Services
Serving the Seattle area in Washington (King county, south Snohomish, north Pierce)
Lessons with your horse, mule, or donkey: I work with the owner or handler to create a close, joyful relationship with the horse. I come to your barn to work with you and your horse and teach you to do a lot of your own training and problem solving. I create a training plan for you to follow based on your horse’s training needs.
There are a lot of details which can make the difference between success and frustration in clicker training, and it is easiest to learn from someone who has a lot of experience with it. I can help you with:
- Creating a list of goals (What do you want to be able to do with your horse? What kind of relationship do you want to have with your horse? What are your dreams for you and your horse?)
- Making a general training plan (ground manners, desensitization, tricks, riding basics, riding specialties, showing, and etc.)
- Making a list of behaviors that your horse needs to learn in order to accomplish your goals (standing still, loading into the trailer, fetch, and so forth)
- Making individual step-by-step training programs for specific behaviors (the steps for teaching the horse to stand still under different circumstances)
- Identifying training holes
- Figuring out how to use your body and your training props to increase your horse’s understanding of what you want, and to reduce your use of punishment
- Learning the basics of behavior analysis and operant conditioning (understanding the theory behind the art of training will make you a better trainer)
Some of the things you will learn: how to teach your horse to have good ground manners, to yield softly to pressure, to pick you up at the mounting block and stand still while you get on, to come when you call, to face their fears and be less spooky, to do tricks, to be more responsive under saddle, to be quiet and safe for the vet and farrier, to load willingly into the trailer, and much more.
I offer trailering services to clients for shows, trail rides, or moving to a new boarding facility. I also offer trailer loading lessons, even if you don’t have a trailer. I will travel to your place with my trailer so you can learn how to teach your horse to trailer. Also, when your horse is ready for his/her first trip in the trailer and first few trailer rides, we can do that.
Lessons with one of my horses or mules: I teach you my training method using my horses or mules. You refine your handling and timing skills on an experienced equine.
Training: I can work with your horse to help you achieve your goals and speed up your horse’s progress. You will still be involved in the training every few sessions to ensure continuity for your horse.
Riding lessons: I give basic riding lessons to establish a quiet, independent seat and clear, gentle aids to the horse that are consistent with the rest of the training method.
Workshops (small clinics) with up to five horses and their handlers
Help with gaited breeds: Tennessee Walkers, Missouri Foxtrotters, Peruvian Pasos, Paso Finos, Icelandics, Rocky and Kentucky Mountain Horses, Walkaloosas, gaited mules
Rates: Base rate is $40 per hour spent working with you and your horse. Travel time is $15 per hour to get to your place. I travel from Seattle or Covington, whichever is less time to get to your place. Trailering fees are additional. Contact me for details.
