Horse Training


Our horse training program is geared towards starting and finishing horses for trail riding. More involved training such as preliminary show training can be performed, if interested please inquire about separate pricing. We use natural horsemanship techniques including a round pen and various skills adapted from trainers like Chris Cox, Clinton Anderson, and Pat Parelli in addition to skills that we have learned on our own over the years. In advance of your horse's arrival we ask that you tell us in writing what specific things you want done with your horse. We will teach those skills to the horse first and then we will work with you to make sure that you know how to correctly ask the horse what he/she has been taught. We seek to improve your ability to deal with training issues and teach you, as well as your horse, to ensure continued success.

We will start your horse and we will desensitize him/her using "de-spooking" techniques. This includes exposure to "scary" things like plastic bags, trash bags, umbrellas etc. Once desensitizing has been done with your horse we will then make sure that he/she knows how to bend with softly doing lateral, vertical flexion, backing and yields to leg pressures. Then we will work with these skills once mounted and make sure the horse is responsive. Once this has all been performed in a safe place we will take your horse out on the trail. We try to simulate all scenarios: with and without other horses, in the front, in the back away from horses.  Your horse will be exposed to traffic, open grates, bridges, creeks, trash cans and anything else encountered out on the trail, as well as many other possible objects encountered in their lifetime.

Once we have completed all of the tasks you desire, we will take you out on the trail with you riding one of our horses and us riding your horse. That way you are able to see your horse on the trail and how we ride him/her.  Also we will make sure that you are able to correctly ask the horse to perform the desired tasks. Then when you are ready we will put you on your horse and make sure that the two of you are "on the same page".

Requirements before arrival at Sheeder Mill Farm:

1. Before any horse is trained by Sheeder Mill Farm we require a current coggins. We ask that you have the coggins drawn as close as possible to the arrival day.

2. We also require that all horses have four shoes with some sort of traction on the toes and heels (either borium or driltex) . Many of our trails consist of dirt roads and a barefoot horse will have sore feet hampering what we are able to do with them. In addition, there are hard roads which are slippery without some form of traction.

3. Horse must be sound and I reserve the right to refuse any horse that is medically and or physically unfit.  


COST: $840 for two weeks, $1155 for 3 weeks, and $1400.00 for 4 weeks

Additional training days will be at a rate of $60.00/ day unless special arrangements have been made.  Extra boarding only days only are at the rate of $15.50 per day.
We work with your horse several hours a week.  The number of hours per day and per week varies with each animal and their particular needs.  Some days in may be a 2-3 hour session, other days 15 minutes.  It all works out mathematically that owners are getting their money's worth when they receive a safe mount at the end of our contracted stay. 

Please note that this fee does not include the hay, grain, or bedding if needed. It does include the labor in the care for your horses daily needs. Bring your own hay or purchase hay from SMF (price is determined by hay weight and type of hay) If your horse requires grain, we ask that you bring your own as a change from the normal feeding routine is not wise. 
Also needed is your fly spray, mask, bridle you are planning on using, and any other equipment pertaining to the time of year.
Your horse will have their own turnout. If a stall is required extra fees will be charged.  Let us know if you will provide the shavings or if we should provide the shavings or straw at your cost.

Please note that round pen and ring lessons are at a rate of $65.00/ hour

50% of the training fee is due the day of arrival, 25% is due at the end of the first week, and the remaining balance is due on the last day of training.  LATE FEES @$5.00/day DO APPLY PLEASE READ THE TRAINING AGREEMENT

The fee for training also includes one hour of riding for the owner of the horse in training on one of our horses. If anyone else wants to go along with you, or if you want to ride for longer than one hour on one of our horses, our normal riding rates ($60/hr) will apply.

***assistance is available once you take your horse home if you have any additional questions.***

   

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