Groundwork Training
~ this service is no longer available ~
All training of horses owned by other persons has been cancelled due to clients learning far
more and gaining better respect by working with their own horses.
Horse owners are welcome to join us at the ranch and learn basic groundwork skills on our
horses and get assistance in transfering those skills to their own horse.
$20 per hour suggested donation.
We do all the training on our horses here at the ranch. We have received many compliments regarding their manners, so we have begun honoring requests to work with horses owned by others.
We believe that groundwork training is the foundation to a good saddle horse. We define groundwork as a variety of contact with the horse from the ground, but never climbing into the saddle or onto the back of the horse.
Training Goals
~ this service is no longer available ~
Our goal is to direct training so that it will meet both the needs of the horse
owner and the horse.
We focus on teaching the horse to have good ground manners and respect the owners’ space.
The horse should quietly stand, halter, lead, tie, and accept a fly mask, blanket, and saddle.
The horse should pick up its feet without kicking or pulling away. And the horse should round
pen with respect for the owner that includes coming on command and shadowing.
With extended time and training, we will also work with the horse on giving to pressure, flexing,
hobbling, picketing, load and unload (by backing out) from a horse trailer, and pony behind
another horse out on the trails to develop balance, trail obstacle skills, and trail manners.
Training Structure
~ this service is no longer available ~
We recognize that the horse responds and works best in a herd environment. and that the horse
needs a leader that they can trust and follow. We become that herd by inserting ourselves into
that lead position and encouraging the horse to trust and respect us within that position.
The horse is kept in a training paddock separated from our actual herd. We work with the
horse daily for at least 30 minutes, usually longer and frequently multiple times a day.
In theory, our training must also include the horse owner; because the horses’ owner
must take over the position of trusted leader once the horse leaves the ranch. Thus as part
of our training, the horse owner is required to visit at least once a week to watch/learn
training techniques.
Disclaimer: we do not adhere to, nor appose, any particular theories or methods of other
professional trainers.
Training Fees
~ this service is no longer available ~
All training is done under written contract. We require at least one full month of training
for the owner to expect results. We do however include a one week escape clause where either
the horse owner or the ranch can back out of the contract.
Training with partial care
$150. per week (4 wk min for results)
owner provides all hay, grain, suppliments,
farrier/shoeing, veterinary, etc. for the horse.
Training with full care
$175. per week (4 wk min for results)
the ranch provides alfalfa hay and owner provides
all other grains, suppliments, shoeing, vet, etc.
We reserve the right to refuse service.
