Muzzles and Manes Versa-ranch

08/10/2026

There’s just something about the love between a kid and a good pony that you can’t quite put into words.

A good pony doesn’t care if your boots are on the wrong feet, your hair hasn’t been brushed, you forgot everything you learned last week, or you showed up to the arena barefoot and shirtless because apparently that’s the outfit of choice today. 😂 They just meet these babies exactly where they are.

They teach patience without ever saying a word. They teach confidence one tiny step at a time. They teach responsibility, kindness, forgiveness, and how to be gentle with something much bigger than yourself. And somehow, while we think we’re teaching these kids how to ride, these good ponies are quietly teaching them so much more about life.

This right here is why I will forever have a soft spot for a good kid pony.

Not the fanciest one in the barn. Not the fastest. Not the one with the prettiest papers or the biggest accomplishments. I mean the kind that lowers his head for tiny hands. The kind that knows when the little person on his back needs him to take care of them. The kind that has probably packed a hundred kids around and still patiently shows up for number 101 like they’re the most important kid he’s ever carried.

Those ponies are worth their weight in gold.

One day these babies will be bigger. Their legs will hang farther down the saddle, they’ll want faster horses, bigger adventures and harder things. They may not remember every lesson we worked on or every correction I gave them.

But I hope they remember this feeling.

The smell of the arena. Little hands tangled in a pony’s mane. Dusty jeans. Bare feet in the dirt. That soft muzzle waiting for some love. And the feeling of being completely safe beside an animal that could overpower you in a second, but chooses to be gentle instead.

You can teach a child how to ride a horse.

But it takes a really special pony to teach a child how to love one. 🤎🐴

And I swear, those are the ones that leave hoofprints on these babies long after they’ve outgrown them.

08/08/2026

The old ones make the best canvases. 🥹🎨🐴

When it’s 103° outside, you find the only patch of shade on the property and get a little creative. 🤣

Today Spirit got a break from carrying little cowgirls around and instead got to stand in the shade, soak up ALL the attention, and become their masterpiece. Safe to say he was compensated heavily in scratches and snacks (oatmeal cream pies) 😂❤️

There’s something extra special about the old lesson horses. They’ve spent years patiently teaching kids how to ride, and somehow they’re just as happy teaching them that horses can be enjoyed from the ground, too.

Although I’m not entirely sure Spirit knew “professional painting canvas” was included in his retirement benefits. 🤣

Cool shade, happy kids, a spoiled old horse, and memories made. I’ll call that a successful 103° lesson.

08/07/2026

Let’s talk about being on the flight deck of a classy bronc.

Meet Sid the Sloth. He might wear a few battle scars, but they’re just proof of a life well lived. He’s the kind that’s been there, done that, and takes every new job in stride with the same steady, honest mind.

Legend has it Sid was once a rodeo horse down in old Mexico. He’s packed broncs, dragged calves, carried flags, and now his next chapter is teaching a teenage boy what a real horse feels like.

He may look like he’d eat your lunch, but the truth is he’ll barely move faster than half a mile an hour and honestly, it’s hilarious. He’s the perfect teacher: patient, forgiving, and confident enough to let a new rider figure things out without ever losing his cool.

Good horses don’t just carry rider, they carry traditions. I can’t wait to watch Sid pass on a lifetime of cowboy wisdom, one slow step at a time. 🤎🐴

08/07/2026

Meet the newest member of the lesson string, Chicken. 🐔🤎

He came to us needing a little TLC, but he’s already proven to be exactly the kind of horse every kid deserves. Honest, willing, and all heart. Point him in a direction, and he’ll do his best to get there, even if my tiny rider is the one calling the shots.

At nearly 20 years old, Chicken still has plenty left to give. Sometimes the older ones just need someone willing to believe in them again.

Stay tuned as this big, ugly roan gelding gets his glow-up. Something tells me he’s about to become a lesson kid favorite… and if his name is any indication, his personality is going to steal the show. 🫶🏼🐴

08/07/2026

He came to me defeated. Neglected. Underweight. Sick. The kind of horse the world had already written off.

Today, he’s my five-year-old’s first pick.

That’s the beauty of second chances. When you give a horse the care, patience, and dignity they deserve, they’ll often give you their whole heart in return.

And now, this classy old bronc is doing what he was always meant to do teaching the next generation that kindness, grit, and trust are lessons best learned from the flight deck of a good horse.

08/06/2026

Not every horseman is called to the same role.

Some are competitors who thrive under pressure and love the thrill of the arena. Some are incredible horsemen who may never win big, but their feel, timing, and understanding of a horse are second to none. Some are gifted coaches and mentors, pouring into the next generation and helping others achieve their dreams.

Some are trainers who would rather stay at home, starting colts, solving problems, and building great horses than chasing rodeo miles. And some are blessed to do a little bit of all of the above.

I’ve seen champions who have won a lot but aren’t great horsemen. I’ve seen outstanding horsemen who rarely compete or never seem to win. I’ve seen people who excel at both.

I’ve also seen trainers who have no desire to compete they simply love developing horses and helping others succeed. And I’ve seen successful competitors who are so busy competing that they don’t have the time to coach.

None of these paths is more valuable than another.

The horse industry needs competitors, horsemen, trainers, coaches, and mentors. Each one plays a different role, and together they make our industry stronger.

So don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. Keep working hard, stay true to the role God has called you to, and do what brings you joy.

Success isn’t determined by the arena you’re standing in. It’s determined by the impact you leave behind and by the horses and people who are better because you crossed their path.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
Elsabe Hausauer
MBR Performance Horsemanship LLC

📸: AA Media & Marketing

08/05/2026

Greed has no place in horse training.

The fastest way to hold a horse back is to ask for more than it's ready to give. Every horse learns at a different pace, and the ones that last are built through patience, consistency, and doing right by the horse—not by rushing the process.

Don't let your goals get bigger than your horsemanship.

The best horsemen aren't greedy. They know when to ask for more, when to reward, and when to call it a day.

Put the horse first. The results will follow.

www.betweenthereins.us

08/05/2026

Meet Brito. 🫏

My first donkey in training. We skipped introductions and went straight from “absolutely feral” to “guess I’ll wear a halter.”

His hobbies include biting random objects, inspecting absolutely everything, and making me question whether donkeys have ADHD.

I have no idea what we’re getting ourselves into, but I have a feeling he’s going to keep life interesting.

07/30/2026

Wednesday reminder! Business name can be added✨

07/28/2026