What We Expect From Our Horses

• Standing Still
• Ground Tie
• Come To Us
• Hook On
• Back Easily
• Move Forequarters
• Move Hindquarters
• Spin
• Side Pass
• Load, Unload Trailer Calmly
• Think first!

Desensitizing

( Bomb Proofing For The Trail) 

Jensine is getting Lucky used to the lead rope and at the same time preparing him for a cinch, which will be applied for the first time in just a few minutes.

Desensitizing the horse is the first stage of training.  Most untrained or poorly trained horses have a quick “flight” response to situations that make them uncomfortable.  Their first impulse is to put some fast distance between them and the “scary” whatever, then look it over and think about it.  It’s a natural instinct on the part of most prey animals.  When this is not under control in a riding or pack horse, it can lead to serious consequences for the rider or those standing too close.  Horses don’t usually intend on hurting people.  It simply occurs because they are so much bigger and more powerful than people.  Relative to horses, people are very fragile indeed.

The goal in desensitizing a horse is twofold. 

 The highest priority and the first thing that must be established is communication with the horse.  Communication is a two-way street.  Most trainers lecture their horses; forcing their trainees into obedience.  We on the other hand, establish at the outset, two-way communication with the horse.  We let the horse know that they can communicate with us and that their input into the training session is valuable. 

The second priority is to get the horse to relax with both the training tools and methods and the things that make them uncomfortable. 

Each new session builds upon and reinforces the previous one(s). 

Here Jensine is teaching Lucky to give to the slightest pull on the reins. 

In this photo Jensine is teaching several things at once.  Lucky is learning what ground commands correspond to commands given in the saddle.  He's learning how to move through his gaits.  He's also learning how to maintain his gait and speed until asked to change.

 Horse & Rider Training

(Transferring respect and riding cues to the owner)

• How to work a horse in the round pen
• How to get a horse to hook on (follow you like a puppy)
• How to properly use a lunge line
• How to ask a horse to come to you in pasture or stall
• How to teach your horse proper riding cues from the ground, then from the saddle
• Loading instructions and methods

Michael

Schmaljohann

Fees & Facilities

 Please, keep this in mind when examining our fee structure: Using our gentle methods, we have found that most problems can be solved in hours, rather than days.

The bottom line with us is usually less than what you would expect to pay with the common horse trainer.

 Customized Training

What do you want from the training experience?

Consider these queations.

• Is your horse well trained, but you are still feeling a little uneasy around your horse?
• Are you having trouble getting your horse to do what you ask?
• Are you and your horse partners?
• Do you and your horse work together as a team?
• Is your horse barn sour? 
• Does your horse experience separation anxiety when asked to leave the other horses?
• Problem issues; disrespect, loading, shyness, bossy, biting, etc.
• Do you want a bomb proof horse on the trail?

Keep in mind, when you bring your horse to us; most problems can be cured in a lesson or two.

We can typically have a raw horse ready for the trail in as little as 3 to 10 hours. Add another 10 hours for a well polished horse and rider partnership.

In most cases after training the horse the owner will need some time in training to learn, in a new way, how to communicate with their horse.

How much you spend will depend on your horse's previous training, attitude and intelligence.

Training Packages

 Our hourly rate of $45 applies to individual lessons, problem solving, and owner lessons.

Weekly Package

Five 1-hour lessons, feed and care included, for $225

Two Week Package

Ten 1-hour lessons, feed and care included, for $400

Customized Packages

For problem solving, slow horses, and finishing.