UPDATE: We will not be taking any horses in for training for the whole year of 2014 due to the upcoming addition to the family in July! Thanks everyone!
Training Methods
Our method of training varies from horse to horse, as we believe every horse is different and some need different approaches to training. Our round pen gets used everyday for the method of "joining up". Joining up, in our definition, is working one on one with the horse with no distractions as a way of fully understanding and trusting each other. We are not set on one certain method and are open to any suggestions! When we start a young horse or a horse that has not been broke we first use joining up to gain their trust, we then desensitize them to anything and everything. Ground manners, we believe, is the key to a good horse. We use a fourwheeler to do chores every morning and night so our horses have all been around that and a lot of traffic and loud trucks. I myself do barrel racing and pole bending ect., so there are times when i will take a younger less experienced horse along to get used to the sights and sounds.
Trainers Who Inspire Us
Buck Brannaman
- Buck Brannaman
- Pat and Linda Parelli
- Stacey Westfall
- Pat and Linda Parelli
- Stacey Westfall
Ground Work Training
Our ground work is very solid and we believe it is the key to an all around great horse; after all, if don't have your horses trust on the ground, how do you expect to have it while on their back?
Our ground work starts with getting the horse used to being caught and being haltered. After the horse learns not to play "hard to get" and accepts the halter, we get them used to being led and responding to the pressure the halter applies. Our ground work also involves picking up all four feet and getting the horse used to being touched all over without kicking out or becoming spooked and shying away. Another major part of our ground work is the desensitizing of the horse to most everything. We introduce the horse to a number of various sounds and being touched by various objects such as, tarps and plastic bags. We also introduce them to a number of situations that may spook a horse or cause them to shy away, such as, a passing vehicle, bathing, quick movements, loading in a trailer and unloading, and other animals. The ground training also involves lunging in a round pen to get the horse into all their gaits and get them to pick up their leads.
By the time the ground work is complete, your horse will be very respectable and well mannered. They will respond to pressure, pick up all feet with no problems and even stand tied all day without a fuss!
Our ground work starts with getting the horse used to being caught and being haltered. After the horse learns not to play "hard to get" and accepts the halter, we get them used to being led and responding to the pressure the halter applies. Our ground work also involves picking up all four feet and getting the horse used to being touched all over without kicking out or becoming spooked and shying away. Another major part of our ground work is the desensitizing of the horse to most everything. We introduce the horse to a number of various sounds and being touched by various objects such as, tarps and plastic bags. We also introduce them to a number of situations that may spook a horse or cause them to shy away, such as, a passing vehicle, bathing, quick movements, loading in a trailer and unloading, and other animals. The ground training also involves lunging in a round pen to get the horse into all their gaits and get them to pick up their leads.
By the time the ground work is complete, your horse will be very respectable and well mannered. They will respond to pressure, pick up all feet with no problems and even stand tied all day without a fuss!
Saddle Training
As for starting on saddle training, we also start by touching on all the basics of ground work, desensitizing, and gaining the horse's trust before proceeding with saddle time. When saddle time is approached, we do it with 100% patience and kindness. We do NOT believe in harsh approaches or punishment! When it comes to new experiences, we want the horse to be calm and have full trust in you so it is a very rewarding and wonderful experience.
After the ground work is solid, we start by getting the horse used to being saddled and unsaddled bridled and unbridled, and taking the bit with ease. We use a loose ring snaffle bit in every horse we start. Round pen work is also done while the saddle is on, getting them used to the saddle making noise and the stirups hitting them while they go through each gait.We then also pony them by a broke horse along on numerous rides to get them used to going out and seeing new sites and sounds. After the horse is comfortable with all of this, we start putting our weight in the saddle to get them used to carrying more then their own weight and the weight of the saddle. After they stop shying away and take it all easily, we get on their back and continue to mount and dismount from both sides. If they take all of this in stride, we start riding them on rides with experienced horses and work on stopping, turning, flexing, picking up on their leads and all of the gaits under saddle. I show all summer long so I often take the horse in training to my shows to ride them around and in the arena to get them used to being around many other horses and all the sights and sounds.
When finished with the basic saddling and riding, we continue to ride them on trail rides in the area, cross water, bridges, and get used to traffic on the highways. We guarentee every horse we train and break out on the Kadillac Ranch 100%, we stand behind them all the way.
After the ground work is solid, we start by getting the horse used to being saddled and unsaddled bridled and unbridled, and taking the bit with ease. We use a loose ring snaffle bit in every horse we start. Round pen work is also done while the saddle is on, getting them used to the saddle making noise and the stirups hitting them while they go through each gait.We then also pony them by a broke horse along on numerous rides to get them used to going out and seeing new sites and sounds. After the horse is comfortable with all of this, we start putting our weight in the saddle to get them used to carrying more then their own weight and the weight of the saddle. After they stop shying away and take it all easily, we get on their back and continue to mount and dismount from both sides. If they take all of this in stride, we start riding them on rides with experienced horses and work on stopping, turning, flexing, picking up on their leads and all of the gaits under saddle. I show all summer long so I often take the horse in training to my shows to ride them around and in the arena to get them used to being around many other horses and all the sights and sounds.
When finished with the basic saddling and riding, we continue to ride them on trail rides in the area, cross water, bridges, and get used to traffic on the highways. We guarentee every horse we train and break out on the Kadillac Ranch 100%, we stand behind them all the way.
My horses are my best friends, not my slaves."