HORSE TRAINING

At Mustang Spirit Horsemanship, our goal is your partnership with your horse.

Receive support that helps bridge the gap between what you and your horse currently know and what you’d like to do together through a training program that develops both horse and owner and encourages your own abilities to continue training yourself.

Philosophy and Training Inspiration…

The Training Timeline

The MSH training program runs as a thorough assessment of the needs of both the horse and the owner, with a commitment to developing harmonious partnerships and longevity in the horse-human relationship.

Goals are set for both the horse and the owner for separate and partnered development to ensure the horse and owner can leave training feeling confident and with a better understanding of each other’s ongoing needs.

A one-hour introductory session at your horse’s current location or as a haul-in to meet and gain understanding of your horse’s current abilities and the barriers keeping you from your desired goals to give best recommendations of training and lesson needs.

Consultation

A facilities tour at Dakota Stables followed by a one-hour introductory lesson as either a haul-in with your horse or with one of MSH’s lesson horses to get a baseline of understanding of MSH’s training style and determine the estimated duration of training and lessons needed to meet your goals with your horse.

Introductory Lesson

The finalization of the discussed training, lessons, and boarding terms, initiating the training contract with your horse per the agreed-upon start date.

Booking

The series of education throughout the designated training period, during which both you and your horse learn and develop your partnership with continued support of the trainer.

Training & Lessons

The final training and lessons assessment two weeks before the final day of the training period to review the goals reached during training and recommended next steps for the continuation of progress and partnership development between you and your horse.

Conclusion

 FAQs

  • MSH specializes in developing a foundation of connection-based horsemanship, and much of the beginnings of training is not discipline specific. Instead, the base of connection and relationship benefits both the horse’s mental and physical balance, then allowing skill-building to come more naturally over the course of increased understanding of aid application and improved physical fitness.

    Once this foundation has been set, further discipline advancement can be achieved. With a background in classical dressage, reining, western dressage, hunter/jumper, ranch riding, hunt-seat equitation, western pleasure, showmanship, discipline rail and games, and a commitment to continued learning and discovery in equestrian sport, Amanda’s varied experience supports horse owners’ goals with a view of versatility and utilization of cross-discipline techniques.

    Interested in a discipline that isn’t listed above? No problem! Amanda’s knowledge of equestrian sport extends beyond the riding styles she has competed in. Inquire here to learn more about how the training program at MSH can support your goals with your horse!

  • The amount of time needed to meet your goals with your horse depends on many factors, including the age of the horse, the skills and backgrounds of both the horse and owner, conformation and/or physical restrictions, and in many cases, mental restrictions shown through current unwanted behaviors exhibited by the horse.

    Training timelines will vary from horse to horse and from owner to owner, but training packages are offered in a variety of sizes, and customizations can be made via a la carte additions to basic training packages should the need arise.

  • Goals assessment takes place throughout the course of training, and recommendations for the continuation of progress and partnership development are made per request and at the scheduled conclusion meeting two weeks before the end of the booked training period. Extension and/or resumption of training, boarding and lessons may be discussed depending on interest and availability.

  • Purchase of a training package schedules a designated training timeframe held for the client, with lessons scheduled at the time of booking.

    Due to the benefit of consistency for the horses and owners, lessons are scheduled on a weekly or more basis.

  • Lessons are a part of every training package, and are scheduled on a weekly or more basis to include you in the training process and support your relationship with your horse throughout the duration of training.

  • All lessons are one hour in length, and this includes all time spent learning to catch, groom, tack-up, lead, lunge, warm up, cool down, utilize or care for equipment, or otherwise care for or connect with a horse.

  • An ASTM certified helmet is required to be worn by all clients during riding instruction. (Suitable helmets are provided for use for those who do not own one.)

    Long pants and boots are also required to be worn during lessons and are highly recommended for all barn guests.

  • Notification of the need to reschedule or cancel a lesson for any reason must be made to Mustang Spirit Horsemanship at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled lesson start time to avoid forfeiture of the lesson.

    Make-up lessons may be offered in extenuating circumstances such as illness when the lesson can be replaced within 7 days.

  • Training is currently offered from March-October and continues during these months rain or shine!

    The beautiful and generous amenities at Dakota Stables include various outdoor riding areas, indoor and outdoor tack-up areas, a heated indoor riding arena and a heated and cooled lounge for guest comfort in all weather!

    If inclement weather or extreme temperature poses a threat to the safety of the client or horses during a scheduled lesson time, a make-up lesson may be offered to be used within 7 days.

  • Training packages are currently offered in sizes of either 60, 90, 120 or 180 days, with a deposit required to hold your desired training slot.

    Training consultation and introductory lesson rates apply and payment for these sessions is due at the time they are scheduled. Payment rates for both of these sessions will be deducted from the deposit to hold training if the training is booked within 10 days of the consultation.

    A detailed payment schedule will be provided prior to booking with a break down of costs. Payment is accepted via cash or venmo.

    (All payments are non-refundable.)

  • Yes! Increased training duration is offered at a discounted per-session rate.

    Multi-horse discounts are also available.

    Inquire here for more details.

  • “Amanda has extensive knowledge in the behaviors and psychology of horses and she has the ability to effectively communicate these methods and techniques in a way that you not only understand, but can visualize how they all contribute to the ultimate objective: a healthy, positive experience for you and the horse. Amanda uses a combination of groundwork and riding to ensure that you and the horse learn together, creating a relationship of safety and trust.”

    Kate K.

  • "Amanda is a very kind patient person who I have been working really well with thus far. She's knowledgeable and is capable of 'going back to the basics' to get some real work done. She also takes the horses feelings/headspace seriously and I love that. I love learning how to pay attention to the horse and not just 'what' the horse is doing. But how they are feeling and how to make them feel better if need be. She's also very thorough with her explanations and doesn't mind answering a million questions! I definitely recommend!"

    Micah W.

  • "I recently brought a horse to Amanda and I couldn't be happier. She was very informative and excited to work with my horse! Our lessons are going great and I've seen lots of improvement in a short time frame. Excited to see the final product and enjoy many wonderful years with my horse!"

    Leigh H.

  • "I absolutely love working with Amanda. She is so kind and knowledgeable on horsemanship. She really takes into account what peoples goals are and where their ability levels are at. She doesn’t judge when I have questions (which is amazing since I have a million at a time). She’s always encouraging and points out the good things you do and gives valuable constructive criticism. I’ve met a lot of horse people that tend to look at people, who didn’t have the opportunity to grow up with horses as though they are less than, or not going to be worth their time. Amanda isn’t like that At All. She’s kind and patient. You can tell she has a true passion for what she does, which is quite refreshing to be around someone who cares. Couldn’t recommend her enough to anyone at any level of experience!"

    Rylie S.

  • "Very professional and knowledgeable, gives great advice to help with your riding and connection with the horse!"

    Lindsey M.