By Anna Robertson Ham
With a collective following of over 6.7 million followers on social media, Katie Van Slyke has harnessed the world of digital platforms to educate people about farm life and horse breeding. From the heartbreaks and hardships to the hilarious, Katie’s stories keep followers coming back daily to get updates, check in on their favorite horses, see the mini cows and keep up with foaling season captured by the camera.
Katie’s parents moved to their Nolensville farm, Running Springs, almost twenty-seven years ago. They have always owned and bred horses and cattle and that love of livestock and farm life definitely passed down to Katie. She grew up showing in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) shows, as well as breeding performance horses. In recent years, Katie has become more interested in the genetics and breeding side of cows.
Running Springs currently has quarter horses, Simmental cattle, a pig, barn cats, dogs, mini donkeys, mini horses, mini cows and Nigerian dwarf goats on the farm – which all provide for some entertaining videos on social media! Katie is also the proud owner of VS Code Red, the multiple World and Congress Champion stallion who is described as a legend in the AQHA industry.
We had the privilege to learn from Katie, herself, about her life and the influencing world she has created. Here is what she had to say:
Photography by Matt Turpin
Tell us why Williamson County is home to you? What do you love about it?
I live in Williamson County and, after doing a lot of traveling around the country and outside of the country, I can honestly say we have the nicest people. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s beautiful! My favorite time of year is the spring when everything is so green!
Who all is involved in the daily care of running the farm and looking after the animals?
Luckily, we have full time help with all of this, but since we have over 100 animals on the farm, they are all fed, watered and checked on every day. Depending on the animal or time of year, more care may be needed. Also, with that many animals, something always needs some kind of vet care it seems! It’s a lot, but it’s all worth it.
Walk us through the breeding process on your farm, from selecting the mare and stallion to foaling and beyond?
I like to be very aware of all my mares’ pedigrees and performance backgrounds, and then I choose a stallion who has strengths in all the places she has weaknesses. I also pay attention to certain “crosses” that have produced successful foals in the past and factor that in to my decision making. Once I decide who my mare is being bred to, whether it’s my own stallion or another one, I send in a breeding contract, figure out when my mare is going to ovulate, order semen and then my vet breeds her. After she is bred, we prep check her about two weeks later. Sounds a lot easier than it is!
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in horse breeding, and how do you overcome them?
Things going wrong for absolutely no reason is a huge challenge. It’s easier, in my opinion, when you can pinpoint something that you did wrong when there is a poor outcome. That way you can figure out how to prevent it in the future. Breeding isn’t all cute foals and rainbows unfortunately, and it’s a hard pill to swallow when something bad happens that is completely out of your control.
Katie with her new stallion VS Code Red.
Photography by: Kirstie Marie Photography
"I don’t ever want to be misleading about farm life, but I also want to be real and show the good and the bad."
Are there any specific goals you’re currently working towards?
I would really like to get back in the show arena with a horse that I’ve bred and raised myself. Life happens and I haven’t shown much in years. I miss it and it would be a full circle moment to get back into it with one I’ve raised.
How did you decide to incorporate social media into the farm business?
It kind of happened by accident and then, once it started to take off, I learned what worked best for my channel through trial and error. It’s a very fun way to show people farm life - and it’s a cherry on top that I get to call it my job!
How do you balance authenticity with professionalism when sharing your farm experiences online?
I have to think about my words very carefully. I don’t ever want to be misleading about farm life, but I also want to be real and show the good and the bad. There is some stuff that happens on the farm that isn’t for the faint of heart, and I find it best to explain those kinds of situations with words rather than real-life photos or videos. I try to show as much as I can, but when it comes to some things, such as death on the farm, I must think about the respect of the animal as much as keeping viewers’ interest in mind.
Have you encountered any challenges or drawbacks to being a social media influencer in the horse breeding and farming industry? How do you handle negative comments or criticism on social media?
There are definitely some hateful people out there, but my thick skin grew in after a couple of years. At this point, the block button is my best friend. No need to even let hate comments or hateful people into the amazing community that has been built around the love of animals!
What role do you see social media playing in the future of the horse breeding industry, and how do you plan to adapt and evolve your approach?
I think social media is a great way to reach people who haven’t had the opportunity to learn about horses, cows and other types of farm life. Education is what we need to get out there if we want people to become interested and keep these industries alive!
Photography by Matt Turpin
You can learn more about Katie and her farm life journey by following her on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok at @katievanslyke or by visiting katievanslyke.net.
