Horses in residence at The Balance Point Equestrian Learning Center are often used in lessons. The horses used in mounted lessons are trained to work at least one level higher than what their rider is learning. This enables the horses to help teach the riders. The horses only participate in one lesson a day, for no more than two days a week. The other days they are themselves being worked in ground-driving, dressage, trail riding, jumping, and natural horsemanship.
These horses are not the usual lessons horses that you often find at teaching stables. Most of them have been at one time a "rescue" horse and have gone through emotional and or physical rehabilitation. They are all quite sensitive and enjoy the attention of working with students.
Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of equine events. Each experience allows the student to test their understanding and connection with their horse. At horseshows, our goal is to solidify the horse/human relationships. If anyone brings home ribbons--great. If not: did you and your horse have a good time, a safe time? Yes? Then even better. This attitude enables students to do very well in competitive environments; less tension enables better communication and performance.
After students have developed a good seat, they are invited to participate in training
trailrides. The work we do on the trail is a practical application of the
practice done in the arena. And again, the emphasis is on paying attention
to your horse, and doing only what is best for them. After students reach compentency
on the trail, I help them find suitable "trail buddies" so they
can have a friend to trailride with outside of a lesson environment.
Students who take lessons here over a long period of time, are the type of people who are willing to work on themselves to be able to communicate better with their horse (or their adoptive horse).