The Barn Riding Lessons

09/10/2026

Backside Basics: Proper Holding Techniques

Holding a horse for a vet, farrier, or bath may look simple, but your position can make a huge difference in how safely and smoothly the job gets done.

One of the biggest things we teach is to move to the same side as the person working on the horse. A horse’s hind end moves opposite its head, so if the horse shifts or acts up, your position can help you support the person working instead of making their job harder.

We also use the horse’s head to help manage body weight. A slight change in head position can shift more weight onto one front leg or the other, which can be especially helpful for farrier work and other handling situations.

For baths, you can also stand in front of the horse facing them, depending on the horse and the setup.

And no matter who you’re holding for: stay off your phone, stay aware, and stay ready to move with the horse.

Good horsemanship is often less about strength and more about position, timing, and paying attention. 🌹🐎

08/31/2026

Feed back for camp2026

08/21/2026

🤔😉

08/21/2026

My idol

08/17/2026

It is a thing. We teach the correct way in lessons 😉

This might seem like a tiny thing… until you’re the next person who needs the hose.

At a barrel race, rodeo, fairgrounds, wherever we’re all sharing space—turn the water OFF when you’re finished and put the hose back up neatly.

Don’t leave it running. Don’t leave 100 feet of hose in a tangled pile for the next person. Don’t leave it stretched across a walkway or where horses and people have to navigate around it.

We talk a lot about arena etiquette and warm-up pen etiquette, but show-ground etiquette matters too.

Most of these facilities are being used by hundreds of horses and competitors. Taking an extra 30 seconds to leave something better than you found it makes everyone’s day easier—and saves water while we’re at it.

What’s another little show-ground courtesy that you wish EVERYONE would follow?

08/14/2026

CONTACT: BRANDIE HODGE 479-719-4837