The Language Of Trust
The riding lessons I offer are unique. I believe that to
ride a horse you must communicate with the horse. In
a mounted position your body is communicating with
your seat, legs, and hands all at the same time. I like to
break those components apart and address them one at
a time. My lessons teach communication from the
ground as well as in the saddle. From the ground you
establish relaxation and then you use that same skill
when mounted to keep the horse relaxed above all
else. This type of teaching will move you ahead at a
faster rate because only a relaxed horse (relaxed both
in mind and in body) will be able to feel your cues.
Many riding lessons are 80% about the rider and 20%
about the horse. My lessons are 80% horse and 20%
rider. Lessons concerning balance, equitation, and
rhythm are valuable, but at some point you have to
turn the coin over and learn about the horse. If you
truly want to learn to ride, then you really have no
choice but to become a student of horse language.
I offer a comprehensive approach to
Riding Lessons
I like to prioritize my lesson
plan as follows:

  1. relaxation
  2. relaxation
  3. relaxation
I offer a complete
Ground Work Program
Ground work is so essential to a good riding
experience. It cannot be over stated. I believe
that ground work lays the foundation of
relaxation far beyond most mounted exercises.
Without establishing a ground work plan that is
specific to directing the movement of the
horse's feet, and checking for softness in the
muscles, you will have no ability to
communicate anything of substance before
mounting. I would venture to say that all "train
wrecks" from mounted position happen
because of this one factor. Horses are
consistently and without bias, summing up our
abilities to control their emotions. They are
craving sound leadership and if we fail the test
while on the ground, it will not change simply
because we mount.  Lack of ground work will
also lead to  bracing-up of  muscles to the
extent that the horse becomes very mechanical
in movement. Establishing lightness of cues
must begin from the ground. All seven of the
"yields" that you will ask for when mounted
must first be yielded from the ground
My favorite quote:

"Softness is everything. Without it
you don't have much going for you."
Chris Cox