Listed in: Products & Services - Instructions and Training

Holistic Horsemanship, Classical Dressage & Coaching - boarded & travel training available!

Date Added: 3/20/2023
Posted By: Caitlin Robb
  
Staunton,   VA   24401
Web Link: https://willowequinearts.wixsite.com/willowequine
Phone: 8283184841

Horses communicate with one another through a body-based language of subtle energy directed at the other ( herd mate or human), followed by micro-movement and then animated movement. Keen awareness of their body, physical and emotional balance, and surrounding beings, is how they feel safe. To offer the horse this same communication helps them to feel understood and engage us with relaxed enthusiasm. This is the foundation of my training. With this foundation always in mind, I take the horses through a variety of different modalities to engage their curious mind and their bodies into free and elastic movement. This can be used in any discipline. The in-hand training and equitation I teach is based in classical methods, aiming to guide the horse to use their body in a gymnastic way, enriching their physicality and prolonging their lives. This kind of physical synergy coupled with igniting the horses' curiosity brings such joy and freedom to training and relationship for the horse and human. My background growing up was strongly influenced by horseman like Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, Monty Roberts and Buck Brannaman. In more recent years I have drawn influence from trainers and coaches like Warwick Schiller, Elsa Sinclair, Wendy Murdoch and Mary Wanless. Groundwork is a huge part of my training, as is relationship and biomechanics of both horse and rider.
Here at Early Light Farm in Staunton, VA we offer a natural and free environment for the horses. Each horse has availability to a large open stall, equipped with a heated automatic drinker. The stalls open up to a dry lot and then into a larger pasture enclosed with safe European electric fencing. Each section can be opened or closed, creating a tailored turnout experience for each horse. There is option for alone turnout or integration with a herd. The barn has a lit wash stall with hot water and security cameras placed throughout the barn and stalls. The owner and myself both live on the property with immediate access to the barn and visibility of the pastures. The arena is located a short walk from the barn, equipped with a round pen and surrounded by fields to ride in. Your horse will have knowledgeable, loving and attentive care while living here.

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