EDUCATION

I hear, I forget
I see, I remember
I do, I understand
- Confucius 551-479

For HORSES:

The first start or "backing" of a young horse can optimize or set back a horse’s career as a riding and competition horse. As a 2 and 3 yr old, horses are inquisitive and naturally trusting, what a perfect time to gain their confidence and teach them about the expectations of the tack, stable and riding.

It takes substantial experience breeding, training, and competing, to develop a system that is reliable, safe, and effective. Using also the natural psychology of horsemen such as John Lyons, Pat Parelli, Richard Shrake, Ray Hunt, and Positive Reinforcement principles (clicker training), the idea of this process is to have the horse understand and accept each step of the way. What owner doesn’t want a horse who enjoys learning, and is a willing partner?

Many training problems later in life can be traced to holes in the foundation - your system of communicating with the horse. When this is apparent, at Liberty Equestrian we do a lot of repair work, so horse and rider can understand each other. The owner/rider is very much a part of this process, so you become independant and can succeed with your horse.

For RIDERS:

In the perfect world, we would learn to ride on a well-trained, comfortable schoolmaster. We would learn from the start to ride without tension, fear, frustration. We would sit effortlessly, in balance with the horse’s every motion, and be able to go with the horse smoothly as he goes up and down between gaits, changes of direction, over obstacles, and through every movement/exercise required in the dressage tests.

If this doesn’t describe your experience in learning to ride, you’re not alone!

If this most likely sounds like a fantasy ride to you… then listen up, dreams come true!

While this isn’t the Spanish Riding School, where they keep riders on the lunge without reins or stirrups until this perfect balance is mastered (nearly 2 years) , we do spend lesson time ironing out the kinks that prevent you from riding to the best of your ability. Sometimes big changes are made, sometimes little subtle ones.

The most important thing is that you learn to sit in balance, supple and relaxed. Then the aids must be learned, and in what order, and when, and how… The dressage exercises and patterns are to gymnastisize and develop the horse, and they only serve this purpose when the rider is not interfering with the horse’s movement.

At Liberty Equestrian we want you to reach your full potential and enjoy the journey. Training packages are available to best suit you and your horse’s needs.

For more information on Marcy's training program, visit www.dressagehorsetrainer.com