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Horse Training: The Foundation Horsemanship Program
Our passion is for laying a solid foundation, both for horses and riders. Our training program is designed to reflect that passion. We want to help you and your horse learn safe, simple, quality horsemanship in each stage, from weanling to started colt, and beyond. We offer three stages of training for your horse here in Carthage, South Dakota. When your horse is enrolled in the training program, lessons on working with your horse at each of these stages are included with no extra cost to you.
Stage 1: Halter Breaking
Ideally, we offer this stage for weanlings. Your weanling will learn to be caught, haltered, and led, safely and respectfully. Additionally, they will learn the foundational basics to be prepared for the round pen and groundwork later on. Finally, they will learn to safely load and unload from a trailer. Done at this age, your weanling will avoid many of the fights and wrecks that an older colt can get into at this stage.
Duration: 10 days - 2 weeks
Price:
$450 for weanlings
$600 for yearlings to 2yr olds
Stage 2: Starting Under Saddle
Ideally, we offer this stage to your halter-broke year and a half to two year old. Your colt will learn how to follow cues in the round pen, on and off of a line. They will be saddled for the first time, and experience the world in the round pen, arena, and outdoors. This exposure will lay a great foundation for the next stage
Duration: 2 weeks
Price:
$500 for horses, if they have through our program. Halter broke, lead & pick up feet
Stage 3: Colt Starting
Ideally, we offer this stage to your coming three year old or three year old. Your colt will be reintroduced to the principles already taught, smoothly transitioning into their first ride. They will continue to be introduced to a snaffle bit, and be ridden for miles, both in the arena and outside. The benefit of exposure to real life outside can’t be overstated.
Duration: 30 days
Price: $800, if the horse has already gone through the Foundation Horsemanship Program.
The Foundation Horsemanship Program is the method of training horses that Tad has found to be most effective in his 30+ years of starting colts and working with horses. However, we recognize that not everyone and their horse fits neatly into these categories. Maybe you haven't halter-broke your yearling, or maybe you are having difficulties with your horse of many years. Maybe you rescued a horse and don’t know where to go from here. If we can help you and your horse, we want to. We will do our best to assess where your horse is, where you are, and how we can help both of you progress together.