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 5th 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
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