Training

We at Paradise Ranch love the challenge of working with a new horse and helping it learn to "Love to Drive". Our reputation as trainers depends upon us training in a manner and on a schedule that has proven to work for us.

We train with a somewhat unique method, which is used (and has been taught to us) by a number of professional trainers. We have proven that it is the most successful technique for the "long term" duration of your life with your horse.

A major factor in the training of "our new equine friend” is to form a tight relationship with the "student", become best of friends and form a close, trusting bond.
We totally engross our new friend into our life so that it feels "safe and protected" with us. When you drop off your horse and leave, it feels abandoned in a strange new environment with no friends. We then become its sole source of food, protection, comfort, trust, treats and friendship. In return our new friend wants to show their appreciation by trying to please us and trying, very hard to do what we "ask" of it.

We never demand any sort of performance that could turn him/her into a robot that is only doing the moves to obey as opposed to it showing us how smart it is and its willingness to please us. In the end, your horse actually enjoys going for a drive and is not afraid of making a mistake and being punished. We train on a "trust, friendship and reward system" as opposed to using punishment or fear. This has proven to be a very successful system for us.

In this technique, we simply "ask" our friend to do certain very simple things for us (only after it has learned to do them). They willingly do these things to thank us for everything that we do for them. After every session, our new friend is rewarded with attention, love, brushing and treats whether the session went well or not. This way the horse enjoys each and every session and looks forward to the next session.

Initially we do two training sessions per day. These sessions include extensive grooming, handling, equipment applications and various approaches to the lessons. All horses have unique personalities and learn differently and at different speeds. Our approach varies depending on the individual. We feel that even something as simple as feeding and grooming is a part of the training (trust) process.

It takes great trust on the part of the student to be able to be convinced that the vehicle (which it cannot see because of the blinkers) with the weight on its back pad, the feel of the shafts on its sides and the noise of the vehicle behind him, is not a predator chasing him. When we hook for the first few times, it "must" go without mishaps so that the horse doesn't have any fear to try to overcome in the future. This is very important because if a mishap happens at this stage, the horse would then view the trainer as a fraud and be very reluctant to ever trust (anyone) again because the trainer allowed something to happen after convincing it that you would always protect it.

For this reason, we prefer to train in private. We allow the owners to watch but not interfere. With just the trainers and the student working together as a team and no distractions, we find the training goes much better and faster.

Once the horse has learned its lessons, we also feel that is very important and necessary to work with (and train) the owners. Then transfer the trust and confidence so that the student wants to impress the owners with how smart it is with his new found skills. The horse wants to make them (the owners) as proud of it as we are. This transition of confidence (and drivers) must also occur here where everything remains the same (equipment, location and the friend they trust). The only difference this time is the driver! The horse will feel safer during this type of transition. Then when you and your horse are working comfortably together with us totally out of its sight in the background, we will feel we have achieved our goal. With this transition totally accomplished, the horse is able to take all of its newfound knowledge home and work "with you" giving you pleasure without any apprehension on anyone's part.

Tina and Jeff Telford of Millbrook, Ont. Were especially thrilled when their 3 year old. Norwegian Fiord learned to drive and they also learned to drive at the same time. The 3 of them now all get great pleasure driving together. Their phone # is 705-932-3010. They have asked us to have you give them a call. They would love to talk to you and further explain our successful training techniques and help you feel confident making your educated decision to have us train your horse to drive here at Paradise Ranch.

We always move along at the horse's own pace. This varies greatly from horse to horse and from stage to stage of the lessons. We cannot rush the learning process. Their brain understands and absorbs information at different rates. They must actually learn and understand, not just be doing as they are told. This is the only way that they can remember everything and not ever panic or get themselves into trouble. They will actually enjoy driving, believe you will protect them and therefore be fairly bomb proof.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE DANGEROUS FOR EVERYONE CONCERNED THAN A DRIVING ACCIDENT AND IT IS VERY HARD AFTERWARDS TO EVER GET THE HORSES TRUST BACK!

Training includes:

Box Stall cleaned daily
High Quality Feed Program
Turnout
Grooming
Training (both the horse and owners for this fee)
We supply all the working equipment and will adjust your harness and equipment for you to fit your horse.
We video some of our training sessions with your horse and view it while training and with the owners when they come to visit their equine friend.
We also give you a copy of the entire tape, from day one to you driving by yourself.

To be up front, it usually takes about 2 months for the average horse and owners to be driving together confidently as a team. However, we leave it up to the owners to let us know when they feel confident enough to take their equine friend home, hook and drive it by themselves. If the horse is very intelligent, willing, co-operative and has some practical knowledge coming in, it can go quicker.

We do our very best for your equine friend. We take great pride in our work and reputation as professional trainers. We love to watch the light bulb go on in the student’s head when it realizes that he/she can do this and its actually enjoyable. We especially love to watch the look on the owners face when they are “Driving In Paradise” with their own horse, with pride and confidence.

THESE ARE OUR TRUE REWARDS!

For more information contact Doug or Tanya Ament

Paradise Ranch Morgans

16 Forgotten Lane, Bethany, Ont. L0A 1A0.

(705) 277-9222 Res. (705) 277-9159 Barn.

E~mail: morganhorses@paradiseranchmorgans.com