Our Foundation Programme
We believe that a good foundation sets your horse up for most things that life with humans will throw at it whether that is on the ground or in the saddle. Our aim is to help horses become both calm and responsive since one without the other will always be out of balance. Another way of saying it is "hard to spook and easy to yield".
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The great news is that our programme is available in person at our clinics in New Zealand and internationally as well as in an on-line home study programme.
What is foundation training?
In our horse development programme foundation training sits between the horse being started under saddle and entering a specialisation, such as dressage, jumping, Working Equitation etc. It is the bedrock upon which everything else sits. Through our foundation training programme we aim to give people the horsemanship tools to be able to read their horse, understand how to help their horse in any given moment and how to follow a long term development plan. It starts on the ground teaching essential ground skills then progresses to Stage 2 in the saddle which focuses on safety and control, followed by Stage 3 when we really start to improve responsiveness in yields both on and off the horse and establish the "buttons" that will become your ridden aids.
All three of these courses are available as home-study courses individually, as a bundle of all three or through monthly subscription to our on-line Coaching Club.
Stage 1 - Essential Ground skills
This has been referred to as the missing link by experienced riders and it's where it starts for the horse - on the ground. What we do here creates his perceptions of us and forms his behaviours which will be referred to when under saddle.
We cover: Horse psychology, how horses learn, how to build confidence and how to create responsiveness in order to stay safe, have fun and achieve results.
We emphasise teaching the understanding of the concepts as well as showing you exercises that lead to a horse that spooks less and yet is more responsive to your requests. Everything we do has a practical application. By understanding not only the "how" but also the "why" you will be able to prepare your horse for any task as well as preparing him for riding before you even get on.
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Stage 2 - Control & Confidence in the Saddle
This clinic follows on from our Stage 1 and is all about transferring your ground skills into the saddle with an emphasis on safety.
Learn how to prepare your horse for riding and develop the "three essentials" in the saddle of lateral flexion, hind quarter yields and "go".
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This is about taking the steps to prevent problems and continue to develop your horse through the ridden foundation to develop your partnership.
If you ever wondered how we achieve BRIDLELESS RIDING with all our horses but thought, "I could never do that with my horse" - you’re right, most people will never achieve it believing what they believe and doing what they do.
However you will be able to do it if you do what we do! This is not about Bridleless riding but understanding a sequence of development where your horse is connected to you in a way that you no longer need the bridle for control. It’s not magic, it’s a process. You can achieve this and we can help you!
Stage 3 - Advancing Horsemanship
This is where it starts to really come together as you follow on from Stage 1 and 2.
Now that your horse is more confident and you have mutual respect it’s time to sharpen the yields and increase responsiveness. You will learn how to do this in a way that builds on his understanding and greatly increases his connection to you.
Learn how to increase or reduce your horses energy to the needs of the situation.
Learn everyday habits that create the consistency that is needed to develop the patterns of behaviour in your horse that makes him stand out as something special.
We will share with you little known exercises that have a great impact on your progression and performance.
With more challenges you will further develop your feel, timing and balance. The intangible things that make the biggest difference to your horse.
You will find that developing lateral movements are just a logical sequence and something that you and your horse are very capable of.
This stage helps to put together the buttons that you’ve been working on from Stage 1 and 2 and apply then accelerating your progress with your horse and your ability to develop others.
