Free Heart Stables’ trainer Stephanie Walker offers comprehensive training programs for a wide variety of horses and riders. Our relationship based training program will enhance your partnership with your horse by improving communication, ensuring correct biomechanics, and helping you reach your goals. Our background in classical dressage and natural horsemanship gives us the experience and expertise to rehabilitate behavioral issues, start horses in a slow correct way, and everything in between.
We attend several Hunter Jumper shows each year and can help you up your game in the show ring, conquer your first bareback canter, or be able to breathe while sitting on your horse and taking in the surroundings. No matter how big or small your goals are we will be there with individualized attention each step of the way.
We have multiple options to suit every individual’s needs from our unique Barn Membership Program to individual private and group lessons, haul in lessons and training rides, and training packages.
Facilities
Here at Free Heart Stables we pride ourselves in providing the best possible care for our equine partners. And that all starts with our facilities. We are located at the stunning Gilroy Gaits and the amenities don’t just make it comfortable for us. With oversized stalls, deep shavings, group day turnouts, and quality footing our horses live in luxury.
Facilities
Here at Free Heart Stables we pride ourselves in providing the best possible care for our equine partners. And that all starts with our facilities. We are located at the stunning Gilroy Gaits and the amenities don’t just make it comfortable for us. With oversized stalls, deep shavings, group day turnouts, and quality footing our horses live in luxury.
Barn Membership Program
Here at Free Heart Stables we are revolutionizing the equine industry with our Barn Membership Program! By joining our program you will gain unlimited access to group lesson time. No more scheduling and stressing about getting into the arena on time. No more wishing there was another spot open Thursday after work. No more last minute cancellations because your boss called you into a late meeting or you are stuck behind an accident on the freeway and won’t possibly make it on time.
Joining our Membership will give you access to approximately 20 hours of prescheduled lesson time a week. Simply look at the week’s schedule, decide what time slots you want to come to, and meet our trainer in the arena sometime during that window. Whether you want to drop in for 2 lessons or 5 lessons a week it doesn’t matter. And if you decide after a ride you really need some help before you ride on your own again just show up the next day!
Not only will you get so much flexibility over lesson times, you can come watch and learn from other riders who may be having similar issues to you, build relationships with fellow members, have a cheering squad when you need it, and watch our trainers school horses all at the same time. It’s like a daily group clinic without the expense and commitment!
Our Membership Program is truly a one of a kind learning opportunity designed to provide our students with affordable unlimited quality instruction. We got tired of watching the clock, running behind, having to shorten lessons for late students, and not having the opportunity to teach in a way that truly benefited both horse and rider.
This is our solution.
For a low cost of $1600 per month you receive full care board, twice daily barn provided hay and grain, daily blanketing, and full day turnout PLUS our full Barn Membership Program. This is a real steal given the gorgeous facilities and quality care your horse will receive while you get unlimited instruction to help you and your horse build the relationship you always dreamed of.
Come join us for a training program truly designed by a rider for the rider. Space is limited so call us today.
Training Rides and Individual Lessons
If you aren’t quite sold on the Barn Membership Program or need a slightly different program for where you are at we also offer both individual lessons and training rides.
Training rides we typically schedule a certain number of times per week for a month increment. This allows us the flexibility to work on what the horse needs to work on while still working towards your goals each month. Free Heart Stables strongly believes that the owner should be an integral part of a horse’s training so owners are encouraged come watch and ask questions during training sessions.
We are also available for both private and group lessons depending on your goals and skill level. Our private lessons typically last 45 minutes to 60 minutes and will focus on whatever you would like to work on during the lesson. This could be groundwork, under saddle work, or a combination of both if you and your horse are both fairly proficient in groundwork. Group lessons last for approximately 60 minutes and are typically solely under saddle, although occasionally we schedule groundwork lessons as well when there is sufficient interest. This time is divided between 3 to 4 riders and depending on where each rider is at may be spent working on exercises all together or there may be different exercises for each horse and rider pair. We do try to pair riders of similar ability and skill level when possible so that riders can learn from each other during the lesson.
If you don’t want to board here, but are still interested in working with us we do also offer haul-in training rides and lessons for an additional fee to cover the cost of using the facility.
All training rides and lessons can be scheduled using the Online Scheduler down below. If you don’t see something that suits you or would like to talk to us before scheduling please call us. We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you get started on your next step today!
Training Rides and Individual Lessons
If you aren’t quite sold on the Barn Membership Program or need a slightly different program for where you are at we also offer both individual lessons and training rides.
Training rides we typically schedule a certain number of times per week for a month increment. This allows us the flexibility to work on what the horse needs to work on while still working towards your goals each month. Free Heart Stables strongly believes that the owner should be an integral part of a horse’s training so owners are encouraged come watch and ask questions during training sessions.
We are also available for both private and group lessons depending on your goals and skill level. Our private lessons typically last 45 minutes to 60 minutes and will focus on whatever you would like to work on during the lesson. This could be groundwork, under saddle work, or a combination of both if you and your horse are both fairly proficient in groundwork. Group lessons last for approximately 60 minutes and are typically solely under saddle, although occasionally we schedule groundwork lessons as well when there is sufficient interest. This time is divided between 3 to 4 riders and depending on where each rider is at may be spent working on exercises all together or there may be different exercises for each horse and rider pair. We do try to pair riders of similar ability and skill level when possible so that riders can learn from each other during the lesson.
If you don’t want to board here, but are still interested in working with us we do also offer haul-in training rides and lessons for an additional fee to cover the cost of using the facility.
All training rides and lessons can be scheduled using the scheduler down below. If you don’t see something that suits you or would like to talk to us before scheduling please call us. We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you get started on your next step today!
Online Scheduler
Training Philosophy
“A relaxed, biomechanically correct, willing horse should always be the end goal of any training program. My foundation in natural horsemanship has taught me the importance of feel, timing and returning to basic elements in order for a horse to have the trust and understanding that invite relaxation. I put an emphasis on allowing my horses to problem solve their own way out of situations, which helps them become willing partners. This focus on relaxation, feel, and basic skills encourages confidence, softness, and adaptability in the horse. My dressage background and anatomy lessons have shown me the importance of correct movement for longevity and soundness so all of my horses learn basic dressage as part of their foundation. We also ensure that we look at the horse as a whole and take into consideration health, diet, management, and overall well-being. At the end of the day it is about building a partnership with a happy, healthy horse that you can enjoy many more years with.” ~ Stephanie
Training Philosophy
“A relaxed, biomechanically correct, willing horse should always be the end goal of any training program. My foundation in natural horsemanship has taught me the importance of feel, timing and returning to basic elements in order for a horse to have the trust and understanding that invite relaxation. I put an emphasis on allowing my horses to problem solve their own way out of situations, which helps them become willing partners. This focus on relaxation, feel, and basic skills encourages confidence, softness, and adaptability in the horse. My dressage background and anatomy lessons have shown me the importance of correct movement for longevity and soundness so all of my horses learn basic dressage as part of their foundation. We also ensure that we look at the horse as a whole and take into consideration health, diet, management, and overall well-being. At the end of the day it is about building a partnership with a happy, healthy horse that you can enjoy many more years with.” ~ Stephanie