Saddle Sore Ranch

06/06/2026

It is PATH Intl. Standards Saturday and, today, we are featuring Standard F3, which is one of the Facilities Standards. These standards delineate requirements for grounds/buildings, equipment storage and maintenance and activity areas. If there is no arena, this standard does not apply.

See a summary of all the PATH Intl. Standards here: https://loom.ly/3jUs0mQ
PATH Intl. Members receive free access to the PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation manual. Join here: https://loom.ly/SVeeKhw or purchase a print or electronic copy here: https://loom.ly/MlsCdpc.

06/02/2026

What was Ms. Mindy doing 13 years ago today? 🤔

Living the intern life at Ability360! 💙

Long before Saddle Sore Ranch, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at Ability360, learning about adaptive sports, inclusion, and the power of recreation for individuals with disabilities. One of my favorite experiences was helping with wheelchair rugby—an intense, fast-paced sport that taught me so much about determination, teamwork, and breaking barriers.

Looking back, these experiences helped shape the instructor, mentor, and advocate I am today. It’s amazing how the lessons we learn years ago continue to influence the work we do now.

Funny how a picture can bring back so many memories! 📸💙

05/31/2026

7 years ago Henry tried horse therapy for the first time.

We are so glad he did. He loved it!

He’s been going going once a week for seven years and he’s growing so much.

Look at how little he was!!!

05/24/2026

Listen we are probably going to ruffle some feathers with this post but as producers who have seen it all we feel like this should be talked about.

The American Rodeo was this weekend and seeing young ladies like Taylor Armenta, Hadlee Landers, Tabitha Dyal, and Dusky Lynn Hall competing at 14 years old and under is absolutely incredible. These girls are HANDS. Their talent, dedication, horsemanship, and work ethic are on another level. Seriously mind blowing 🤯
But here’s the part (I’m just going to say it.) Parents need to understand…
These girls are NOT the norm. They are the exception. They and their horses are 100% elite athletes that know their job the nano second they step into that arena.

As producers, we are seeing more and more parents trying to shortcut the process by over mounting under qualified kids on horses they simply are not ready for. And honestly? It’s becoming dangerous.
We’ve seen horrific wrecks. We’ve seen kids completely lose confidence in themselves and their horses. We’ve seen horses learn bad habits because they figured out real quick the rider couldn’t hold them accountable.
Just because a horse is fast does NOT mean it’s the right horse for your child.
And just because your kid wants to run like the girls listed above does not mean they should be thrown on a 1D rocket ship tomorrow.
What happened to the good old solid kid horse? The kind that teaches balance, timing, confidence, and actual HORSEMANSHIP before speed ever enters the conversation?
Because the truth is… the girls competing at that level likely spent years putting in countless hours riding, learning, failing, practicing, and developing their skills. They didn’t wake up one morning and magically become elite horsewomen.
Slow down. Let your kids learn. Let them become horsemen FIRST. Most importantly Invest in lessons. Invest in confidence. Invest in the foundation.
A kid that learns correctly on the right horse will eventually become way more successful than one that gets terrified, hurt, or loses confidence because the adults pushed too hard too fast.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with dialing it back and building great horsemen before building great barrel racers.

Thanks for coming to our Ted Talk
BRDS

05/16/2026

It is time for another PATH Intl. Standards Saturday and, today, we are featuring Standard ESK1, which is one of the Equestrian Skill Standards. Equestrian Skill (ESK) Services are services where the goal or outcome for the participant is to gain a horsemanship skill. These skills may be in the area(s) of riding, driving, vaulting or ground skills.

See a summary of all the PATH Intl. Standards here: https://loom.ly/3jUs0mQ PATH Intl. Members receive free access to the PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation manual. Join here: https://loom.ly/SVeeKhw or purchase a print or electronic copy here: https://loom.ly/MlsCdpc.

05/10/2026

This story beautifully highlights something we see every single day at Saddle Sore Ranch — horses changing lives in ways that are hard to put into words. 🤍

Equine-assisted services are so much more than riding lessons. They build confidence, emotional regulation, communication, independence, resilience, connection, and healing… one ride, one moment, one relationship at a time.

We are proud to be part of an industry that impacts individuals and families in such meaningful ways, and thankful for every rider, volunteer, instructor, and horse who makes it possible. 🐴

Thank you to PATH International for continuing to bring awareness to the incredible work happening across the equine-assisted services community.

Take a few minutes to watch this powerful spotlight. 💙

If you didn't catch it last Sunday on CBS Sunday Morning, here is a heartfelt spotlight on the equine-assisted services industry, highlighting the impactful and broad range of services provided by PATH Intl. PAC Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc! Positive representation of the breadth and depth of equine-assisted services and the life-changing impacts, is a win for all in the industry!

View it here: https://loom.ly/Ps3OjTE

05/09/2026

Camp is a place where horses heal, challenges build character, and kids get to simply be kids.

05/09/2026

Autism awareness

05/08/2026