Lessons, Classes and Courses

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Experience Lessons to Last a Lifetime

Achieve your natural horsemanship goals. Horse Haven at Bear Creek offers a variety of classes, courses and training. Whether you want to get on a horse for the first time, have a problem behavior with your current partner, or would like to learn how the Natural Horsemanship Style can improve your competitive edge, we have the program to fit your goals

• School Horses: We have several skilled school horses* available for use in our lesson programs. Even if you enter the program with your equine partner, there may be times when a lesson requires a horse that has more knowledge or skill in a specific task. In these instances, we can provide a school horse for you to experience the ‘right feel’ of the exercise. This will better equip you to work with your partner to accomplish your goals.
*Meet our Equine Instructors and Guest Instructors.

• Workshops and Clinics: From time-to-time we will offer special workshops and clinics on items such as Ground Safety, Trailer Training, Grooming and Hoof Care. In addition, we have partnered with several other local professionals who will conduct classes on items such as Saddle Fitting, Equine Massage Therapy, and Equine Health and Nutrition.

• Courses without Horses: Didactic/Theory classes focused on Natural Horsemanship teachings will also be offered. Educational materials and resources will be available. Some of these classes will be required in order to participate in advanced Natural Horsemanship training classes.

Current Classes and Courses

Naturally On-Line (groundwork)
Become natural with horses through attitude, communication, knowledge and psychology rather than force, fear or intimidation. Understand your human role as a partner not a predator. Understand your horse's role as a partner not a prey animal. This course is essential to understanding the Natural Horsemanship method as a life-long relationship that will benefit all aspects of your life. Learn communication and leadership through games and play. By the end of the course you will know the games horses play and essential ground manners. Your partner will know how to approach and accept "scary" objects and hook-up with you on-line.

Who Should Attend: Anyone who wants to experience maximum horsemanship and build a foundation for life.

Equipment: Natural Horseman's Halter, 12-foot lead rope, 6-foot stick with string, and a good attitude.

Class Duration: 1-1/2 hour

Introduction to Balanced Seat Riding
"In classical (riding), the movements performed are representations of natural movements that a horse might do at play or in courtship or territorial displays. This has been the central element in describing the classical riding approach—that is, that the movements must complement nature, and what is natural for the horse." (Riding Towards The Light, by Paul Belasik pg.91).

No matter what style of riding you want to pursue, this series of classes teach you the skill of riding through feel, communication, and balance. Learn how to feel the horse through your seat and the techniques to achieve light leg and hand aids. This series of bareback lunge-work exercises will improve your balance and riding skills as well as rhythm and balance.

Who Should Attend: These classes are designed for individuals interested in becoming "Masters" in riding.

Class Duration: 1 hour

Advanced Balanced Seat Riding
This course is designed for the horse and rider to practice patterns that will further develop their rhythm, balance and suppleness. When the rider is ready, the saddle will be added to practice the balanced seat. Groundwork and Cavelleti will also be introduced to build strength, rhythm, balance and suppleness in the horse.

Who Should Attend: Students interested in keeping and maintaining optimal fitness for themselves and their horse in as little time as possible.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Balanced Seat Riding

Class Duration: 1 hour

From Rail-to-Trail Group Lessons
This Introduction series of classes will prepare you and your partner for Trail Riding. From the arena to the field, mounted police techniques have been carefully converted to Natural Horsemanship to prepare your partner for the unexpected. Learn how to reduce threatening horse behavior, how to pony another horse and be ponied. Understand the importance of when to yield on the trail.

Who Should Attend: Any rider interested in competitive or pleasure trail riding.

Prerequisite: Advanced Balanced Seat Riding or must pass a riding competency evaluation.*

Group Trail Training
Once you've mastered your skills with one horse, more horses are added to practice important group skills. These exercises are designed to assist you in preventing dangerous situations. Your partner will learn critical safety skills that address specific herd behaviors often troublesome on the trail.

Who Should Attend: Any rider interested in preparing their horse for adverse situations common on today's trail rides.

Prerequisite: From Rail-to-Trail, Private Trail Training and Advanced Balanced Seat Riding or must pass a riding competency evaluation.*

Private Trail Training
These classes are held off-site at a local park or trail setting. The focus of these exercises is trail manners and etiquette with other riders. Learn how to stay independently safe around other trail riders, dogs or people on the path. Safety is a key focus in the exercises practiced on the trail.

Who Should Attend: Any rider interested in competitive or pleasure trail riding or students or horses with minimal exposure or experience on the trail. This is a great class for young or green horses.

Orientation & Evaluation: Before participating in Lessons or Classes, we require all new students to participate in a one-hour Initial Orientation & Evaluation. This valuable session provides new students with an opportunity to evalulate our programs and facilities and to ask questions prior to participation. A safe on-line balance test is given during this evaluation which will help determine the student's current confidence and skill level, and will enable the Instructor to recommend courses best suited for the rider.

There is a one-time fee of $65 for this assessment.

Class Cost

1-1/2 hour classes - $75 (discounted to $65 when purchasing 3 or more)
1 hour classes - $55 (discounted to $50 when purchasing 4 or more)
Trail Training - Prices vary depending on class, group size and location

*Competency Evaluation: Any rider is welcome to challenge the rider competency requirement for advanced work.
A one-hour evaluation time will be scheduled to assess and pass competency (rider must be able to stop with light seat or rein aid, walk, trot, canter at a variety of speeds while maintaining rhythm and balance and demonstrate proficiency at the one-rein stop and disengage the hindquarters).

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