Understanding the Language of the Horse

    The unique characteristics of the horse

    Leading quietly and respectfully

    Respecting your space

    Reducing the spooks--desensitizing your horse

    Equinality Assessment

Earning Leadership

    The Power of Focus and Intent

    Yielding the forequarters

    Yielding the hindquarters

    Backing

    Ground tying/Standing still

    Moving the horse, not yourself

    Moving sideways

    Preparing for the trailer

Riding Balanced and With Lightness

    Grooming and saddling

    Pre-ride attitude check

    Mounting safely

    Finding your balance

    Go and whoa

    Staying straight

    Rounding corners

    Basic rein positions

    Sitting the trot

Format

You will receive three hours of instruction each day, practice your learning for another 1-2 hours and study readings and videos for an additional hour. Courses are limited to no more than six students at a time. This provides more individualized attention and learning.

Your Instructor

"Hutch" is the Director of Education for the NWNHC and leads the Center's foundational horsemanship program. In addition to teaching lessons to adults and children, he conducts horsemanship workshops for youth groups, is the chief instructor for the Center's summer camps and directs the horsemanship lessons at the Center's Warrior Family Retreats. Learn more

Accommodations

We encourage you to bring your own horse partner to get the most value out of your experience, or you can use one of the Center's school horses. Horse boarding is available for $20 per night. Camping in your tent, trailer or RV is included with your horse board or you can stay in one of our "dorm rooms" for an additional $10.  There are also plenty of nearby human accommodations.