Each Year Dan takes a limited number of horses for training . We request that you commit to at least 60 days of training. This provides him with the opportunity to develop a solid foundation for both you and your horse.
Dan’s training program, ” The Lightness Method” will help you and your horse to develop a pure partnership based on trust and reward. The Lightness Method is divided into 3 categories of teaching.
- A Foundation for Lightness : a solid foundation is one of the greatest gifts that you can provide to your horse. All of the emphasis is focused on creating respect, achieving relaxation, and developing a response and desire to work off a soft touch. Lightness begins with how you handle the lead rope.
- The Mechanics of Lightness: Having an understanding of a horse’s basic conformation, physiology and mechanics of motion will help you to become a better rider. When a horse is taught to have the proper mechanics and can learn to balance himself rather than having the rider hold him in frame , true lightness occurs. Dan teaches a simple approach to the mechanics of body control and how they relate to working with young horses all the way through to performance horses.
- Lightness for Performance : At this level riders learn how to prepare a horse for a higher level of performance . The focus is on developing lightness and skills that enable a horse to perform sliding stops, spins, rollbacks, and lead changes. Emphasis is placed on beginning the rewarding journey to a finished bridle horse.
Dan’s “Lightness Method” is a proven method of horse training that makes it irrelevant of where the future may lead you and your horse. Your horse will be prepared for any specialized discipline that you choose to pursue.
