About
Equine trainer/riding instructor with a focus on positive reinforcement/force free/stress free training methods.
A competitive background in high level dressage, jumping, english, western, barrels, cutting, reining, trail, and endurance.
As a horse behavior specialist, I know that understanding horse behavior, biomechanics and psychology and applying them to everyday training is key to developing a horse that's easy, successful, and safe to ride... and a rider that is confidant, capable and accident free.
Equally important is implementing management changes that mimick a horses natural state and environment as closely as possible so you're working with the nature of the horse not against it.
My goal is to teach the use of effective and ethical training methods, along with proper care and management to develop a partnership between a horse and rider... A team that can be taken into any discipline and level. Creating a horse that's suited for any type of riding without sacrificing the horses well being or the riders personal goals
I really love seeing the potential in horses and riders and being able to introduce horses and riders into the industry using a much more successful and safe way. I enjoy making a difference in the life of each individual horse by bringing ethical handling and training into their lives, and helping them live healthier lives and have more successful careers through management changes.
Highlights
Photos and videos
Reviews
Matt H.
Michelle D.
Amy S.
Felipe R.
Nicole L.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Our first session includes an assessment. My student will do their normal routine, and I'll make notes. At the end, I'll explain what I saw, and the steps we'll be taking. We'll probably retrain your horse from the ground up. I'll ask you to forget what you know or "what you think you know ;)" and then we'll hopefully set up a training schedule you can stick to, at your comfort level.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
From the age of 6 I rode hundreds of horses with some of the top trainers and riders in their disciplines. I started training, buying, and riding horses for clients, competing, and giving riding lessons when I was 10. Through highschool, I worked with an incredible revolutionary trainer, who gave me the tools to advance into the horse woman I am today. I'm hugely research based as well, studying everything relating to horses. I come from a rough training background, where the use of harsh bits, spurs, and harmful training methods were used daily. I learned the hard way that this is never safe nor effective.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge an average of 80 per session. Each session is an hour in total.
What types of students have you worked with?
I work with every type of student. From toddlers to seniors. Professionals to... "I can't tell a horse from a cow" before. From unhaltered horses to Grand Prix.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
The biggest red flags when looking for a horse trainer are, trainers that don't first and foremost address the horses overall health and care management. Horses should be kept as close to their nature as possible.
Secondly, a trainer who doesn't understand or comment on stress signs in your horse should be avoided... such as tail swishing, ears pinned, tented eye, nose flare, twitching, prancing, pawing, rearing, bucking, open mouth, pulled lips, chomping on the bit, foaming at the mouth, etc...
Trainers whos first resort is to correct a behavior by means of pressure and release, punishment, discomfort, stress, or force should be avoided as well. Such as bumping, kicking, tie downs, draw reins, circling as a punishment, harsh bits, hard tying horses, backing as a punishment, exhausting a horse by running, etc...
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
First, understand that traditional training "pressure and release" actives the fight or flight response in a horses brain. This means cortisol is constantly being released, creating anxiety and fear which inhibits learning. Positive reinforcement works with the problem solving part of a horses brain, releasing endorphins and creating neuro pathways.