Bar M Horsemanship

05/16/2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟 SALE PENDING 🌟🌟🌟🌟

NOW AVAILABLE!

Meet "Zeke"! This stunning guy has been consigned with us and we are just so excited to have him around! He is available by absolutely no fault of his own, making him the find of a lifetime.

This guy has had an well rounded start to his career. He rides English and Western. He walk/trot/canters, rides in a snaffle and hacks out flat footed and relaxed. He's evented intro with his previous owner. This is a lovely young horse who is sound in body and mind. He is sweet and safe in the barn, has a great personality and just loves everyone, a true joy to be around.

Scoop him up as a future star in the dressage arena or hit the mountains for a trail riding weekend with friends. Either way, you can't go wrong with this one! Suitable for an older youth with a trainer or a small adult.

🌟5 years old
🌟Fresian cross
🌟14.2h
🌟 Barefoot
🌟Zero maintenance
🌟UTD on all maintenance w/ records available
🌟Crossties, bathes, loads in a step up or ramp
🌟Stables or lives out
🌟🌟Very Low 5 figures 🌟🌟

Available for viewing by appointment Thursday - Sundays at Bar M Horsemanship in Mechanicsville, MD.
Contact Noelle @ 240-298-5824

11/09/2022

UPDATE:

$100 for 1/2 day (morning ground work or afternoon under saddle)
$150 for both sessions!

PM Noelle to hold your spot!

Mini clinic day!
You asked... I picked a day! 😉

Dec 4th!

9-1130 Groundwork

Potluck lunch to follow!

Any interest in an afternoon under saddle session?

10/21/2022

Hey everyone! I hope all you fabulous horsemen have had a great summer enjoying your horses!

Now that we are looking forward towards winter months with less ride time, who here is interested in another groundwork clinic? An under saddle horsemanship clinic??

Comment below and we can get it on the books!!

02/01/2022

Broke.

What does it mean to you?

Does it mean that if you put button A that your horse does A? And if you push button B they do B? That they do so without question, argument or resistance....every. time.?? That any man, woman or child could step in the stirrup, throw a leg over and press A to get A?

Or.....

Does it mean that your horse has been given the tools to truly understand what A means? That even if a man, woman and child all ride differently, the horse has the tools to seek what they are asking and the will to try? Does it mean that the horse understands that no matter where the contact is made, they are able to soften to it and shape their bodies to the new request?

Perhaps, being "Broke" isn't as physically mechanical is it is an advanced state of understanding.

So, what does "broke" mean to you?

01/27/2022

Because you are always right, until you are wrong. Stay humble my friends! The horse will tell you if you are right.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4825144700887241&id=121256107942814

It's always right, until it's wrong.

We've all noticed by now that the horse world can have very split opinions about many things. But is it possible to have a balanced opinion without having the experience to back it up?

As time goes on, I stay further and further away from horse related topics on the internet because there are so many articles, posts and videos that may have a generally good idea or point, but then it's brought across in such a polarizing manner that it almost becomes ineffective.
(And I've probably been guilty of this in the past as well.)

Let me give you a quick example:
"Desensitizing" has become a hot topic and a lot of people like to debate whether it's highly effective, ineffective, or downright damaging.
Someone who's had a horse who learned shut down and internalize emotions from being "desensitized", will often have a negative view of the practice. They've seen the worst of what can happen, and it's strongly impressed on them that the same mistake should never be repeated again.
Whereas someone who owned a horse who successfully adapted and grew in a positive manner through "desensitization" exercises, will often have a very favorable view of it.
And both of them will probably be successful in their horsemanship journey with a strong mindset about that topic and how it should be approached... Until the first time a horse shows them they're wrong.
Yet some people never gain enough experience to reach this point and thus never grow out of assuming the "cookie cutter" approach works for all horses.

Horse training is all about balance. Early on, a trainer told me that there are no definites when it comes to horsemanship. There are principles that always stand, but techniques and approaches can vary vastly from horse to horse, from situation to situation. And as my journey continues, the more depth and truth that statement holds.
If an opinion leans too far to one extreme or another, it's quite possibly a view that lacks balance, so be careful.

Ever wonder why horsemen and women who've worked with hundreds (or thousands) of horses aren't on those Facebook threads giving their unsolicited opinion every 15 minutes?
They have the experience to know that there are a hundred possible answers to any question. Sure, there are generalized ideas that can often be correct, but they could also be wrong.

So keep gathering ideas and new perspectives. Keep an open mind, but always remember that the next horse along could change a lot of what you thought you "knew". And that's the beauty and adventure of horse training... They'll keep you humble.

I try to continually question myself on why I believe what I believe.
Because you're always right, until the day you're wrong.

01/24/2022

We talk a lot about "horsemanship" in our world. Heck, it's literally in the name at the top of this page. But, foregoing all the pomp and circumstance that has become public horse training, there is a deep underlying meaning. I guess by definition it is...

"the art of riding, handling, and training horses."

Broad, aye? But that second word says it all. Art.

As an instructor, I come across more folks who look at horsemanship as a mathematical equation. If you do x, you get y. 100% of the time.

It's a shame the horses don't know that.

Training is more like an English or Art assignment. Of course there are technical aspects like spelling and grammar (which don't apply to these posts 😉) but as a whole, you never expect to see the same paper or picture from two different people. The beauty in art is that it is born from a moment in time. That moment in time is as unique and individual and the person creating it.

Isn't this exactly what horsemanship is? The ability to feel in each specific moment what is needed to communicate with each specific horse? The technical aspects may be the same, but the delivery is customized to be best heard in that moment.

This is why true horsemanship appears to be an illusion. The horseman becomes so plugged into the feel of the horse and what they need, that no mathematician on earth could decode their process.

To me, being a horseman is feeling what the horse needs from you and communicating what you need from them in a language clear as day to both parties. It's the art of not only caring for the welfare of the horse above all else, but putting all ego aside to meet them where they are at. When the welfare of the horse and the ability to speak to them effectively become more important than anything else, you have found a true horseman.

01/17/2022

I want to extend a HUGE thank you to Holly Pate of Buckin' H Horsemanship at Infinity Farm for inviting me out to teach today's Horsemanship Clinic. I had a great time with this dedicated group who braved the cold! Great work guys!

01/11/2022

There is ONE last minute spot available for both the AM and PM session!

PM or text if interested!
240-298-5824

12/31/2021

As we wrap up 2021, I am reflecting on just how incredibly lucky I am to have such supportive and loyal clients and friends.

Throughout the year....
* We were able to offer multiple lovely horses for sale who all ended up in AMAZING homes!
*My students continued to excel in their personal horsemanship journeys.
*We hosted multiple obstacle clinics with great success.
*I was lucky enough to further my education by riding in clinics with a brilliant horsewoman (twice!)
*I met some personal goals on my own horse!

All of these amazing things happened called while pregnant and with a newborn added into my already busy family. I am endlessly thankful to my boarders (and friends!) who always step in without being asked, my husband who works harder than anyone I've ever met but still comes home and watches kids or fixes fence, and to all my clients who have been so flexible through the changes of the year. I love being able to share skills and knowledge with people and help horses live happy, productive lives and I couldn't do it without all of you.

Happy New Year! See you all in 2022!

12/14/2021

Just a few spots left!

12/14/2021

Happy Day of the Horse!

Horses offer us so much more than a blue ribbon or a high score. They have been a part of every phase and corner of my life. These are a few my personal horses that I love so much!

Let us see yours!

10/31/2021

On 8/13/21 we welcomed the newest little horseman into the family. This little cowboy goes by the name C**t....how appropriate right? 😊

Thank you to all my clients who have been so patient and understanding over the summer and fall as I navigated late pregnancy in the summer and a slightly earlier than expected delivery. I am so blessed to call so many of you friends.

I have started lessons back up slowly now that C**t and I are back on our feet. Availability is a little tighter these days but I can assure you I will try my best to get to everyone in a timely manner. I have put a hold on taking horses in for training board at the moment but plan to take a limited number starting back up in tht new year. If you have a need for training or lessons feel free to reach out and we can discuss options. Texting is the best way to reach me at 240-298-5824.

I plan to put together a groundwork and horsemanship clinic together in house soon. Let me know if you'd be interested in hosting one at your barn or attending in house and we will get it on the books.

Thanks again to everyone for your support! We sure have a stand up horse community here in So. Md. ❤️