Ocotillo Horsemanship

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Ocotillo Horsemanship Adrienne Russell

Where the method is horse dependent, the barn is small-scale, and the results show! C**t Starting. ‘Problem’ Training. Tune-Ups. Consignment.

Etc.!

15 years in the greater Austin area of all things horses!

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨! 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 My name is Adrienne Russell, and I’ve been working with horses in this area for about 17 year...
10/01/2026

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨!

𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
My name is Adrienne Russell, and I’ve been working with horses in this area for about 17 years now. I rode in the hunter/jumpers for about 6 of those years, and despite loving jumpers, realized quite quickly that showing was not what I was after (nor something I could afford). After that I fell in love with western, and made the switch with a friend of mine to running barrels. While I’ll always love the rodeo scene, I found that competing in general just wasn’t for me— not for a lack of drive, but because I found fixing issues and fine tuning to be what I always leaned towards. That, and the spicy ones. Once I finally landed on training, I wanted to make sure I was an absolute sponge to create the foundation for my own program— I worked under world-renown trainers from any discipline that would allow me: from the racetrack, to dressage, to the forever-undermined classic ranch horse— you name it. I am of the belief that no one can ever stop learning, and that there’s bits and pieces to take away from ANY method or discipline of horsemanship. Not one single program fits every single horse and owner! And as most of us know, owners being trained is equally important. I’ve found myself attracting new horse owners in the area, as there are SO many, and they’ve found it’s hard to find a welcoming hand into the community without judgement or the classic “this is the only way to do it” mindset. You won’t find that here, and thus, Ocotillo was born.

𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒
We offer quite a bit, especially with this new facility. I will forever prefer and love my c**t starts, but have a soft spot for our “problem” children (and have found there aren’t many safe places to land for them in this area). In addition we offer patterning, trail/ranch/cattle exposure, consignment, horse shopping (which I adore), assessments, and just about anything you’re willing to ask for.

𝐅𝐀𝐐/𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐒
- We do not allow studs over 7 months old at this time.
- I now require assessments for “problem” horses. Low-cost base fee, and mileage based addition for travel-to.
- Travel-to training spots and lessons (besides those included in training) are not currently available.
- Training is full-care only, with high quality coastal/alfalfa and two types of grain available. Sheltered and very large paddocks with automatic waterers, barn with large stalls and runs with fans.
- Any vets (and most 😉 ) farriers are welcome, but our standard business is with Austin Equine Hospital, and farrier Royce Tout.

𝐖𝐇𝐘 “𝐎𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐎”?
Pronounced awk-uh-tee-oh.
I simply adore west Texas, and the western heritage it represents. Ocotillos are a beautiful, resilient, and unique desert shrub found all over it! Indigenous peoples commonly planted them close together to create nearly impenetrable fences- just like the foundation we strive to have on our horses.

We can’t wait to meet you and your horse! My messages are always open for any and everything— there are no stupid questions, and for the most part, I don’t have stupid answers.

09/23/2026

This is what I get for trying to get a cool POV 🫩 we’re working on being okay with being pulled off of calves! (And yes, this is not a roping saddle. I knew we weren’t actually roping today— he didn’t!)

I have 2 spots open for November!

07/06/2026

Books are full and closed until mid August! Stay cool! ☀️

I modify behavior, not personality or breeding. I say this a LOT, especially when I evaluate potential “problem” horse c...
06/09/2026

I modify behavior, not personality or breeding.

I say this a LOT, especially when I evaluate potential “problem” horse clients— but what do I mean when I say this?

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of unwanted behaviors that owners love to project onto their horses as “he’s just like that”. No truly unsafe behavior from our 1000lb partners should be excused as a “personality trait” (not including reactions to underlying pain, which is a whole other can of worms). In addition to that exception, every c**t should get the same best possible and steady foundation to set them up for their future career, no matter their breeding or personality. However, I evaluate a lot more “problem” horses than I actually end up taking in— not because I hate money, not because they’re “too hard” for me, but because I think honesty, safety, and fairness to the horse and the job we expect them to do should be put above all else.

If you bring me a gentle, easy-going gelding with a rocking horse lope, sure, I can pattern him on the barrels for you, and he’ll be darn good at it— but I am going to tell you from the get-go that I cannot make him a fast, determined competitor. If you bring me a hot and spooky running bred mare, I can absolutely make her safe and desensitized enough to take out on the trails— but I am going to tell you from the get-go that I can’t promise she’ll be the one you can pull out once a month and throw your kid on behind you to take to Reimers. Of course, I’m going to keep saying this, there are exceptions to everything— I’m writing this while pushing a cow on an Andalusian.

I am not in the business of flooding and/or dulling a horse for the sake of getting the job done. There are many who are, and I think that’s fair in certain situations, but luckily as a customer/owner, you have an abundance of trainers to choose from! A lot of us that have worked with/owned/been around an extreme variety of horses know and understand this, and I think it’s really important to pass that down to new owners as well— which is a huge percentage of my client base in this area! For the sake of the sport, the community, and the animals we ask to do some pretty insane things, we HAVE to keep our expectations realistic with both our trainers, and the horses we choose to do life with. You probably wouldn’t ask tiny and lanky me to go power lifting with you, just like I wouldn’t ask a 300lb person to run a marathon with me! You want to do things with someone/something whose behaviors and lifestyle have been modified into WANTING to do those things with you, not someone/something that’s been forced to grin and bear it until they clock out or blow up. This is how we create resentment and tension in any relationship, and often, unsafe horses (that end up coming to me or your local “problem” trainer later down the line!)

As far as safety and my training, no, I do not agree that your barrel bred horse should be allowed to blow up and rear and be unable to ride in a field alone just because they’re fast and good at their job. Nor do I think your lazy trail gelding should not be able to lope on a trail if needed/wanted. Nor do I think your 2yo stud should be allowed to relentlessly charge and try to end my bloodline just because he’ll throw pretty babies and could eventually be safe. These are all things that can and need to be addressed, and of course there are exceptions to everything— it’s simply up to you to find a professional who you trust is going to give you not only the truth, but train your horse (and you!) in a way that will benefit you both for the rest of your lives.

With that being said, I am booked until August, but happy to take a waitlist. Pat your horses, keep your heels down, and let me know if you have any questions/clarification! I’m a chatter.

Ocotillo has outgrown the 1826 facilities! That beloved property is being held onto for small scale boarding/extra trail...
05/12/2026

Ocotillo has outgrown the 1826 facilities! That beloved property is being held onto for small scale boarding/extra trail exposure (right across from Slaughter Creek trails!) but I’m excited to announce that training has officially moved to a larger, better equipped facility on 967 in Buda.

As a previous cutting facility with incredible footing and a chute system, this move has opened up more service possibilities that I’ve been dying to offer again— patterning, alley issues, cattle exposure, the list goes on! We can’t wait to see you there!

Back on social media! Grateful for a crazy busy spring, we are currently fully booked until July. Studs are now on asses...
05/12/2026

Back on social media! Grateful for a crazy busy spring, we are currently fully booked until July. Studs are now on assessment basis only. OTTBs, mustangs, c**ts, oh my! As bad as I am with posting I gave in and got a tripod, so expect to finally see more from me (and not just random pictures and clips. What is with the video post limit??). Announcing my training facility move shortly!

Travel-to spots are officially full until further notice! There’s currently one pasture spot left at the barn. I love my...
02/11/2026

Travel-to spots are officially full until further notice! There’s currently one pasture spot left at the barn.
I love my ‘problem’ children, but let’s get some c**ts in if you’ve got them!

How many client horses can you hop on ba****ck to catch their loose donks? Rockstar is living up to his name! Proud of t...
02/03/2026

How many client horses can you hop on ba****ck to catch their loose donks?
Rockstar is living up to his name! Proud of this kiddo.

Merry Christmas from our current residents!!! 🎄
12/26/2025

Merry Christmas from our current residents!!! 🎄

Still have spots available for December!
11/07/2025

Still have spots available for December!

Address

6250 FM 967
Buda, TX
78610

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