Starting horses
Starting a young horse under saddle is more than just achieving the first ride. It is about creating a foundation that allows the horse to feel confident and safe in their body, their mind, and their connection with us.
It is the opportunity to develop a horse that can thrive in our world, rather than one that is simply surviving day to day. Especially in the beginning, we should take the time it takes, allowing each horse to be an individual within a program that adapts to them.
From the ground
It does not matter whether a horse arrives straight from a young horse stable or with only basic handling, we always begin with groundwork.
Through this, horses learn how to use and adjust their bodies in a way that helps them feel safe, which creates the mental capacity to start learning.
We build a baseline of confidence, allowing the horse to develop the skills to think through the question. This not only develops trust in themselves, but also in our guidance when they start to feel insecure or tense.
Horses learn how to move forward with balance and how to create softness and shape in the body. Tightness or quick reactions do not automatically mean fear, as the horse learns to process physical feelings and trust the help offered by us.
To getting on
Horses learn how to approach and stand quietly at the mounting block. They are gradually introduced to the rider from both the left and right side, and then from above, so that nothing comes as a surprise.
It is not only about seeing the rider, but also about feeling and adjusting to their weight. The horse first learns to stay soft and balanced with bend, before developing straightness under the rider.
Through this process, the horse develops a sense of safety and trust in the rider’s guidance from above.
And first rides
The horse learns how to move forward from the leg and how to follow the rein from the ground first. They develop the ability to move in balance in walk, trot, and canter, with energy flowing from the hind end through the body and out through the front.
Horse and rider develop a clear line of communication, creating a sense of understanding, trust, and pride in their partnership.