Episode 1- My Journey From Hot Pink Rope Halters to Confident Horsemanship

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A lot of riders reach a point where they feel like they should know more than they do—but aren’t sure where things started to go wrong. That uncertainty can lead to frustration, lack of confidence, and feeling disconnected from both the process and their horse.

In this episode, Miranda shares where her own journey began—from being a beginner with very little understanding, to working with world champion horses. She walks through the lessons, mistakes, and experiences that shaped how she now approaches horsemanship, mindset, and connection.

The core message is that true horsemanship isn’t about quick fixes or just learning techniques—it’s about understanding the “why” behind what works, and developing awareness in both the horse and the rider.

As you listen, you’ll start to see that growth doesn’t come from having all the answers, but from being willing to look at things differently and build a stronger foundation.

This episode helps shift the pressure of “I should know better” into a more productive mindset—one where you can move forward with more clarity, intention, and confidence in your decisions.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing—it usually means something in your foundation needs clarity.

• Progress comes faster when you try understanding the “why,” not just trying more techniques.

• Your journey with your horse will include both highs and setbacks—that’s part of growth.

• You don’t need to have all the answers to start moving forward with confidence.

• Big sorrel geldings can totally rock a hot pink halter!

Transcript:

Hey there, and welcome to the very first episode of Horsemanship, Growth, and Gratitude. With me, Miranda Allyn.

This isn’t a podcast about being perfect. It’s about learning, growing, and showing up — both in and out of the arena.

So, I thought as part of an ice breaker to start this whole thing off with a funny little story about ego, humility, and a hot pink rope halter.

When I was 18 we were in that time period where everyone was told to go to college regardless of the degree. Well, I wanted to train horses and live out west, preferably Montana, so my mom got to researching and found a college that was actually in Montana that offered some sort of degree in natural horsemanship.

I said great, that’s what I want to do, so I applied. Reflecting back, I didn’t even really know what natural horsemanship was at the time. I knew I liked watching Clinton Anderson on TV — and he was kind of categorized in natural horsemanship— so I figured, I’m a good rider, I like Clinton, it’s Montana, this is perfect for me.

 Now when I say I applied, I ONLY applied to Montana-Western. I did not apply to any other colleges. I guess that was one of my teenage burn the boats moments, but I knew in my heart it was Montana or bust.

When I got accepted into this program, this is how clueless I was. Here I’m getting accepted into this prestigious horsemanship program, and I don’t even have a clue what any of the equipment was that I needed, let alone how to even tie a rope halter.

So I did want any 18 year old would do, I printed out the school supply list and went straight to Clinton Anderson’s website and added all the hot pink halters, lead ropes, and stick and string into the shopping cart, yes for my sorrel gelding, and yelled for my mom’s credit card.

Then packed up the truck and trailer and off we went with my horse, 1800 miles away from home, where I didn’t know a soul.

I’ll never forget the confidence I carried walking into my first class that I was a good rider and this would be easy, now mind you, I still didn’t even know how to tie that pink rope halter I’d just bought. By the end of the first semester, I realized that there was a whole new world of horsemanship that I didn’t know anything about.

That was my first real lesson in humility. I learned very quickly that there’s a difference between being able to ride a horse and actually understanding one.

That realization changed everything for me. Once I finally set my ego aside and got curious instead of defensive, things started to shift — not just in my horsemanship, but in my life.

I’m not saying that shift occurred fully in the two years I was at school, quite the opposite, actually, more like two decades to get to where I’m at now, of understanding that horsemanship isn’t just something we do with horses. It’s a way of living.

 It’s about how we handle pressure, how we communicate, how we listen, and how we lead — with empathy and clarity, not force.

I’ve been blessed to live some of the highest highs in the horse world — like working under some of the best horsemen in the world while riding world champion horses on multi-million dollar ranches around the country as an intern. But I’ve also experienced some of the lowest lows, including needing a break from horses because my heart was shattered from tragedy.

I’ve achieved my childhood dreams and then chickened on actually following through living them because I didn’t understand that the joy comes in the pursuit, not in crossing the finish line, and I wasn’t broken for not knowing what to do next. 

I went on to spend years stuck in soul-sucking office jobs in cities I hated, wondering what happened to the girl who moved out west to chase her passion.

And I’ve also been the new mom who sold her best horse when I got pregnant, wanting to do right by my family and by the horse — even though it felt like giving up a part of my soul. 

Then, when I did finally get back around horses, I found myself suddenly afraid of getting hurt, which taught me that fear can show up in unexpected ways, even when you love something so deeply and it was a solid part of your life for over 20 years at that point.

All those highs and lows shaped who I am — and who I’m still becoming. That’s why I share what I do. It’s definitely not because I have it all figured out — far from it. These lessons have grounded me, humbled me, inspired me, and most importantly, healed me in ways I never expected. 

And if there’s something I can share that helps you, or that you can take and make your own, then that’s exactly why I’m here.

So, you might be wondering after that story… what does horsemanship really mean to me now? And how do I, as Miranda 2.0, approach horse training?

I believe in taking the time to first understand the psychology of the horse. Why they think, act, and react the way they do. Through this journey, I have become fascinated by studying the psychology of both horses and humans. 

First and foremost,  I love groundwork. I believe that if you can’t safely control a horse on the ground, you have no business being on their back. You can also learn so much about a horse’s personality, how their body moves and performs, … and develop a solid relationship based on trust and respect, all on the ground.

When someone wants to take lessons with me, I am very clear upfront that I’m not just a riding instructor who is going to tell you how to sit up, put your heels down, shoulders back, etc. I am a horsemanship coach.

Most of the people I work with are experienced horse owners who realize that they have some holes which causing them to be stuck in a rut.  They want to find those missing puzzle pieces to create a stronger foundation, and in return want to develop a deeper relationship with their horse. And I love that for them, because that is such a beautiful goal.

My goal is to help them become the trainer that their horse really needs, because the reality is, we’re all horse trainers. 

Now I’m not suggesting anyone who's ever owned a horse can put up a sign saying they are a horse trainer and train for the public, but the truth is, every time you are in a horse’s space, even just grabbing a leadrope, you are influencing their behavior and actions, which means that you’re training them whether you realize it or not.

It doesn’t matter if I’m the one training my own horse, or giving a lesson to a client on their horse. I have several groundwork exercises that are must know for every horse and rider, and we always start there. 

Those are disengaging the hindquarters, vertical flexion, lateral flexion, backing 3 different ways, engaging the forequarters, sending out, lunging, and desensitization. 

Here’s why…

Horses have 5 main body parts- the head, neck, shoulders, ribcage, and hindquarters. 

You need to not only understand how they work as individual body parts, but also how they work together.  Then you need to be able to move them forward, backwards, left, and right, both individually and together. 

You influence the horse’s mind through moving the feet.  But you also control the feet through influencing the mind….

 and the easiest way to do that is through utilizing the horse’s psychology. 

And groundwork is the safest and easiest way to get started doing that. 

I know this may sound overwhelming at first, but I PROMISE, this is NOT rocket science. Horse’s are simple creatures who have been evolving for 55 million years. They are the masters at survival through keeping it simple. 

Great horsemanship is all about having a solid foundation that is simple and consistent. Because when you understand the how and why, you can then learn how to communicate in a way that is natural and easy for them to understand. 

And what is easy for them to understand is having a trusted leader to protect them as prey animals from predators. Simple as that. 

So that’s really what this podcast is about — growth, gratitude, and the kind of horsemanship that changes not just your horse, but you as a person as well.

 I’m still learning every day, and I’m so glad that you’re here learning with me. 

In future episodes, we’ll talk about everything from groundwork and horse psychology to mindset, fear, and finding joy in the process — because it’s all connected. And hopefully a few interviews as well.

Thanks for tuning in to the very first episode of Horsemanship, Growth, and Gratitude. I hope it left you a little more curious and inspired. 

If you enjoyed it, I’d love for you to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who loves horses as much as you do.

And while you’re at it, be sure to check out my website, www.mirandaallyn.net to stay updated on the launch of my upcoming online course — Essentials of Horsemanship.
Until next time — remember, horsemanship is in the details.

Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. Horsemanship involves inherent risks, and every horse-and-human pair is unique. Always work within your skill level, put safety first, and consult a qualified trainer or veterinarian when needed. You are responsible for your own decisions and safety.