Complete Equine Care

At Free Heart Stables we proudly provide top care to our horses by tending to their physical, mental, and emotional needs. Our program is based on a foundation of natural horsemanship principles that help us build relaxed, willing partnerships between horse and rider. Our understanding of classical dressage allows us to improve the biomechanical correctness of our horse's movement, promoting soundness and longevity. When you join our program you can be sure that you and your horse will reach your full potential!

Relaxation

Our first goal with any new horse or rider is to achieve relaxation. Without relaxation horses and humans cannot effectively learn, thus leading to needless repetition and drilling. We utilize a variety of groundwork, breathing, and riding exercises to teach both horses and riders how to let down and relax in each other's company. We then continue to focus on relaxation throughout the training process to avoid building tension into any part of the horse or rider's training. Horses and humans learn how to quickly return to a state of relaxation and maintain relaxation throughout normal work and potentially stressful situations.

Partnership

Many training programs rely on a rhetoric of "being the boss" or establishing "leadership" over the horse. Here at Free Heart Stables we work with the horse by addressing his mental and emotional states in order to create an environment and work situation that the horse truly enjoys. After all, no horse should hate their job. Horses learn that they have a choice in what they do and riders learn how to let go and truly be the kind, fair, and honest partner their horse wants. What results is a willing partnership.

Correct Biomechanics

We strongly believe that every good training program is based on developing correct biomechanics for both horse and rider. We use classical dressage principles, suppling exercises, and focused bodywork to improve horses' gaits, straightness, and balance. We teach horses to use their cores, engage their hindquarters, and lift their backs to allow them to use their bodies correctly. This takes stress off the horses' musculoskeletal system, promoting soundness and longetivity. We also teach our riders correct riding position and aids in order to be effective, balanced, and harmonious with their horses.

Meet Our Team

We are a small company dedicated to improving the lives of horses and humans. We encourage you to get to know us and ask us any questions you may have about us, our services, or horses in general. After all, we are here to help you!
Stephanie Walker

Stephanie Walker

Head Trainer

Stephanie is a life-long equestrian with a passion for building relationships between horses and humans. She holds a degree in Equine Studies from Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA and has been successfully running Free Heart Stables since 2015. In her free time she enjoys hiking with her two dogs and pursuing her love for music.
Mark Stockdale

Mark Stockdale

Director of Finance

Mark has a passion for business and customer service. He also loves horses and enjoys spending time with his OTTB, Lucy. He has a degree from San Jose State University and works as a Senior Financial Analyst. When he isn't at work or helping out at Free Heart Stables Mark enjoys playing guitar and dreaming of his next car.

Offering Online Learning Opportunities including a Membership Site and Remote Lessons

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What Our Clients Say

You can tell a lot about a business by what others have to say. We are dedicated to being honest and providing the best possible service for our clients. Read a few of our reviews below or follow the link to read all of our reviews.
Shari D.

Shari D.

Student

"Wow! My first lesson with Stephanie far exceeded my expectations. At first, I was a bit nervous about getting on a horse after 30+ years, let alone working so closely with one. However, Stephanie was very patient..."

Christian B.

Christian B.

Student

"Stephanie Walker at Free Heart Stables is a true horseman. She understands the equine holistically and teaches her clients from where the horse is at physically and mentally, and always for the good of the horse..."

Lindsey R.

Lindsey R.

Training Client

"Stephanie is an all- around great horse woman. Her knowledge got my mare started on a path to success!"

Read Our Blog to Learn More

Weekly articles on horse training, horse health, riding and groundwork exercises, and opinions on the equine industry.

The Half Halt

The half halt is one of the simplest, yet least understood concepts in riding. In very basic terms the half half is half of a halt. A halt is performed by the horse rocking back Read more…

Coddling Versus Respect

I recently had a conversation that brought up a lot of stuff for me and really helped clarify some ideas. I figured what better topic for a blog? This conversation centered around coddling in the Read more…

Get in Touch

Feel free to contact us any time with any questions you may have. We love to help people out!

Phone

(408) 800-3347

Location

7777 Frazier Lake Rd, Hollister, CA 95023

Please Note: Visit by appointment only. This is a private facility.

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Hours

Monday ----------- 8:00am - 7:00pm

Tuesday ---------- 8:00am - 7:00pm

Wednesday ----- 8:00am - 7:00pm

Thursday -------- 8:00am - 7:00pm

Friday -------------- 8:00am - 7:00pm

Saturday ---------- 8:00am - 12:00pm

Sunday ------------ Closed

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