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Our aim is to help both the horse and rider become even more successful
by presenting a balanced foundation from which you can build
a confident, trusting, respectful relationship,
without sacrificing the spirit of either the horse or the human.
Our programs are more than just riding lessons,
they are designed to create a better, stronger, more successful
partnership with your horse!
Who can benefit from our horsemanship instruction?
What are the benefits of our programs?
Read our letter below to discover how you will benefit by learning with us.
Jump to Dear Horse Lovers,
Go to Frequently Asked Questions
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Cimarron & Laci |
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All horses are so beautiful! |
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Quick Links
How much time will I spend hands on with my horse?
What can I learn from the various classes?
Is there going to be different levels of horses/riders?
What kind of equipment do I need?
What kind of bit do I need?
What if I need a stall?
Is food provided?
Do I need health papers/coggins, or vaccination records?
What time do I need to be there?
How much riding will we be doing?
Why do the classes cost different prices?
What type of events do you offer?
How do I get you to come to my area?
- 1. How much time will I spend hands on with my horse in a combination workshop?
- a. During the two days approximately 8 hours will be spent hands on with your horse.
- b. About 2 hours will be spent on classroom teaching.
- c. Another 2 hours is spent doing simulations without your horse.
- d. Finally 2 hours will be spent sharing our learning and doing recaps.
- e. The rest of the time is for breaks, putting horses away or getting them and tacking up.Back to Quick Links
- 2.What can I learn from the various classes? (See class descriptions)
(The ABC’s of foundation natural horsemanship)
- a. Rope/stick handling
- b. Focus, soft feel, timing, and balance
- c. Relationship, Respect, and Trust building exercises.
- d. How to make mental and emotional connections with your horse.
- e. Your leadership/partnership responsibilities
- f. Your horse’s partnership responsibilities.
- g. Equine behavior/psychology
- 1. Left and right brained behaviors
- 2. How horses think and act (motivation)
- 3. Teaching/learning techniques that work
- 4. Prey/predator differences
- 5. What to do when things go wrong
- 6. Communication/body language/attitudes
- 7. Reading your horse
- h. Preflight checks/safe mounting
- i. Impulsion exercise/ how to make your horse go easily
- j. Phases/releases/steady & rhythmic pressure
- k. How to be a passenger with harmony/riding on balance point
- l. How to stop horse in emergencies.
- m. Effective riding on the rail.
- n. How to communicate effectively with horse on ground and while riding.
- o. Directing your horse with your whole body.
- p. Backing up with lightness.
- q. How to help your horse develop efficient gaits
- r. How to help your horse be more coordinated and athletic
- s. How to help your horse, be calmer, braver, and smarter.
- t. Direct/indirect rein
- u. Transitions/foot fall
- v. Controlling the hindquarters
- w. Moving the front end
- x. Leading up freely
- y. Side-passing
- z. Combining maneuvers
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- 3.Is there going to be different levels of horses/riders?
Well of course there are going to be riders and horses of different levels. No matter how we would screen people, they will all be at different levels with different issues and different goals. All the horses will come with different personalities and levels of confidence in themselves and their humans. That is why we limit the number of people and horses participating so that we can give individual attention to each person. However there may be certain prerequisites for attending some of our classes in an effort to present the most pertinent information to those participating.
I believe that with my extensive training in teaching in a multi-age classroom in public schools that I have been prepared for the challenge of teaching people of different backgrounds and levels. Of course, we would like to have a class where everyone is on the same level, but that is just not realistic, so we seek to do the best that we can to meet the needs of each individual.
When we are helping an individual with their horse, we find we are only able to do what that horse and rider are ready for. Working with a group of riders, sometimes things work out where one rider and horse will be able to come through on a learning situation in such a way that the rest of the group gets a pretty good picture of what the meaning was, even if they may not quite be ready to do the exercise at the same level. Someday they will be ready and now they have a picture in their mind of what it is supposed to look like.
It is our responsibility as your instructors to answer each person’s questions in a way that they understand. It is our goal to help each individual progress from where they are to where they would like to be. That won’t happen in a couple of days, but it is a beginning. You won’t be able to perfect what we ask you to do during our short time together and we don’t expect you to.
We hope that the information and tasks that we give you to do will have a good enough foundation that you will be able to build upon them at home. Just remember that follow-up is critical. We don’t just come to town for the weekend, take your money, and leave you to figure things out on your own. We hope to develop a long-term relationship with you where we can continue to help you reach your horsemanship goals. My goal is to develop my students to be better than I am through consistent, instruction that challenges, inspires, and causes us to ultimately do what is right for our horses.
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- 4.What kind of equipment do I need?
We require that you bring a rope tied halter with at least a 12 foot lead line attached with a fairly heavy metal snap.
We recommend that you bring a horseman stick, not a whip. The stick must be sturdy and unbendable. Whips are very flimsy and they sting. The purpose of the stick is to be an extension of our arm, not a punishment instrument.
It doesn’t matter if you ride English or western. Just be sure that your saddle is comfortable for both you and your horse. Fit is important.
Just because you may have seen me riding bareback with confidence, I do not require that you ride bareback at our classes, unless of coarse you are ready and would like to.
No spurs, please!
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- 5.What kind of bit do I need?
We prefer that you ride in the halter, however if you feel totally unsafe, we really do understand, because we have been there. If you must have a bit, we ask that it be a snaffle, because we will be doing lateral movements.
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- 6.What if I need a stall?
It depends on the facility. The stall or camping fees are not included in the cost of the class. Sometimes we need advanced registration for the stalls so the facility owners can make room. Just note on your registration form that you will need a stall and how many nights. Not all facilities provide feed, just ask.
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7.Is food provided?
Again it depends on the facility. I have had a couple of groups that wanted to do a carry in on the second day. Some places have a concession, but this does not happen often. So bring food and plenty of water for you, because we will be working hard.
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- 8.Do I need health papers/coggins, or vaccination records?
Most facilities only require this if you are coming from out of state. But it is always good to ask.
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- 9.What time do I need to be there?
Most of the time on the first day we start at 8:30 with registration, so it would be a good idea to be there by 8:00 am. We will start at 9:00 am with classroom, not getting horses until around 10:00 which should give your horse plenty of time to eat and get settled in. We will be finished around 5:30. The second day we start at 9:00 and end at 5:30.
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- 10.How much riding will we be doing?
(See class descriptions/event formats)
It depends upon which class you are taking. In a combination class we usually spend the morning doing groundwork and the afternoon riding. Any problem that you have while riding your horse can be fixed on the ground, so we will not leave out the groundwork. Note: if we feel that your horse is unsafe to ride one of us will continue to do ground work with you until the horse is ready.
In the Focus Riding class you will be doing considerably more riding than in the combination class.
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11.Why do the classes cost different prices?
See Event Formats
We strive to give our students the best deal possible. The cost depends on the number of students and the cost of the facility, which varies. We strive to keep our prices as low as possible and give great value. If the class is full with 10 students it is usually around $200 for two full days. (See Cost of Services)
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- 12.What type of events do you offer?
(See Class descriptions/ event formats)
- We offer private or small group lessons in various locations (like Chance Ridge near Elkhorn, Tumbling T near Seward, my place near Burwell, and also the Grand Island area.
- We have 1, 2, or 3-day workshops all over the state of NE, and even will travel to other states.
- We have 3-5 day Camps at Calamus Outfitters Ranch near Burwell, NE for youth, women, parents with their children,and even family horse vacations.
- We do learning tournaments, equine psychology classes, Riding & Liberty Demonstrations, kids one day 4-H or pony club group lessons
- We do motivational speaking (topics range from horse relationship, stess or conflict management to building a successful horse business)
- Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Therapy for individuals, families, corporations, or organiations with Melissa Dearmong from Midwest Country Clinic.
- A combination of any two of these are available as requested by the host or students in advance.
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- 13.How do I get you to come to my area?
(See Request Services and Hosting a Class)
We would love to come to your area to serve you and meet your needs. It is as simple as asking, then making the necessary arrangements.
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How you will benefit from studying with us
Dear Horse Lovers,
It doesn't really matter what discipline you choose or how much experience you have because our aim is to help both the horse and rider become even more successful by presenting an individualized program where we will build from where you are right now without sacrificing the spirit of either the horse or the human.
We did not invent any of the building blocks of the foundation which we teach, but have learned it from dedicated study with mentors, both horse & human, from books, tapes, careful observations and experience.
A strong foundation based upon focus of the mind, emotions, and the body is the key to success with horses. The reason most of us have issues and problems in our relationship and performance is we have either left out, or skipped some of the foundation based on the mind & emotion. In our enthusiasm to perform we went straight to the physical.
Remember foundation work is not only for young horses or beginning riders. Many horses and riders who experience difficulties, soundness issues, mediocre performance or fear issues will benefit by going back to the basics. It will expand existing knowledge, reconstruct existing holes, restore broken relationship and add a new perspective.
Using natural horsemanship foundation through feel we strive for a horse that is safe, dependable, flexible, supple, and mentally emotionally & physically agile. Preparation using a proper mental emotional & physical foundation will develop confidence in both the horse and handler, which allows them to become trustworthy partners.
Simply by methodically and consistently improving the basics your “skills & talents” will be accentuated and developed to their fullest potential. With repetition and creativity the basic “skills & talents” will become instinctive, leading to a beautiful harmony that becomes an art form.
Our goal is to help those who think they lack “skills & talent” or those who strive to reach their “skill & talent” potential by guiding them through various tasks and exercises which build mental focus, emotional control, physical relaxation, dramatic expression, physical strength, coordination, stamina, flexibility, balance, feel, rhythm, timing, quick reflexes, and problem solving strategies.
We hope you will give us the privilege of sharing the adventure of your horsemanship journey. Remember we will all experience tremendous highs on this journey, as well as valleys that seem to go on forever. We want to support and encourage you through the valleys, and celebrate the highs with you.
The destination doesn’t seem near as important as the journey, which is tremendously rewarding. Most of all you will end up having more fun with your horse than you ever though possible.
May you have a Happy Trail on your Journey and we hope to see you on the Trail,
Keith and Sherry Jarvis
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