What We Offer:
Full Training - We pride ourselves on doing the best job possible with every horse and owner we work with. Accordingly, we prefer to take only one to tow horses at a time in full training. This number, combined with our ale horses, allows us to treat each horse as an individual and give them the time and attention they need to learn as much as possible while staying happy and healthy.
Full training includes a stall, turnout, high quality feed and hay, and coordination of any veterinary or farrier services that are needed. Many of our clients have told us that they have never left a horse with anyone before, but they are very pleased with the level of care we provide. We encourage owners to come and vist their horses; we just ask that you let us know in advance when you are coming so we can arrange our schedule. It is important to us that you see your horse's progress and undertand the training methods we use.
Full training is the best option in many situations. Some of the most common reasons our clients send their horses to us are:
Starting under saddle
Basic ground manners for babies and young horses
Resolution of problems like bolting, bucking, spooking, etc.
Dressage training
Trail experience
Trailer Loading - we pick up your horse
Reconditioning after time-off or an injury
Private Lessons - We offer lessons and lesson programs for people who want to be more effective in how they communicate with and handle their horse, both on the ground and under saddle.
Steven is an NRHA money earner and Anne has trained horses through F.E.I. level, and they especially enjoy working with clients in these disciplines.
While our lessons most often focus on improving riding skills, they can also be used to address problem behaviors. Most serious or dangerous behaviors are best solved with the consistency that comes with full training, but others can be brought under control in one or two lessons. You can then learn the techniques to work on them at home and continue your horse's improvement yourself.
Trailer Loading - Horses need to know how to load on a trailer. You may want to take them to a show, a clinic, or on a trail ride. A medical emergency or even severe weather might mean that you have to get them on a trailer, and quickly. Horses that are difficult to load can be a danger to themsleves and their handlers, and serious mishaps can happen very quickly.
Steven has worked successfully with hundreds of horses that were difficult to load. He breaks down the process in such a way that horses learn to put one foot at a time on and off the trailer at the handler's request. Ultimately, they learn how to self-load calmly and back off the trailer slowly and carefully. Horses who have never loaded, those who have had a traumatic experience or sustained an injury on a trailer, and those that seem impossible to load for whatever reason can all learn to beome comfortable with the loading and unloading process through these methods. Often, horses who travel poorly on the trailer will become calmer once the anxiety of loading and unloading is gone.
It can take anywhere from a half an hour, to several sessions to make a solid change in a horse's behavior. Some horses need more consistency, and their owners send them here so we can load and unload them hundreds of times in varying situations. We'll come to you to begin solving this problem, and teach you a set of skills that you'll be able to use on any horse in the future.
Steven and Anne w
th Pat Lezaca and her students Devon, Christina, and Julia Clinics - We offer many types of clinics varying in length and content. What we cover depends on the needs of the particular group. Most clinics will address basic groundwork and round pen skills because they are applicable to so many other issues. From there, we will focus on whatever concerns and questions arise, or on a predetermined topic.
Clients often choose to stay at the farm, either alone or with a small group, and set-up a "custom clinic" where they can have more individual attention.
Cost for the clinic depends on the number of days and location. Contact us if you would like to discuss organizing one.
Steven with Sarah Oelerich of Honey Tree Stables and her stallion Ishmael
Steven working with an Arab stallion at a clinic in Carracas, Venezuala