What we do
"I teach to empower. To show people the freedom of riding can bring. Learning to face challenges and embrace the joys of riding (of life). Body and mind awareness. This is what is means to be alive. To be where you are; aware of what you are doing - aware of the horse - aware of your surroundings - making a plan. I am in business to spread love and joy."
- Lexi
Private Coaching
One hour of dedicated one on one time learning how to effectively communicate using soft and relaxed aids while fostering a strong bond between rider, horse, and coach.
- Clear Communication: Emphasizing the importance of clear and subtle communication through the use of our seat, legs, hands, and voice effectively to convey our intentions.
- Balanced Position: Learning to maintain a balanced and centered position in the saddle.
- Feel and Timing: The concept of "feel" – the ability to sense and respond to the horse's movements and thoughts. Timing is learning when to apply the aids at the right moment to reinforce or correct the horse's actions.
- Individualized Approach: Recognize that every rider and horse is unique. It is important to understand some riders may progress more quickly than others.
- Variety in Training: We include a variety of exercises and activities in your training sessions to keep both riders and horses engaged and to work on different aspects of their communication and skills.
Customized Horse Training
Like people, every horse is an individual. Differences in temperament, background, and experiences all influence behavior and responses to their environment. Assessing each horse's personality, history, and physical condition is essential to tailor a training program that suits their specific needs.
- Strong Foundations: building on trust, consistency, respect, patience.
- Ground Work: Leading, lunging, teaching the horse to move away from pressure. Learning how to move the body from the safety of the ground is the building block for a sound horse under saddle.
- Desensitization: Exposing our horses to various situations to increase their tolerance of sensitivity decreases their fear response. Developing a horse who remains calm and confident in different environments.
Horsemanship Education
Horsemanship is ability to influence a horse with maximum effectiveness and minimum efforts. This is both in the saddle and on the ground.
Learning the art & skill of communication. The work becomes harmonous and enjoyable. Working together because you both want to be there. Learning to listen to eachother and communicate from a place of love and trust.
- Learning to listen to what our non verbal friends are trying to communicate.
- Asking self aware questions, "What am I trying to teach my horse?" "How can I communcate what I am asking for in a more clear way?" "What is my horse trying to tell me?"
- Accepting that we all have off days and the progression is not about perfection. Progression is about showing up the best way we know how and working to be 1% better than we were when we started.
- Welcome and Introduction:
- The introductory ride is designed to get to know each other and determine if we are a good fit for your coaching needs.
- Here's a general outline for your first coaching session:
- Addressing concerns or questions.
- Allows the client to experience our coaching approach firsthand.
- Discuss what riders can expect in terms of scheduling, communication, and support.
- Clarify any financial arrangements or policies.
Starting & Breaking Horses
I firmly believe that no matter how old the horse, you can teach them new things. Starting horses is such a joyful, and beautiful thing.
The whole world is new.. new smells, new experiences with new objects, new people and places.
Breaking/starting a horse entails showing them we are safe together. In order to start the training process, a horse must be broke to ride.
I start all of my horses from the ground so when it is time to riding they have a basic idea of what I am looking for under saddle.
It is our job to teach our horses about the world around them - to show them they do not need to react. To help them understand we are here to enjoy our time together. This is a major part of the trust/respect process. If we do not develop this kind of relationship our horses are not likely to look for us for direction and guidance... Horses WANT us to give them direction, they want our leadership, they want connection. My training is focused on building a relationship first - trust and respect is built over time. With trust and respect comes a life long, willing and stable partner.
Each horse, like us, is different. They have their own life experiences, their own feelings, their own coping skills.
Some horses are eager to learn and easier to get on your side, while some shut down and avoid, and others might bite, kick, buck, or rear.
The point is, the training process looks different for every horse. Some horses are more willing from the start, while others might take more time to come around to the idea of training being fun.Whether your are starting from stratch or taking on a "project horse" our main focus is developing a life long, healthy, respectful, and harmonious relationship between people and their horses.
Behavioral Modification, Restart/Retrain
Our main focus is to develop a healthy, respectful, and harmonious relationships between horses and their people.Our training builds a relationship with trust and respect as its foundation. Trust and respect is established by taking the time to listen to the horse, trying to understand what they are feeling - why are they responding the way they do?
Identifying the cause gives us a place to start teaching them to reduce the intensity of impulsive responses.
about me
I have been wokring with horses my entire life. Growing up with a riding school right behind my childhood home, I used to jump the fence to be with the horses... barefoot and in only a diaper.When the owner of the riding school approached my parents about the issue and asked if they could help me be safe around horses, I instantly found my other family.
