Monday Creek Publishing Digest: National Poetry Month

 

Connect with our poets...

N.R.Hart

www.nrhart.com

Celeste Parsons

Mark M. Dean

Terri Mash

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry which takes place each April, was introduced in 1996 and is organized by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. The Academy of American Poets' website Poets.org serves as a hub for information about local poetry events during the month.

Balanced Horsemanship: An Interview With Nicole Shoup

Balanced Horsemanship: An Interview With Nicole Shoup

by Gina McKnight

Archived from the March 2025 Issue of Florida Equine Athlete www.floridaequineathlete.com

No Duplication Without Permission (c)

In the heart of Amish Country, nestled within the serene and picturesque landscapes of Millersburg, Ohio, lives Nicole Shoup, a distinguished equine instructor and trainer. With a career dedicated to fostering trust and harmony between horses and their riders, Nicole's journey is one of passion, dedication, and an unwavering love for equines.

From her early days receiving riding lessons as gifts to exploring the enchanting trails adjacent to her childhood home, Nicole's affinity for horses was evident. Her path led her to The Ohio State University's Agricultural Technical Institute, where she honed her skills. Through apprenticeships and relentless pursuit of knowledge, Nicole evolved into the esteemed trainer and instructor she is today.

Nicole's training philosophy is a unique blend of foundational safety principles, feel-based practices, classical dressage theories, natural horsemanship, and holistic horse care. Her approach emphasizes the individuality of each horse, striving to bring out the best while maintaining their unique personalities.

Join us as we delve into the life and philosophy of Nicole Shoup, uncovering the secrets behind her success and the heartwarming stories of the horses she has transformed. This interview promises to enlighten, inspire, and captivate anyone who has ever felt the magic of connecting with a horse. Read on to discover how Nicole continues to shape the future of horsemanship, one balanced and trusting partnership at a time.

Welcome, Nicole!

GM: Can you share your journey to becoming a horse trainer?

NS: I have loved horses since I was a little girl. My parents are not animal folks, but they have given me opportunities to be around horses. Riding lessons for Christmas, riding a friend’s horse, and more. At 16, we sold my dirt-bike and got my first horse. Our place was adjoined to an old railroad bed, a tree farm, and a strip mine that I explored and spent many hours riding around.

When it came time for college, I explored the ideas of becoming PATH certified (Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship) or studying something psychology related. Ultimately, I knew there was nothing else that inspired me more than horses. I chose to attend The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute on the premise that I would study horses and maybe could bring my own. Through time, I became aware of my desire to keep riding and learning as much as I could. This led me to work for a farm where I could apprentice and then become a trainer and instructor.

I never thought I wanted to be a trainer when I was young. All I can remember is that I loved and admired horses. I knew I wanted horses in my daily life. I did not know that horses would become my teacher about life. Since then, I have evolved into who I am today for the horses and my clients. I have a purpose to help, serve, and share for the betterment of horse handling and riding.

GM: How would you describe your training philosophy?

NS: I specialize in horsemanship that is a culmination of foundational safety principles, feel-based practices, classical dressage theories, natural horsemanship, and holistic horse care. I don’t segregate myself by discipline or style however, I spend more of my time in a western saddle doing “western,” things than not.

As much as I believe in the solid foundation of riders, I also believe in a sound foundation for each horse I train. This includes prioritizing their ability to follow the rope with the slightest feel, training responsiveness to body language, and teaching how to ride forward and calm.

I work to teach each horse how to become more confident, well-rounded, and a “good citizen,” as one might say. I care about bringing the best out of each horse and allowing them to keep their individuality.

GM: What does a typical day look like for you as a horse trainer?

NS: I am blessed that each day is an adventure for me. I live in a very beautiful area of Ohio with rolling hills, diverse agriculture, and well-groomed landscape. I recently saw that Holmes County, OH has the 5^th largest horse population by county in the U.S. There are foals in the fields during spring and miles of trails to be explored.

I have an awesome assistant who helps me get chores and some training done a couple of times a week. Some days I leave the house and don’t return for 12 hours while other days I can leave later and not be gone as long. I have 4 horses of my own that require daily care and anywhere from 1-4 horses in training at another facility (outside of the winter months). I commonly train horses in the morning with my afternoons and evenings consisting of lessons and videography.

I also teach Horsemanship & Equitation at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute. It is one class and we meet once a day for 1-1.5 hours. My industry knowledge and training experience is a very valuable perspective when it comes to teaching the freshman college student about riding. I am also involved with creating sales videos, photos, and ads for the local community.

GM: What are some common challenges you encounter in horse training, and how do you address them?

NS: One of the most common challenges for me when training horses for the public is bridging communication between the trainer and the owner. Each relationship with clients is a little different due to many factors (age, interests, level of education, etc.). It seems to work best when the client either knows me in person or has been following me for a while and has built an understanding and trust of who I am as a trainer. Training is variable and there are always speed bumps or roadblocks that often lead to detours. Having clients that understand this is very important so the trainer can do their job to the best of their ability.

GM: Can you share a memorable experience where you faced a significant challenge and how you overcame it?

NS: Going out on my own was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. It was something that was heavy on my heart and the first 6 mos. – 1 yr was difficult. There was a lot of moments where I thought about changing my entire course and throwing in the towel. I never would have been able to keep pushing through to get where I am today without my husband, family, and friends. They encouraged me each day to keep trying and never get stuck. They are my foundation of support and contribute to the belief in myself.

GM: How do you measure success in your training programs?

NS: I think success is going to look different for each horse. I have to account for the current education of the horse, their age, and what their owner knows (or will learn). I don’t think it’s fair to guarantee that every horse will go home with the same skillset and buttons. I always try to take lots of photos and videos and watch the evolution of the horse’s behavior and condition. It’s easy to look back and think, “wow, we have barely done anything!” until I look at the evidence. Success for me is when the horses become more confident, balanced, and conditioned. Each horse will have certain pieces of success that are unique to them.

GM: What skills or attributes do you think are essential for a successful horse trainer?

NS: I think trainers must have some grit and communication skills. Everyone will tell you it is hard work and what they neglect to mention is that it is hard work emotionally as well. Knowing how to work and being handy is a valuable skill. Being a trainer is physically demanding, risky, and hard on the body. It is hard to be in a vulnerable position but staying humble and keeping the courage to ask questions is important. I think successful horse trainers stand up for what’s right and aren’t swayed by trends or new fads.

GM: What are your future goals and aspirations as a horse trainer?

NS: I really love how my business is diversified. It keeps things interesting and I am always learning. It’s my goal (and my husbands), to have our own facility one day that is a special space for us, for training, and for collaborative clinics.

It is my goal to continue showing my horses in Mountain Trail and maybe some other events. I enjoy the camaraderie of competition and testing my work in the show environment.

I like training a few horses at a time, but I am careful to keep myself from overdoing it. Burnout is very real in this business and therefore, I take a break in the winter and limit myself in the warmer months. If I aspire to do my best work, then I can only have so many irons in the fire.

GM: What does horsemanship mean to you?

NS: Horsemanship is “soul food,” to me and it teaches me so much about life. I respect the horses by working to understand them and honoring their role in teaching. There are uncanny parallels between horsemanship, life, and living with hours of ideas to ponder on. The horses teach me about being a good human through how I treat them and how I teach their riders.

Connect with Nicole

Facebook

https://www.youtube.com/@nicoleshouphorsemanship

 

 

Milliron Monday: The Journals January - March 1980

  

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  

June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: 

April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate 

the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, 

Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.

A continuation of Jody’s Journals.

There is a four-year gap here – I am missing 1977 through 1979, formative years for the Smith family. Forward to 1980, a year of less journal writing, offering limited documentation of life at the Smith farmhouse. We can glean from Jody’s journal entries that time was of the essence, or she grew weary of writing things down. Nonetheless, the entries are just as sincere – Pete buys a new Cadillac, Jody works at the Clinic more often, enjoying social activities after work, and horses remain her solace.

 

The year begins strong, but then dwindles after March, leaving a few empty, yellowed pages. I hope you can reminisce over specific journal entries and reflect on the pivotal moments that defined the 1980s.

 

January 1980

·        New Year’s Day, Pete took top off vinegar bottle I was lending him for water for running > 8:30 am called LL – got him out of bed, short conversation > looked at gas well site with Mary Connors, let Puff run > J Jones called > fixed ham dinner

·        Worked at Clinic, Pete to Dr. Sarver

·        Gault, grad school application > 11 am, Dr. Wackman, Philosophy Dept > Church > to Mac’s, picked up jacket > picked up Larry at his parking lot > Parsons, lobsters > Pete, Marie (dishes), Larry, Tim, I, to Christian Ed

·        Snow, roads icy, went after Nanette, I worked at Clinic, Beth Bryan, daughter, here for lunch

·        Took Nanette to CE > Epiphany service with Lutherans, sat with Collier’s > Junie bolted, broke harness, I patched it up > K DeWitt, children, sleigh rides > Parsons, oysters

·        Worked at Clinic > 1:30 L. Horsely’s

·        Pete new Cadillac

·        Worked at Clinic > 1:30 Eslocker’s > Pete, Dr. Sarver

·        Church prayer group, Pam, Dan Williams, Helen Marsh, lunch at Strawberry Patch > saw liger, drug groceries up to house on sled > Pete carried salt block over beyond pond > Adventures in Attitudes course, 103 Tupper Hall > Marie Clementine at Clinic

·        Worked at Clinic > went to Columbus after firing iron

·        CE > to Church, annual meeting > J Jones tracked Puff, C Matthews laid track, stayed at end > talked with Ray Jones about ins

·        Worked at Clinic

·        New set of twins, took sheep down to Clinic, dewormed them, left lambs > returned firing iron > ate at ice cream parlor Swardson’s > CABTC

·        Worked at Clinic

·        Luther, Pam, Artifacts Gallery > to Church > took 4 lambs to Seaman’s > ate at Oasis > AA class, OU

·        Osteopathic Clinic > left for Columbus > 5 PM Stan Jones

·        Loaded up lambs, Pat, Carl Lorubbio took them to stock sale, sold goat (wether), picked up Barbara Parsons > stock sale > Pete to Charleston > B Parsons overnight > called Daddy

·        Church, Bishop Krumm, slides of Nigeria, Confirmation – sunlight as Bishop came forward to speak > fed at barn, hauled grain up with Junie on Western saddle > led Barbara on him, rode double briefly > organ/harp concert, sat with Mrs. A. Larson > to Elizabeth Stout’s for tea, cookies > fixed Pete dinner, sat, read by fire

·        Worked at Clinic > John Leslie here, horse ruptured intestine, surgery > called Helen Marsh about Donna > desk, wrote letters

·        To bank, straightened out overdraft computer mistake > picked up June H. Wieman, lunch at Strawberry Patch > Seaman’s, paid for lambs > picked up Marie, toured Vinton County Camp, strip mining, went to Mountain Leather for lamp parts > fed at barn, milked Falene for cats > lovely evening > cut up lambs (broken legged ones)

·        Wrote letters to Betty, Abbott > took vacuum cleaner to Standall’s > 3 pm, Pete up for lunch > fed at barn

 

February

·        Car in shop, Fritz Connor took me in town > to Church > Mom’s Coffee House with E. Sweeney > to Class, Pete on calls, took Puff in car > Bob, Thelma, Mrs. C, Oasis

·        Missed L. Smith, Robin at theater, movie “The Jerk”

·        Clinic, John Hopkins horse at Clinic, Pete vetted dog > J and I tried to get fence out of frozen ground, put one circle around one apple tree, moved wood onto porch, covered with plastic > Geologist, John, pre-vet student, etc., here for dinner > P, Carl, Matt, another boy here overnight

·        Early Church > ate at Perkins with Pete > to Church > fixed lunch, Pete, P, Matt > rode Junie, J rode Apple, over to trailer, to gas line road, saw Pete, Larry Smith > potluck supper, slides of Africa

·        Worked at Clinic > took bank deposit, stopped for cider, no money

·        Worked at Clinic, talked with fellow about oil, gas lease > ran errands, got errands, Pete brought them up hill > got hyacinths for Pete > Pete evening out, I did dishes, washed by hand, cistern dry, Pete home 4 am

·        Mended blue coat, did laundry > Father James called > Pete up for lunch > took bucket of ashes out of woodstove > jumped Puff, Jelea helped me take lumber off broad jump > put up antique mirror

·        Lovely nap by fire/music > went on calls with Pete, to Don Norman, Gassan’s lunch, Horace Karr’s > Carl L, Pete took grain, dog food up hill(s), fed at barn > AA class

·        Dull headache (too much caffeine?) > Pete got sheep for OU osteopathic lab > rec’d 2 boxes oranges, grapefruits from Mom/Dad > worked Puff, got mail > Pete, Marie, project, up till 1:30 am

·        Pete breakfast at Jan’s, dewormed horses > napped > Barbara Parsons went up to feed at barn with me, took Jim, Kanga > napped > read

·        Ash Wednesday service

·        Dave Smart “Your Father’s Mustache” cut my hair > Pam, K. DeWitt, Mom’s Coffee House, Police Station, dropped Ad off at radio station > Pete loaded walnut logs, to McArthur > fed at barn > Adventures in Attitudes > Mr. Bojangles, hot cider

·        Beautiful, beautiful day > put my sheep back in, patched up gate > talked to Lyle Schultheis about gas lease, etc., > Kay Everett, new belt for truck > Eslocker, Warmke suit > Hole in the Wall sub shop, lunch > herded Hilferty’s cattle, goats off 550 into Windy Hill’s pasture > J and I fed, worked on apple trees > Pete and Marie, call to Roger Linscott’s > Pete, J, I, read by fire

·        5 am breakfast > J, Pete, OVMA Columbus > read, did dishes > Apple pulled blue ball off antenna

 

March

·        Murphee’s grandchildren here

·        $10 Lucy Lamb to Judy Lempton > ATC, J Croxford 3 PM

·        Pete to Charleston > lamb milk replacer, Judy Lempton

·        To Church, call from Jan, Easter

·        Calf milk replace, Howard Johnson

·        Call Jan about cat > ATC

Please forgive typos, name or place misspellings; transcription from

vintage handwriting sometimes requires a magnifying glass and random

interpretation.

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian. 

What's New at Monday Creek Publishing: April 2025

 

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WTAP Television Parkersburg, West Virginia, interviews MCP Award-Winning Children's Lit Author, Kathy S. Elasky Read the article, see the video here!

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Mylee's Corner: Beauty doesn’t have to be expensive

 

Beauty doesn’t have to be expensive

It is very common for women to use makeup and skincare products. Skincare can be beneficial and makeup can be fun for many. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to buy the most expensive products for good quality. Many affordable brands and products work just as well. 

SHEGLAM is an affordable makeup site. I looked into this a few weeks ago when I saw a review of their products on TikTok. The prices are lower than those of some products you can find at Walmart. The quality is great as well. I purchased a liquid highlighter, liquid blush, liquid contour, and a setting spray. The liquids went on smoothly and gave a glowy finish to my makeup. The packaging is adorable as well. It is a sister company of Shein, a popular, cheap clothing site. The products I received were only around $4-$6 and were as great as the Fenty Beauty products I have purchased.

As for skincare, I’ve bought many things from Dollar General and Walmart that have done wonders for my skin. Snail Rescue toner by Peach Slices is a common drugstore product that cleared my skin. I’m not prone to bad acne but every once in a while I’ll get a wave of it. I use the toner almost daily and it feels refreshing on my skin. Biore Pore Strips are another item that I frequently buy. It works wonders at pulling dirt out of my pores. 

If you have sensitive skin, or like to watch out for certain ingredients, then there’s an App where you scan the barcode on your skincare products and it will give a rating out of 100. It also tells you the harmful ingredients and the good ingredients. The App is called Yuka. It does an amazing job at letting you know what you’re putting on your skin.

Beauty doesn’t have to be expensive. You can use quality ingredients and get amazing results for less. Drugstore products are just as good as name-brand products, and you should never feel ashamed for using affordable products.

Photos by Mylee

Mylee is a journalism student at Tri-County Career Center. She resides in Logan, Ohio. Mylee enjoys reading, writing, and crafting.