Sliding J Horse Training

10/22/2026

⭐️ WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH 4 CONES? Part II ⭐️

☯️Ying Yangs ☯️

OBJECTIVE:
📍Moving body parts in and out repeatedly to increase mobility and softness of aids
📍Teaching the horse to move around your body position with comfort and ease
📍Release of tension throughout hips, shoulders, and neck

✨ ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS? ✨

📍Ground poles on side(s) of box.
📍Changing directions, angles, sides, etc. - have fun with it! It is best if your horse is not expecting which cone to go to next.

Personal takeaway?
I love this exercise! Raptor was a great example of how it helps to relieve tension throughout the horses body while teaching them to not always expect the next move to be the same as the last. There is many ways to switch this one up which makes it all the more fun and productive. My goal with Raptor while filming this was to address his need for rushing. He likes to rush through our work sessions so he can find the answer and be done. The changing repetition of this exercise allows me to keep asking for the same objectives while keeping him entertained and waiting for him to relax. By the end, we maybe didn’t have the most perfect bend but he gave good effort, was relaxed, and didn’t rush to the next move. For me, teaching the horses to enjoy the work they are doing and truly understand the objective is my number one goal of any training session. I don’t want them to be rushed, tense, or have their brain turned off while we are going around. I felt by the end of this video I could feel that difference in him so we ended on that good note. It’s not always about how well they executed the task, but rather how mentally engaged they were and if they searching for the answers you were looking for. Once you get that correct answer, it’s okay to let them rest. The repetition and cleanliness will come with time and hours in the saddle as you repeat the same process the next time. Horse training isn’t a race, it’s taking things one ride at a time and asking for a better result than the last.

10/21/2026

These stalls are looking lonely… 😞

2 training/ full care board spots still open for November!

I will be attending a Downunder Horsemanship foundation clinic next week and will be back on the 1st and ready to take in more horses. Also willing to travel to you if you are within 30 minutes of Ollala. (Travel fee of $5-$20 depending on location)

I also offer exercising for those of you that are busy with the holiday season and don’t have time to ride or exercise your horse but don’t need them to be “in training”. I have done this with several horses and both the horse and owner benefit greatly!

Pricing varies with what you’re needing so please reach out if you are considering any of these options.

10/21/2026

⭐️WHAT TO DO WITH 4 CONES?⭐️

Exercise #1

🍩 Let’s call this one - “Box of Donuts” 🍩

Objective?

📍 Develop balance, softness, strength on a straight line and into a circle
📍Stay between all aids - create good habits of moving off or around the riders cues to create balanced lines and circles
📍 Getting your horse comfortable with staying soft and calm while remaining in a repetitive rhythm

✨Added element to take this exercise to the next level? ✨

📍Put ground poles on sides of the box —> the more poles, the more difficult.

✅ Personal takeaway from the filming and creation of this video: First of all, it’s so hard to put into words everything I want to say in this video without it being 20 minutes long. So please bear with me on the sped up videos but also note the slowed down motion in the middle to show a more “realistic” form of how it looks from the trot.
Zara was a wonderful example of how sometime no matter how much you want to work on one objective, it is subject to change at any minute. I went in to filming this wanting to use the logs as an example of how you can elevate the exercise without changing the course or mechanics. My plan was work on softness and staying round and we would come back to getting over the logs nicely another time. Well Zara had other plans. She had remembered very clearly the exercise from when we had done it before and got the main objectives down no problem(for the most part) but was really struggling to find lift and balance over the logs, especially if we hit the log at a different width of the circle. Mid video, my personal objectives had to change to what was going to most benefit her that day. It was great for me to be able to feel what she remembered and felt confident in and what she was still lacking.
So no matter what you “think” you’re gonna work on, be open to what your horse is telling you it needs that day. Change is most effective when it is seen from a perspective of growth.

I would love to know if this video helped you and your horse. Are you gonna be following along for the next part of the series?

10/14/2026

Been thinking of making a series of ‘my favorite exercises with 4 cones’. So often I put 4 cones out for my lessons to help people visualize body control and balance exercises and leave them out for a while to work on similar exercises with the training horses. Would y’all be interested in this type of content? Is there anything more specific you’re wanting visuals with? I would love to see how Mac and I can demonstrate some of our favorite concepts to help you and your horses at home!

10/07/2026

Limited lesson spots (on my horses or yours) available for October. Train and board spots available for November. My schedule will fill up quickly. Get on the books while you can! What are you working on this winter?

09/30/2026

Zara did a little solo trail ride with Ranger and I today.

People often ask me how to start getting the horses, especially the young ones, outside of the arena and used to “uncontrolled settings”. I believe that the biggest challenge is getting the over the fear of the horse spooking or not handling the situation well.
As I rode Zara solo in the trails for the first time, realizing I typically struggle with this mental block as well. Thankfully have learned to recognize and move past it. Typically, it comes down to pure trust. Trusting your training — that you’ve done the correct steps in the arena and have the tools to help your horse navigate this new challenge. Trust in yourself — that no matter the situation you must have confidence that you can get through it. While also having patience and grace and expect that the horse or you might have some bad moments. You might make mistakes and your horse might to. I like to think of these challenges as a test of what you and your horse actually know vs what is being covered by the safety net of the walls of the arena. It’s a chance to see where you can make improvements in your day to day riding while also being proud of how far you’ve come. So yes, the horse will most likely have a moment of fear, disobedience, anxiety, etc. (or several) but trust the process. Stay with them the best you can. Take a breath. Move on. And know you can do it. ❣️

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭3‬ ‭

09/15/2026

Are you ready to amplify your horses potential? Let’s chat 💬 At Sliding J my #1 priority is helping you and your horse reach your highest potential through creating mutual respect with trust and confidence. Most clients come to me for lack of confidence in themselves or in their horses. Often times this lack of confidence is truly a lack of clear communication. Horses may need tune ups or continued education along with their owners to build this confidence. Maybe you are finding yourself in this situation? I offer a few ways we can set you up for success, whether that be through lessons with you and your horse or having the horse get more education while you takes lessons on one of our trusty lesson horses. After building confidence individually, better communication and understanding of cues/body control allows the horse and rider to communicate effectively so they can grow in their trust for each other. Clear communication insures you are setting up the horse for success when giving them cues or asking for something new. We all have goals with our horses. Whether that be showing, trail riding, having a horse for your kids, or maybe a bit of everything. Let’s see how we can get you there. If you’re interested in joining my program, please private message me through this page or email me at [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

09/14/2026

Desensitizing session with Moxie. She was a wonderful example of how desensitizing helps horses use less of the reactive side of their brain and more of the thinking side. Such a good little pony she is. 👑