We were lucky to catch up with Lilly Ankeney-fox recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lilly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

As a performance equine trainer and blacksmith, I have learned that the principles of success apply not only to our work with horses but also to every aspect of our lives. Success is a journey, not a destination. Much like starting a colt & forging a piece of metal, everything is built from the ground up. It requires patience, perseverance, and a deep understanding of both the craft and ourselves. In my experience, success can only begin with a passion. When I first stepped into this world, my love for these animals and the craft fueled my ambition. This passion drives us to learn, to grow, and to overcome any obstacle. To be successful at anything, you must embrace hard work.. There are no shortcuts. Just as a horse does not become a champion overnight, we do not achieve our goals without putting in the effort. I remember countless early mornings spent at my forge & anvil, shaping metal while the world slept. Each strike of the hammer was a testament to my commitment. The same principle applies in training horses. It takes hours of practice, repetition, and dedication to build trust and develop skills. Each small improvement adds up to create something extraordinary! Another fundamental aspect of success is resilience. The journey is often fraught with challenges. There will be setbacks and moments when we want to give up.. I have faced many obstacles in my career. There were times when horses did not respond as I hoped or when the metal did not bend to my will. Yet, I learned to view these failures not as the end, but as opportunities for growth. Resilience allows us to bounce back, to adapt, and to keep moving forward. It is the ability to learn from our experiences that truly defines our success. Furthermore, we must never underestimate the power of community. Surrounding ourselves with supportive and like-minded individuals can make all the difference! I have been fortunate to learn from mentors who have guided me and from peers who share my passion. Collaboration and sharing knowledge lead to greater achievements. Remember, success is rarely a solo endeavor. We rise by lifting others, and together, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone. Lastly, I believe that success requires a clear vision. It is essential to define what success means to you personally. For some, it may be the accolades and recognition. For others, it could be the satisfaction of a job well done or the joy of weaving their dream into reality. Whatever it is for you, keep that vision at the forefront of your mind. Let it guide decisions and fuel your determination. Embrace the process, learn from every experience, and never lose sight of your dreams.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Built on a foundation of reliability & trust between horse/rider, Ankeney Equine Training & CO. Foxy Trims are Colorado local small businesses here to lend a hand.. or hoof.. towards the equine community. The horse to inspire the brand came into my life when I was 13. Noelle, at the time, was a three year old barely touchable rescue from the Dumb Friends league. She was nicknamed, “The miracle filly” because her birth was honestly a miracle. This was due to the state her mother was in when she had arrived at the facility. I knew nothing but the basics of caring for a horse when she came into my life. I dove into extensive equine research, studying herd dynamics and communication. From this knowledge I built my original method and have grown to understand the foundation of a horse’s respect. After rehabilitating Noelle into the perfect all around horse, I searched for the next horse in need. This is where I had found my kill rescue Sloan. Sloan was my first real difficult horse to work with and she made me think outside of the box more than I had before. It took me months to understand her thoughts and even longer to walk in her shoes…but through the persistent desire to gain this horse’s respect and refusing to give up, we clicked almost a year later. My philosophy of treating those around me with respect shines through to my training style. Being nicknamed, “The horse whisperer” by friends, family, and clients. Striving to learn more about this industry and ways I could help those around me, I attended the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization. During the course with E.L.P.O I learned how to adapt my training skills into helping horses from the foot up. Consistency and discipline have allowed me to build brands that are not only successful, but sustainable with a loyal customer base as well as reputation for excellence that I’m proud to uphold.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Just like a horse needs a strong foundation to perform, your social media presence needs the right groundwork to thrive. Whether you are an aspiring influencer, a small business owner, or just someone who wants to share their passion.. starting on social media can feel quite overwhelming, although I promise it’s much easier than you’d expect. To start off any social media foundation, know your audience. Think of it like training a colt. You wouldn’t just throw a saddle on and expect it to act without fault. You need to understand what that colt needs to perform at its best. Similarly, you need to understand what your audience is looking for. Ask yourself, who do I want to connect with? What are their interests? Once you identify your target audience, tailor your content to resonate with them. This is where you can really make an impact. Let’s talk about consistency. In the equestrian world, consistency is key. You wouldn’t expect this colt to win a championship if it only trains every once in a while. The same goes for your social media. Create a content calendar and stick to it. Whether it is posting daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, find a rhythm that works for you. This will keep your audience engaged and looking forward to your next post. Remember, regular updates keep you in the minds of your followers. Now, let’s discuss authenticity. Horses have their unique personalities, and so should you. Don’t try to be someone you are not. Share your passion, your journey, and even your failures. When your audience sees the real you, they will connect with you on a much deeper level. People appreciate honesty, and it builds trust. This trust is invaluable in the world of social media. Another important aspect is to engage with your followers. Think of it like grooming your horse or practicing Liberty work.. It builds a bond and helps you understand your equine companion better. Similarly, when you respond to comments, ask questions, and create polls, you are building a relationship with your audience. They want to feel heard and valued. Engagement is what turns casual followers into loyal fans. Let’s not forget about visuals. Just as a well-groomed horse catches the eye, so does compelling imagery on social media. Invest some time into learning about photography or graphic design. Use high-quality images and videos that reflect your brand. This will not only attract followers but also keep them engaged. The visual aspect of social media cannot be overstated. Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment! In training, sometimes you have to try different techniques to find what works best.. there’s not a horse out there that will fit perfectly with the same methods. The same applies to social media. Try different types of content, like videos, stories, or live sessions. Analyze what resonates with your audience and adjust accordingly. It’s a journey of discovery. In conclusion, building a social media presence is like training a colt. It requires understanding, consistency, authenticity, engagement, great visuals, and a willingness to experiment. Create a presence & just be YOU!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This lesson reshaped not only the way I trained horses, but also the way I view life and the world around me. When I first began training horses, I admit I had this rigid mindset. I believed that every horse and every rider fit neatly into a box. I was raised on the good ol’ English ~vs~ Western. There was a specific method to follow, a formula for success. I was convinced that if you did everything by the book, you would achieve the desired results. It was a black and white world where every challenge could be conquered with the right technique. One training method was right & the other was wrong. For example: Clinton ~vs~ Parelli. However, I vividly remember the day it all changed. Like the start to any story.. It was a sunny mid-morning, and I was working with a particularly spirited young filly. I had trained countless horses before with plenty of attitude, and I thought I knew what I was doing. But this horse was different. She was unpredictable, fiery, and full of energy. Strict pressure & soft release was not adding up to the calculated result. I was determined to make her fit into my mold and create a shiny new horse. I pushed too hard, and in an instant, everything went wrong. As I tried to guide her off a panel, she spun around & fired a very deadly kick. I found myself on the ground, my knee shattered. In that moment, I not only faced severe physical pain but also a deep understanding of my limitations. I had always believed that with enough effort, I could mold any horse to fit my techniques. But as I lay there with my face in the sand, I realized that not everything fits into a box. Not every horse, not every rider, and certainly not every situation. The road to recovery was long and painful.. It created physical limitations & frustrations for me. I had to take a step back and rethink everything I thought I knew about training. I began to observe more and judge less. I learned to respect the unique spirit of each horse. That even if you are unfavorable of the method as a whole, every famous trainer/rider/mentor before you has something of value to add. I discovered that the best training comes from understanding and listening. It is about connection, not control. This new approach changed everything for me. I started accepting riders and horses into my program based on their individuality rather than their potential to fit into my preconceived notions. I allowed myself to embrace flexibility and creativity. I learned that sometimes the greatest lessons come from letting go of rigid expectations and opening up to the beauty of the unpredictable. This journey taught me a critical lesson about life as well. We often find ourselves boxed in by our own beliefs or societal expectations. We chase after jobs or pursuits that may not be worth it, simply because they seem to fit the mold of success. But true fulfillment comes when we allow ourselves to explore the gray areas, to embrace our unique paths, and to recognize that not every opportunity or role is meant for us. So here I stand before you today, still learning, still growing. I urge you all to challenge your own boxes. Ask yourselves if you are training your dreams to fit a mold that may not be right for you. Remember that life, much like training horses, is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Let us unlearn the lessons that restrict us and truly embrace the beauty of the unknown.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ankeney-equine-training-foxy-trims.square.site/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYfH38bQ3P6x4BVbPlhWoJEoimlIf2CgKgs7VB2DRiHe9dSqQfIYZd2BHM_aem_-0ynG-rPq7GMylD7S0LuwA
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Image Credits

Chase The Paint Photography, Lilly Ankeney-Fox, Ankeney Equine Training Personal Client(s)