10/22/2026
Some people will look at this photo and go, “WOW! That’s cool! Look at those kids having fun!”
And some will look at it and immediately pick apart the lack of helmets and all the safety concerns.
And that’s fine. But maybe if your first instinct is to judge everything you see instead of seeing the joy in these kids’ faces, we’re just not your kind of people. 🤷♀️
Now, do I understand that helmets are important and have become a staple in the riding world? Of course I do.
I’ve worked with enough trainers, fully certified coaches, non-certified coaches, competitive coaches and non-competitive coaches to have heard just about every perspective there is when it comes to safety equipment. I’ve seen both sides, and I respect that people have their own opinions.
But I’m not here to push my opinions on anyone, and I sure as hell don’t expect everyone to agree with mine.
I’m not looking for a debate, and I’m not asking for a comment section full of people telling me how to raise my daughter or coach my riders. I’m simply sharing MY perspective.
Because here’s the thing…
I think somewhere along the way, we’ve become so caught up in doing everything perfectly that we’ve forgotten to actually ENJOY the life we’re living.
Now, I get it. A lot of lesson programs send kids around in circles in an indoor arena, working on their diagonals, changing directions and learning the basics in a controlled environment. And that’s great! I support that style of teaching.
But I look at things a little differently.
I see the joy in a kid’s eyes when they get to have FUN on their horse.
Maybe it’s racing from one end of the arena to the other. Maybe it’s standing up the barrel and rolling it across the arena. Maybe it’s trying to get that gate open because they forgot something on the other side.
Whatever it is, I see the excitement. I see the confidence growing. I see kids laughing, trying things, figuring s**t out and making memories they’re going to talk about for years.
And THAT matters to me.
Because horses have so much more to teach us than how to sit in a saddle, hold our hands correctly and ride a pretty circle.
They teach us patience when things don’t go our way.
They teach us humility when we realize we don’t know everything.
They teach us to communicate without words, to pay attention to something other than ourselves and to work WITH another living being instead of trying to control every little thing.
They teach us that confidence isn’t about never being scared. It’s about learning, growing and figuring things out even when things don’t go exactly as planned.
And sometimes, they teach us to let go and just HAVE SOME DAMN FUN.
Am I always nearby? Absolutely. Am I paying attention? You bet your ass I am. People have seen me put myself in some pretty dangerous situations to protect a rider, and I’ll always do my best to teach kids how to recognize risks, respect these animals and make good decisions.
Because having fun and learning responsibility should go hand in hand.
But I also refuse to believe that the only way to create a good rider is to keep them in a perfectly controlled environment every second of every ride.
I want to teach kids how to RIDE, not just how to follow instructions.
I want them to learn how to read a horse, feel what’s happening underneath them, recognize when something isn’t right and think for themselves when s**t hits the fan.
I want them to develop the kind of horsemanship that doesn’t disappear the second a ride goes sideways.
I want them to be able to school a horse, work through a problem, make a decision under pressure and step up for that animal when it needs them.
I want them to stand up for their horses, speak up when something isn’t right and never be afraid to ask questions or admit they still have something to learn.
I want to create horsemen and horsewomen who understand that the horse underneath them is NOT a machine designed to win them a buckle or put money in their pockets.
It’s a living, breathing animal with a brain, feelings, opinions and a whole lot to teach us if we’re willing to listen.
And I want those same kids to be able to throw their head back and laugh, chase a cow, rip around a barrel and have the time of their lives doing it.
Because why the hell can’t we have BOTH?
Why can’t we teach responsibility AND encourage confidence?
Why can’t we respect the risks AND still make room for adventure?
Why can’t we teach the serious side of horsemanship while remembering that horses are supposed to be FUN, too?
Yes, accidents happen. Horses are horses, and no amount of experience can make riding completely risk-free. That’s why we teach awareness, good decisions and respect for the animals we work with.
But I also think we need to remember what it’s like to be a kid.
To try something new. To laugh at yourself. To get excited over the smallest things. To feel proud when you accomplish something you weren’t sure you could do.
To have those moments where you look back and think, “Holy s**t, that was fun!”
Because one day, these kids are going to grow up. They won’t remember every single lesson, every perfect circle or every correction we gave them.
But they WILL remember how being around horses made them feel.
They’ll remember the people who encouraged them.
The horses that taught them something special.
The days they laughed until they couldn’t breathe.
The moments they surprised themselves.
And the people who believed in them enough to let them learn, grow and find their own confidence.
THAT is the kind of impact I want to make.
So if you look at this picture and decide Angie is reckless, that’s your opinion. You’re entitled to it.
But please don’t mistake a different teaching style for a lack of passion, knowledge or care.
I’m not trying to create riders who are afraid to make a mistake.
I’m trying to create riders who learn from them.
I’m not trying to create kids who need someone telling them what to do every second.
I’m trying to create kids who can think for themselves.
And I’m not trying to create riders who can only handle a horse when everything goes perfectly.
I’m trying to create capable, confident horse people who know how to step up when it matters.
And yes, I want them to have fun along the way.
As for helmets and safety equipment, I know people have strong opinions. I’ve got mine, you’ve got yours, and I’m not here to argue about it. I encourage everyone to make informed decisions and take riding risks seriously. You don’t have to agree with every choice I make to understand the heart behind what I’m doing.
I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay. I’m not trying to coach exactly like everyone else.
I’m here because I LOVE horses. I love watching kids grow into confident young people. I love seeing that little spark in their eyes when something finally clicks. I love watching a scared kid turn into someone who believes in themselves.
And if I can help create a generation of riders who respect their horses, stand up for what’s right, think for themselves and still know how to have a hell of a good time?
Then I reckon I’m doing something worthwhile.
Life is going to teach these kids enough about fear, failure, disappointment and all the things they can’t control.
I’d like to be one of the people who teaches them courage, compassion, confidence and the importance of finding joy in the things they love.
Because we only get one shot at this life, and I don’t want these kids growing up thinking they have to be perfect before they’re allowed to have fun.
So go learn something. Make memories. Ask questions. Get better. Stand up for what matters. Appreciate the horse that carries you. And don’t forget to laugh along the way.
Teach them to be good riders, yes. But more importantly, teach them to be good horsemen, good humans and people who aren’t afraid to LIVE.
And if that looks a little different from what everyone else is doing?
Well, that’s just fine by me. 🤠
DO BETTER.
