Be Your Best Horsemanship

In this episode, I'm revealing the single most important skill that you must master to succeed in the horse training business. Join me as I share my thoughts on the importance of this skill and how developing this skill can be the biggest determining factor on whether or not you experience long-term success as a professional trainer.

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In this episode, I'm sharing three perspectives on the word "balance" and how you can apply these perspectives to various aspects of your personal and professional life. Join me as I break down the journey of finding balance for yourself and your horses in your everyday training.

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In this episode, I am recapping two of our recent clinics and mentorship weeks and sharing some of the valuable lessons that came about during these events. Tune in as I share my perspectives on the importance of applying a growth mindset to life, business and horses.

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In this episode, I'm joined by long-time friend, fellow horseman, and fly control expert, Mark Upton, as we discuss how to take a proactive approach to the spring training season. Join us as we share our thoughts and experiences around facility preparation, controlling flies in and around the barn, and how adopting a proactive mentality can help make your training more efficient.

To learn more about the fly control products shared in this episode visit:

In this episode, I'm sharing some life reflections and thoughts about a question from one of our loyal listeners: "When you've been training a horse for an extended period of time and things just aren't progressing the way you'd hoped, how do you know if/when it's time to move on?"

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In this week’s episode, I am sharing some tips for dealing with horses who are experiencing separation anxiety and how to prepare them for situations where they will be alone at home and on the road. 

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In this week’s episode, I’m sharing some perspectives on resilience and why it is essential to have a resilient training mindset. Tune in as I dive into the topics of mental toughness, effort, and creating an environment that fosters continual growth and development for you and your horse.

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In this episode, I'm recapping my recent clinic in Stephenville, TX and sharing some important conversations we had around embracing opportunities for growth. Tune in to learn more about how a growth mindset can impact your training journey and some common opportunities for growth that you can look for in your day-to-day training.

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In this episode, I'm sharing some recent experiences that opened my eyes to the inherent challenges and opportunities that each day presents. Tune into this segment to learn more about shaping your perspective around challenging circumstances and focusing on an opportunity-centric mindset.

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In this episode, I'm breaking down a recent philosophy I heard from John Maxwell: "Comparison is the thief of joy." Tune into this episode to hear my thoughts on how this applies to the horsemanship industry and what trainers can do to avoid falling into the comparison trap.

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In this episode series, I'm joined by the CEO of Equibrand, Ken Bray, as we discuss what it takes to set yourself up to train, compete and win in every arena of life.

In this episode series, I'm joined by the CEO of Equibrand, Ken Bray, as we discuss what it takes to set yourself up to train, compete and win in every arena of life.

The smallest details are often the ones that make the biggest impact. In this episode, I'm sharing some of the details that are important to pay close attention to as you progress a horse through its training.

This episode is all about the concept of "focus on what you do well, and do it even better." In this segment, I'm sharing some ways that I am prioritizing the application of this philosophy to my horsemanship, as well as other areas of my life this year.

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As we enter into a new year, I wanted to dedicate an episode to the topic of goal setting. But, this isn't your typical episode about goal setting―it's what to focus on instead. Sometimes, achieving more doesn't mean setting higher goals; it means keeping the promises you make to yourself. Tune in to hear more about how I've changed my approach to goal setting over the past 10 years and how this approach has allowed me to get more enjoyment out of my life and business.

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In this episode, I'm talking more about the importance of keeping the horse's front end freed up and sharing some experiences of working on this skill with a filly we currently have in training. Tune in as we cover this, as well as some personal development practices for the new year.

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As trainers, we are always looking for ways to enhance the efficiency of our daily operations so that we can get more accomplished in the limited time we have available. In this episode, I'm diving into the topic of optimizing your facility for success and sharing some easy ways that you can make adjustments to save yourself some steps and add valuable time to your training routine each day.

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In this episode, I'm sharing some insights on the importance of being able to engage and disengage a horse's hindquarters. Establishing control of this key body part aids in balancing your horse's body weight, which in turn improves their performance and promotes soundness in the front end. Tune into this episode to learn more about the fundamentals of hindquarter control and the benefits of having a horse that is balanced on their front and hind end.

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Conditioning, both physically and mentally, is one of the most pivotal things we can do to improve our chances of being successful inside the arena. Success is where preparation and opportunity meet, and conditioning our horses and ourselves is part of this preparation process. If we are missing the conditioning piece, we will not be fully prepared to take advantage of the opportunity when it presents itself. In this episode, I’m sharing more about the importance of conditioning and how being disciplined in this area can create huge changes in your performance.

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Success is when preparation meets opportunity. As trainers, we can't always control the opportunities we are presented with, but we can control our level of preparation. On this episode, I'm sharing a few stories about the mentality needed to be successful and how preparation plays an important role in the longevity of your training career.

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While we all want our horses to listen to our cues, sometimes, we can get to a point where our horses are anticipating their next move so much that they begin to lose their speed instinct. In this episode, I'm covering a question submitted by one of our listeners about re-establishing "run" and speed in a horse that has gotten ratey around the barrels.

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In this episode, we're continuing our two-part episode series about taking responsibility for your success. In this segment, I'm breaking down some topics from our recent mentorship week, including:

• Managing expectations and timelines
• Developing a process-oriented perspective
• Expanding on the relationship between goals, motivation, discipline and progress
• and more.

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Sometimes, the road to success isn't as smooth or as short as we hoped it would be. On this episode, I'm sharing some insights from our recent mentorship week about the power of controlling your self-image, developing habits of discipline, and taking responsibility for your success.

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On this episode, I'm finishing out the conversation about the topics I cover during the first morning meeting at my clinics. The purpose of this meeting is to help trainers not only understand how to perform the fundamentals of horsemanship, but also understand why we are doing things the way we are. Join us for the final segment of this multi-part episode series.

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On this episode, I'm continuing the conversation about the topics I cover during the first morning meeting at my clinics. The purpose of this meeting is to help trainers not only understand how to perform the fundamentals of horsemanship, but also understand why we are doing things the way we are. Join us for the next segment of this multi-part episode series.

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On this episode, I'm continuing the conversation about the topics I cover during the first morning meeting at my clinics. The purpose of this meeting is to help trainers not only understand how to perform the fundamentals of horsemanship, but also understand why we are doing things the way we are. Join us for the next segment of this multi-part episode series.

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On this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes to introduce you to the topics I cover during the first morning meeting at my clinics. The purpose of this meeting is to help trainers not only understand how to perform the fundamentals of horsemanship, but also understand why we are doing things the way we are. Join us for this multi-part episode series.

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On this episode, I’m recapping our recent mentorship week and sharing some of the highlights of this experience. These mentorship weeks are not only designed to progress horsemanship fundamentals, but the fundamentals of being your best in every arena of life. Join me as we dive into some of the topics we incorporated into this mentorship experience.

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Horsemanship is a mental game, both for trainers and their horses. If we are not in the right mental state to progress a horse in its training, we cannot expect our horses to reciprocate that trainable mentality. On this episode, I'm sharing some insights on how to win the thinking game and the fundamental mindset shift you must make to achieve consistent progression in your horsemanship.

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The mind is the most powerful tool we possess. When it comes to horsemanship, we are not only dealing with our own mental energy, but we are also working to manage the mental energy of the horse we are training. On this episode, I’m sharing some examples of how influential the mind can be on our horses’ behaviors and talking about how to manage positive and negative mental energy within ourselves and our horses.

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On this episode, I'm recapping our recent clinics in Corvallis, Montana and Eaton, Colorado, and sharing some foundational principles that we worked on in the timed events. One of the biggest areas of focus during these clinics was fine-tuning our communication and leadership skills to focus on applying the "1% better everyday" rule to our performance and progression. Tune in to hear more about the skills we worked on during these clinics and how you can take these principles and apply them to your everyday training program.

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If you made a plan and stuck with it consistently for 2 years, where would you be? I think that’s a question many of us have an easy time thinking about, but a hard time committing to. In the horse training world, 2 years can seem like both an eternity and a very brief window of time in a horse’s training journey. On this episode, I'm talking about the value of keeping your signals consistent and the importance of committing to the daily processes that are going to get you to that end result.

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Every one of us has a limited amount of time in the day. So, when it comes to training, it is important to make that time count. On this episode, I’m sharing some experiences I’ve had with managing my time, schedule and training techniques to give my horses the best opportunity to succeed.

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I came across a list this week called, "The 6 Key Things Success Demands," and it was remarkable how applicable this list was to horsemanship. On this episode, I'm breaking down these key components of success and explaining how to implement each of these habits into your daily training routine.

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On this episode, I am joined by a very special guest, Mark Upton of Central Life Sciences. Mark is a long-time friend, an excellent horseman, and an advocate for the western industry. Join us as we chat about our experiences in horsemanship, how the horse industry has evolved, and the tools we use to keep our horses at their best.

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As outdoor temperatures rise, our horses begin to require a little extra care and attention to keep them at their peak performance level. On this episode, I'm sharing some maintenance shifts that we make during the summer months to keep our horses well-nourished, well-hydrated, and feeling their best.

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Speed is a complex response, acting as both a horse's natural self-defense response and a desired attribute in performance events. The delicate balance between controlling speed and harnessing it can prove to be one of the most challenging parts of horsemanship, especially when you are dealing with a naturally strong, "chargey" horse. On this episode, I'm sharing some techniques for managing speed and maintaining communication with horses who have strong reactive tendencies.

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Seasoning horses is a part of the training process that can be one of the most mentally challenging phases of horsemanship. On this episode, I'm sharing some thoughts on how to approach building a horse's confidence in unfamiliar situations away from home and the psychology behind setting expectations for seasoning a horse.

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I’ve always considered myself to be a very forward-thinking person. I rarely pause to look back at the past–I’m always thinking ahead and planning what I’m going to do next. While I believe that this forward-thinking mentality has served me well in many areas of my life, I also believe that it causes me to forget to slow down and appreciate the little things from time to time. On this episode, I'm sharing a story about a blast from the past and how this moment of reflection reminded me about the importance of operating with a present mindset and an attitude of gratitude, and explaining how my horses benefit from this mindset.

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Have you ever been reading something on your phone and having a conversation with someone at the same time, only to realize minutes later that you have no idea what the other person has been talking about? It's not that you are intentionally ignoring them; it's simply a glitch in how the human mind works. It's a proven fact that the human mind can only give full attention to one thought at a time. Although some of us claim to be expert multitaskers who can juggle multiple tasks at once, the truth is, none of us can give 100% attention to more than one task at a time. On this episode, I'm diving into the art of (not) multitasking and explaining why doing less is actually more productive.

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On this episode, I am joined by Holly Longest, owner of Jettin Bye Farm in Quinton, VA. Holly owns and operates a full-time, all-inclusive equine rehabilitation facility and trains horses both privately and publicly. Join us as we dive into a day in Holly's life as a multidisciplinary equine business owner and discuss the keys to balancing life, business and horsemanship.

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Horsemanship is a skill that can be developed over time. While some individuals may possess natural talents that lend themselves to having great horsemanship, it is important to understand that skills are not solely reliant on innate abilities. On this episode, I’m breaking down the science of skills and explaining how thinking of confidence and self-image as skills can contribute to success inside and outside of the arena.

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We all know that confidence is one of the biggest determining factors of success, both for ourselves and our horses. However, the path to building confidence is unique to each individual. When it comes to horses, not every horse will respond to our signals in the same way. That's why it is important for us, as trainers, to be aware of these individual tendencies so that we can adapt our communication in a way that promotes a maximum level of confidence from our horses. On this episode, I’m sharing some examples of how I’ve had to adapt my communication style to help certain horses overcome extremely reactive tendencies and build confidence in unfamiliar situations. Additionally, I'm sharing a few words of encouragement for those who are rebuilding their own confidence after time off or recovering from an injury, as they venture back into the competitive arena.

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This episode was inspired by a topic request: “Which horse do you ride first each day? Do you like to start with your easiest set of horses first, or your more challenging ones?” Join us as we dive into the topic of time management and how to manage your training schedule effectively.

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On this episode, I'm sharing insights from our recent horsemanship clinic in Giddings, TX where we discussed the importance of mastering the fundamentals, focusing on the plan rather than just the results, creating moments for release, and making small adjustments for big impact. In this episode, you'll learn my philosophies on how prioritizing preparation can lead to massive results in your performance as a trainer, as well as your horse's performance.

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Bits and training equipment are some of the hottest topics of discussion at many of my clinics. With so many great options for training tools out there, it can be challenging to know which tools to use in a given scenario with a given horse. On this episode, I'm breaking down my philosophies on bits and other training equipment and how to use these tools to demonstrate better communication and leadership with my horses.

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No matter what stage of training you are at, we are all living some version of the same journey. It’s a journey filled with peaks, valleys, frustrations and victories. It’s a journey that will evoke the full spectrum of emotions. Understanding how to navigate the ups and downs of the horsemanship journey is the key to maintaining momentum and continuing to progress 1% one day at a time. On this episode, I'm sharing some thoughts on riding the waves of the training process and things to consider as you are building your training program.

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On this episode, I am joined by the founder of X Factor Team Roping and X Factor Barrel Racing, Pace Freed. X Factor has grown to become the #1 rated training app in our industry and has expanded access to knowledge tremendously. Join us as we chat about the evolution of the roping industry, the role of horsemanship in competition, and where the rope horse industry is headed. 

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A horse training program is a lot like a business franchise. A franchise is simply a proven system for success. Depending on how a franchise is managed, one will thrive and one will fail due to poor application of the system. The same is true in horse training. On this episode, I'm sharing some perspectives on the application of knowledge and a few examples of how small changes in application can create tremendously different results in your training program.

A Special Note from Phil: Coming off of Mother's Day weekend, I wanted to dedicate the first part of this episode to all the moms out there who listen to this podcast. For those of you listening who may be overwhelmed by your challenges in the horse training world, remember that the most important job title you will ever have is “mom.” The lessons you teach and the memories you create will always be your most important contribution. We love you, and we appreciate you!

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In my mind, there is one thing that separates the good trainers from the great trainers, and that is a commitment to continual growth. Those who continue to seek out and absorb new perspectives, new methodologies and new systems are the ones who recognize and embrace the fact that there is always more to learn. They understand that, no matter what level you have reached, there is always an opportunity to get 1% better. On this episode, I’m sharing some philosophies on embracing a growth mentality and the importance of continually committing to the journey of self improvement.

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