rewards Archives - Free Heart Stables

Rewarding Horses

I get asked a lot about my feelings on feeding horses treats or using treats to encourage certain behaviors. I can never fully explain my thoughts on food rewards since it is much more complicated than a simple “I love them” or “I hate them”. Treats serve to make undesirable Read more

By Stephanie Walker, 7 yearsJuly 17, 2019 ago

Teaching Philosophy

Free Heart Stables' riding program centers on building a solid foundation both in and out of the saddle. Rider's position is a constant focus in order to ensure that riders are safe and able to move forward in their riding. Groundwork is utilized to help riders develop the horsemanship, feel, and timing necessary to communicate effectively with the horse, resulting in a more relaxed and willing partner. Horsemanship is integrated into our program to ensure that we are producing well-rounded riders. An emphasis is placed on the rider's physical and mental preparedness for tasks to ensure confidence and enjoyment, both critical to the continuation of a rider's career. Each lesson is tailored specifically to the individual to address their unique needs and goals. This allows riders to get the most out of each lesson, resulting in greater confidence, learning, and enjoyment.