Safety First- Then the fun can begin!
The philosophy of MC training is Safety first- Always
Fun, enjoyment, and learning are important components to our program and they are always implemented with safety as the foremost consideration. I understand that it is possible to have lots of fun while still paying strict attention to Safety. Every lesson and skill I teach, whether to my oldest Adult student or my youngest, is first and foremost, how to be safe around horses.
I believe that the relationship between a horse and rider is fundamental to good horsemanship. Becoming a good rider is not simply learning how to stay on a horse and "make" the animal obey the will of the rider. In fact, I believe that imposing one's will, only through strength and intimidation, is not good riding. At the core of my philosophy is learning to understand the horse and what the horse is thinking. Once a rider learns to understand the signals and "language" of their mount, the partnership and bond of trust between horse and rider becomes a beautiful thing, where working together as a team shows the abilities and potential of both. This partnership and bonding begins before the student ever mounts up to ride. I like to schedule the initial 3-4 lessons to be 1 ½ hours and include a portion of "Ground Work." Working with the horse from the ground, even with simple relationship building such as grooming and tacking up, will enhance the entire experience for
both.
I believe that learning the Physical aspects of riding is important, and by teaching students to sit, balance, and ride the
horse at different gaits and under differing circumstances. I will teach you ride with skill, confidence, and consideration for the comfort and ability of your mount. However, just as important, is learning to understand the Mental and Emotional state of mind of the horse. As each riding student advances in his or her training, we will teach them how to recognize the feelings and thinking of the horse.
For examples, why does your horse not want to cross that stream, go over that jump, go through that gate, transition
smoothly from a walk to a canter, step onto a bridge, go by that bush, or take the correct lead? The answers to those questions may be as wide and varied as the response the rider should take to the "problem." Too many riders respond to
situations such as these with the "universal solution" of kicking and whipping and forcing the horse to "obey." While this may provide the desired short-term result, it may also create more long-term problems. Since I teach students to understand the "Why's," they will become more adept at "problem solving" issues that come up during riding situations. There are many reasons a horse may exhibit behavior undesirable to the rider. Examples of some of the questions the rider should understand the answers to are: Is the horse just being "stubborn?" Or, is he afraid? Is he "testing" the rider? Or is he just in
a playful mood? Has he lost his concentration? Or, is the rider giving him incorrect signals? Is he confused? Is he being "mean and ornery?" Is he tired? Bored? Hurt? This list goes on, and becoming a good rider depends upon understanding the horse and his reasons for acting the way he is acting. Once a rider learns to understand the reasons (and they may be different from one time to the next, with the same horse and situation), the rider can then work with the horse to overcome the problems or difficulties.
Learning the language of the horse involves watching and feeling many things simultaneously while doing ground work and while riding. Students will learn to recognize ear movements, eye and body movements, muscle tension, and many other signals of the horse language to help them become better riders in partnership with the horse. Learning to feel the horse's muscle tension or relaxation under the saddle comes with lots of experience and lots of pointers from the instructor.
Depending upon the horse's behavior and language signals, the rider should be able to know how to react. Should the
rider show authority, encouragement, sympathy, direction, confidence, or what? The students will learn these things all along the way, in conjunction with improving their physical riding skills, as they advance in their lessons.
I believe that the key to becoming a good rider is learning to understand the horse and learning to get the horse to
understand you, the rider. My lessons are always full of the explanations as to the why's: Why the horse is doing something and why the rider should react in such a way. The students are never told to do something without the explanation of why it is important. Building a trust and confidence between horse and rider to forge a true partnership will enable a joyful experience for both.
Horsemanship is the skill of being able to flawlessly control your ride and direct your horse through all of their gaits with no
visible signs of effort or creating discomfort to the horse. Lessons will be fun and horses will always be happy.
Your horse, your house or local facility, I come to you!
Fun, enjoyment, and learning are important components to our program and they are always implemented with safety as the foremost consideration. I understand that it is possible to have lots of fun while still paying strict attention to Safety. Every lesson and skill I teach, whether to my oldest Adult student or my youngest, is first and foremost, how to be safe around horses.
- All students under 18 years must wear Certified ASTM Equestrian Helmets. I advocate helmet awareness and urge all my students to wear a helmet. Even the most broke horse can trip and
fall! - All students must, to the best of their ability, follow the directions of their Instructor.
- Safety discussions are part of every lesson, with explanations as to the "Why."
- All equipment and tack used must be kept in safe, working condition. If unsafe tack is used I will not continue lessons until unsafe tack is replaced. I can provide suggestions of local tack store that carry quality used tack as well as affordable online tack sources.
- Students are not pushed beyond their comfort levels or limitations.
- Abilities and contributing factors (such as weather conditions, lameness) are all considered for every lesson. If mounted lesson are canceled I can still provide unmounted horsemanship lessons.
I believe that the relationship between a horse and rider is fundamental to good horsemanship. Becoming a good rider is not simply learning how to stay on a horse and "make" the animal obey the will of the rider. In fact, I believe that imposing one's will, only through strength and intimidation, is not good riding. At the core of my philosophy is learning to understand the horse and what the horse is thinking. Once a rider learns to understand the signals and "language" of their mount, the partnership and bond of trust between horse and rider becomes a beautiful thing, where working together as a team shows the abilities and potential of both. This partnership and bonding begins before the student ever mounts up to ride. I like to schedule the initial 3-4 lessons to be 1 ½ hours and include a portion of "Ground Work." Working with the horse from the ground, even with simple relationship building such as grooming and tacking up, will enhance the entire experience for
both.
I believe that learning the Physical aspects of riding is important, and by teaching students to sit, balance, and ride the
horse at different gaits and under differing circumstances. I will teach you ride with skill, confidence, and consideration for the comfort and ability of your mount. However, just as important, is learning to understand the Mental and Emotional state of mind of the horse. As each riding student advances in his or her training, we will teach them how to recognize the feelings and thinking of the horse.
For examples, why does your horse not want to cross that stream, go over that jump, go through that gate, transition
smoothly from a walk to a canter, step onto a bridge, go by that bush, or take the correct lead? The answers to those questions may be as wide and varied as the response the rider should take to the "problem." Too many riders respond to
situations such as these with the "universal solution" of kicking and whipping and forcing the horse to "obey." While this may provide the desired short-term result, it may also create more long-term problems. Since I teach students to understand the "Why's," they will become more adept at "problem solving" issues that come up during riding situations. There are many reasons a horse may exhibit behavior undesirable to the rider. Examples of some of the questions the rider should understand the answers to are: Is the horse just being "stubborn?" Or, is he afraid? Is he "testing" the rider? Or is he just in
a playful mood? Has he lost his concentration? Or, is the rider giving him incorrect signals? Is he confused? Is he being "mean and ornery?" Is he tired? Bored? Hurt? This list goes on, and becoming a good rider depends upon understanding the horse and his reasons for acting the way he is acting. Once a rider learns to understand the reasons (and they may be different from one time to the next, with the same horse and situation), the rider can then work with the horse to overcome the problems or difficulties.
Learning the language of the horse involves watching and feeling many things simultaneously while doing ground work and while riding. Students will learn to recognize ear movements, eye and body movements, muscle tension, and many other signals of the horse language to help them become better riders in partnership with the horse. Learning to feel the horse's muscle tension or relaxation under the saddle comes with lots of experience and lots of pointers from the instructor.
Depending upon the horse's behavior and language signals, the rider should be able to know how to react. Should the
rider show authority, encouragement, sympathy, direction, confidence, or what? The students will learn these things all along the way, in conjunction with improving their physical riding skills, as they advance in their lessons.
I believe that the key to becoming a good rider is learning to understand the horse and learning to get the horse to
understand you, the rider. My lessons are always full of the explanations as to the why's: Why the horse is doing something and why the rider should react in such a way. The students are never told to do something without the explanation of why it is important. Building a trust and confidence between horse and rider to forge a true partnership will enable a joyful experience for both.
Horsemanship is the skill of being able to flawlessly control your ride and direct your horse through all of their gaits with no
visible signs of effort or creating discomfort to the horse. Lessons will be fun and horses will always be happy.
Your horse, your house or local facility, I come to you!