The steps and lessons in the three levels of our training program are merely a sequence of baby steps that are horsesensible. However, because all horses are different we view this program as more of a roadmap rather than a step by step process. Horses learn at a different pace. Some horses pick things up naturally while others may struggle. Horses will tell you whether you can proceed to something new, or if you need to back up to something they already know, and make the baby steps even smaller until the horse understands what you are asking.
To be successful, you must always have the horse in the right frame of mind, and have the ability to soften his mind, which softens his body, down to his legs, and to his feet. Much like a willing dance partner, the goal is to shape the horses body and move his feet where you ask, in a willing and rhythmic fashion.
All of our Horsemanship programs follow this training roadmap. For those willing to take the journey in becoming a better partner with horses, the rewards are many:
Our Training Program Framework
Framework of Our Program
- Safety a Priority
- Learning to Read Your Horse
- Learning and Practicing the Language of the Horse
- Establishing and Maintaining Leadership
- Developing Soft Feel and Timing with Rhythm and Relaxation
- Building Good Riding Skills with Emphasis on an Independent Seat
- Gaining Control of and Harmonizing the Five Body Parts Down to His Feet
- Strive to Soften the Horses’ Mind, Body and Place His Feet where Desired
- Gait and Frame Transitions
- Cruise Control
- Bit Transitions
- Neck Reining
The Three Journey Levels
Journey Level 1
Steps:
01 – The Concept of Gaining Control of the Horses Mind, Body, Legs, and Feet
02 – Becoming an Effective Dance Partner on the Ground
03 – Beginning Groundwork to Establish Leadership and Obtain Basic Shapes
04 – Rein Pressure for Lateral Movement of the Hind Legs on the Ground (Disengage Hindquarters)
05 – Controlling the Movement of all Four Feet Moving Forward from the Ground (Impulsion)
06 – Becoming an Effective Dance Partner in the Saddle (Developing an Independent Seat)
07 – Mounting and Practicing the One Rein Stop from the Saddle
08 – Controlling the Movement of all Four Feet Moving Forward (Impulsion and Cruise Control)
09 – Rein Pressure for Lateral Movement of the Hind Legs (Move Hindquarters)
10 – Rein Pressure for Reverse Movement of all Four Feet (Back-Up)
11 – Circles
12 – Rein and Seat Pressure to Stop Movement of all Four Feet (Stop)
13 – Indirect Rein Pressure for Lateral Movement of the Front Feet (Move Shoulders)
14 – Driving the Hind Feet Forward and Under the Horse’s Body (Softening the Nose and Collection)
15 – Direct Rein Pressure for Lateral Movement of the Front Feet (Move Shoulders)
Journey Level 2
Steps:
16 – Seat and Leg Pressure for Lateral Movement of the Hind Feet
17 – Adding Seat and Leg Pressure for Lateral Movement of Front Feet
18 – Seat and Leg Pressure for Lateral Movement of Front and Hind Feet (Side Pass)
19 – Beginning Leads
20 – Perfecting Leads
21 – Flying Lead Changes
22 – Riding a Straight Line
23 – Gait Control, Frame and Transitions
24 – Bending Exercise-Shoulder In
25 – Bending Exercise-Counter Shoulder In
26 – Bending Exercise-Haunches-In
27 – Bending Exercise-Haunches-Out
28 – Bending Exercise-Half Pass
29 – Turn on the Forehand
30 – Turn on the Haunches
31 – Bending, Turning and Circles
Journey Level 3
Steps:
32 – Riding One Handed-Your at a Fork in the Road
33 – Neck Reining and Leverage Bits
34 – Vaquero Method Utilizing the Bosal and Two Rein- Ultimately to a Signal Bit
35 – Modified Vaquero Method Utilizing Bit Transitions-Ultimately to a Signal Bit
