Services Offered
Currently not accepting any additional client horses until spring 2011; accepting winter/spring project horses only. Please visit the FOR SALE page!
Starting
Re-training (off-track/problem/etc)
Finishing/fine-tuning
Halter breaking/groundwork
Lessons (remedial - between horse and rider)
Buy/Sell
With experience in, and understanding of, everything from jumping to dressage to cattle work and racing, I can offer your horse a solid foundation to work off of for a successful career in any disclipline. Horses are started in groundwork first, regardless of previous work, prior to progressing to saddle work (though saddle work may be done simultaneously if horse is previously started), so as to ensure a solid foundation for progression later under-saddle. Horses are started in the arena and, given time, move on to trail riding, including in Kananaskis country when possible. Sometimes all a horse needs is some fine-tuning, which is also available, as is fine-tuning/tips for the horse/rider team (lessons) who may be experiencing difficulties in their partnership. Horses to be started under-saddle must be well halter-broke. My goal is to create a light, responsive, and well-rounded horse who is a well-balanced and thinking partner. Problem and off-track horses are welcome, as are also sale prospects.
Horses are usually worked 4-5 times per week, which amounts to a minimum of 18-20 days per month. Number of days per week/month are based upon the individual horse's needs (guaranteed min of 18). Young horses are started in a plain rope hackamore and may progress to snaffle work (provided teeth are UTD) after an initial set of 30 days. Regardless of discipline, young horses are usually started in a western saddle and progress to an english saddle (if applicable), typically after 30 days' work.
My methods are based in natural horsemanship, and Parelli Natural Horsemanship specifically. I draw inspiration and learning from Jonathan Field, Pat and Linda Parelli, Karen Rohlf, Mette Rosencrantz, John Lyons, Dr. Robert M. Miller, and numerous other sources. Horses in training are taught the Parelli 7 games and further patterns so as to establish a foundation of trust and respect and a common grounds of communication between horse and human.
"There are no problem horses, only problem riders"
A horse can be developed into a solid partner, but unless the human holds up their end of the bargain, the horse may regress and problems between horse and rider may (re)arise. Lessons are available to riders looking for help solving communication issues between horse and rider as well as to riders looking to further develop their horse, or to individuals with a horse returning to them from training here.
We also buy and sell the occasional horse and so are often open to purchasing a horse for resale or taking on a horse with sale potential (particularly problem horses). If you are looking for an off-track Thoroughbred, please contact us for further info, as we have quite a few contacts available for very reasonably-priced horses. Re-training services for your new Thoroughbred are also available should you wish.
Tara and Link, spring 2010 - Commencing Link's first year of dressage
Fees
Training per 30 days - $500 + board
Board is dependant upon facility and needs within that facility (pasture/paddock/stall). Current pasture board is $250/month (shelter, hay, auto waterers included). Horse must be easy to catch for pasture board to apply.
Current paddock or stall board is $300/month.
Graining or severely problematic horses will increase fees.
Lessons - $30/hour
Lessons included in price of training for owner of horse currently in training. I mostly specialise in remedial (ie. lessons that aid an individual with their own horse) though can certainly point you in the right direction to a certified coach should equitation lessons be required.
Assessments - $30/hour (travel and assessment time) + fuel
Training assessments, pre-purchase assessments, etc.
Please understand that while some horses can be well-started with a solid under-saddle foundation within 30 days, others (problematic) do not progress past groundwork in 30 days. Past experience, age, etc all play a factor in a horse's progress in training. Typically, I usually recommend 60-90 days on a horse to be started. What each set of 30 days (as it pertains to under-saddle work) typically looks like:
30 days
Walk/trot/some canter under-saddle
Halt (limited to no rein use, utilizing seat)
Back-up
Circles/figure-8/patterns under-saddle
Some trails (if possible)/field/outdoor riding
Desensitization (tarps, ropes, etc)
60 days
W/T/C
Fluid turns and circles with bend
Leg aids (started at the very least)
Sidepass (started at the very least)
Leads (started if possible)
Relaxation
Suppleness
Trails/field riding
90 days +
W/T/C becomes more refined
Further fluidity work and relaxation
Collection (started if possible)
Lateral work
Refinement
Please understand that progress is horse-dependant - I will not push a horse but instead allow the horse to determine how fast/slow they progress (though of course through approaching it in such a way, usually horses progress rather quickly).
Foundation before specialization
Dakoda, Link, and Silver, three of my own horses
