Horse Training Techniques and Methods Used in our Program: 

While we treat each horse as an individual, there are certain training methods we use on all of our horses.  We may introduce or apply them differently to each horse in training, but we want to expose all of our horses to the following:

• Round Pen & Ground Work
• Lunging for Respect
• Lateral and Vertical Flexation
• Yielding the Hindquarter
• Yielding the Forequarters
• Desensitizing to spooky objects
• Standing tied
• Trailer loading
• One Rein Stop
• Disengaging the Hindquarters
• Saddling & Briding
• Acceptance of the Bit
• Backing Up
• Standing for a bath, the farrier and the veterinarian
• Riding quietly in the arena
• Trail Riding

These are some of our basic training techniques.  Every horse that comes to us for training will likely be exposed to all of these exercises.  Of course we cater each training program to suit the needs of the horse and rider.

Additional training will be added  to your horses' stay with us as we develop his personalized training program.

Our training philosophy is simple. We realize that you can't "make" a horse do anything.

Horses, like riders, need to be trained. That process involves gaining respect, forming a partnership and guiding the horse through a series of exercises to achieve the desired result.

For example, we can't physically pull a horse into a horse trailer. They're much bigger and stronger than us.

We can, however, convince the horse that being in the trailer is a great place to be. We accomplish this by making him work and only letting him rest when he is at the trailer door. You'd be amazed how quickly the horse realizes that being near the horse trailer is a really good place to be and being inside the trailer is an even better place!

Time and patience is the key to success.

We want our horses to cooperate and work with us.

We don't want them to fear us. We do, however, want them to respect us.

Think of any successful relationship in life and you'll probably see that it's based on mutual respect. Not fear. Our relationships with our horse is no different.

Please speak with Charlotte to develop the right program for your horse.

You may decide that you want to pleasure ride, jump, ride dressage, or any other number of things. 

The key is to learn your fundamentals even if your goal is simply to feel safe riding your horse on a trail ride.                                           

 Our Riding Lessons focus on:

• Balance - The foundation for all horseback riders 
• Control - All riders learn to "steer" their horses, stop, back and correct a horse that is not showing respect
• Confidence building for the rider
• Mounting & Dismounting
• How to halter and lead your horse safely 
• How to groom (brush) your horse
• Tacking up (putting the saddle and bridle on your horse)
• How to ride your horse properly at a walk and trot
• Canter will be introduced as the student progresses
• Patterns are used to teach the student balance and control
• How to safely ride your horse outside of the arena