourselves by learning from different trainers and developing a program that fits our horses and our goals; and preparing for the realities of competition, including less-than-ideal weather, ground conditions, and unexpected challenges. You can't control every situation you'll encounter, but you can control how prepared you are when it happens.

Today's performance horses are more athletic and talented than ever before—but that also means it can take time for all those pieces to come together. In this episode, I talk about why you can't always judge a horse after a few rides, the importance of realistic development timelines, and why patience, consistency, and a long-term plan are essential to bringing out a horse's full potential.

One thing about horses—they have a way of keeping you humble. In this episode, I'm sharing a recent buck-off experience that reminded me how quickly things can change when a horse has a reactive moment.After more than 40 years of riding and training horses, I can tell you this: experience doesn't make you immune to getting caught off guard. What it does is make you a better student of the lessons that come with it.Join me as I talk about the importance of preparation, awareness, and safety around reactive horses, along with what I learned from this experience and how it will influence my approach moving forward.

One of the biggest challenges in horse training today isn’t a lack of information—it’s knowing how to apply it correctly. With podcasts, videos, clinics, and training advice coming from every direction, it’s easy to jump from one method to the next before giving any program enough time to work.In this episode, I talk about the importance of picking a program, understanding the purpose behind it, and staying consistent long enough to create real progression. Join me as I discuss why long-term success comes from committing to the fundamentals, evaluating progress over time, and trusting the process long enough to let both you and your horse improve together.

In this episode, I share some thoughts on managing your energy and avoiding burnout—both mentally and physically. Tune in as I talk about the importance of staying fresh and sharp, creating routines that help you progress, and knowing when it's time to recharge your batteries. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself and your horse is step back, freshen up, and come back with a better mindset. Remember, it's the little things you do on a consistent basis, over a long period of time, that make a big difference. Just focus on winning the day and being in a better position when it's over than when it started.

Most of us spend a lot of time riding our horses two-handed, especially when we're training, tuning, and helping them understand new concepts. But at some point, you've got to put one hand down and find out how much of that foundation is really there.In this episode, I talk about the benefits of riding both one-handed and two-handed, how each serves a different purpose in your training program, and why riding one-handed is one of the best ways to evaluate your communication, softness, and connection to your horse's mind and feet. I also share some simple exercises you can use to identify holes in your foundation, clean up your signals, and build a horse that stays between your hands and legs—even when the pressure gets turned up.

In this episode, I'm sharing my thought process behind breeding performance horses with a purpose and having the end goal in mind from the very beginning. From cow-run crosses to run-run crosses, I break down some of the strengths, challenges, and tendencies I’ve experienced with different types of horses and why not every cross fits every rider or discipline.Whether you’re raising rope horses, barrel horses, or all-around performance horses, having a plan matters. The better we understand the horse we’re trying to create, the better chance we have of setting them up for long-term success.

There’s a big difference between riding horses and training them. In this episode, I break down the mindset, consistency, and intentionality required to move from just putting miles on a horse to actually helping them progress. Whether you’re starting colts, seasoning performance horses, or simply trying to become a better horseman, this episode will challenge you to think differently about the work you do every time you swing a leg over a horse.

As we get into the busy summer rodeo season, there comes a point where a lot of horses—and riders—need to be put back together a little bit. When you’re hauling hard, competing often, and asking your horse for everything they have every run, it’s easy for confidence, softness, and connection to start slipping.In this episode, I talk about recognizing when the wheels are starting to come off and how to go back to the foundation to restore your horse’s confidence and understanding. Tune in as I discuss reconnecting the horse’s mind, body, and feet, why slowing things down can actually move you forward faster, and how to help your horse get back to feeling relaxed, responsive, and confident in their job.