We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelby Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelby, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
I would say the biggest thing that outsiders are probably unaware of is the cost of the investment to get involved in the horse industry. Basic necessities such as food, medical, dental, and foot care are just the bare minimum to get started and maintain good welfare of the horse. Then there are costs associated with habitat according to what kind of climate the horse lives in and whether or not it lives outside year-round or in a barn. Just like humans, horses might need to wear a jacket or a coat outside depending on the temperature. These are called a sheet and a blanket but serve exactly the same purpose as human clothing. My point is that there are costs for accessories for your horse as well. Then there are equipment costs and even rider attire costs as well. If the horse is being used for competitions, then there are costs associated with that too. And, of course, the cost of lessons should be figured into their budget along the way. Some beginning-riding students do not realize that they should be taking 2-3 lessons per week. Certainly, the cost adds up, but what they don’t realize is that someone riding for 6 months taking 1 lesson per week is not going to improve and progress at all, or as well as someone who takes lessons 2-3 times per week. It is very much a time commitment and a financial commitment. So yes, lessons are not cheap, and everything does add up, but in general, individuals interested in riding should be prepared to invest in themselves by taking enough lessons to render steady improvement. All in all, though, food is the most expensive and ongoing expense, and on average it takes about $10,000 a year to take care of just one horse for food, medical, and dental. It’s about the same or more as taking care of a human child.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Texas Equine Education & Horsemanship offers foundational horsemanship lessons from the ground up for riders ages five years and older. Our goal is to teach students to have confidence on different horses in both English and Western and the versatility to advance into any discipline. Each lesson is personalized to fit the needs of the student. Our horsemanship lessons not only provide riding skills but also improve cognitive functions such as memory, sequencing, multi-tasking, information retention, emotional regulation, energy regulation, and problem-solving skills as well as physical functions such as balance, coordination, strength, flexibility and body awareness. We strive to provide safe and quality equine services to inspire confidence in both horse and rider.

One thing I’ve been proud of recently is the loyalty of my students. The biggest challenge I face on a weekly basis right now is the weather. And even with the rainy weather, my business has maintained and steadily grown because of the consistent attendance. Another thing I am definitely proud of is our Stars & Stirrups program which is non-profit and provides horsemanship lessons to Veterans and First Responders. No one knows what it’s like to be a veteran or a first responder unless you are one. Texas Equine Education & Horsemanship believes in supporting our heroes. We call them STARS because they shine bright among us as they protect and serve (or have served) our country, so we want to do our best to serve our STARS in return.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, first of all, I rarely have enough time to actually take a week off at a time. Having a business with live animals requires constant work. It is labor-intensive and extremely time-demanding, so if I had a friend visiting, I might first show them around the facility and let them hang out with me while I feed the horses or something. We live in a small town, so there isn’t that much to do really. Maybe we could go see a movie or go bowling. There are plenty of places to eat at though, but all in all, we might need to venture into McKinney or Allen to do something “exciting.” I enjoy going to panic rooms and have been known to participate in those every now and then, so that might be something fun we could do. I know this is probably shocking because I am only 30 and considered “young,” and most people my age are pretty social and go out a lot. But I really don’t go out or leave the property that much. Sometimes I am outside working on the arena til after 10 pm. Well, that would be most nights, haha. So for a friend to come visit me, I would definitely have to have a big advance notice to prepare for that time that I would have to allot to leisure. It’s not as simple having this kind of business.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Primarily, I want to give a shoutout to my grandparents. They have been an integral part of my entire life and have helped provide for me along the way. They have supported me from the very beginning in my endeavors to become a business owner. Not only have they allowed me to start my business on their property, but they have helped me with tasks caring for the horses like feeding or mucking stalls. My grandpa built a small two-stall barn on property when I was just 12, and after I started my business and acquired more horses, he has built onto it twice now to accommodate the needs as my business has continued to grow.

Secondly, I’d like to give my mom a shoutout for always encouraging me to follow my dreams. She taught me that I could do pretty much anything I wanted to do with enough effort and that I should do what I wanted to do in life as long as I respect myself and others. Having self-confidence and grit are two things my mom also instilled in me from early on in my life, and they are definitely present in my daily life. Another thing she taught me that has helped me in business specifically is the power and importance of networking. I cannot begin to tell you how just connecting with people has helped my business grow. I would also say that my mom has always taught me to be my authentic self and not to be a people pleaser or a follower. She taught me that I should do what is right, in general, and to always consider how my actions might affect others, but to not let others dictate to me who I should be or how I should do something. Overall, she raised me to be true to myself, and I really appreciate that empowerment because a lot of people grow up trying to be someone they are not, and they end up not so happy. For me, I am doing exactly what I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I couldn’t imagine doing something else now.

Website: https://www.texaseeh.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TexasEEH

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/texas-equine-education-and-horsemanship-farmersville?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Image Credits
Ellen Grace Photography Shelby Williams Kimberly Williams

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