Genesis Trail Ranch
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Genesis Trail Ranch
Changing the lives of colts to rescues. Located in Central Alberta.
I’ve always believed a horse ought to learn his ABCs before you ask him to do algebra.
Then, when it’s time for algebra, maybe the horse looks at you and says, “Oh… I know this part.”
A good start isn’t about how quickly you can get a horse to the finished product. It’s about how well you prepare him for everything that comes before it.
You can make a horse tolerate a lot in a short amount of time. But there’s a big difference between a horse that has learned something and a horse that has simply learned to shut it out.
I’d rather teach the little pieces, give him time to think, and let confidence grow one lesson at a time.
Because when the day comes to put it all together, I want him to recognize the pieces... not wonder where the whole world just came from.
Teach the ABCs first. The algebra can wait. 🤠
Who needs a truck when you’ve got a pieced-together Lancer, a camper holding on by a prayer, and a cat providing downforce? The horse’s face at the end says what everyone else is thinking.
09/02/2026
Unpopular opinion, but we need to have a serious conversation about a trend I'm seeing way too much of lately: boundaryless handling being rebranded as "gentle training."
Social media is full of posts telling handlers that nipping, biting, or crowding isn’t disrespectful, but rather that the human wasn't "present" enough so the horse is just trying to "feel their energy." I’ve literally seen people apologize to their horse after it kicked at them for "clicking too hard."
We have to stop making these excuses. This isn't high-level horsemanship—it is a fundamental misunderstanding of equine behavior, and it is putting both people and horses in serious danger.
A 1,600 lb animal invading your space or throwing hooves isn't seeking a spiritual connection—it is testing boundaries. No minor cue, click, or sudden movement justifies an aggressive reaction. If a child sneezes next to a horse, do they deserve a kick to the head for "too much pressure"? Absolutely not. Our job isn't to walk on eggshells; it’s to teach horses how to process pressure calmly and yield safely.
Horses thrive on structure, clarity, and confident leadership. When we strip away boundaries in the name of being "soft," we don't build trust—we create unpredictable, dominant habits.
And here is the hard reality that online influencers leave out: Permissive handling creates dangerous horses. When an animal becomes too unsafe for an owner to manage, it rarely stays in a soft environment. These horses get passed around, labeled as "unfixable," and far too often end up in low-end auctions or kill pens—where rescuers have to step in, pull them out, and fix the fallout. Omitting boundaries isn't kindness. It simply offloads the consequences of neglect onto the animal down the road.
There is a clear distinction between genuine fear and intentional disrespect. You soothe fear, but you correct disrespect.
True horsemanship is soft, quiet, and fair *because* the boundaries are consistent and crystal clear. You can be deeply respectful of your horse while still requiring complete respect for your personal space.
Stop apologizing for bad behavior, stop making excuses for dangerous habits, and start gaining your horse's trust AND respect. Real horsemanship requires both.
Where do you draw the line between being fair and being overly permissive? Let’s discuss in the comments. ⬇️
Learn to teach your horse to lay down in 2 minutes. Teaching Rico to lay down. This was his FIRST time actually laying down, so I thought I'd share the process and teach the rest of you how I do it!
The goal isn’t to force the horse down. It’s to teach them to understand the cue, think through the pressure, and find the answer themselves.
And once he finally gave me the lay down, that was it. No asking for anything else. He got to relax, get loved on, and then after soaking on the lesson, he went straight back out to pasture.
Would you teach your horse to lay down? 👇
I want to hear your thoughts—even if you disagree.
08/31/2026
The secret to life:
Be smart enough to know the risks… and dumb enough to go for it anyway.
Never underestimate someone who’s willing to try.
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