HORSE TRAINING:

We are currently not accepting outside horses at this time. If you have a horse you need lessons with, we can help you! Please contact us or visit the lesson page to learn more!

At On Track Horsemanship we believe each horse is unique both physically and mentally. Horses have left and right brains, their way of thinking and surviving. Left brain refers more to the thinking, problem solving side of their brain whereas the right brain is the reacting side of their brain. Since horses are prey animals, their survival depends more on reacting than problem solving. In order for a horse to learn, they must be using their “left sided” brain, in other words they must be using their thinking side of their brain. Our goal with training is to create a calm mental state so that the horse can use the thinking side of their brain and learn. Horses use body language to communicate by using their expressions throughout their body from their face, to their tail. Our training method uses a pressure and release system, while occasionally reinforcing more challenging tasks with a treat; but we do not use treats as bribery.

We would love to discuss bringing your horse to our location for training. We require an evaluation by our head trainer and owner, Kate Thomas, to determine the owner’s goals as well as the horses current state of training, mental capacity, and physical condition before bringing a horse to our location. We specialize in problem solving and creating a safe, well balanced equine partner that could be ready to hit the trails, your back pasture, or even begin low level competition. The time it takes us to complete the training goals may vary with each individual horse and we have a minimum commitment of 60 days for green or problem horses and a 90 day minimum for unstarted horses. Some training cases may take more or less time and some cases we may be able to coach the owner through at their own location; providing our guidelines are followed step by step.

Because we are committed to our new and returning clients all of our training options always include the following:

Saddle training and specialty training such as trick training, liberty work, and advanced riding maneuvers (rollbacks, spins, half pass, and more) are on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to discuss your goals. We always encourage the owner to come watch their horse while in training, and while we do our best to create a set schedule we must remain flexible for the horses well-being which may mean changing the time of day or the length of training for a given session.

While the horse is in training, the owner is encouraged to come watch or participate at least once weekly. Once the horse is safely ridable, the owner will be required to attend at least 1 lesson per week for remainder of time the horse is in training at our location. Up to 6 lessons are included with the training fee. Additional lessons may be purchased separately.

Training Fees:

60 day Session (2 months) will include 5 days a week of training, weather permitting. Cost is $1,250 This training session is geared for horses that have already been started under saddle, need a tune-up, some problem horses, or specialty training such as the start of tricks or liberty training, or more advanced maneuvers under saddle. Training fee is split in two payments, half up front and half on day 30. If additional time is needed, the 90 day Session and fee or Specialty Training fee can be applied. On some cases, less time is needed and we can apply the Specialty Training fee’s to reduce your cost.

90 day Session (3 months) will include 5 days a week of training, weather permitting. Cost is $1,800.

This is especially geared for unstarted or lightly started horses. The training fee is split in three payments. $625 up front, $625 on day 30, and $550 on day 60. If more time is needed, the rate of $135 per week in advance will be applied after completion of the 90 day period.

Specialty Training is on a case by case basis. The rate is $180 per week. The minimum training session is two weeks and must be paid in advance. The following weeks can be paid weekly or two weeks in advance. If training exceeds 6 weeks, the 60 day training period and fees can be applied.

Because of our variations within our training programs and lengths as well as limited number of horses we take in for training; we do not accept reservations. However, we do have a waiting list. If you would like to be added to our waiting list, please contact us to discuss details.

Please note that additional board, at a discounted rate, will be added on top of the training fee.

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