Dara G. Lewis Classical Horsemanship

Dara G. Lewis Classical Horsemanship Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Dara G. Lewis Classical Horsemanship, Horse Trainer, Indianapolis, IN.

Using a proven R+/R- approach to horse training you will learn how to connect with your horse on a deeper level and get to the places you want to go with your horse. With 26 years of practical experience in training horses and coaching people I want to give others the solutions I have found through the trials and errors I have made along the way

https://youtu.be/kHYgJv_Z4-M
04/22/2025

https://youtu.be/kHYgJv_Z4-M

In this free course we talk about how to build on the Foundational Horsemanship and create a base of training for future advancement. Foundational Horsemansh...

https://youtu.be/ur6rbD3eRo8
04/15/2025

https://youtu.be/ur6rbD3eRo8

In this free course we talk about how to build on the Foundational Horsemanship and create a base of training for future advancement. Foundational Horsemansh...

https://youtu.be/fk-glyjE_MY
04/01/2025

https://youtu.be/fk-glyjE_MY

Featuring Revan, a 5 year old grade Appaloosa adopted from the Indiana Horse Rescue in 2020. He is catching on quickly especially considering his handicap......

Thoughts on overbending...When training young horses teaching to remain in proper bend is essential, but there's a probl...
03/04/2025

Thoughts on overbending...
When training young horses teaching to remain in proper bend is essential, but there's a problem.....proper bend and collection gives the horse more power. More power in conjunction with a somewhat less responsible youngster and little groundwork preparation makes for a sometimes disastrous ride. Young horses tend to get excited and move out more than you expect, but if a rider is going to advertise themselves one who can effectively ride green horses they should have overcome this issue right?

Unfortunately not so with many riders.

What some trainers and riders do is use lateral overbending to create a "safer" horse for themselves, forcing the horse onto their forehand in order to have more control. Since there is loss of impulsion, these riders also tend to insist on using spurs, making the horse transition up to trot or canter while in an overbent position. This causes disfunction of the back and uses the SI joint to absorb the impact of the rider, you can start seeing a roach back effect due to the misuse of the back.

When a trainer teaches a youngster in this way and gives them back to the owner the horse will be less than average with choppy gait, dull sides and back dysfunction; leaving them with the vet bills and less than stellar riding experiences.

How else should you teach a horse?

Teaching horses the proper way of carrying, taking the appropriate amount of time with shorter rides ending on good notes, and preparing them with groundwork will create a more responsible horse while preserving their pushing power and impulsion. Is it more scary to ride a horse in this way? YES, because you can feel the lift and power in the body of your mount who is not as controlled as a horse with more time in them. But the rewards for this challenge to confidence and extensive preparation is exponentially higher in the end.

Do some other trainers have faster, flashier ways of starting horses that can happen as a performance in front of a crowd in under an hour? Yes many others can perform in this way. But I have a belief that the best way to start a horse while creating a more responsible individual is over time. You don't teach a horse self carriage in an hour, which is why I wouldn't start a horse in an hour with a three gait result. Those horses will look nice in the c**t starting clinic, but will be paying the price later.....

Photo: Overbent transition example, more common in western riding

02/28/2025
https://youtu.be/CmOXLusHDqA
02/25/2025

https://youtu.be/CmOXLusHDqA

Featuring Revan, a 5 year old grade Appaloosa adopted from the Indiana Horse Rescue in 2020. He is catching on quickly especially considering his handicap......

A very good video explaining mounted martial arts, Revan will be there one day
02/12/2025

A very good video explaining mounted martial arts, Revan will be there one day

Now for something a little different! Watch Rebellion CEO and Co-founder Jason Kingsley demonstrate the essentials of mounted medieval warfare on his horse, ...

Address

Indianapolis, IN

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 10am - 8pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 1pm

Telephone

+17162564786

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