MHN Performance Horsemanship LLC

MHN Performance Horsemanship

Matthew Nichols - Owner/Head Trainer 

It is my firm belief that Performance and Horsemanship should be equal halves of the same whole. Both the Performance world and Recreational world stand to learn from each other. Recreational horses can benefit from being ridden more correctly to improve their longevity and ease of use. Recreational riders can benefit from the necessity in the performance world to get things accomplished in a more timely, goal based manner. Performance horses can benefit from practices that encourage having a sound mind and more well rounded skillset. Performance riders can benefit from sometimes having a little more patience at times and letting their horses get out and go focus on things other than showing. Obviously there are horses and individuals that can already do both, but the horse world still needs work on bridging that gap. Blending these two areas of the horse world together, my program is able to help both horse and rider achieve their goals in and out of the arena.


I'm from a small East Texas town called Waskom, Tx. Horses became my passion while studying Animal Science at Stephen F. Austin State University. I completed my bachelors of Animal Science at SFASU in 2021 with an emphasis in Equine. During this time period I devoted myself to studying horses both in and out of the classroom. If I didn't have schoolwork you'd just about always find me at the barn - and often even if I did have school work. I had a great opportunity to learn from multiple trainers and ride a good number of horses during that time period. By my senior year I started receiving opportunities work with people, their horses, and help solve issues.


Since graduating in the spring of 2021, my experience has varied. I've worked with various breeds and equines including Quarter Horses, Mustangs, Donkeys, Mules, Appaloosas, Paints and more. I've often worked 2-3 jobs at a time which has allowed me to attain experience with high dollar breeders, show barns, trail riders, and so on. This experience involves the care, training, and/or teaching of riders. I have also gained experience and had a lot of fun at the same time teaching clinics in various settings, including out of state.


As I have been building my own program, I try to continue learning and improving upon my methods. I have trainer friends I trailer out to and get lessons myself when I can. My current Training Program emphasizes creating a well rounded horse. This varies per the client's goals, but with most horses I try to give them a good foundation including standing tied, hobbling, dragging objects, lunging, and helping fill in holes in their training. In other words, I try to build their confidence and skillsets.


Confidence helps the horse keep itself together in new situations. For a horse, if I can give them the skills I listed above as a good foundation, that alone can prevent and solve a lot of issues. From there, we can start focusing more on achieving higher level goals such as showing, trail riding, improving upon disciplines, and so on.


Confidence for a rider is just as important as for a horse. Without confidence, even simple tasks seem daunting. Encouraging the client to push through their trouble spots, adapt, overcome, and build consistency is key to achieving confidence. I see my role as an instructor as a guide. My job is to encourage when the student needs it, challenge them when the can handle it, and show them what they are capable of accomplishing if they put in the time and effort.


I have many people to thank for contributing to my growth as a Horseman and Showman over the years. The list has become too long to give worthy credit to everyone, but I am grateful to all of my mentors, clients, and horses that have helped me reach where I am at, and continue to push me to do better. I am also thankful to God and my family for always being the constants in my life. My wife Sofia and I will welcome our first son Oct. 2026 and we are so excited to add to our family. 


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Chloe Rose - Assistant Trainer/Riding Instructor

Hi, I’m Chloe Rose and I’m excited to be joining MHNPH as the new Assistant Trainer and Lesson Instructor!


I grew up riding and showing through 4H in Salado, TX, and have eleven years of primarily Western experience. I began in speed events at local and state level shows until I shifted my focus to learning the more technical side of horsemanship, when I transitioned to the ranch horse classes on my gelding, Theo. As I continued to learn by riding under trainers of different disciplines, I began competing in reining, cow boxing, trail, pleasure, and ranch riding; along with other cow events like sorting and penning.


Besides working with my own horses, my training experience first developed during my time at Slice of Heaven Education Farm in Holland, TX. I began volunteering at this rescue farm in 2020, and later worked there with the wide range of horses in their care, including standard and miniature ponies, quarter horses, thoroughbreds, and draft horses. This work gave me valuable experience training horses with behavioral, trauma, and health challenges, along with learning basic English riding and lesson knowledge. In addition, I spent multiple summers helping with the farm’s kids’ summer camps, leading campers and teaching riding lessons. Eventually I began to use my own horses to give lessons to riders of all ages, which I have continued to do alongside my college studies.


I am currently attending Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, pursuing an undergraduate degree in pre-veterinary studies while continuing to train and teach. I have always loved learning about horses, beginning with taking extra courses in Hippology and equine behavior throughout middle and high school and later earning my veterinary assistant certification (CVA) after interning hundreds of hours under equine and small animal veterinarians. I believe that being able to care for our horses both under saddle and in their day-to-day needs is crucial to their health and success in any discipline.


As my horsemanship has grown, I've come to value building a deeper technical understanding of training and groundwork to better communicate with horses. No matter what discipline, skill level, or goal, I have always enjoyed helping others learn how to care for and work with horses, and I'm excited to continue growing as an instructor and trainer while sharing all I’ve learned with the horses and riders at MHNPH!

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Meet Our Lesson Horses!

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RedBugs

RedBugs is our 7 year old QH mix. Matt lightly started him at 2 and showed him as a 3 year old. He became part of our family when he turned 4. Since then he has been shown by Sofia (Matt's wife) and a couple of our students! He is a forgiving horse that helps all of his students gain confidence!

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Amado

Amado is a 6 year old Mustang and the first member of our herd. Adopted as a wild yearling, Matt halter broke, started him, and showed him for the past 3 years. Amado has beautiful gaits, flashy looks and quiet but goofy gelding demeanor.

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Littlebug

Younger (full) sibling to RedBugs, and most recent addition to our herd, 6 year old LittleBug was started by Matt at 3. This past year the previous owner decided she was getting out of horses and sent her to Matt on Consignment. But we just loved her so much, we had to keep her! This feisty, talented mare has a bright future.

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