Hollow Valley Farm

08/28/2026

08/14/2026

A little ba****ck session with Glenda 💕 Her ride-ability and willingness have improved so much. She’s a horse that I can hop on ba****ck. She’s fearless and full of personality. All things that I love about her 🩶

07/22/2026

Loving the Easyshoe product line. I’ve been diy dabbling in their glue-on’s for a few summers, so I have a bucket full of used shoes. I custom fit this set for Glenda to give her some cushioning as she heals from a popped a splint. She was the BEST GIRL for the process. I used Hooflox super glue to apply, and Hooflox acrylic to seal the edges. Forgot to grab after pics, but will post tomorrow if she’s wearing them in the morning 🤞🏻🙄.

07/22/2026

When your best friends are a chicken and a mule. OTTB mares — whatever makes them happy!!

07/13/2026

…according to Glenda 🤣

07/06/2026

Hold your horses!
Training these two “babies” together (OTTB’s aged 11 and 7) is beneficial and so much fun. Thankful as always to Suzanne for all the help and saddle time. These girls are really coming along.

06/25/2026

Riding in the open has been the best medicine for helping Glenda find a forward mindset. I love that we can flow from trot to canter with big improvements in maintaining alignment and momentum. I keep saying that once I get all of her parts working together, she will really be something special. Well guess what… she already IS something special :) I’m proud of my progress with this girl. She has really challenged me to ride better, be creative in my approach, and keep seeking what makes her happy.

06/20/2026

Tacking up used to look like: lots of movement, nipping, herd bound anxiety, pushiness.

What tacking up looks like now: ground tying calmly, stretches for food rewards, gentle massage, minimal nipping which redirects easily into more stretching :)

When those old behaviors start to show up, we have a language - a system - we can use to dismantle them.

Good girl, Glenda 💕🌱

06/04/2026

Re-wiring an anxious horse takes time, so when you find something that sparks their curiosity, you go with it. I’ve recently been riding Glenda on a long rein and letting her wander the fields - truly wander with very little input from me about pace and direction. Today she relaxed enough to shift from anxious to curious. Such a win!! As she sniffed poo, I remembered being told as a child, “don’t let them do that” and probably for practical reasons. But what if letting them sniff poo (or splash in the creek, or whatever sparks their curiosity) is intentional on your part? Maybe it builds a bridge to a deeper bond by meeting their needs even while riding.

06/04/2026

Grass is high, coats are in full bloom. I love this time of year. It’s a little breathing window of ideal conditions before the summer grind kicks in.