Training

Our Training Philosophy

Bobbi has been "training" her own horses since age 12... much has been learned since then, with more tools added to the toolbox all the time. The basis of our training method is equitation sciences; which is to say that we train in such a way that is easiest for the horse to learn and understand based on its natural instinct. Bobbi's main focus and passion has for years been developing excellent dressage horses. Dressage specifically is an equestrian sport in which the harmony of horse and rider is in focus- it is our belief that a really great dressage horse can only be developed in a program where the horse WANTS to work hard, and WANTS to learn and WANTS to perform for the rider. You cannot create a horse who wants to work and loves its job through fear based training. For Bobbi its clear that the way to develop a great equestrian partner is by being very consistent and fair in what we ask of them and being very quick to reward. Horses love to be praised, and if you are consistent in what the expectation is and are very quick to praise them in the right moment the horse will very quickly learn what is being asked of them through this very clear and consistent positive reinforcement.

​

Over the years Bobbi has started and developed many lovely young horses with a dressage foundation. Dressage is a super basis for any young horse as at the lower levels the sport is really just focused on having a young horse that carries itself in good balance with all 4 feet close to the ground- something that we hope for all horses regardless of the discipline! Our goal when starting a young horse for any discipline is to create a confident young equine partner who is keen to do its job. We do a variety of training when starting horses including lunging, long lining, round pen work, pole work, hand walking off property (walks around the block), group trail rides when that is an option as well as trailer loading, standing tied, standing for the farrier, bathing etc.etc. Basically anything that your horse might have to do in its day to day life and maybe some other weird stuff just for fun! 

As well as starting young horses Bobbi has a depth of experience in sorting out problem behaviors. VERY often a problem behavior in a horse (whether it be buck/bolt/rear/or some other fun thing) is just the horses way of trying to tell you that they don't understand or cannot do what is being asked of them- and just like we humans can get frustrated with them, they too can get frustrated with us, this is where the problem behaviors arise. With many years, and many different problems thrown at her Bobbi has developed and excellent feel and understanding of these horses that are themselves having a problem understanding. Its our belief that there really are no "problem horses" there is just a bit of a language barrier- and coming to these types of situations with empathy for the horse that hasn't been understood gets you a lot further than approaching a problem horse as if THEY are the problem. Horses are prey animals- and when they are put, in a stressful situation they have 2 options, fight or flight- all "problem' behavior is just that horses natural reaction to a given situation.

On top of these "foundational skills" of having a safe and fun equestrian partner Bobbi also develops dressage horses through the levels having developed multiple horses through to the FEI small tour levels. When developing horses through the levels the focus is really put on maintaining strength and fitness to maintain as long as possible a sound and healthy horse. A testament to this program is Bobbi's own FEI partner William who competed in the FEI Int II with 70% scores at 22 years old. Very often horses become sour to the work or broken down physically from "drilling" movements. We really try to keep the training dynamic and fun all the way through the levels integrating cross training such as low jumping, cavaletti training, trail riding and hill work for strength and fitness to maintain a horse that is sound mind and body as the mature. 

​

​