Training horses by teaching them to obey commands, perform skills of expectation, and perform in a desired way; rather you want a simple trail riding horse or barrel racing star. With my Gentle Hands Gentle Hearts training methods, I do not believe in breaking a horse or bucking it out; I believe in a long lasting trust foundation to build on; training not only the horse but you, the owner, how to work with your horse(s). Starting from the ground up you can build a solid relationship with your horse, and I would love to assist you in doing that.... (read more) I do travel to you with my own equipment so no worries there and my training is anywhere from never been under the saddle before to just kicking some bad habits, including trailering, spooking, and tying issues. No whips, no spurs! I specialize in training horses for special needs children and giving riding lessons to such youth; but hold no limitations to any age, nor training for any horse. I have had 7 month old colts and fillies all the way up to 14 year olds that have never had a hand laid on them before. Not all horses or people can learn with the same methods so everything is tailored to you and your horse. Every horse I teach is provided with 3 combined riding methods using leg pressures, neck reining, and vocal commands so that there are no limitations under any circumstance. It is an all western facility with a very relaxed aura.
My training methods first to last steps:
* First I evaluate horses by determining temperament, ability, and aptitude for training. Seeing what they do and do not already know, which gives me a ground up basis on where your horse is in its training and how to best suit my training to them. During this process I work to gain trust, the basis of our ground up foundation. This helps me to be respected by the horse so that the horse does as its told out of its herd like desire to be at peace with its leader.
* After the evaluation, or sometimes during the evaluation I will address any unwanted bad habits and develop desired behaviors by conducting targeted training programs. NOT by forceful or abusive ways but simply giving the horse more work to do as you would with a child that you grounded for doing the wrong thing. This is show as a dominant mare would when one of its herd gets out of line, maintaining the respect and trust the horse has warranted me, rather than making it fear me. This is the same method I use during all phases of training.
* Desensitizing and sensitizing the horse to its new equipment, objects it is afraid of, or actions it does not like doing (such as trailering and unloading, noise and spook control.
* Taking the horse up the ladder to mounting. depending on the horse and how I feel best fit for its training I may begin with a saddle or simply work naturally and mount bareback. I usually mount bareback when I feel the horse still has some trust issues that needs to be addressed and a saddle would hinder and reverse the progress already made.
* Updates training knowledge by advancing the the difficulty and complexity of commands.
* Enhances reward with accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to change scenery or adding addition distractions to test the horses reliability in all situations, continuing to build a trusting relationship between myself and the horse.
* When the horse has an all around understanding of the expectations I have for it I work with its rider so that you will know how to work with your horse and use the training I have equipped the horse with, extending my herd-like-leadership and respect to you as the owner/rider.
I have been training horses of MANY types from ex-racehorses to "colt" starting, from the saddle to the barrels for years. As I like to say, there are 2 hearts but only one dream. And my dream is to share my knowledge with others so that less beautiful horses end up at auctions, kill shelters, and meat factories. I do not have set prices; I work with you on your schedule and your circumstances. I was not born and raised around horses; I had to work for what I have so I know the struggles of owning a horses and not exactly knowing what to do with it. I also came from a small town community and know the financial struggle of some who live in our beautiful South Georgia, so I expect nothing more of anyone than what can be expected of me.