Just as it is with people, the proper educational foundation is the keystone for a productive, enjoyable and useful life for your horse.  The brain, like any muscle, requires careful conditioning to attain its fullest potential.  Lessons your horse has been intimidated into performing will not be retained on a reliable basis.  The intimidation and aversion to performing will.  As with the rider, a well crafted educational program where each succeeding lesson builds on the previous ones will produce a horse who is capable of facing new situations with confidence and applying its knowledge base to understand what is expected and desired.

Aengus, 2&1/2 y.o. Irish Sport Horse

Sweet Nellie Bly, 3&1/2 y.o. Arabian

At Freestyle, young horses are brought along at their own pace and on a track determined by the individual temperament and capability.  Gimmicks and fads are not utilized.  We prefer to use people, time, knowledge and experience to accomplish our goals.  The development of that all-important component, trust, is a major focus of the training regime.

Jade, 4 y.o. TB

Jade, 4 y.o. TB

Manolita, 9 y.o. Hanoverian

Duncan, 5 y.o. Hanovarian

For horses more advanced in their training or "problem" horses, the same principles are applied.  Generally a difficulty or impasse encountered in the training process can usually be attributed to either an omission in the basics or a loss of trust in the rider.  This can be more difficult than working with the young horse as now things have to be "unlearned" as well as learned, but with care and patience many of these horses can be redeemed.  Those with good fundamentals will advance to fulfill their natural potential.

Sera, 9 y.o. Arabian	Dynamic Decision, 6 y.o. Dutch Warmblood
Pirate, 20 y.o. TB	Bali, 4 y.o. TB

For young horses just being started, we offer a 3 month program to give them the proper start in their working life.  Included are ground manners, introduction to the routines and objects that will eventually become a part of their daily life, tacking, longeing and being backed.  Horses as young as two can complete this program without worry that young bones and joints will be overtaxed.  The cost for this program, including board, is $2100.00.  We do require that horses be halter broke.

Aengus, 2&1/2 y.o. Irish Sport Horse

Cindy, 3 y.o. Appaloosa Sport Horse

Chance, 5 y.o. Morgan

Whatever the needs of you or your horse, we can design a training program to fit your requirements.  Contact us by: telephone: 540-829-2449 email:freestyle@freestyle1.8m.com snail mail: 23528 Cedar Ridge Road, Rapidan, VA 22733 and we'll put together a program for you!

Sera, 9 y.o. Arabian

Dynamic Decision, 6 y.o. Dutch Warmblood	Aengus, 2&1/2 y.o. Irish Sport Horse
Manolita, 9 y.o. Hanoverian	Jade, 4 y.o. TB