Elliston Equine Solutions, LLC

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Elliston Equine Solutions, LLC Horse training, horsemanship, riding lessons, livestock packing instructor, and freeze branding.

Travis Elliston of Elliston Equine Solutions, LLC is a proud military veteran and has worked in the horse and cattle industry in a variety of roles: From farrier, ranch hand, feedlot cowboy, cowboy, day-worker, Air Force Academy Rodeo Team coach, stable officer at Fort Benning, GA, to local saddle, hunt, riding clubs and volunteer for Remount Foundation. He has experience as trail riding guide ("wrangler"), animal care taker and tractor operator at the Air Force Academy Equestrian Center, He currently is a horse trainer and teacher of horsemanship. Travis is a certified farrier from Texas Horseshoeing School, holds certification with O.K. Corral Series Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine-assisted Learning, certification with Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School with Packer Training held by Bob Hoberson, a riding instructor with Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), Certified and Accredited Horse trainer with Lyons Legacy. He also holds a certificate of holding with Horse Boy Method 1 /ATHENA.

10/24/2026

Back in the Saddle and Back to Teaching! šŸŽ

After wrapping up filming on the movie set, it was great to get back to doing what I loveā€”teaching horsemanship!

We had our first riding lesson since the movie wrapped, with a small group of riders working on several important fundamentals of horsemanship.

Our lesson focused on untracking the hindquarters, backing up, half circles, proper rider position, and putting the theory behind these exercises into practice.

One thing I always emphasize in my lessons is understanding not just how to ask a horse to perform a maneuver, but why we ask for it and what we're trying to accomplish. Each exercise builds on the next, helping develop better communication, balance, timing, and control between horse and rider.

It's always rewarding to watch riders put the pieces together and gain a better understanding of their horses.

We had a great lesson, plenty of learning, and a lot of fun along the way!

Good horsemanship isn't just about getting the right response. It's about understanding how you got there.

Elliston Equine Solutions, LLC ā€” E/9 Ranch

šŸŒ www.ellistonequinesolutions.org

A Fantastic Day in the Saddle at the Foot of the Huachuca Mountains! šŸŽYesterday was one of those days that reminds me wh...
10/23/2026

A Fantastic Day in the Saddle at the Foot of the Huachuca Mountains! šŸŽ

Yesterday was one of those days that reminds me why I enjoy what I do so much!

I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours in the saddle with one of my riding lesson clients. Instead of working in the arena, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and headed out for a trail ride through her pastures, where bulls are normally turned out alongside a few horses.

Roscoe was certainly happy to be back home after spending time on a movie set, where his mom had the opportunity to ride him!

We couldn't help but stop and take a few pictures. The desert grass has grown incredibly tall thanks to all the monsoon activity we've experienced this year. It's not every day you see the desert looking this lush and beautiful!

To top it all off, we had a spectacular view of the Huachuca Mountains, with clouds building over the peaks as storms from the Pacific moved through the region. The combination of golden grasslands, dark mountains, and those impressive clouds made for some incredible scenery.

Sometimes the best riding lessons aren't about working on a particular maneuver in the arena. They're about getting out on the trail, building confidence, enjoying your horse, and putting those horsemanship skills to use in a natural environment.

A wonderful couple of hours horseback, good company, happy horses, and some beautiful Arizona scenery. It doesn't get much better than that!

Good horses, good company, and a little dust on your boots. That's time well spent.

Elliston Equine Solutions, LLC ā€” E/9 Ranch

www.ellistonequinesolutions.org

10/23/2026

šŸŽ¬šŸ¤  Lights, Cameraā€¦ ROPING PRACTICE! šŸ“

What do you do on a Western movie set when you're not needed as a wrangler, mounted performer, or wanted in front of the camera?

Well, you certainly don't let good daylight go to waste!

While waiting between scenes, my buddy and I decided to put a little time in roping the dummy. We were both waiting for our turn in front of the camera to deliver our lines, so we figured we might as well get a little roping practice in.

After all, memorizing lines is one thing, but making sure your loop lands where it's supposed to is another! šŸ˜‚

That's one of the great things about working on Western films. You're surrounded by folks who share a passion for horses, cowboy traditions, and the Western way of life.

Besides, producers might pay us to wait around, but nobody said we couldn't improve our roping skills while we're at it!

And if somebody hollers, "ACTION!" we'll just have to finish our dallies later!

www.ellistonequinesolutions.org

Keeping the cowboy traditions alive, one loop at a time.

10/21/2026

From Cavalry Training to the Movie Set ā€” The Art of Riding Sidesaddle! šŸ“šŸŽ¬

It's funny how something you learned years ago can come full circle and become useful in a completely different setting!

When I served as the horse trainer for B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry (Memorial) out of Fort Huachuca, Arizona, I had the opportunity to learn how to ride sidesaddle from the Company's First Sergeant.

Now, some folks might wonder why a horse trainer needed to learn how to ride sidesaddle. Well, there was a very practical reason behind it!

Part of my responsibility was preparing horses to safely carry riders using sidesaddles. Before I could properly train a horse for that job, I needed to understand how the saddle worked, how the rider was positioned, and how the horse received its cues.

Unlike riding astride, where we have a leg on each side of the horse, a sidesaddle rider has both legs positioned on the near side. This means the horse must learn to respond to a riding crop on the off side, where the rider's right leg would normally provide cues.

It was a valuable lesson in horsemanship, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning the skill and teaching horses to work confidently under sidesaddle during my time with the cavalry.

Fast-forward a few years, and that experience came in handy once again!

This time, it was on a movie set with my horse Cutter and my Volunteer Horsemanship Assistant, Martina, who was serving as a mounted performer for a scene.

Now, Martina is no stranger to sidesaddle riding. She's been riding sidesaddle for years and has plenty of experience with it. In fact, she's shared her knowledge with me and taught me quite a bit about the finer points of sidesaddle riding.

That's one thing I've always believed about horsemanship. No matter how many years you've spent in the saddle, there's always something new to learn, and sometimes the person helping you learn is someone you've also spent years teaching!

For this particular scene, Martina rode Cutter in an actual sidesaddle, and I couldn't have been more pleased with how the two of them performed!

Both did a wonderful job, and the film crew was excited to have them on set. Their appearance brought an added level of authenticity to the scene.

Here's something interesting about sidesaddle riding in the film industry.

Sometimes, what appears to be sidesaddle riding on screen is actually created through a little movie magic. An actress may ride in a traditional Western saddle with one leg positioned over the saddle horn and her skirt concealing the saddle. Another technique involves riding astride in a long dress with a false leg positioned to create the appearance of riding sidesaddle.

Those techniques can serve a purpose in filmmaking, but there's something special about having a horse and rider who can actually perform the skill using the proper equipment.

And that's exactly what Martina and Cutter brought to this production!

As a horseman working with horses, I take a great deal of pride in preparing horses for different jobs, whether it's ranch work, trail riding, packing, historical demonstrations, or the unique demands of the film industry.

Good horsemanship is never wasted. A skill learned years ago may be exactly what you need tomorrow.

I'm especially proud of Martina and the experience she brought to this scene, and of Cutter for being the dependable horse I've trained him to be.

Watching the two of them put those skills to work on a movie set was certainly a rewarding moment for me!

Well done, Martina and Cutter!

ā€” Travis
Elliston Equine Solutions, LLC
www.ellistonequinesolutions.org

10/20/2026

Moving to a western town scene in Arizona with my horses. Just me, the boys, and horses. I am wearing two hats in this one. In this scene, I was a mounted performer and the wrangler on set for the day. I brought six horses on set; here is a glimpse of four of them. šŸŒµ

Wrangler duties: Still on the western shoot with my four horses. šŸ¤ šŸ˜‰ /9ranch šŸŒµ
10/19/2026

Wrangler duties: Still on the western shoot with my four horses. šŸ¤ šŸ˜‰ /9ranch šŸŒµ

A Wonderful Day at Horse'n Around Rescue Ranch! šŸ“I had a wonderful time yesterday at the Horse'n Around Rescue Ranch & F...
10/18/2026

A Wonderful Day at Horse'n Around Rescue Ranch! šŸ“

I had a wonderful time yesterday at the Horse'n Around Rescue Ranch & Foundation Open House here in Hereford, Arizona. I was invited to provide a horsemanship and training demonstration using two of their horses, Hotshot and Muddy. It was a great opportunity to share some knowledge, answer questions, and demonstrate a few practical skills that horsemen have used for generations.

First up was Hotshot!

We started by demonstrating how to teach a horse to lead by each individual hoof. This is a valuable exercise for teaching a horse to understand pressure and release, develop confidence, and learn to think through situations rather than react.

From there, I discussed the purpose of hobbling a horse and demonstrated several different types of hobbles, including sideline hobbles, three-way hobbles, and traditional two-leg hobbles. We talked about their different applications, proper preparation, and why a horse should be taught to accept restraint before ever being placed in hobbles.

I also discussed ground tying and picket stakes, two useful skills when traveling, camping, packing, or spending time horseback in the wilderness. These are techniques that have served horsemen for generations and still have practical applications today when taught and used correctly.

Hotshot is developing into an excellent packing horse, and it has been rewarding to see his progress!

Next up was Muddy!

With Muddy, we discussed tack, proper saddling, and some of the things I look for when preparing a horse for riding. I then put another ride on him while explaining what I was doing, why I was asking for certain responses, and answering questions from those watching.

Muddy is coming along very nicely and is shaping up to be one heck of a saddle horse!

One thing I always enjoy about these demonstrations is explaining not just how we do something, but why we do it. Understanding the purpose behind an exercise helps horse owners recognize how one lesson builds upon another.

Beyond the demonstrations, it was also an opportunity for visitors to meet the many horses at Horse'n Around, including those looking for their forever homes. The organization does important work caring for rescued horses and helping prepare them for new opportunities.

The morning certainly started out cold and windy, which probably encouraged a few folks in the community to stay home where it was warm! Nevertheless, we had a wonderful group of people come out, ask questions, visit the horses, and support the rescue.

I tip my hat to everyone who braved the weather and attended!

A sincere thank-you to Horse'n Around Rescue Ranch & Foundation for inviting me to participate in your open house. I appreciate the opportunity to work with Hotshot and Muddy, share a little horsemanship, and support the work you're doing for these horses.

For anyone interested in learning more about the rescue, supporting its mission, or looking into adopting a horse, please visit:

Horse'n Around Rescue Ranch & Foundation

https://www.horsenaroundrescue.org/

It was a great day spent with good horses and good people. You can't ask for much more than that!

ā€” Travis

Another Day on the Movie Set! One of the things I enjoy about working in the film industry is seeing how the training we...
10/17/2026

Another Day on the Movie Set!

One of the things I enjoy about working in the film industry is seeing how the training we put into our horses translates to the demands of a movie set.

Here we have Gunner and me riding double with one of the principal actresses during filming. In the first photograph, you can see Toby Donica of Toby Films behind the camera capturing the action. We also had the opportunity to take a wonderful photograph in front of the famous and historic Cochise Hotel.

Some of you may remember an earlier video I shared of us practicing riding double before filming even started. There was a reason for that preparation!

Safety is always my number one priority when working with horses, especially on a movie set. It takes a well-minded, confident, and properly trained horse to handle everything a director may ask for. Between cameras, equipment, crew members, unfamiliar movements, multiple riders, and repeated takes, there can be a lot going on around a horse.

Gunner handled everything with ease and absolutely knocked it out of the park! I couldn't have been happier with his performance.

For those who follow Elliston Equine Solutions, LLC, you know that our services extend beyond traditional horse training and riding lessons. We also provide equine services for the film and entertainment industry, including mounted performances, stunt-related horsemanship, riding double with principal actors, background riding, horse handling, and preparing horses for the unique demands of filming.

One thing I've learned over the years is that a successful mounted scene doesn't begin when the director calls "Action!" It begins long before that, with countless hours of groundwork, exposure, preparation, and building a horse's confidence.

A good horse doesn't just perform a task. He understands his job, trusts his rider, and remains dependable when the environment around him changes.

I'm proud of Gunner and the opportunities we've had to work together in front of the camera.

A well-trained horse can make a complicated scene look easy.

Enjoy!

ā€” Travis

Elliston Equine Solutions, LLC
www.ellistonequinesolutions.org

Come out and support Horseā€™n Around Rescue!Elliston Equine Solutions will be joining Horseā€™n Around Rescue Ranch & Found...
10/09/2026

Come out and support Horseā€™n Around Rescue!

Elliston Equine Solutions will be joining Horseā€™n Around Rescue Ranch & Foundation for their Fall Open House on Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 AMā€“1:00 PM in Hereford.

Iā€™ll be there with Muddy and Hotshot, working with the horses and doing a training demonstration. Itā€™ll be a great opportunity to watch some horsemanship in action, ask questions, and see firsthand some of the work that goes into developing communication, trust, and confidence with a horse.

More importantly, this is a chance to come out and support Horseā€™n Around Rescue and the work they do for horses in our community. Meet some of their horses, hear their stories, do a little grooming, meet the volunteers, check out the donkeys and minis, enjoy the hayride, and participate in the raffles and other activities.

This is a FREE, family-oriented event, so bring the family and spend a few hours around some pretty good horses and people.

šŸ“… Saturday, October 17, 2026
ā° 10:00 AMā€“1:00 PM
šŸ“ Horseā€™n Around Rescue Headquarters
7484 E. Hwy 92, Hereford, AZ

Iā€™m looking forward to being there with Muddy and Hotshot and supporting an organization that works hard to give horses another opportunity.

Come say hello, watch us work with the horses, and most importantly, come support Horseā€™n Around Rescue!

10/01/2026

A little different training session todayā€”practicing riding double.

We worked on the entire process: mounting with a second rider, riding together, and safely dismounting. You may not use it every day, but you never know when this skill could come in handyā€”whether for a scene in a movie or a real-life emergency where you need to get someone out on horseback.

The horseā€™s safety and welfare have to come first. Riding double changes both the amount of weight the horse is carrying and how that weight is distributed across its back. Both riders need to remain balanced, the horse needs to be physically capable of carrying the combined load, and the tack needs to fit appropriately.

I also consider this a short-duration skill, not something I would recommend for long distances. A commonly used rule of thumb in the horse industry is that a horseā€™s total load should generally be around 20% of its body weight or less, including the rider and tack. Two adult riders can easily exceed that amount. You must consider the horseā€™s size, build, conditioning, age, terrain, distance, and the ridersā€™ balance.

That is why practicing mounting and dismounting is just as important as the riding. The horse needs to become comfortable with a second person climbing aboard, the additional movement, and the change in balance. In an actual emergency, you may have to exceed what you would normally ask of a horse for a short period of time, but that is very different from routinely asking a horse to carry two people for miles.

And yes, Iā€™m dressed for the occasion. šŸ˜‚ I have another Western film coming up, so I figured I might as well train in the clothing and gear I may actually be wearing.

One thing the military taught me a long time ago was the ā€œtrain as you fightā€ mentality. In other words, donā€™t wait until you need a skill to figure out whether you can actually do it.

The same philosophy applies to horsemanship. Expose yourself and your horse to different situations, practice skills you may not use every day, and build confidence before the situation becomes real.

Whether itā€™s for a movie set, the trail, or a real emergency, preparation mattersā€”but the horse's welfare always comes first.

Stay safe out there and happy trails.

Cheers - Travis

Address

9595 S. King Ranch Road
Sierra Vista, AZ
85615

Telephone

+15206862209

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