06/23/2026
A little honesty from me today…
Someone recently lit a fire under my ass.
Not because they told me something I didn’t know, but because they made me realize how often I diminish what I do know.
If you’ve ever complimented my horsemanship, training, teaching, or knowledge, you’ve probably heard me respond with:
“I don’t know a drop in the hat of what I’d like to know.”
The truth is, I genuinely believe that. The deeper I dive into horses, the more I realize how much there is still to learn.
There is actually a psychological concept called the Dunning-Kruger Effect. In simple terms, people with limited knowledge often overestimate their abilities, while those with significant experience become increasingly aware of what they don’t know. The more you learn, the more you recognize the vastness of what remains.
For years, I’ve focused so much on what I still want to learn that I’ve overlooked how much I’ve already learned.
I’ve spent countless hours studying horses, training horses, teaching riders, attending clinics, pursuing certifications, solving problems, making mistakes, and learning from every horse that has crossed my path. I’ve dedicated my life to understanding how horses think, move, communicate, and learn.
Do I know everything? Not even close.
Will I ever stop learning? Absolutely not.
But it’s time I stopped pretending that my knowledge, experience, and talent aren’t valuable.
I am good at what I do.
I have worked hard to become the horsewoman, trainer, and instructor I am today.
And while I will always be a student of the horse, I’m done playing small to make other people comfortable.
At Smokin Rose Ranch, we believe in lifelong learning, honest horsemanship, and putting the horse first. We don’t chase shortcuts. We don’t pretend to have all the answers. But we also don’t apologize for the knowledge and experience we’ve earned.
Here’s to continuing to learn, continuing to grow, and finally giving ourselves credit for how far we’ve come.
No deadlines. No shortcuts. Just better horses, better riders, and better horsemanship.
— Denise
Smokin Rose Ranch
