We are Tough Luck Trio located in Agua Dulce, CA! Three friends who share a passion for horses and the dedication to rescuing and finding horses a new purpose in life with the promise of a better tomorrow.
On top of rescuing horses, we also specialize in horse acquisitions, consignment and training. We believe every horse deserves the very best life has to offer. We are dedicated to uncovering what the horse wants to do and matching them with their forever homes.
"We all need a friend, a companion, a partner and a soul mate...so God made a horse."
Hi! I'm Cindy - I was born wanting to own horses! My family moved to Agua Dulce when I was just 6 years old and I got my first horse. I have been hooked ever since! I started tuning up horses and giving lessons to younger kids when I was 13 years old. When I was in high school I started my first colt... Rojo. Most of my early education was self taught...I read every horse book I could get my hands on.... and learned from good ol' trial and error!
As I got older I took lessons and apprenticed at various barns. I have competed in English and Western shows... and finally turned my focus mostly to gymkhana and barrel racing. I received my formal education by attending Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo where I obtained a degree in Animal Science/ Agribusiness. I participated in multiple horsemanship, colt starting and training projects along the way.
I believe that with horses... you never stop learning. I love to continue learning and enjoy sharing my knowledge with others to help advance horses and riders in their riding skills and enjoyment! Tough Luck Trio is now my newest passion along with my awesome partners.... to help at risk horses find perfect new homes!
Hi! I'm Karri and I too have always wanted to own horses my whole life, but never got the chance…until now! I met Cindy and Janelle 3 years ago when my daughter wanted to switch from show jumping to barrel racing! We found Cindy & Shamrock T Ranch, but little did I know at the time, I found a family, my tribe, a new purpose and a new passion in my life.
From Day 1 Cindy not only trained my daughter, but encouraged me to get on a horse and I never got off! Cindy and Janelle have taught me so much about riding, horses, training and animals in general! These women literally changed our lives! Our daughter participated in High School rodeo her senior year and we got hooked on the lifestyle. Next thing I knew, we were selling our home in Santa Clarita and buying a ranch in Acton! I now own 4 of my own horses and many other critters! Its a dream come true...and these gals made it possible to start our own rescue and I apprentice and learn from Cindy & Janelle how to train horses and it has become my passion. It's so empowering to work side by side with Cindy, Janelle and these incredible horses.
My background is in Marketing & Communications so I manage all our branding, marketing and social media efforts. I firmly believe that no horse should be thrown away just because they are a little banged up, old or no longer useful to their owners. Every horse has its purpose and their people. I am committed to finding them a better life than the one they had.
Hi! - My name is Janelle, my barn nick names are Janello, Nello and Weezer!
I have been an animal lover for as long as I can remember. If I could I would save them all and give them a loving home. I believe every animal deserves a loving home and everyone deserves to feel the unconditional love of an animal.
As a little girl I have always loved horses. There’s something about these big majestic creatures that drew me in. Something about their smell soothes my soul. I love the way they can expose both your weaknesses and strengths and rebuild you. I was a livestock kid, I grew up raising animals in 4-H and for food. Growing up I self studied the behavior and quirks of each animal we had. Watching their unique personalities unfold reminded me, animals are not all that different than us. The animals taught me a huge sense of accountability which today I still thank them for.
I knew in my heart I had always wanted to do something with horses. However I grew up in a ball sport family. I rode horses for pleasure only. I got my first pony when I was five. He was a stubborn welsh pony named Iron Eyes Cody. We grew a lot together and had a lot of fun. That was it, I was hooked. I took a break as my family grew. I got connected with Cindy when my daughter took lessons. Cindy encouraged me to get back on and ride. I’m so thankful she did. Then Karri came along and we formed the Trio. I have learned so many things from my partners. We have a blast bringing out the best in horses others forgot how to see. I have two horses and a few other critters at our mini ranch in the acres. I also barrel race and gymkhana with the girls! I’m incredibly blessed by this opportunity and the people that surround me.
We offer everyone a chance to own a horse! A horse that has been fitted to their needs and the person fitted to the horse's needs. We rescue, re-habilitate, re-train and rehome horses! We also take horses in on consignment, we take owner surrendered horses and we offer training!
We rescue horses from slaughter houses, kill pens, auctions, back yards, or ones that have been abandoned on the side of the road.
We want what is best for the horse - not for ourselves, clients or the rescue.
All sale monies go back into the rescue to help rescue more horses, rehab our existing horses, feed, equipment etc.
Bodies and minds can be healed - we can help horses move forward into a new, purposeful life that brings them happiness.
Each horse is trained in a way that speaks and helps them to heal, learn and grow.
Natural horsemanship is an important part of our training program and we have a network of professionals to help us rehabilitate a horse.
We believe in also working with the horse mentally so they know they are safe and loved. We work through their fears and sensitivities so they can be their very best for their new owners.
There are some horses that are too broken or beyond any help that we can give, but what we can give is love and a dignified cross over with a short tail.
Tough Luck Trio dedicates part of our equine training program to finding out what a horse loves to do. A rope horse may come to us that no longer cares to rope, but they may love to ride the trail, or sort cows, etc. We try out all sorts of disciplines to find the things they truly love to do - then we find an owner who wants to do that too!
Tough Luck Trio does not believe in rushing a horse through training. If they need time to heal mentally or physically we keep them on the ranch until they are ready. Rushing a horse won't help them or our clients.
The absolute BEST moment is when a client picks up their new horse or we deliver the horse. Seeing the joy for the both of them is so heartwarming and bittersweet for us! We love and put a little bit of our souls into each horse that comes to our ranch.
Between Shamrock T Ranch located in Agua Dulce & Tipsy B Ranch located in Acton, we offer boarding and training for your horse! We have affordable rates and Cindy is our head trainer. We lean into the philosophy that horses don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. We lean into the needs of the horse versus the specific training methods. Cindy's vast knowledge of horse training takes the best from all equine disciplines and styles of training and fits it to the needs of the horse instead of fitting the horse into a specific and rigid training program.
