Nicole Ainger Horsemanship

Nicole Ainger Horsemanship Lifetime horsewoman. Available for training, foundation setting, problem solving & lessons.

“The cross is not a defeat, but a victory." — N.T. WrightSitting on the back of a mare that I broke, trained and sold.. ...
04/03/2026

“The cross is not a defeat, but a victory." — N.T. Wright

Sitting on the back of a mare that I broke, trained and sold.. who did a full circle back to me, thinking how incredibly blessed I am to have this life.
I haven’t always walked the straight and narrow and definitely don’t “deserve” any of this.
But there’s a Man that went up on a cross for me… so that I can have it.
I do my best to remember that today, and every day.

Wishing you and yours a very happy Easter weekend!

02/12/2026

Haven’t posted in a while but things have been busy around here!
I end up being attached to every client horse for one reason or another… but have to share a current highlight. Our homebred, raised and raced, “Acclimate” (Acclamation/Knows No Bounds, $775k Graded Stakes winner) has found a forever home and I have the honor of putting some retraining on him.
I can’t even describe the feeling of getting to swing a leg over such a classy dude.

Anyone that knows me, knows I absolutely hate selling horses, for multiple reasons. I am 100% going to regret this decis...
12/30/2025

Anyone that knows me, knows I absolutely hate selling horses, for multiple reasons. I am 100% going to regret this decision, but these 2 both deserve someone that has time to ride them more than I do, and I have multiple unusable horses that will live here until they die, so the usable ones need to get used. My time has been devoted to lessons and client training horses, so I can’t watch these 2 sit and waste in pasture anymore.
1) My sweet, sweet Lollipop. TB gelding that I raised from a foal. I contemplate selling and then I’ll swing a leg over him after not riding him for months (I let girls keep him occasionally legged up) and then tell myself I can’t sell him because he’s such an easy ride. He’ll be 6 in 2026, guessing 16.3 hands and is ready for someone that wants to haul and season. Or take him a completely different direction. He’s patterned on barrels but has no clue he can actually run them. Entered a couple handfuls of times. Anyone with a lick of confidence can ride him. Never been pushed but he will cruise a pattern for anyone. He’s never met a stranger and loves everyone (except the chiropractor and farrier 🤣 but we can talk more about that if you’re interested). Annoyingly in your pocket and seeks attention constantly. He can be ridden everyday, or sit for a month and hop on and he’s the same chill dude. This one is hard for me so if he doesn’t sell then I will figure out a job for him to stay and do here.
$🥕,🥕🥕🥕 starting with an 8.
2) “JD” TB gelding that will be 4 in 2026, guessing 15.2 hands. I bought him this year, straight off the track, strictly because of his breeding and I knew he’d be a heck of a horse, if done right. I planned to get paid my purchase price back and keep him in training for a friend… but let’s just say, God knew that probably wasn’t the best case scenario for him, and it fell through. So now he has had limited on and off rides, started western and softening and he’s SMART. He’s athletic as all get out and keeps his butt under him like no TB I’ve ever ridden. Built like a QH and would make a jam up barrel horse. Could be a futurity prospect. Smooth, smooth, smooth. Needs consistency and a job. Sweet and in your pocket (literally, takes a stick to beat him off of you 😆) He’s bold and brave and will need someone that will push back when he gets pushy… but he’s never been malicious. He just wants to work. Bridle goes in and he gets right down to business. I would happily keep him in my training program for you, as well.
$🥕,🥕🥕🥕 starting with a 4.

Yesterday, I helped Coach a total of 9 girls through a gymkhana.. and while I’m proud of each and every one of them, I h...
11/02/2025

Yesterday, I helped Coach a total of 9 girls through a gymkhana.. and while I’m proud of each and every one of them, I have to say the highlight for me was having FIVE (one missing from the pic) “racehorses” that I’ve had a hand in re-training, re-homing or that I own myself… all there, advocating for themselves on just how amazing the OTTB can be.
This is what it’s all about, for me.
I see their heart and because of it, they meet my expectations and then go above and beyond for their people.

“Cruiser” and “Bruiser” need a new home. Lack of time forces me to let them go sooner than I would like. I would prefer ...
10/27/2025

“Cruiser” and “Bruiser” need a new home. Lack of time forces me to let them go sooner than I would like. I would prefer they go together. “Cruise” is 4yrs old, about 15.1h, track broke but not raced and we’ve been on his back a couple times since he’s been home. Seems pretty gentle and unfazed by everything we’ve thrown at him. Will stand tied at the trailer.
“Bruiser” is 3yrs old, 16h, injured as a yearling so never broke. Pasture sound, and seems gentle but knows absolutely nothing.
They will come with a “no auction” contract.
🥕1,000🥕 for the pair.
*Price negotiable if you have any references at all & I know you’ll be able to handle TB’s.. as in, I might give them to you.
*Don’t ask me a million questions, as I’m cutting losses at this point and letting go as-is. Everything I know about them is pretty much stated, already.

Hey Everyone! Haven’t been real great with the updates but things are slowing down a little as horses keep coming and go...
10/17/2025

Hey Everyone! Haven’t been real great with the updates but things are slowing down a little as horses keep coming and going home happy… and wanted to let everyone know that I have room for a few outside horses, now. My arena can take on a TON of water (this is today and didn’t have any puddles the day after this week’s heavy rain) so don’t let the winter scare you. Actually, let it encourage you to let me keep your ponies legged up for you. Breaking, training, problem solving or just reconditioning and getting show fit.
References available

When one door closes, another one opens. Things don’t always go as we had planned… Reminding us that it’s only His plan ...
09/03/2025

When one door closes, another one opens. Things don’t always go as we had planned… Reminding us that it’s only His plan for us to follow. I believe this to be true with horses as well. It’s our job to be their advocates and listen to them. Not sure what He has planned for this little one, but I’m gonna do my best to figure it out. Welcome back little “Miss B”. Thank you to my dear friend, for listening to her and taking such good care of her ♥️ Here’s to the Second Act 😘

“Teddy” has officially graduated from “off the track boot camp” with me & is headed home to live the rest of his days wi...
08/09/2025

“Teddy” has officially graduated from “off the track boot camp” with me & is headed home to live the rest of his days with his new family and little girl. I can’t even put into words how grateful I am for clients (that have become like family ❤️) that trust me enough to let me share my love for the OTTB with them. There’s no doubt in my mind that this 7yr old, $175k track money earning dude, has already given his whole giant heart to his girl. I’m also incredibly thankful for our racing clients and friends, that care this much about what happens to their horses after their racing career is over, to allow me to do this.
I attached a note I received from “Teddy” in the last photo, that gives me tears. I’d love to believe the horses thank me a little 😁 But either way, if I can help a TB while making a little girl’s dream come true… well then, I’m living my dream.

If loving the Thoroughbred is what sets me apart from other trainers… then I’m all about being known as that person ❤️ T...
07/26/2025

If loving the Thoroughbred is what sets me apart from other trainers… then I’m all about being known as that person ❤️
This picture fills my soul with so much joy, I can barely put in into words. My daughter, sitting on a fresh off the track (literally, just a few weeks and this is only his 4th ride) 3yr old gelding by our late sire Vronsky… while 2 OTTB mares lope circles around him.
My Papa used to say, they give us their all and they only deserve the best life, even after their racing career is over.

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Sanger, CA
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