Holloway's Pretty Good Horse Barn

23/06/2026

Herron Park Equestrians is hosting the annual event derby July 11, 2026. This year we are offering derby rounds from Tadpole all the way to Preliminary. You can also sign up for any test of choice USEA 3 day or FEI Eventing to get practice in before going down the center line at Rebecca Farms! We al...

21/06/2026

Please read this

Why you will not see me being spectacular on a young horse:

Klaus Balkenhol explains, "Although breeders have created a better horse, the market has created a demand for a stronger, healthier, more powerful horse. It's easier to sell a horse that looks like a carefully developed eight-year-old, and not like a three- or four-year-old just beginning his career. If you force it, you can get a three-year-old to physically look like a developed eight-year-old. Too many colts remain stallions which, if approved, promise breeders higher prices as three-year-olds. Now 250 to 300 young stallions are presented each year, when only 40 or 50 will be approved.
Few breeders have the sense to geld the yearling stallions and leave them on the pasture to mature naturally. Instead, yearling stallions are brought into a stall, fed too much grain, and at three, look like six- or seven-year-olds. They have muscle mass, but not enough bone structure to support it. They look mature from the outside but aren't . . . and when started to work, degeneration sets in. Competitions also create pressure to push horses too fast as competitions are now scheduled throughout the year without any breaks."
Common Mistakes In Pushing Too Fast
Tightening the noseband: "A horse resists by sticking out his tongue. Tightening the noseband too much puts pressure on the nose and on the poll. If it is necessary to tighten the noseband very tightly, then something has gone very wrong in the basic training of the horse. The horse cannot be relaxed, the first step on the training scale," warns Klaus.
Specializing too early: "Drilling every day in the indoor arena is too intense for the young horse. It's very important, especially in the first two years of training, not to specialize the young horse. Training should include a variety of activities, including trail riding, which is good for the mind as well as building strength with hill work. It should include jumping, either free or low jumps under saddle, including small natural obstacles on the trail, and cavaletti. A variety of work will allow the horse to stay mentally fresh and to enjoy his work. Only when the horse is happy can dressage become art."
Not checking tack frequently: "Saddle and tack need to be checked constantly for proper fit and adjusted as the horse's body changes with growth, and as his fitness improves with the training. If the noseband gets too low, for example, and the skin between the noseband and the bit is rubbed and becomes sore, this causes the horse discomfort and loss of relaxation. Regularly check for sharp edges and bit problems in the horse's mouth and teeth."
Working too long: "The goal of our training is to build the horse's mind and his muscles. Suppleness and relaxation require adequate muscle strength. strengthening requires both contraction and relaxation. Blood flow and oxygenation occur when the muscle relaxes. If the muscle is kept in a constant state of contraction, it loses power and strength, and actually becomes smaller. Frequent rest periods, especially for a young horse at a free walk on a long rein, are necessary. The rest periods are not for a rider's fatigue, but to allow the horse to stretch and relax his muscles. The rest breaks will give you a completely new horse. This is the systematic gymnasticizing of the horse."
Riding when the horseman is tense: "Horses are particularly sensitive to the rider's mood. A rider shouldn't ride if she is under undue stress or doesn't have the time to ride. If the rider has a bad day, give the horse a rest day or go for a relaxing trail ride; don't work in the arena. The horse mirrors the rider's mood."
Not praising the horse enough: "The horse must perform from joy, not subservience. Praising a horse frequently with voice, a gentle pat, or relaxing the reins is very important to keep the horse interested and willing. If the horse offers piaffe, for instance, because he's excited, praise him for it. You shouldn't stop the lesson at that point nor make a big deal out of it. If you don't want piaffe, quietly urge him forward into trot, but you should NEVER punish him for offering the piaffe. - Klaus Blakenhol

18/06/2026

Good to know

17/06/2026

Due to the rapidly changing nature of New World Screwworm (NWS) cases in Texas and the case identified in New Mexico, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) has updated the emergency order placing import restrictions on all animals coming from Texas and New Mexico.

All animals moving out of an INFESTED ZONE in Texas and New Mexico must have a permit from the state of origin as well as official identification, treatment for NWS, an interstate CVI issued within 5 days of travel to Montana, and a statement on the CVI stating that the animals have been inspected and are free from wounds and evidence of NWS infestation. These requirements should be consistent with state of origin requirements for infested zone movements.

All animals leaving a STATE WITH AN INFESTED ZONE must have a CVI issued within 5 days of travel to Montana, official ID, and a statement on the CVI stating that the animals have been inspected and are free from wounds and evidence of NWS infestation.

NWS detections are rapidly evolving. Ensure you are getting accurate information from the Montana Department of Livestock or your veterinarian if you plan on traveling.

Let's work together to protect Montana’s animals and livestock.

06/06/2026

Saturday jump groups are so much fun!!!

29/04/2026

I’ve told this story before, but it bears repeating---

Sid Shachnow, pictured with me a few years ago, had been the commanding general of all US Special Forces at Fort Bragg. He was also a rider and one time I was telling him about a mutual acquaintance who had a bad habit of jumping ahead of the motion.

“I can’t get him to stop doing it,” I said. “It’s so instinctual for him to do that.”

Sid said, “Denny---The most instinctual thing that a soldier can do if he is suddenly ambushed is to turn and run, which is the most likely to get him shot. We have to train our guys to run directly at their attackers and to fire their weapons at them, which gives them the best chance of survival.

Now Denny----If I can train my guys to run into live rifle fire, you can train your student not to jump up the neck.

TRAINING HAS TO OVERCOME INSTINCT.”

Which comes---finally---to the main point of this post, which is that old Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared.”

Preparedness comes through training and practice, and if YOU are a rider who has ambitions to become a better rider, those two words, training and practice, which lead to being prepared, are your go to words.

Don’t want to train and practice? Then be prepared for sub-par results, It IS that simple.