No Fences Horsemanship (TM)

My vision is to create a better world for horses… one person at a time

Safety for Both Horse and Rider

Clear Consistent Communication

No Gadgets or Force

I am a 2005 certified graduate trainer of Kathy Huggins.  Kathy is a John Lyons Certified Trainer in Millville, PA who operates Cedar Creek Training Stables with on-going apprenticeships and certification programs teaching the training methods she has learned from John himself through his program in CO and continuing education programs offered by John Lyons.  You can see more about Kathy at:  http://www.johnlyons.com/trainers/trainers.php?tid=108&country_state=1-PA#details   

I am studying classical dressage which is also a slow, methodical training program which follows a specific training pyramid and builds on a strong foundation beginning with relaxation.  In this way, natural horsemanship and classical dressage are very similar...no gimmicks, no tricks, no quick fixes.  I  love how they coincide.  I am also an avid trail rider and camp with my horse in OH, TN, PA, W. VA, KY, and MD.  I look forward to every opportunity to spend time with my horses and friends.

I enjoy helping you become more confident, helping your horse become more confident for trail or the ring, helping fearful horses, round pen reasoning, ground manners, equitation, teaching you more about starting your untrained horse, and pretty much anything to do with helping horses and riders be great partners.  I am the recreational rider's perfect training choice because I focus on safety and control needed in "real life" situations.  If you are a first time horse owner or are just getting back into horses after many years off, I am your perfect partner for getting in the saddle with confidence.  This is the opportunity for you to build a solid foundation & relationship with your equine partner that will make your life with your horse more enjoyable and safer at home, on the trail, or even in the show ring. 

I teach you and horse together so that you can carry on his/her training & communication at home.  A big downfall of some training is that once a trainer trains your horse, you have no idea how to ride it or work with it once you get your horse home.  Its important to know more about communicating with and developing your horse yourself because every time you touch your horse you are either training or untraining it.  You will learn to problem solve your own horse's issues so that you don't have to rely on a trainer for every little thing that pops up!  You become your horse's trainer!  Its all about learning methodolgy and philosophy that you carry with you at all times.

Together, we will teach your horse to move his/her body parts:  moving shoulders toward any direction on a "clock", moving hips and so forth.  These are the key foundations for any upper level manuevers such as hip in for lead changes, pivots, spins, balance in circles, sidepass etc.   

Many of my clients also have had difficulty asking their partners to stand for mounting.  This is something we can work on easily and it will make a huge change in your day! 

Trailer loading can be an issue for many horseman and we have a method that works...your horse will load on his own.  If you are having a specific problem, we can address that, too.  

Mostly, you can start to have fun with your equine partner. 

I will provide occasional features on this website, free demonstrations for particular groups, and clinics in order to educate more and more horsepeople about the benefits of natural horsemanship and the unbelievable relationship you can develop with your horse.  If you would like to host a clinic, please let me know.

I prefer to teach you how to train your horse versus having me actually train it so that you develop the long term relationship with your partner.  Why not start today?  

Call for prices on  special group rates, clinics, demonstration. 

"My belief in life is that we can all get along together if we try to understand one another... You'll meet a lot of people and have a lot of acquaintances, but as far as having friends—they are very rare and very precious. But every horse you ride can be your friend because you ask this of them. This is real important to me. You can ask the horse to do your thing, but you ask him; you offer it to him in a good way. You fix it up and let him find it. You do not make anything happen, no more than you can make a friendship begin."
—Ray Hunt

Is your horse acting like a:

Prey Animal?

Prisoner?

Or a Partner?

I am constantly watching and participating in more and more clinics to continue my education as well so that I may continue to grow and pass this all on to you at a fraction of the actual cost.  I attend the Equine Affaire and Quarter Horse Congress annually and have also made the trips to the Lake Farmpark in Kirtland, OH, the Pennslyvannia Horse Expo in Harrisburg, PA, and the Maryland Horse Expo in Timonium. MD.  

On April 3, 2009 I presented two trail riding clinics along with my "Live To Ride" Lyons training partner, Angie at the Ohio Equine Affaire!  We also presented in November of 2009 at the MA Eastern States Equine Affaire.

In June of 2007, I completed a 5 day trail riding clinic with the famous Josh Lyons at Cook's Forest, PA.  It was a fantastic experience and focused alot of moving the shoulders and hips and adding softness to your horse for greater control on the trail.  It's very important to keep those knees from getting caught on a nearby tree!

I have also had different nationally famous clinicians my previous facility in northern Ohio such as Stacy Westfall and Julie Goodnight!

I continue to study dressage in order to learn more and more about that discipline and to gain balance and rhythm with my own horses.  I just love the classical training pyramid! 

In October, 2008 I had a semi-private lesson with Curt Pate at the Region 4 Quarter Horse Experience in Columbus, OH.  Curt's gentleness and intuition offer great insights to the equine and remind us that sometimes...Less IS More.  In April 2009, I attended the Parelli Celebration in Harrisburg, PA and continue to hone my skills with additional tips based on Horsenality. 

I am absorbing as much as possible from my very insightful new friend, Jackie, who through her studies of the Parelli program and her experience can read a horse better than anyone else I have ever spent time with.  I am learning that the direct line approach is not always your best option!  Read each horse as a individual and formulate a training plan to bring out the best in that particular partner!  I am working through the self-study Parelli program and have officially passed my level 1 & level 2 savvys.  I look forward to working my way up the levels with my partners Taz & Cappuccino and the support of my Parelli study group here in Athens. 

Horsemanship is something that takes work and dedication and I hope you find your own commitment to your equine partner so that you may enjoy the arena, trails and more!  May you never stop learning!

Our pricing for training is $35 per hour for a private training lesson at my place or yours.  A $.50 per mile travel rate will apply.  I prefer to teach you and your horse together so that you can continue its education even after I depart.  If you are a fair distance, it is best to take a 2 hour lesson so the travel is not a huge percentage of the lesson.

I also offer an intense 3 day personal training program for you and your horse together for $625.

All Live To Ride clinics are $125 per day per rider/horse and max out at 8 participants per session.

I can also do a 4 person 4 hour (4 x 4) clinic for you personal group at $50 per person.

See each particular page for pricing on other services offered.

We offer all 4-H members a $10 discount on any service offered.  Your 4-H member card must be presented.