The 12-week program

Working with Paint Horse Duke at Aktiivitalli Gunnarsberg

The 12-week program is a program for green horses that you want either started or started over. 

This program lasts about 12 weeks and covers everything from catching, establishing leadership through communication,  leading, ground manners ( proper leading, yielding hind quarters, yielding front quarters, backing, circling to the right and left, passing through narrow places on both sides, sending through gate, and side passing), spooking (sacking out using flags, jackets, sacks, rope, saddle pad, tree branches),  standing tied patiently, putting saddle on,  putting bridle on, standing still with bit in patiently, trailer loading ( going in and out of a trailer with confidence),  then saddle up, despook with saddle on, first ride ( even if horse has been ridden this will be the first ride in the program,  we always start from the beginning), bathing,  ride in small pen to get used to me being on top and me to get to know the horse, then start teaching it leg pressure,  and teach neck reining.

I will ride the horse as much as possible, lots and lots and lots of riding.  At week 12 I will then start to teach him side passing, turning on the front quarters and on the hind quarters.   

After week 12 I will bring the owner\rider in and work with him or her to use the cues and aids that i have taught the horse to make sure that there is consistency and good horsemanship.