CW Foundation Horse Training Horses
Dane County, Wisconsin. Centered at Green Meadows stable, near Paoli.
November, 2023: I am no longer training horses professionally.
I am not insured. I am still interested in volunteering in situations where I can help, but I do not accept payment. Please contact me if you feel I may be able to help. Thank you.
What I do:
Care, training, and exercise. Including:
Starting under saddle
De-sensitizing - building confidence
Trailer loading - vet prep
Groundwork for communication and relationship
Problem solving and behavior management
Trail riding safety and confidence
Intro to horse handling and riding skills
Basic health care, hoof maintenance, & stretches
Work with the owner or independently
Assist with advertising, and showing for sale
I am not insured. I am still interested in volunteering in situations where I can help, but I do not accept payment. Please contact me if you feel I may be able to help. Thank you.
What I do:
Care, training, and exercise. Including:
Starting under saddle
De-sensitizing - building confidence
Trailer loading - vet prep
Groundwork for communication and relationship
Problem solving and behavior management
Trail riding safety and confidence
Intro to horse handling and riding skills
Basic health care, hoof maintenance, & stretches
Work with the owner or independently
Assist with advertising, and showing for sale
What I don't do:
Give formal riding lessons
Teach or practice jumping or driving (usually)
Begin work under saddle before the horse is about 3 years old
Provide regular lessons for minors
Work with stallions (usually)
Prepare horses specifically for showing or competitions
Work outside of Dane County (usually)
Experience:
An average of about 20 hours per week of horse work for over 12 years, including:
. Worked for 5 years with my daughter, a professional trainer
. Helped many owners improve basic training, behavior management, and riding skills
. Worked at many stables and farms in Dane County, with both horses and owners.
What I charge:
Not a lot. Please contact me for rates. I'm interested in jobs and situations that fit my skills and where
I can make a difference. When it's a good fit, I'm a bargain. When it's not, we'll figure that out pretty
quickly.
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I work with the horse and owner to develop calm understanding, and a willing partnership. I stress improved communication, and a sensitivity to physical and emotional tension, along with techniques to help the horse relax and focus on the rider. These skills improve safety, and contribute to a rewarding and comfortable relationship for both the horse and owner.
Does your horse need foundation training? Maybe. Many horses can benefit from a foundation assessment and refresher. Any horse that hasn't been started or has significant weaknesses identified by a foundation skills assessment will benefit. One of the ways I can help, is to perform that assessment. See the Foundation Skills Checklist for more details.
Foundation training is not just for young or unstarted horses. Older and more experienced horses often can benefit. If an assessment reveals weaknesses in foundation skills, working on these weaknesses may improve communication, relationship, and performance at more advanced levels.
Foundation training is almost always helpful for horses that exhibit problem behaviors such as spookiness, heavy on the bit, dull to leg and rein aids, diving for grass, poor pace control, pulling on the lead rope, or lack of respect, trust, or confidence.
Foundation training is not just for young or unstarted horses. Older and more experienced horses often can benefit. If an assessment reveals weaknesses in foundation skills, working on these weaknesses may improve communication, relationship, and performance at more advanced levels.
Foundation training is almost always helpful for horses that exhibit problem behaviors such as spookiness, heavy on the bit, dull to leg and rein aids, diving for grass, poor pace control, pulling on the lead rope, or lack of respect, trust, or confidence.
Process: With each horse, I assess foundation skills and behaviors, and follow a training plan focused on improvement. I strive to make our interaction as clear and comfortable as possible for the horse, and establish a common language and skill set we can return to if he is confused or tense. I consider it my responsibility to find ways to communicate and teach clearly and consistently, with sensitivity and caring; and to help him relax and understand. The horse will always tell us if we're on the right track.
Groundwork: Because I focus on foundation training, groundwork is important. Groundwork exposes training needs that can be addressed before riding. It develops communication, respect and trust between horse and rider. It reminds the horse of the "ground rules" for our interaction, and as a result improves safety, confidence, and performance. Groundwork provides a good pre-ride warmup for the horse, and lets the rider assess the physical, emotional, and mental status of the horse before riding.
Groundwork: Because I focus on foundation training, groundwork is important. Groundwork exposes training needs that can be addressed before riding. It develops communication, respect and trust between horse and rider. It reminds the horse of the "ground rules" for our interaction, and as a result improves safety, confidence, and performance. Groundwork provides a good pre-ride warmup for the horse, and lets the rider assess the physical, emotional, and mental status of the horse before riding.