Megan's Menagerie

10/23/2026

10/23/2026

🐴 JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE COLD DOESN'T MEAN YOUR HORSE IS! 😂

Well, we're getting into that time of year again...

The temperatures start dropping, and out come the horse blankets!

But here's something I wish more horse owners understood.

Horses are actually pretty good at keeping themselves warm when they've developed a healthy winter coat.

That doesn't mean EVERY horse should go without a blanket!

A clipped horse, a senior, a thin horse, or one without adequate shelter may have very different needs.

And here's something else...

Cold and DRY is not the same as cold, WET, and WINDY!

That thick winter hair coat works by trapping warm air. When it gets soaked and flattened, it loses some of that insulating ability.

So rather than looking at the thermometer and automatically reaching for a blanket, I think we need to look at the WHOLE horse.

His age. His body condition. His coat. His environment. And the actual weather.

Because what works for one horse might not work for the horse standing right beside him!

NOW... let's hear it! 😂👇

🐴 Are you Team Blanket or Team No Blanket?

And for those of you who DO blanket, what makes you decide it's time?

I have a feeling we're gonna get some different answers on this one! ❤️

10/23/2026

Halloween horseback riding lessons at Megan's Menagerie! 🎃🐴

Who says kids' riding lessons can't be fun AND educational?

Our riders draw challenges from a jack-o'-lantern and practice balance, horse control, and independent riding skills.

They're having fun. I'm watching them learn. 😂❤️

Riding instructors, what's your favorite game to play during lessons?

10/22/2026

🐴 BEFORE YOU CALL YOUR HORSE LAZY, STUBBORN, OR DISRESPECTFUL... READ THIS!

I've heard it a thousand times.

"He just doesn't want to work."

"She's being a brat today."

"He's testing me!"

And sometimes, yes, horses develop bad habits.

BUT...

Before I start correcting a horse, I want to know something.

Is this horse UNWILLING... or is he UNABLE?

There's a difference!

Maybe he's uncomfortable.

Maybe he's physically struggling with what you're asking.

Maybe he genuinely doesn't understand.

Or maybe the rider is giving conflicting signals without realizing it.

Here's where I think we sometimes go wrong...

We get so focused on STOPPING the behavior that we forget to figure out WHY it's happening.

And if you don't identify the cause, you might end up correcting the wrong problem.

That's why I created my FREE What to Check First checklist. It's a starting point to help horse owners think through what might actually be going on.

If you're dealing with a horse that's suddenly acting different, resisting something, or just doesn't feel right...

Comment CHECKLIST + O, and I'll send it to you! 🐴❤️

And I'm curious: Have you ever discovered that what you thought was a training problem turned out to be something completely different?

10/21/2026

🐴 WHEN DID WE DECIDE LEARNING HAD TO BE BORING?
Yesterday, I let a jack-o'-lantern help teach my riding lessons. 😂🎃
Yep. A pumpkin!
My students pulled riding challenges out of it, completed them, and came back to see what they'd get next.
We worked on circles, transitions, side-passing, and all kinds of skills.
But here's the funny part...
They were having so much fun that I don't think they realized just how much WORK they were doing!
And you know what? That's exactly how I like it.
Not every lesson has to be serious. Not every ride has to be about getting faster, winning a buckle, or fixing something that's wrong.
Sometimes we need to let these kids laugh, try something different, make a mistake, figure it out, and enjoy their horses.
Because I don't just want to develop better riders.
I want to help raise kids who LOVE horses long after the ribbons and trophies are put away. ❤️
So here's my question for all my horse people...
Have we gotten so focused on competition and improvement that sometimes we forget to make riding FUN?
I'd love to hear what y'all think! 👇🐴

10/21/2026

Who says riding lessons have to be boring?! 🎃🐴
Our jack-o'-lantern was in charge of today's lessons! The kids drew challenges, put their skills to work, and had a little Halloween fun along the way.

10/20/2026

A GOOD RIDING INSTRUCTOR SHOULD TEACH YOU HOW TO THINK, NOT JUST WHAT TO DO.

There's a big difference between a rider who can follow instructions and a rider who understands WHY they're doing something.
I can stand in the arena all day hollering, "Pick up your rein! Sit back! Use your leg!"
And sure, that might get us through today's lesson.
But what happens when I'm not standing there?
What happens when that horse does something unexpected at a barrel race?
Or when something just doesn't feel right?
I don't want my students depending on me to tell them every move to make.
I want them to learn to recognize what's happening, figure out WHY, and make good decisions for themselves and their horses.
Because eventually, the goal isn't for them to need me every time they swing a leg over a horse.
The goal is for them to know what to do when I'm NOT there.

Now I'm curious...
Riders and parents: What's one thing a riding instructor taught you (or your child) that stuck with you long after the lesson was over?
And instructors, I'd love to hear your answers too! ❤️🐴