Services
Serving Bainbridge Island, WA and the North Kitsap County areas.
Lessons with your horse, mule, or donkey: I work with the owner or handler to create a close, joyful relationship with the horse. I come to your barn to work with you and your horse and teach you to do a lot of your own training and problem solving. I create a training plan for you to follow based on your horse’s training needs.
If you are looking for someone to help you train and sell your horse, we will not be a compatible team. I only work with students who are looking to build a lasting and wonderful friendship with their horse. The only exception to that rule is if you are interested in studying the method of clicker training and gentle horse training — what you do with that knowledge is up to you. Similarly, if your primary interest is in showing, we will not be compatible. I don't have a problem with showing in general, but another instructor would probably be a better fit for you.
There are a lot of details which can make the difference between success and frustration in clicker training, and it is easiest to learn from someone who has a lot of experience with it. I can help you with:
- Creating a list of goals (What do you want to be able to do with your horse? What kind of relationship do you want to have with your horse? What are your dreams for you and your horse?)
- Making a general training plan (ground manners, desensitization, tricks, riding basics, riding specialties, showing, and etc.)
- Making a list of behaviors that your horse needs to learn in order to accomplish your goals (standing still, loading into the trailer, fetch, and so forth)
- Making individual step-by-step training programs for specific behaviors (the steps for teaching the horse to stand still under different circumstances)
- Identifying training holes
- Figuring out how to use your body and your training props to increase your horse’s understanding of what you want, and to reduce your use of punishment
- Learning the basics of behavior analysis and operant conditioning (understanding the theory behind the art of training will make you a better trainer)
Some of the things you will learn: how to teach your horse to have good ground manners, to yield softly to pressure, to pick you up at the mounting block and stand still while you get on, to come when you call, to face their fears and be less spooky, to do tricks, to be more responsive under saddle, to be quiet and safe for the vet and farrier, to load willingly into the trailer, and much more.
Lessons with one of my horses or mules: I teach you my training method using my horses or mules. You refine your handling and timing skills on an experienced equine.
Training: I can work with your horse to help you achieve your goals and speed up your horse’s progress. You will still be involved in the training every few sessions to ensure continuity for your horse.
Riding lessons: I give basic riding lessons to establish a quiet, independent seat and clear, gentle aids to the horse that are consistent with the rest of the training method.
Workshops (small clinics) with up to five horses and their handlers
Help with mules and donkeys: Mules and donkeys have their own species-specific behavior and mentality, which is important to understand when training.
Help with gaited breeds: Tennessee Walkers, Missouri Foxtrotters, Peruvian Pasos, Paso Finos, Icelandics, Rocky and Kentucky Mountain Horses, Walkaloosas, gaited mules
Rates: Base rate is $40 per hour spent working with you and your horse. Travel time is $15 per hour to get to your place. I travel from Bainbridge Island.
