Why Does My Horse Hate Me? | Q&A

Summary

Podcast Summary: “Why Does My Horse Hate Me? | Q&A”

Podcast: Katching Up With Katie
Host: Katie Van Slyke
Date: January 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this engaging Q&A format episode, host Katie Van Slyke and her crew answer listener-generated questions about horses, farm life, breeding, business, and more. The tone is friendly and informal, with a focus on authentic behind-the-scenes ranch stories, practical advice, and laughter. Key topics include horse breeding fantasies, the realities of horse and mini cow management, heartfelt moments about letting go of animals, and candid advice for fellow horse and farm enthusiasts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life at the Ranch: Updates & Schedules

• Katie shares updates about life in a “pre-floodgate” moment—waiting for foals and calves (00:00–01:22).
  • “I have a feeling when, like, the floodgates open, we’re just gonna have, like, four babies in a night.” (00:16, Katie)

2. Dream Horse Breeding Matchups

• If Katie could choose any mare and stallion (alive/deceased) for an embryo, she’d pick Invitation Only as the sire, and possibly Kennedy or the legendary Vital Signs Are Good as the dam.
  • “I’ve always said that Invitation Only is one of my favorite stallions of all time.” (01:58, Katie)
  • Katie discusses the tough choices with breeding icons and notes she’s never shown a direct Invitation Only foal (02:50).

3. Freeze Branding: Pros, Cons, and Perspectives

• Katie explains the freeze branding process, its uses, and public opinions:
  • Freeze branding is less painful than hot branding: “It’s freeze branding, it doesn’t hurt … the hair comes back white. It’s not scarring.” (03:19, Katie & crew)
  • Brands are useful for identification, safety (in case a horse ends up in a bad situation), and as a breeder’s mark.
  • Some show people dislike visible brands for aesthetic reasons.
  • Katie seeks listener input: “Would it bother you if your horse is branded?” (04:59, Katie)
  • Memorable moment: Describing each horse’s distinct brand marks, e.g., Lexi’s “Nike swoosh” (05:01–05:28).

4. Fun Sidebars: Socks, Gifts, and Everyday Ranch Life

• Sidebar on socks as ranch-necessities and favorite holiday gifts, highlighting the warmth of team culture.
  • “There’s just something about a good sock.” (06:26, Katie)
• Secret to useful winter ranch gifts: alpaca socks, neck gaiters, and heated hand warmers (06:26–07:20).

5. Balancing Multiple Roles: What Drives Katie

• Katie reflects on her passion for horses and education, driven by ambitious, structured goal-setting:
  • “My goals are always going to surround the horses … being in the industry of AQHA breeding, showing—that is like the passion. That’s the root.” (08:04, Katie)
  • She enjoys setting and beating her own deadlines—“I’m a competitive person, so I’m very competitive with myself.” (08:44, Katie)
  • Unique insight: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, five-year goals—loves “crossing goals off” (08:55).

6. Tales from the Pasture: Mishaps and Lessons Learned

• Funny and harrowing stories about close calls with live animals—mini cows and foals on the loose.
  • “Abigail almost got smashed into the wall by Happy two years ago.” (09:45, Katie)
  • “You almost die, like, twice a week.” (09:57, Katie to crew member)
  • Katie’s leadership in tense animal situations: instructs others to “find shelter,” knowing when to stay calm and wait for backup (11:14–12:09).

7. Horses as Characters: Anthropomorphizing

• Katie imagines horses as movie/TV characters:
  • “Bo is Sam Elliott. Period.” (13:26, Katie)
  • Wally would (comically) sound like “Pauly Shore” (14:38), noting the incongruity with Wally’s stallion persona.

8. Horse Breeding & Management FAQ

a. Inducing Mares for Labor (15:13–16:59)

• Katie has never induced labor in mares but knows it's possible; most horses deliver naturally.
• Sometimes, palpating and checking with a vet can help if overdue.
• Veterinary medication like oxytocin is mentioned but not used by Katie.

b. Hardest Send-Off (Selling/Training)

• Childhood trauma over parents selling ponies without warning.
  • “They had sold one of my favorite horses and he was already gone.” (17:52, Katie)
• Recent emotional send-off: “I cried a little with Noel this year, sending her off.” (18:05, Katie)
• Generally, sending horses to training is less emotional—"I get excited for what they’re doing." (19:08, Katie)
• Katie’s philosophy: excitement for a horse’s next chapter often replaces sadness.

c. Retirement Plans for Broodmares

• Some mares “owe me nothing” and will stay on the ranch for life; Indy is a notable example (21:16).
• Others, like Willow (still rideable), may be sold if they’re young and suited for a new career.
• Mare Gracie will become a “pony horse” for exercising other horses (22:28).
• Katie is dedicated to responsible rehoming: therapy centers, kids’ horses, etc., so every horse is cared for (22:45–24:00).

9. Crew Trail Ride—Who Rides Whom?

• Hypothetical crew trail ride: Katie assigns Ethel to one crew member (“safest”), Gracie to another (for a bit of “spice”), and discusses the current riding roster (24:05–25:23).

10. Mini Cow Calving Arrangements

• Plan for coming mini-cow births: bring all up to the cow barn so new calves can be closely monitored, reintroduce them to the herd after calving (25:31–26:25).
• “Posey was literally this big…” (26:46, describing mini cow calf size)
• Approach: let the mini cow moms raise their babies rather than bottle-feeding, as the moms are friendly and hands-on interaction is preferred (26:58–27:25).

11. Competition FAQs: Mares, Stallions, and Heat Cycles

• Yes, at competitions, mares and stallions may compete alongside each other except in halter classes, which are gender-separated (27:43–28:41).
• At high-level shows, mares are often kept on hormone regimens to suppress heat cycles for consistency.
• Responsibility is on stallion owners to make sure their animals are well-trained and safe to compete even with mares in heat—“If you bring a stallion to a show, it needs to…know how to handle it.” (29:18, Katie)
• Sometimes, exhibitors intentionally allow mares to cycle for breeding purposes, balancing showing and embryo transfer (29:51–30:00).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I have always said that Invitation Only is one of my favorite stallions of all time.” (01:58, Katie)
• “It’s freeze branding. It doesn’t hurt, but, like, the hair comes back white.” (03:19, Katie)
• “There’s just something about a good sock.” (06:26, Katie)
• “I’m a competitive person, so I’m very competitive with myself.” (08:44, Katie)
• “You almost die, like, twice a week.” (09:57, Katie)
• “Bo is Sam Elliott. Period.” (13:26, Katie)
• “They had sold one of my favorite horses and he was already gone.” (17:52, Katie)
• “If you bring a stallion to a show, it needs to…know how to handle it.” (29:18, Katie)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Episode Opens & Farm Update: 00:00–01:22
• Dream Horse Pairing: 01:37–03:07
• Freeze Branding Deep Dive: 03:13–05:28
• Sock & Gift Tangent: 06:24–07:20
• Business & Goals Discussion: 08:03–09:05
• Mishaps & Self-Preservation: 09:05–13:10
• Horses as Characters: 13:13–15:07
• Mare Labor & Induction: 15:13–16:59
• Hardest Send-off (Selling/Training): 17:05–20:49
• Broodmare Retirement Plans: 20:51–24:00
• Trail Ride Hypotheticals: 24:05–25:23
• Mini Cow Calving: 25:31–27:25
• Mares, Stallions, and Shows: 27:43–30:30

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Tone & Takeaway

The episode is warm, candid, and often humorous, blending practical advice with hilarious anecdotes and emotional candor. Katie consistently emphasizes education, responsible animal care, and openness about the ups and downs of farm life. Long-time listeners and ranch newcomers alike will come away with greater insight into horse and mini cow management—and a newfound appreciation for good socks.

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For more Q&A episodes, or to submit your own questions, check out Katie’s socials or visit katievanslyke.net.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome back to catching up with Katie. So bowling season has not started yet, and that's insane.

[B]

We have not been.

[A]

Well, I have been, but the team has not been on one night of full watch yet, which I just did not see coming. And this is actually gonna air a week after when we're actually filming it, so it might be different by the time you're seeing this video. But, yeah, I just did not expect that. I fully thought we would have a fall on the ground by now. We're also waiting on three heifers to calve, so I have a feeling when, like, the floodgates open, we're just gonna have, like, four babies in a night. But other than that, life has just been kind of back to a. A bit of a schedule, which I feel like a lot of our year is unscheduled. But right now, we're just doing our daily grind and waiting on this first full. With that being said, because we have this, like, little lull time before, again, the floodgates open, we asked y' all to ask questions and to ask for topics that we would cover in kind of just a Q A type of catching it with Katie. So if either one of you think of stuff in the midst of this, throw it out there. But Lindsay. I don't know what these questions are. By the way. Lindsay has gathered from y' all over the midst of our social media pages, and she has some questions written down. So, yes.

[C]

All right, let's start with something.

[D]

What is this? What is this? The comments with Katie.

[A]

The comments with Katie.

[C]

Okay, this is a good one. This is kind of just like a. An if scenario.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

If you could get any embryo of any mare and stallion alive or deceased.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[D]

You have to pick both pretty deep.

[A]

I don't know if you want to.

[C]

Start with just one. We can just start with one, and then we can kind of talk about the cross.

[A]

I have always said that Invitation Only is one of my favorite stallions of all time. I believe limited people can still get ixy contracts to him. So not saying that if they would allow me to. That I wouldn't still do that with a mayor like Kennedy or something. Yeah, but the mayor part, I mean, there are some greats out there, right? Like, and I'm. I'm trying to narrow it down. Obviously, vital signs are good. Is iconic. That's Whelen's dam. She is arguably one of the greatest mayors in AQHA history. And I know she was crossed with invitation Only one or once or twice.

[B]

That's so hard. I don't know.

[C]

We can come back if we need to.

[A]

Yeah, we might think about that. But I guess right now, I. I would say the sire. I really want an invitation only. I've never gotten to show a horse by invitation only. I've had some grandchildren, but. Yeah.

[C]

Okay. Will you. We've had a. There was a lot of questions about this.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

The freeze branding on some of your horses.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Do you freeze brand why or why not?

[A]

So you see on Raven and Maggie and Lexi that they have brands on their shoulder, on their hip. Some people do their neck, some people do their cheek. So when you register a brand and.

[B]

It'S freeze branding, it doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt, but, like, the hair comes back white. It's not scarring.

[C]

Oh, okay.

[B]

So there's a difference between hot branding and freeze branding. Okay, so.

[A]

So freeze branding is frequently done with horses, and they.

[B]

They shave the area.

[A]

It's, I believe, like, the brand is dipped in liquid nitrogen, and then you hold it on for, I think, like, 30 seconds, and the hair comes back white. And so, yeah, it's a lot less painful. And I. I see a lot of pluses to branding, and I. We've actually talked a little bit about it. There's, you know, in the marketability sense, I have seen quite a few people in, like, the show world say they don't like it and they don't want a horse with a brand.

[B]

But as a breeder, I could see how it's really, really useful to a.

[A]

Let everyone know, hey, I bred this horse. Yeah, this is from my program. And then the brand becomes recognizable, but.

[B]

Also in the sense of, like, hey.

[A]

Sometimes in an auction or whatever, a horse ends up in a bad situation, and they don't have their papers attached to them. They don't. But that brand is there forever.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And you could be like, that, that's a horse from my program. I'm gonna save it. Or someone might recognize it and tell you, hey, one of your horses ended up in this bad situation.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

So it's not something we've implemented, and I would love to hear us. You know, those who own horses maybe.

[A]

Would be buying a show prospect does. Does branding. You know, is it something that you try to stray away from? Would it bother you if your horse is branded? I. I have thought about it a little bit, but. But yeah, when you see the markings on Lexi, on. Maggie has a couple, and she's got, like, the Nike swoosh. And Lexi also has, like, a number on her, and Ra. Does Raven have. Raven has one on her hip, I think.

[B]

Am I making that up?

[C]

No, it's like the R. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. The R something is.

[D]

Is Nike out? Total side quest here. Is Nike, like, not.

[A]

I haven't really.

[D]

Like, I was just.

[B]

I'm not.

[D]

I was not. I was just noticing the other day, and I'm like, I don't ever see any famous people wearing Nike anymore.

[B]

I'm not the right person to ask because I don't really pay. I'm not trying to be that girl, but I just don't. Right. Really pay attention to name brands and stuff. So I don't. I don't know.

[D]

I just have, like, some Nike socks, Adidas socks, and, you know, whatever socks are on sale is usually the socks that I buy. I don't really care about my socks. But I was just, like, pondering the other day, I was like, is Nike still, like, a relevant brand? Because I just never see. I never see ads, right? It's like. It's like they're turning into, like, a. Like a department store that.

[B]

Huh. I don't know. I haven't really thought the same.

[D]

Same vibes to me right now off of that.

[B]

It's so funny how as a kid you get, like, socks for Christmas and be like, I freaking love a good sock as a gift. Like, don't get me wrong. So, like, this year we always do stockings for everybody that works here. And this year we did. Was it alpaca socks? Yep, we did alpaca socks and, like, neck gators and, like, things for cold weather and, like, heated hand warmers and stuff. And, like, there's just something about a good sock. And because Jonathan is so, like, he loves his clothing, and he loves, like, all the different hunting brands, and he gets on his specific stuff that he likes. And so I always go steal his socks because they're so good. The ones that are, like, made for hunting and they're like. There's something about, like, a good compression, and it's like, you know, whether it's merino or alpaca, and it, like, doesn't get wet and, like, you're so good.

[D]

That. That neck gator is one of my. One of my favorite gifts of the year.

[B]

Really?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

It's a good one.

[D]

It's real. It's really warm.

[C]

I hadn't had one before, John. Like, y' all had given me, but.

[B]

Have you had to, like, work outside before?

[D]

Never.

[C]

Never.

[A]

It's a necessity. It's a necessity.

[C]

Okay. You wear a lot of different hats. Frankly, they don't know how you do it.

[A]

Hats, like.

[D]

Oh, you do? Yeah.

[C]

Like, not legit hats.

[B]

I was like.

[A]

I mean, I guess I wear hats sometimes.

[B]

Sometimes.

[C]

Which part of your business makes you the most excited for the future?

[D]

I think that's a good question.

[A]

That is a good question.

[B]

And I think the root of, like, my goals are always going to surround the horses.

[A]

Being within the industry of, like, AQHA breeding, showing that is, like, the passion.

[B]

That's the root.

[A]

And then I think being educational and sharing that passion has also become a passion in itself attached to it.

[B]

So I. I think that is always what keeps me the most excited. And, like, my own personal goals. I'm very much a. Like, I give myself a goal and.

[A]

I give myself a timeline type of person.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And I generally try to, like, do it before that timeline. Like, I.

[B]

It.

[A]

I'm a competitive person, so I'm very competitive with myself.

[D]

Under promise, over, deliver.

[B]

Yes.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And. And so I think that. And I. I'm a little psycho in.

[A]

The fact that I have, like, daily goals, I have weekly goals, I have monthly, I have yearly. I, like, I have five year, like. And so I just love crossing goals off.

[C]

Well, I be doing enemas this year since I'm the newbie.

[A]

It depends.

[C]

Depends.

[B]

You want me to be real with you a little bit.

[C]

Is it because of the time that I tried to stick it up Jack's butt and I couldn't find it?

[A]

Well, you.

[B]

You do lack a bit of, like.

[A]

Self preservation and awareness. Yes. And so it depends if the mom is being nice.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

And everything has gone as planned. And it's like a calm situation where I think, sure.

[D]

There has been some.

[B]

Times where it's a little. It can get touch and go.

[C]

Yeah. It can get a little.

[A]

Abigail almost got smashed into the wall by Happy two years ago.

[D]

Yeah. Like, there has been some times where I was like, she didn't see that. Some, like, with her.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh, absolutely. You almost die, like, twice a week.

[D]

I'm like, oh, I would move. I would. I would move.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Not. Not.

[B]

She has a.

[A]

She's banned from the mini cows for a bit.

[B]

I am.

[A]

Because she has a bruise from, like, here all the way up her freaking hip. Because we were showing her mama the mini cows and I think you were showing off a little bit. You went out there with them.

[B]

I was.

[C]

I was getting a little.

[A]

I got a little ahead of myself and I was. I was stayed in the thing. I'm like, they're being rowdy, right?

[B]

Now she was.

[A]

I was like, okay. So she got out, and Poppy wanted a tree.

[C]

One of the little ones scared Poppy, and she, like, twisted her head and it. Like, my mom thought she caught my rib because it looked like she caught my. Or she did catch my shirt.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But she was like, is your rib okay? And I'm like, I'm fine. I'm fine.

[A]

And then she comes in there.

[C]

She's like. I'm like, katie.

[B]

So, you know, like, the other day.

[A]

Wally and Waylon escaped. That video's on socials.

[B]

And it was. It was to the point where I knew to.

[A]

I'm so sorry. I don't mean to be just roasting you, but I was like, go get in the side by side.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. She was like.

[A]

She.

[C]

She at one point was like, shelter. Find shelter.

[D]

Okay, I'm going.

[B]

I did.

[A]

I was like, I think there's on.

[B]

Camera me being like, shield yourself.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Because they were calmly eating. Yeah.

[A]

But then they started trotting around, and I was waiting.

[B]

I. I've known when a horse gets loose, one is like, two of them. They can feed off of each other.

[A]

And especially two baby boys. And, like, Wally's a little stud. Cold stuff. And so I was like, it's better for me if I stay calm, wait for backup, and, like, let the plan unfold versus me just trying to, like. And I can make things worse. And so I was in the midst of, like, gathering halters, calmly sp. You know, putting myself in a space to cut them off. And I was like, I don't know how to tell you what to do right now. So, like, I'd rather you just go be safe.

[C]

I literally was just standing there with cuz.

[A]

Like, girl, I've seen a horse come at you like a Mack truck, and you're.

[D]

You're. You're just watching it.

[A]

I'm like, all right, we're not moving.

[C]

I gotta learn.

[B]

I gotta. So I. I now know that about you.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

So we will take that.

[C]

It's a maybe. That's a maybe.

[B]

It's a maybe.

[D]

Which I tend to be. I tend to be the other end of the spectrum of like, oh, there's a horse coming our general direction. I should probably move. And she's like, you're fine. Not. Not even near you. You could be scaredy like me or.

[A]

Have a little common sense.

[D]

There's some would call it boldness, maybe.

[A]

I wouldn't say no common sense.

[B]

I would say lacking of self preservation.

[A]

Like, who I.

[C]

That's fair. That's fair.

[A]

I'll give you that one.

[C]

Okay, let me go on to my next page. Oh, this one's a fun one. If you had to describe one of your horses as a character from either a movie or a TV show, who would they be? This is just a fun one.

[A]

Bo is Sam Elliott, period.

[D]

Okay. Okay.

[A]

I think. But I think if he were to talk, he would sound like Sam Elliott. I'm like, he would just be that guy.

[C]

Sam Elliott is that guy?

[B]

I think so.

[C]

Who else?

[B]

I don't know why.

[A]

No, I don't want to ruin Yalls image of Wally. Like.

[C]

Oh, no.

[B]

I don't know why. He makes me think of Polly Bleaker, like, son in law.

[A]

I see it like, not necessarily in.

[B]

Looks, but like I put Paulie Bleeker's voice as Wally's voice in my head a lot of the time.

[D]

He's the guy from Juno.

[A]

Juno.

[B]

No, he's not.

[D]

Are you sure?

[B]

Oh my. I'm thinking of Paulie Shore. Sorry, not Bleaker.

[A]

Polly Shore.

[C]

P, A, U, L, Y or P.

[D]

O, L, L, Y, U, L, Y.

[C]

Got it.

[D]

Very different guy.

[B]

Very different.

[D]

Very different.

[B]

Polly. Short. Like I put his voice behind Wally a lot and I probably shouldn't when.

[A]

He'S supposed to be like this big bad stallion. But like in my head, comedically, that's what's happening. I don't think that fits Bleaker. No, I didn't mean that. I don't know why that came out of my head.

[B]

I don't know. I think those are boa.

[A]

Sam Elliot I think is like nail on head.

[C]

Yeah. Okay. Do mares ever have to be induced to start labor?

[B]

We have not. I don't quite. I don't. I don't know. Because I have.

[A]

I know that they can induce cattle with horses. The longest I've had one go is only like 10 days over. I really haven't had one go past that year mark, which I know people have. I know people have had horses go into like the 380s before they fall. 340 is like considered their due date.

[B]

Wow. And so I know that once you get overdue, you know, a week or.

[A]

Two, maybe have the vet come, like just check her out, do some blood work. Maybe palpating sometimes can like move things along. But I don't know medically, like with medicine or anything like that, that is done for that. I mean, you. I'm sure there probably is.

[D]

I would think it's like a little oxytocin or something.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Cuz that is what causes like started contract.

[B]

Oh, My gosh.

[A]

Contractions. But I don't know. I. I haven't had to do it.

[D]

So if. If Dr. Matthew comments, we'll pin it.

[A]

Dr. Matthew does not watch my content, I promise you.

[B]

Well, no, I take that back. His little boy was sick months ago, and he said that he asked to.

[A]

Watch the videos with Dr. Matthew on YouTube.

[B]

And so they.

[A]

They laid there watching videos while he was sick.

[C]

That's.

[A]

Isn't that cute?

[B]

So cute.

[D]

Is he coming out this week, Dr. Matthew? Yeah, I don't know if he is. We could get him to answer the question and then we could just put him in the corner answering the question.

[B]

He's not on the list to come out. Okay.

[A]

It's next week. He has a couple appointments.

[C]

Okay. Who is your hardest send off? As in training or selling?

[B]

H hardest send off out of. Do you want to keep it to, like, ever or like FS that I've bred?

[D]

What would ever include, like, you're selling.

[B]

My ponies when I was little.

[D]

Nah, foles you bread?

[B]

Because my parents did pull the like, hey, we sold your horse. He's not even there. Like, we already loaded him up and took him away. They did, they did that a couple times.

[D]

I feel like that happened to a couple of fish. I had.

[B]

Like, I remember one day they showed up and had like a chocolate milkshake waiting for me and they. And I was like, okay, what died or what did you sell?

[A]

And they had sold one of my favorite horses and he was already gone.

[C]

They didn't even let you say goodbye?

[A]

No, they sucked. Let's see.

[B]

Hard to send off, like fall wise. I'm not gonna lie. I, like, cried a little bit with Noel this year, sending her off. I loved Noel and I love where she went. Like, literally, she went to the best place ever.

[D]

She's on the east coast?

[B]

No, she's in Texas.

[D]

Where did. Who's on.

[B]

Who's out east in the east Coast?

[D]

I'm thinking, who am I thinking of? Maybe no one.

[B]

Older horses are so like, Stevie's in Florida, A couple of them are in North Carolina.

[D]

That's who I was thinking was North.

[B]

Carolina, but she's in Texas. A couple from Pennsylvania. Yeah, but she's in. In Texas. So. Yeah, I had a hard time with Noel. I don't know. Like, I, I think maybe Gretchen with it.

[C]

She watching her try to get off.

[B]

I was fine with it. Not that I don't love Gretchen and not that I'm not gonna miss her.

[A]

But, like, I just don't get sad about Horses going to training, Like, I get excited.

[B]

I'm.

[A]

I'm, like, super hopeful and excited for what they're doing. So I'm like, yeah, let's do it. Instead of being, like, sad about it.

[B]

And I. You know, maybe if she was, like.

[A]

My only miniature horse, then she was gone for a period of time, like.

[B]

Yeah, that'd be sad.

[D]

But, like, I always want to. I always get. Every time I've gotten a dog in life, which has only been maybe twice, I'm always like, I'm gonna send them off to training, and then I can't.

[B]

Yeah, dogs are.

[A]

That's different, man.

[D]

But I think a horse. I'd be like, oh, sure, yeah. And maybe it's because they're so big that it doesn't seem as like.

[B]

And I. I think it does matter that, like, I'm not sending my only horse to training.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

I have a whole barn of horses busy, you know.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

But I also was just raised with, like, a ton of animals and a ton of, like, moving parts, and they. They leave, and then sometimes they come back, and sometimes things change, and sometimes they die, and sometimes, like, it. It. I'm not gonna say it doesn't affect me, but I think I just look at it probably different than a lot.

[D]

Not if you only had one horse and it was your friend and you have one, and then you go to zero.

[B]

And, like, don't get me wrong, the loss of some horses has absolutely, like, tore me to shreds. Yeah. But I don't know. I don't see training or selling as that. I get super excited for them to go on to their new owner or go on to training. Like, I guess the excitement for that, like, replaces the sadness of not having them.

[D]

Yeah. Makes sense.

[C]

So what is your plan for broodmares once they can no longer carry and really become just pasture pets?

[B]

So there are some mares that owe me nothing and have, you know, had their babies and been such amazing parts of the breeding program. Like, let's use Indy for an example. Indy's 18 now, foaling this year. Let's say she doesn't have another baby.

[C]

She.

[B]

She is retired with me for life. I got her from a kill pin. I got her from a horrible situation. She. I committed to her. I'm keeping her. I committed to saving her and. And to, like, she has been with me for years now. Now, let's say Willow. Willow is a horse that I purchased to be a reset May. That hasn't happened yet. And she. We're gonna Try again this year. But if it's another year of failed attempts, she's young or like, she's like 10 or 11. Sound broke to ride. There's no reason she can't go be a riding horse for somebody. There's no reason. Yeah, so I'd probably sell her. And, you know, even if she'd had a baby or two, I. She's still absolutely able to go have like a fulfilling life with a partner versus just sitting in my pasture. Gracie. I have other plans for Gracie. So she's no longer having babies and we're gonna try to bring her back into work a little bit and, like, have a little pony horse, because we're keeping.

[A]

You don't even know what pony is.

[B]

No, it's when you, like, lead a horse while you're riding one and you exercise them that way. So, like, we're keeping the two year olds on property this year. We need a pony horse. She's gonna be smaller than all of them.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

But she's meaner, so that also works. So I think it just depends on the horse. If they don't really have other things to go do. If they have been with me for a long time and they've obviously, like, don't owe me anything, I have no problem giving them retirement and them hanging out in my pasture and just keeping, you know, keeping care of them until they pass away. But if they have the ability to go be a therapy horse at, like, we have great therapy centers here in Nashville or in the middle Tennessee area where they can go be loved on by kids or, you know, people with special needs or, you know, there's like, veteran therapy centers, you know, things like that. If they can be utilized in that way, if they can be kids, horses, if they can be. I. Yeah, I. I think there's. I think it depends on the horse, but I take it very seriously. Making sure they are, like, good. You want them wherever they end up. I will go to lengths to make sure they are, like, good wherever they are, whether it be with me or, like, somewhere past me.

[A]

So perfect. Okay.

[C]

This is another fun one. Your crew is going on a trail ride. Who would you put, like, who would you put us on and why?

[D]

That is a good question.

[B]

See, it is a good question because. Could be a reality.

[C]

Actually.

[B]

I'm trying to think, how many horses.

[A]

Do I have to do that with? If we bring Gracie back in, like, who are the options here?

[B]

We got Gracie.

[A]

Ethel bows out. Bo used to be the go to. Yeah, I was out. Annie, she's probably not being rebred this year, so she'll be back into the riding rotation.

[B]

Ricky Kennedy.

[C]

I would love to ride Kennedy.

[B]

She a little hot.

[C]

That's okay.

[D]

That's. That self preservation chooses probably the worst.

[A]

One to get on at the beginning. I don't really have that many trail horses, but you'd be on Ethel.

[C]

Okay. I like Ethel.

[A]

You'd be on Ethel for sure.

[C]

She's the safest one.

[B]

I don't know. I put you on Gracie, Nate.

[D]

I like Gracie.

[B]

I think you. I think you'd be fine. Beyond Gracie.

[C]

Gracie's a cutie. Little.

[D]

Little spice. Little size. I like a little small.

[B]

Like, your legs would literally be so close to the ground.

[A]

Yeah, we.

[D]

We'd be cooking.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

Well, what will you do with the mini cows when they are ready to give birth? Will you bring them up into the barn to keep an eye on them?

[B]

I've been thinking about that. Because they're due in April. I don't think we're gonna have any of the big cows at the cow barn. So I think because it has a pasture attached to it right behind, I think it would be best to bring them up into the cow barn. And maybe the other cows just hang out in that pasture because they have, like, a little lot as well. So when they're really close, keep just popping Petunia up. If we have to preg. Check Petunia soon. Um, but then having the other mini cows right behind so that when they have their baby, we give them some time, but then we let them back out in the herd. Because I would. I don't want to just keep them secluded from all the rest of them, even when they have their babies. So I think for a time period, all eight of them will come up to the cow barn and at least be in the lot behind it so that we can keep a close eye.

[C]

How small are the babies?

[B]

It varies. I mean, Posey was itty bitty. Poppy and Petunia, I would. I would say, are pretty. I don't know. How big do you think Poppy Petunia were? I mean, you saw them probably. You saw them, like, a couple of months into me having them.

[C]

Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, so Posey was literally this big. Posey was literally that.

[B]

Huh.

[C]

Can I hold one?

[B]

We hold all of them.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Now we're letting Poppy Petunia. If again, I'm saying this as if Petunia is still pregnant, we have to preg Check her. Yeah. We're gonna let them raise their babies. And so some people Bottle feed so that they're like, friendly. We're gonna let mama. Because our mamas are all so sweet and like, friendly, we're gonna try to just be really hands on and let them raise their babies. So cool.

[C]

Okay, last one. I'm curious if mares and stallions compete in the same class, and if so, is there a system in place for mares that are in heat so there won't be any ruckus or problems in the arena? So is there something the trainer or owner does to prevent heat cycles?

[B]

I would say a lot, and I say this, I don't say this to be. So I think you'll notice a lot more inconsistencies in how mares and stallions behave together at more like lower level shows where maybe the knowledge just isn't there. But at higher level shows, like, so if I go to a quarter horse show, not saying it doesn't ever happen, but generally the mares are kept on, you know, regiment or something to suppress their heat cycles during showing. And then stallions generally aren't brought to the shows and, and shown unless they're able to like, mentally handle it. And so in the halter classes, stallions and mares compete separately. So that's where you're handling them. We saw it with Denver, so he's only competing against other stallions.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

But in the western pleasure, in the western riding, in the hunter classes, like sometimes that, yeah, they have to be loping beside a mayor. They have to be right next to each other. And that's why it's very important to have your stallion prepared for that. So I would say absolutely, it is on the stallion owner to make sure that their stallion is in check way more than a mayor owner to make sure her mare isn't in heat. I think if you're bringing a stallion into that space, he needs to behave himself and he needs to be able to, to cope with a mare being in heat.

[D]

Right. I mean, I would think to some extent, one you can train, the other one you can't. And like, like you can't really train a mayor. You can't make a mayor not coming to heat.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And, and also, like, if you're a lot of these people that are showing these mares, they're, they're trying to like pull embryos in the spring or something like that. And you got to keep letting them go into heat and, and things like that. And so I think they also behave better if they're not in heat. And they, you know, just like women, like, they'll get kind of tender, like on their ovaries, like on their back, their, their lower back.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And so a lot of the times just for comfort, people will keep them like on regime or whatever to keep them from cycling and for the consistency and mood. But you know, if you're trying to pull embryos and you're showing at the same time, or you know you're showing your mayor through the spring, but you're wanting to breeder. Because I bred Annie and let her carry and I showed her through the summer so like I had to let her go through her heats. Yeah, I think there's reasons to have a Marin heat at a show and it be completely okay. It just. Yeah, I think if you bring a stallion to a show, it needs to, it needs to know how to handle it. Yeah.

[A]

Cool.

[B]

Okay, so let us know. Do you like these videos where we just kind of take the time to answer some questions sometimes we love to yap, obviously, but big gappers. I think mixing these in can get a lot of answers. Question a lot of answers questioned.

[C]

Answers a lot of questions answered.

[B]

So for the next time we do this, let me know if there's any questions you have. Leave them in the comments. We pulled a lot of these from YouTube and Facebook. If you don't know. Facebook is where I post a lot more photos statuses. Again, if you would like to know everything kind of first and see the FS first, you can subscribe on Facebook, YouTube or. No, you can subscribe on Facebook and TikTok and Instagram. Those are all the options. You don't have to subscribe to all of them. They all get the same stuff within like minutes of each other. And we are also doing, I'm not joking you like 120 to 150 snapchats every day. Lots. And they go away after 24 hours. So lots of behind the scenes footage there. So go follow all those things. Let us know if you have any questions and stay tuned for the next episode.

[D]

Bye Deuces.