Be Your Best Horsemanship

Making Your Best Horse Better

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Art of Keeping the Promises You Make to Yourself

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Freeing Up a Horse's Front End

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Optimizing Your Facility for Success

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Engaging and Disengaging the Hindquarters

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I'm sharing some insights on the importance of being able to engage and disengage a horse's hindquarters. Establishing contro...

The Importance of Conditioning

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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. S...

The Mental State of Success

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Success is when preparation meets opportunity. As trainers, we can't always control the opportunities we are presented with, but we can control ou...

Re-establishing Speed in a "Ratey" Horse

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Taking Responsibility for Your Success - Part 2

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're continuing our two-part episode series about taking responsibility for your success. In this segment, I'm breaking down...

Taking Responsibility for Your Success - Part 1

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Understanding the "Why" - Part 4

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

Understanding the "Why" - Part 3

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 meet...

Understanding the "Why" - Part 2

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 meet...

Understanding the "Why" - Part 1

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Fundamentals of Being Your Best

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Winning the Thinking Game

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 can...

Managing Positive and Negative Mental Energy

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 work...

Applying the 1% Rule to Your Everyday

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, I'm recapping our recent clinics in Corvallis, Montana and Eaton, Colorado, and sharing some foundational principles that we work...

The Value of Keeping Your Signals Consistent

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Making Your Training Time Count

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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’...

The 6 Key Things Success Demands

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I came across a list this week called, "The 6 Key Things Success Demands," and it was remarkable how applicable this list was to horsemanshi...

The Evolution of the Horse Industry with Mark Upton

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Caring for Horses in the Summer Heat

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 epis...

How to Manage Speed with Strong, Chargey Horses

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Speed is a complex response, acting as both a horse's natural self-defense response and a desired attribute in performance events. The delicate ba...

The Psychology Behind Seasoning Horses

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 planni...

The Art of (Not) Multitasking

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 hav...

A Day in the Life of a Multidisciplinary Equine Business Owner

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 reha...

Confidence is a Skill

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Horsemanship is a skill that can be developed over time. While some individuals may possess natural talents that lend themselves to having great horse...

Adapting Your Communication to Improve Your Horse’s Confidence

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 con...

Optimizing Your Training Schedule for Success

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, o...

Prior Preparation and Its Effect on Your Performance

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, I'm sharing insights from our recent horsemanship clinic in Giddings, TX where we discussed the importance of mastering the funda...

Best Practices on Choosing Bits

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ther...

Navigating the Ups and Downs of the Horsemanship Journey

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, frustrat...

Sharpening the X Factor with Pace Freed

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Application is Everything

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 manage...

Committing to Continual Growth

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 conti...

Working Smarter & Increasing Your Efficiency

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you are training horses personally or professionally, we are all in the same boat when it comes to optimizing the efficiency of our day-to-day...

Understanding the Difference Between Talents and Skills

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “wow, they’re so talented” or “they’re so much more talented than me?” While it’s true that...

Favorite Bloodlines for Performance Horses

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, I'm answering your inbox questions about my favorite bloodlines for performance horses and my experiences in training each. While...

How to Overcome Feelings of Inadequacy

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

No matter what level you have reached or how much money you have earned, I believe that we all struggle with feeling inadequate from time to time. Per...

Conversations with NFR Barrel Racer, Emily Beisel

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, I am joined by professional barrel racer and 4x National Finals Rodeo Qualifier, Emily Beisel to talk about her horsemanship journey ...

The Benefits of Loping Small Circles

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of my go-to drills for evaluating softness and speed control is loping a small circle. It’s a very basic exercise, but sometimes it’s the simp...

Giving Your Horse Space to Make Mistakes

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we micromanage our horses, they get to the point where they are no longer looking for the answer – they’re simply waiting for us to manipulat...

Maintaining Perspective When Seasoning a Horse

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, I'm answering an inbox question about a topic that addresses one of the biggest mental battles we have to overcome as trainers: "What...

Finding Fulfillment in the Process

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether we're seeking fulfillment in our training journeys, careers, or any other area of our lives, we tend to look toward the destination as a means...

Effort is a Decision

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I talk about the concept of "teaching effort" a lot when it comes to starting colts and training horses, but the truth is, this principle applies to e...

Dealing with Loss

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Part of living is loss. As devastating as it may be, one of the guarantees of this life is that we will all experience many losses, whether that is th...

Conversations with World Champion Tie Down Roper, Haven Meged

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, I'm joined by the 2019 PRCA World Champion Tie-Down Roper, Haven Meged to hear his perspectives on horsemanship, rope horses, and how...

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When I first started training horses, I thought asking for help meant that I was accepting defeat. I thought if I asked for help, people would look at...

Winning the Daily Battle of Building Confidence

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As trainers, we are either building our horses' confidence or destroying it. When introducing a horse to new levels of speed or exposing them to new s...

Choosing the Right Tools to Communicate With Your Horse

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all have days when we ask our horses for one response and get something completely different than what we were expecting. Any time you are progress...

Starting Colts on Cattle

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing colts to cattle is one of my favorite ways to begin building their confidence and establishing feel. Whether you have cattle or you are tr...

Evaluating Your Results & Adjusting Your System

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you evaluate your horse’s performance? In competitive situations, it’s not hard to come up with benchmarks for evaluation. For example, it’...

The Value of an Extra Hour

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I truly think the only way I can continue to grow and get better is to evaluate what I learned this past year. And this year, the one central theme th...

Prioritizing Your Preparation

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Between balancing your career, family, and personal responsibilities, finding time to prioritize preparation toward your personal goals can be a chall...

The Key to Making a Living as a Horse Trainer

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Can I make a living as a horse trainer?” This is a question that comes up quite frequently. And to be honest, when I was first starting out my train...

Lessons Learned as a Horse Trainer's Daughter with Hannah Macy

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode, I'm joined by a very special guest―my daughter, Hannah Macy. Join us as we reflect on her life growing up as a horse trainer...

Finding Joy in the Preparation

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

During the holiday season, we often find ourselves filled with gratitude as we are surrounded by family and friends in celebration. It's easy to feel ...

Diversifying Your Training Business

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you are operating a full-time or part-time training business, it can be easy to feel like your income potential is limited by the amount of hours i...

Living with Intention

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This morning, I was listening to Minute with Maxwell, a daily motivational clip by John Maxwell. The word he was speaking on was “intentional," and ...

Taking Control of Your Self Image

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to our competitive mindset, we are often tempted to focus on our negative outcomes. We dwell on our mistakes, overanalyze our bad runs, ...

Maintaining High Levels of Performance with Haley Nida

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you reach a high level of performance, it can be easy to get stuck in a "good enough" mentality. But in order to stay at that high level, you alw...

Building a Training Career with Sarai Angelle

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, I am joined by barrel horse trainer, Sarai Angelle, of McDade, Texas, as we recap her mentorship experience and talk about all things...

The Power of a Positive Self Image

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the horse industry, there will be many opportunities to feel challenged, frustrated or disappointed. However, there will also be many opportunities...

Being Consistent with Your Signals

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Horses can’t read your mind, but they can read your body. That's why having consistency in body position and the way you ask for certain responses i...

A Word of Encouragement for Days When You Feel Like "It's Not Worth It"

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had a day where you told yourself, "this just isn't worth it?" In the early years of my training career, I had this conversation with my...

The Influence of an Outside Perspective

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you are a goal-driven person, it is natural to put your head down and put in the work toward achieving your goals. But sometimes, you can become ...

Taking Advantage of the Opportunities You Have Today

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In life, there are no guarantees that the opportunities that are in front of you today will stick around forever. So, how are you preparing yourself t...

The Key to Progression

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to training horses, the process of getting from where we are now to where we want to be can feel overwhelming. When you have high expect...

Training Courageously

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever felt nervous or intimidated about pushing your horse to the next level? For many years, I was afraid to put horses in positions where th...

Playing by the Rules with Kelsie Domer

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, I’m joined by WPRA World Champion roper, Kelsie Domer. Kelsie is one of the people I look up to most in this world, and she is some...

Helping Your Horse Understand the “Why”

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some horses will challenge you. Some will change you. And, some will shift your perspectives on horsemanship for the better. While I have always place...

Being the Best You Can Be Today

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At some point in life, everyone has asked themselves: "Am I good enough?" Regardless of what area of life you're talking about, there will always be t...

When Preparation Meets Opportunity with Rayne Grant

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, I'm joined by the 2022 National High School Finals Rodeo All-Around Cowgirl, Pole Bending National Champion and Barrel Racing Reserve...

Celebrating the Small Wins

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When progressing a horse through its training, it is easy for us to feel like we aren't doing enough. In my experience, I've found that some of the be...

Disengaging the Defensive Nature of Colts

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When working with young horses, you will often see their natural defensive, reactive tendencies come out when asking them to respond to pressure. Teac...

Making Time for the Things That Matter Most

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, I had a chance to visit with one of my best and oldest friends. This conversation brought a flood of memories back, and it reminded me that...

Growing Your Training Business

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, I’m joined by my marketing director, Stacey Smith, to chat about how small, intentional actions have led us to continually pursue g...

Knowing When to Rest

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You always hear people say, "work hard, and success will come to you." While I believe this to be true, I also know that I have run myself into the gr...

Adapting and Restarting Your Routines

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to routines, we always hear that consistency is key. But the truth is, there are very few things in this life that you will start and fi...

What Happens When You Focus on Your 1%

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever look at your to do list and feel overwhelmed? Do you ever feel like the distance between where you are and where you want to be is an impo...

Developing Your Horse's Potential

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I’m a big believer that there are always more opportunities to pursue, new heights to reach, and new ideas to consider. When I practice this mindset...

Balancing Your Horse’s Front and Hind End

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Horses naturally have 60-70% of their weight distributed on their front end. In performance events, this natural stance becomes problematic. When a ho...

Taking Advantage of a Preparation Season

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever been in a season of life where you felt like you were waiting? Maybe you’re waiting for a colt to grow old enough to ride, or maybe yo...

Pricing Your Services as a Trainer

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a professional trainer, it can be challenging to place a value on your time and expertise. Especially in this rapidly-evolving horse market, what i...

How to Make the Desired Response Part of the Release

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have a horse that gets anxious in the corner of the box or in the alleyway? If so, this episode is for you. On this episode, I’m covering som...

Lessons I Learned From My Dad

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is a tribute to my dad–a man who taught me many things about life and horses. My dad was one of those people that always challenged oth...

The Power of Being Consistently Correct

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever heard someone say, “my horse just doesn’t get it”? Oftentimes, if a horse just isn’t ‘getting it,’ there’s a good chance t...

Shifting Your Focus from the Future to the Present

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For whatever reason, whether it be escalating futurity incentives or simply our human desire for immediate gratification, the age factor is one that g...

Simplifying the Signals You Are Sending to Your Horse

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to training, I live by the philosophy ‘less is more.’ If you take time to watch some of the top trainers in the world, it is very di...

How to Make Your Horse's Job Easier

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A horse’s body is naturally front-end loaded. It is estimated that 65-70% of a horse’s weight is distributed on the front end. But in the performa...

Maintaining Consistency and Confidence with Challenging Horses

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you are dealing with a challenging horse, it can be difficult to maintain confidence and consistency. In my experience, most of the challenging h...

Working with Anxious Colts

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s performance horse industry, we have the privilege of owning and riding some of the most physically talented horses in the world. However,...

The Importance of Making Time for Yourself

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you live a busy lifestyle, sometimes, it’s hard to take time for yourself. In pursuit of family obligations, career goals, and other ambitions,...

Staying Resilient to Reach the Next Level

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the training business, failures are inevitable. There will be seasons of your horsemanship journey that are more challenging than others. Your resi...

Overcoming Self Doubt & Guilt as a Trainer

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever questioned if you had what it takes to make it as a trainer? Have you ever felt guilty for pursuing your passion? If so, you're not alon...

Training Efficiently When You're Short On Time

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For those of us who are in the ranching world, we don't always have the luxury of 'slowing things down' and giving our horses time to find the right a...

Building Confidence and Collection

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Collection is a key component of a horse’s foundational success. However, most breeds of horses are not built to be naturally collected. Tune into t...

How to Avoid Micromanaging Your Horse’s Movements

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of our biggest faults as human beings is that we don’t like to fail. That's why when we are introducing a new concept to our horses, we have the...