Horse training can be fun, but it also can be quite a challenge. For the beginner, it’s probably best to leave starting young horses to more experienced trainers. Youngsters are too unpredictable, and extensive knowledge, good timing, and training skills are required for success. Some behaviors like rearing, bucking and balking can be dangerous if you don’t know how to deal with them. There are some things beginners just shouldn’t attempt, at least not alone.
My official introduction to horse training occurred at Cool Breeze Equine (CBE) under the leadership of Kay Pfaff. Kay’s education in natural and classical horsemanship accompanied with many years of experience as a trainer, rider, and veterinary technician, allowed her to develop a natural method of training and rehabilitating horses for success in various disciplines. Her approach focuses on building trust, confidence, and a foundation of skills in each horse, so that they work willingly and happily with their riders. For riders, the focus is on understanding their horse’s perspective and implementing the biomechanics of a horse and rider partnership that allows teamwork, effective conscientious leadership, proper balance, and safety.
At CBE, young horses receive skills to prepare them for their future discipline. More advanced horses receive specialized training in areas such as eventing, hunters, jumpers, dressage, equitation and trail. Horses with specific challenges are evaluated to ensure that a solid foundation exists. Afterwards, Kay works to build their confidence in problem areas and to resolve negative habits. When horses become ready for competition, they are campaigned in a careful and methodical way that continues to build their skills and confidence to ensure a lifelong happy athlete.
My riding experiences taught me a great deal about the different ways horsemanship is practiced. Many people view riding and training as separate things. Yet, we train our horses, even extensively trained ones, each time we interact with them. When you teach your horse something new, it means you learn something as well. Riding a horse is not like driving a car; you cannot simply press a button and expect your horse to do precisely what you want. Rather, riding resembles a conversation in which you ask your horse to do you a favor, and he decides whether or not to do it. This conversation takes place through the language of the aids. Effective trainer does not require Olympic readiness. However, you do need to ride with an independent seat, leg, and hand. You must give clear and consistent aids in order to train a horse effectively.
CBE offers unmounted horsemanship classes and mounted riding lessons to advance students on the internationally recognized Global Equestrian Certification curriculum. They host multiple educational events, clinics and produce online content to give their students study tools throughout the year. Located on 110 acres in Plains, Virginia, CBE’s facilities include a riding school, cross country school, stabling and turnout, miles of fabulous ride in pristine hunt country, and a short haul to many USEA Area II competitions and schooling venues. If you would like more information about CBE and Kay’s training methods, go to https://www.coolbreezeequine.com.
