CR Horsemanship - Training & Lessons

08/14/2024

Little bit of lesson fun from last night… trying to make the most of summer before we are back to cold and indoors for another few months 🥰 3 of these lovely ponies are looking for their next humans!

08/13/2024

Fighting with this all the time. Including that so many want to compete but don’t seem to value the requirement to ride 2-4 days a week to compete, when every other sport says if you don’t practice, you don’t play. I hold the same rule.

How do you find the balance between “this sport should be fun” and “our horses deserve someone who puts in the effort”?

As an instructor, it’s a fine line. If you push too hard, you risk burnout. If you don’t push enough, it’s hard to say you truly care about the horse’s well being. What do I mean?

Pushing any student past their limits will cause them to hate the sport/industry. Riding and caring for horses should be fun! Yes, it’s work. Yes, it’s hard. But if you balance it right, it’s all worth it. Horses can teach people everything from responsibility to empathy, if we let them.

At the same time, it’s our job to put the horse first. It isn’t fair to the horse to allow unbalanced riders to forever bounce around and pull. It isn’t fair to allow uneducated owners to ride malnourished and under muscled horses. We should be a voice for the horse, challenging riders to be better for them.

To find the balance is the mark of a true professional, and it’s different with each student. If we don’t stop pushing too hard, there won’t be a next generation of horse people. If we don’t push enough? The next generation won’t have what it takes, and the horses may loose their voice.

-Hannah Stutts
Rustlin’ Rose Photography

08/08/2024

Exciting news! Beginner lessons are now booking for September 1st start! 50% deposit required at booking.
All classes over the fall/winter will be in a heated indoor with a Teaching Assistant to catch all horses for students as well as turn out (so your kids can stay warm and safe!).

Students will be required to learn the following;
Haltering.
All tack up and grooming from start to finish.
Blanketing horses.
Walk/trot/canter in progressive sessions under saddle.
Minimum one groundwork/handling session per 8 week period. Sometimes more dependent on weather.
Ages 6-14.

Adult beginner sessions are available.

All session run 1 hour and 15 mins. Parents will be allowed to drop off student and leave once student is with TA.

No parents, friends or siblings allowed in the tack up area with horses. A designated viewing area will be set up.

Sessions currently available sold in packages of 9-17 weeks, ending mid December. Discounts for 17 week commitments.

All riders must have own ATSM certified riding helmet, boots with a 1 inch heel (no zippers on the inside) and soft pants.

We do not offer make up lessons for missed sessions, riders are paying to hold an allotted time spot on their designated horses and that space is held whether rider attends or not. There is however the option- but not guaranteed- to trade amongst yourselves for a different lesson time if another rider is missing on an appropriate horse. We run a whatsapp group for this. 😊

Credit cards will be allowed with a fee for use through Quickbooks.

Fridays 4:30-6 pm
Sept/Oct- 8 weeks
Nov/Dec- Nov 1/8/15/29 (no 21) Dec 6/13/20 (7 weeks)

Saturdays 11-12:15
Saturdays 12:15- 1:30
Sept/Oct- 7 weeks. No sept 28.
Nov/Dec- No Nov 23. Ends Dec 21. 7 weeks.

Sundays 11:15- 12:30
Sept/Oct- no Sept 29. 8 weeks.
Nov/Dec- 3 Nov (no 24), 3 Dec. Ends 15. 6 weeks.

Shadowlands in Beaumont, just 7 mins from the edge of town!

08/08/2024

Yes!!!!! 🙌

08/06/2024

Stunning pair 🙌 so rare to see such clean muscling in a horse anymore. Carefully developed and😍

08/03/2024

Still have Monday and Friday, 5-6:15 spaces for August open! 😊

08/03/2024

When the kids demand the parents get on horses… we run a mom and dad’s lesson! No lessons tonight for the regular crew meant play time for us 😀 we love having fun around here. Great job 🥰

08/01/2024

Safety -

Horses are inherently dangerous, but there is much we can do to minimize the risk to our safety. I teach, as often as humanly possible, four elements of safety regarding handling, riding, or even just being around horses:

1- proper equipment and proper handling of this equipment.

This means your helmet, properly fitting and adjusted correctly, but also your saddle properly fitting and adjusted correctly, your bridle properly fitting and adjusted correctly. Your halter needs to fit well, be comfortable to the horse, and NOT be too tight or sloppy. Your lead rope needs to have a good weight and length to it, not be flimsy, thin, and short - a yucky lead rope not only doesn’t communicate a good feel to the horse, it’s totally useless if you need it, and incredibly unsafe for you. All of your equipment should be checked over, maintained, and monitored before every ride.

2- proper handling of said equipment

If you have a good halter on but you’ve wrapped the lead rope over your shoulder or looped around your hands, you’re not safer. If you’re wearing a helmet but your cinch is loose, you’re not safer. If your bridle is adjusted well but you grip the bejesus out of the reins, you are not safer. Develop self discipline and learn how to use every single piece of equipment, and continue refining your finesse of them. And please, do not loop your lead rope around anything you wouldn’t want a horse to pull tight around. I always carry my lead rope in such a way my hands are free to let go if needed.

3- situational awareness and observational skills

Strapping on your helmet and then zoning out for your ride does not make you safer (though it’s better than zoning out with no helmet). To stay safe, you need to develop the ability to be aware of not just you and your horse, but your environment, for the ENTIRE duration you are with your horse. I know how hard and draining that can be, but your horse’s safety and yours depends on it. It’s extremely common for riders to pigeon hole their focus into the back of their horses neck and the rest of the world falls away- but you need to have an eye on the other horses in the arena, the background, and everything inbetween, what I call a “soft focus”- which is different than paranoia- so you can head off wrecks and respond BEFORE bad things develop.

And finally, possibly the MOST important part:

4- training and preparation of the horse

I know it’s hard to believe when you look around at horses in barns everywhere, but horses CAN and do learn to be calm even in chaotic environments. Every horse should absolutely know how to stand quietly and calmly for mounting and dismounting. Every horse should know how to stand tied or ground tied. Every horse should be able to be led to and from the barn to arena to paddock without pulling on or running over the person leading. These are BASIC and essential elements of training that keep everyone safe. I absolutely do not disparage anyone wearing safety gear to lead a horse- but the training element is just as important for this horse as the gear. And, safety gear is great, but if a horse knocks you out and you’re wearing a helmet, the horse still knocked you out. Yes, accidents can happen, but, don’t discount the importance of teaching and preparing horses to be safe to be around. I say this as a person who works with all manner of horses, from the pasture puppy dog to the most dangerous horses who were about to be put down for their behavior- every single horse can learn basic handling skills to be safer to be around.

These four elements are all extremely important, because if one fails, you have three to back you up. Say your reins break, you still have your helmet, your well trained horse, and your situational awareness to respond in the moment to what needs doing. Or say your horse is having a tough moment and your training hasn’t prepared you enough for this moment, you have your equipment and awareness to help you through.

Don’t skimp on any of these steps. Ride and handle safely with good gear, good gear discipline, awareness, and good training.

Here’s my good dog, helping to keep me safe

08/01/2024

2024 Horsemanship Camp is on its last day tomorrow.. we were incredibly lucky to have a full house this year and amazing horses to work with 🙌♥️ such an enjoyable group of kids!! 🥰

07/31/2024

🙌

07/30/2024

The cats out of the bag!! Super excited to announce that Tic Tac has sold to our very own Raynee, officially her first pony after almost two years of leasing our lovely Roo and working her tail off. She has been “trialing” her without knowing while working with me to start her this month and has the first few rides on her walk/trot already. Congratulations to the Graham family and especially Raynee!!!

07/30/2024

Happy Summer everyone! I hope everyone’s been managing to enjoy the sunshine and have a good summer so far. Lease options and 8-16 weeks of prepaid lessons are now available to be booked. We have room for 2 boarders/part time training horses within our program as well as 2 lovely client horses for sale. Lease to Own may be an option for the one.

Fall schedule in September will be:

Mondays
5-6 pm- Beginner (X3 riders)
6:15-7:15 pm- Low Jump- Up to 2’
7:15-8 - 2’-2’6, owners and lessees
8-8:45- 2’6-3’

Tuesdays- until October
730 Outdoor Jump to 2’6”

Wednesday
5:30- Youth 7-12 (Can catch and tack independently)
6:15- Teens 12-16
7 pm- Boarders/Lessees
7:45- Beginner Adult

Thursday- Leduc Location
5:30 Private Adult- Semi option open
615- Beginner Youth (6pm assisted tack up)
7 pm- Private adult lunge lesson
7:30- OPEN

Fridays
5-6pm- (3 riders) Assisted Beginner. Plan on to 6:15 with TA for clean up.
6-6:45 Mixed Rec group (8-14 ages)
6:45-7:30 Adult
7:30-8:15 Competitive Flat

Saturdays
11-12:15 Beginner- (3-4 riders) (TA assisted)
12:15-1:30 Beginner (3-4 riders) (TA Assisted)
1:30 Jump to 2’6” - will move from Tuesdays.

Privates available.

Sundays
9 am Adult
9:45 Flat Teens
10:30-11:15 Independent Ages 7-11
11:15-12:30 Beginner (3-4 riders)

Privates available.

07/28/2024

A huge shoutout and thank you to for going out of her realm to adventure into photographing horses! I’d say she did pretty darn awesome! Snagged some winners. I see our new business photographer in the future. Michelle is one of our many awesome adults that joined into the beginner/return to riding adult classes over a year ago now- cool to see everyone’s talents and gifts!! So appreciated.

07/28/2024

Sir Lancelot gave cross country a whirl last night… and what a champ! I can’t believe this fellow hasn’t found his home yet. He has really grown into himself this year, and has been stepping up to his outings with his awesome lessees exceptionally well.

07/28/2024

Round 2 with a fresh crew… either horse or human had never jumped cross country… so introductory night! Great job athletes 🙌🥰

07/25/2024

Unpopular opinion: Know when to back off.

Horses are not machines. Make sure you find a trainer that knows when to push, and when to back off.

Get you a trainer that pays attention to your horse and their needs.

Some horses are such people pleasers, such hard workers, so trusting and willing, that they'd follow people into their own breaking point; and the wrong people will push them past it.

Make sure you find a trainer that recognizes the limits in your horse and doesn't try to experiment with their mental or physical soundness for faster results.

Like it or not, sometimes days off teach your horse more than constant daily pushing will.

They cannot speak, but the right trainers can still hear them. Make sure they listen.

- Good Secret Horsemanship

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

07/24/2024

07/23/2024

We are halfway through summer! And training ponies are almost over which means… we have open board spaces starting September 1st 🥰 Various options for English and Western riders here. Young horses welcome. Will be taking mileage and development horses. We have a pony pen developed around foundered/dietary types. Seniors pen, semi private for those who need a little more love. TB pen for the free choice, grain fed higher maintenance types. One semi private spot with my personal warmblood mare, fed Alfalfa mix and grain.

07/23/2024

A small stab in the heart is what you feel when you put up the day's riding list and you see riders sinking heavily in their shoulders when reading which horse they are assigned for the lesson. A small stab in the heart for that horse that for an hour will carry around a rider who has already decided that he does not like his horse. A small stab in the heart for the horse that did not choose the rider himself but still does his best, lesson after lesson.

Riding is a privilege and something you have chosen to do. If you chose to ride at a riding school, your instructor assumes that you actually want to learn how to ride. The instructor's highest wish is that you get good at it.

Often there is a plan and a thought as to why you are assigned to that exact horse. Before you mount up next time, ask yourself "what can this horse teach me today?" All horses have something to give, a feeling or a new tool in the box.

The art is actually in being able to get a lazy horse to move forward, to get an uncertain horse to gain confidence, a naughty horse to focus or a tense horse to be released. It takes work. If you think a horse is boring, it's more likely that you don't ride the horse as well as you think! It's not easy to be confronted with your own shortcomings, but it is in that very situation that you get the chance to truly grow as a rider.

The excuse that "it's not my kind of horse" is actually a really bad excuse. A good rider can ride any kind of horse. A good rider has trained many hours on different types of horses to become a good rider. A good rider can find and manage the gold nuggets in every horse.

If we absolutely want to ride, it is our duty to strive to do it as best as possible, even if it's only for fun. We owe it to every horse that carries us upon it's back.

Copied and shared with love for all of our horses, ponies and riders 🐎❤🐎

07/21/2024

Coming available for lease in September/October- If you are looking for an honest, funny, real life heartland pony that nickers at his kiddos every time they dismount… Peter Parker aka Roo, will be looking for his new partner. May consider a sale to the right home but priority will be a lease. He is talented, scopey and comfortable showing to .70m.
Excellent and kind in the trot rails to xrails for intro riders.
Has multiple wins in hunter land and often in the ribbons in jumper land.
Solid lead changes.
Been trail ridden, cross country and travels fantastically to show.

Come meet him and let him steal your heart like he has ours 🥰