My Philosophy:
“Safe for the rider, safe for the horse, and they finish the lesson quieter than they began.”
-John Lyons
I believe that true horsemanship develops with honest, direct, and compassionate communication in support of both horse and rider. The rider must be empowered to work with the horse and to consider the horse’s nature and perspective. I support the rider, based on their abilities and goals, in the development of further insight about their unique partnership. The ultimate goal is to achieve a practical skill set and a base from which to grow and improve the partnership using these principles:
- Understand and utilize the equine social dynamics that motivate a horse to be a willing partner.
- Create & maintain a safe learning environment that supports and challenges the horse & rider in their development.
- Utilize and teach leadership as a fundamental for a successful partnership.
- Emphasize communication in the full appreciation that a horse is a being, not just an instrument.
- Maintain a safe perspective to keep the horse and rider from being “over faced”.
- Break down the training experience to support the individual horse and/or rider in their development.
- Work with the horse’s natural way of being, as an athletic dance partner, to create a safe and willing partnership with the rider.
Training. Education. Coaching.
For Horse & Rider
People often ask me if I ride English or Western?
The answer?
I ride.
The discipline dictates the tools. Saddles, bridles, bits, reins, cavessons, mecates, pads, spurs, jeans, breeches, chaps, half chaps, boots. These are tools. Some have history. Some are just for “show”’. In most cases, there is a distinct purpose behind the design. Knowing which tool, why, and when, can make or break your success with horses and riding. As a fundamental of Practical Horsemanship, I focus on the practical application of tools and what the safest options are during the development of rider and horse. From there, I approach the activity of riding as an athletic adventure and partnership between the human and the horse. Each partner is independently capable and intelligent. Both are equally important for the partnership to work. Both horse and rider must possess the necessary skills for success.
The riding partnership is truly a gymnastic dance.
My goal is to help you, at whatever level, to succeed.
•To assess, problem solve, break down the steps.
•To help you develop a practical plan that works for you and your horse.
•To create a safe and fun environment for the rider and the horse.
•To develop skills and insight to last a lifetime.
