The Just Right Horsemanship Program

Over the years I have spent a great deal of time observing the methods of successful horsemen, (horsewomen). Our “Just Right Horsemanship” program incorporates some of the natural horsemanship philosophies and methods practiced by many of these horsemen, as well as those I have developed from my many years in working with horses. We don’t have all of the answers, and we continue to tweak our program to incorporate new things that we have discovered that work a little bit better.

Our program can really be summed up with a few key points:

Practical

We cater primarily to the weekend warrior with various abilities and confidence levels, who need our help to advance and achieve results. Our program has progressive levels that build upon each other.  We have a plan and a road map to achieve results in a safe and rewarding manner. We also give you the tools to make practical decisions as to a horse's mental and physical capabilities and how they fit with your level of ability, confidence, and expectations. Sometimes the practical decisions you make are not your favorite, but will likely prove beneficial in the long run from the standpoint of enjoyment, cost, and safety.

Personal

Like so many of our fellow clinicians, we spend the majority of our time educating you. If you watch a loose horse in a pasture, it’s interesting that they are so flexible, bending, flexing, and taking leads without a second thought. The key is learning how to successfully communicate what you want to the horse. Usually your horse knows how to do what you want, but does not know what you want.  The challenge lies in effectively asking your horse for what you want, and getting the correct response. Communication and timing are critical to success, and only so much can be learned from books and tapes. The more hands-on experience the better, which is why our program emphasizes a step by step approach. Knowing that you can go back to a prior level if you are unsuccessful with the current level gives you the confidence to get out there and work hands-on with your horse. 

Safety, Trust, Respect, Confidence, and Results

The ultimate goal is for your horse to be safe, trust and respect you, have the confidence to be a willing partner, and welcome the opportunity to achieve new results. Likewise, you must practice personal safety at all times, respect your horse for what he is, only trust your horse to the extent of his natural instincts, and gain the confidence to fully enjoy your relationship with your horse. Last but not least, achieve the results you desire from your horse.

The following is a general outline of our program which is practiced on every horse that progresses through our program, and every student that attends one of our schools.

Level 1: Rethinking the Entire Human Horse Relationship and Training Methodology

1. Equineology
2. Learning Your Horse's Language
3. Equine Characteristics and Evaluating Potential
4. Key Concepts to Communicating With Your Horse
5. Safety at all Times
6. Having the Mind Set to Effectively Learn From Your Horse
7. The Foundation to Developing a Willing Dance Partner
8. Having a Plan and a Road Map to Get There

Level 2: Establishing Leadership In and Out of the Roundpen

1. Joining Up
2. Right Side
3. Left Side
4. Hobble Training

Level 3: Sensitizing and Desensitizing

1. Building and Establishing Your Horse’s Comfort Zone
2. Sensitizing Exercises
3. Desensitizing Exercises
4. Saddle, Bridle

Level 4: Ground Manners and Exercises

1. Pre-Flight Routine When Catching Your Horse
2. Executing the “15 Basics to Success Ground Maneuvers”
3. Trailer Loading

Level 5: Bitting Up Exercises

1. Lateral Flexion
2. Vertical Flexion

Level 6: Mounted With the Snaffle Bit

1. Pre-Flight Routine Prior to Mounting
2. Mounting and Dismounting
3. Saddle Fit, Posture,  and Becoming One With Your Horse
4. Effective Use of Weight Distribution-The 3 Seat Positions
5. Effective Use of Your Legs-The 3 Leg Positions
6. Executing the “12 Basics to Success Mounted Maneuvers”

Level 7: From the Pull to the Push

1. Introducing the Neck Rein
2. Exercises to Relate the Rein With the Leg Aid
3. Advancing Beyond the Snaffle Bit-Transition Bit

Level 8: Refining and Advancing

1. Exercises to Refine The 3 Seat Positions
2. Exercises to Refine The 3 Leg Positions
3. Riding Between the Reins and Legs
4. Advancing Beyond the Transition Bit-Sweetwater Bit

Level 9: Approaching Finished

1. Advanced Suppling Maneuvers
2. Advanced Reining Maneuvers
3. Advancing Beyond the Sweetwater Bit-High Port Swivel Bit

Level 10:  Finished Dance Partners

1. Exercises for Specific Disciplines (Barrel, Roping, Trail, etc.)
2. Giving a Horse a Job
3. Advancing Beyond the High Port Swivel Bit-Various Spade Bits