This material and its attendant photo illustrations are copyrighted © 2003 by R. J. Sagely. The reprinting or distribution of the whole or any part without express permission of the author is prohibited.
"The Sage Horsemanship Way"TM
"Helping horsepeople develop a better horse sense."
Learning Programs For Your Horse
Sage Horsemanship offers programs of learning for your horse. Bob Sagely will provide opportunities for your horse to develop an understanding of his place in the world of humans and how to respond to us by employing principles that work with the basic nature of the animal rather than against it. Bob believes every horse is already perfect and it is the human's responsibility to offer a good deal that the horse can operate with, to and from. A horse can do anything within reason. The colt-starting and trailer-loading programs offered here can be accomplished with or without the client's participation. The most long term success for the horse will be with the owner learning how to get things done with the horse in a way the horse can understand. Pricing structures are therefore set up to encourage the owner to be part of the education process in the programs. Email me for pricing particulars.
Colt (ages 2-5 yrs.) - Starting* "The Sage Horsemanship Way"
A 15 session program that will give your horse a safe and solid start on the road to becoming a willing partner. Designed to build trust and confidence in the horse, the colt-starting program will allow the horse to overcome the natural flight instinct and to view humans as leaders and partners that can be trusted. The horse will be exposed to the basics of becoming a saddle horse and helped to accept these things in as stress free a manner as possible. The horse will develop a foundation of skills that enables him to be comfortable in the human world and to proceed onto more advanced training.
The Colt-Starting Program graduate will*:
1. Be at ease with humans, on lead or off.
2. Halter, saddle (3 yrs. up only) and bridle well.
3. Lead and yield all four quarters with a soft feel.
4. Walk, trot, stop, back and sidepass with
a relaxed manner on the ground. Horses that are ready within this time frame will proceed to work these under saddle. Some colts may not be ready within this program design.
* All statements are based on the owner/handler/rider's ability to understand and apply the basic philosophies, principles and practices promoted and used by Bob Sagely and employed in Sage Horsemanship and all its programs.
Beginning Rope Work* "The Sage Horsemanship Way"-
Bob will take your horse through the fundamental skills of being roped off of and working a rope. This exposure will not include live cattle work but is the first step toward the making of a rope horse. The program will include -
1. Introducing the horse to the catchrope.
2. Helping the horse become "rope safe".
3. Dummy roping.
4. Logging or dragging a load with the rope.
5. Standing and working a rope with rider dismounted.* All statements are based on the owner/handler/rider's ability to understand and apply the basic philosophies, principles and practices promoted and used by Bob Sagely and employed in Sage Horsemanship and all its programs.
Horseshoeing Made Easy* "The Sage Horsemanship Way"-
Sometimes horses develop problems with the trimming or shoeing process. Bob can get your horse back on track without resorting to tranquilizers, twitches, war-bridles or other forceful/painful methods. These things only allow us to get the job done without teaching the horse anything or making it better the next time. They are often dangerous for the horse (and the handler) and they are absolutely not necessary. Bob uses the same philosophy and principles of sound horsemanship for teaching a horse to accept having his feet handled as are used for any other thing we would ask of the horse*.
* All statements are based on the owner/handler/rider's ability to understand and apply the basic philosophies, principles and practices promoted and used by Bob Sagely and employed in Sage Horsemanship and all its programs.
Trailer-Loading* "The Sage Horsemanship Way"
Your horse can learn to go willingly and trustingly into any trailer without you having to climb in ahead of him, even if he has developed a fear of the trailer due to accident or poor previous handling. The Trailer-Loading Program can take your horse from resistance and fear to willingness and confidence. Horses that have had bad or frightening experiences can overcome them and return to easy trailer loading. Bob will help your horse handle one of the most frightening pieces of horse equipment we ask our friends to deal with*.
* All statements are based on the owner/handler/rider's ability to understand and apply the basic philosophies, principles and practices promoted and used by Bob Sagely and employed in Sage Horsemanship and all its programs.
Though there are no problem horses, problems between horses and humans do develop. So I offer on-site problem solving for owners who are willing to spend the time it takes to learn to deal effectively, honestly and from the heart with their horse and for their horse's sake. No horse should be expected to be sent away to a trainer and then be considered "fixed" or "problem-solved". Without owner education and an ongoing commitment to keeping it "right", the horse is almost certainly going to resume the behavior that got him sent away in the first place.
On-site problem solving assesses the needs of the horse and the owner and teaches both how to "deal with it" together, in the environment in which they live and work. Trailer loading difficulties, bridling concerns, hard to catch, pulling back when tied... all of these can be very trying to an owner but usually are easily remedied.
Contact me by email for further details.
Follow this link to learn about Sage Horsemanship Learning Programs for you.
* All statements are based on the owner/handler/rider's ability to understand and apply the basic philosophies, principles and practices promoted and used by Bob Sagely and employed in Sage Horsemanship and all its programs.
Follow this link for information on hosting a "Sage Horsemanship" clinic.
If you have any questions about what you read here don't hesitate to drop me a line at: sagehorseman
