Training Programs
At Royal Rock we provide training in the disciplines of Hunter, Jumper, Dressage and Eventing. We also specialize in "restarting" Thoroughbreds from the track and handling all the usual "baggage" that comes with that process.
A Successful First Ride for "Princess" a 4yo Trakehner.
A good start is invaluable for any horse and can affect their entire future for better or worse. For our horses that are here for starting or "breaking" the training style is best described as "black and white". While we believe in setting clear boundaries for every horse in training it is especially important to avoid grey areas with those just starting out. This process is started by either teaching or finishing basic ground manners and addressing issues such as respect, attention and general confidence in the handler. At this time we also take steps to build a solid foundation for things they may experience under saddle. This includes giving to pressure, adjusting to the saddle and bridle, and vocal cues as well as basic "despooking". We encourage young horses to see the humans in their lives as leaders and to look to them for direction in times of trouble.
While these horses will learn to lunge properly (with bridle, surcingle and side/vienna reins) lunging is never used to "tire out" a horse before that first mounting. Time is taken to allow the horse to adjust calmly and confidently to having a rider on their back. From there if all the previous ground work was done correctly the horse should find comfort in the cues they've been taught from the ground.
"National Anthem" has achieved relaxation and acceptance of the contact and is ready to move forward in his training.
stretch their back and topline before moving into higher contact and collection. This keeps the horse healthy and sane and enables him to best use his body to perform correctly and efficiently and never "front to back". A relaxed and happy horse is one that will come along faster than a tense and distressed horse.
For horses moving on to jumping jobs we aim to produce a confident and honest jumper who moves willingly towards any obstacle. After addressing the issues of balance, straightness, and bend with basic flat work horses will be exposed to many different obstacles and challenged mentally and physically with gymnastics to improve their style of jumping. For those that hope to move through the levels of dressage we will introduce collection and lateral movements while never forgetting the importance of stretching and relaxation.
Tools and "gadgets" are hardly ever used in our arenas. If you start with proper basics and encourage the horse to move freely forward into a soft hand with correct utilization of seat and weight aids, everything else will follow. The one place tools are always used is for lunging. Lunging a horse without a program or goal in mind is a wasted day. Lunging is invaluable to the horse in training as it allows the horse to work efficiently through his back without the burden of a rider.
Restarting "Odin" a 6yo Arabian Stallion
We find that the environment here at Royal Rock is very conducive to a happier horse. We offer all horses plenty of turnout in fields and paddocks large enough to relieve stress and tension over competition for food and water. We also try our very best to feed more hay and less grain than other training facilities. This helps fend off boredom and digestive issues that often play a role in creating a tense or nervous horse.
By far, the most important feature to our training program is an open mind. We recognize that what is good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. While an answer to a roadblock can be found in a memory of a training horse from the past, every year we encounter horses who force us to think outside the box. It is important to take the horse into consideration on a day to day basis and be willing to change the "game plan" to suit the horse on that particular day.
Starting
A Successful First Ride for "Princess" a 4yo Trakehner.
"I send all my young warmbloods to Carrie to start. Her sensitivity and consistency has been proven horse after horse."
Amy Ruppert, Breeder, Laceyville, PA
While these horses will learn to lunge properly (with bridle, surcingle and side/vienna reins) lunging is never used to "tire out" a horse before that first mounting. Time is taken to allow the horse to adjust calmly and confidently to having a rider on their back. From there if all the previous ground work was done correctly the horse should find comfort in the cues they've been taught from the ground.
General Training
No matter if your horse is destined to the dressage ring, the cross country field or the hunter ring he will need a strong foundation in basic dressage. Horses at Royal Rock move through the training scale with an emphasis on relaxation and acceptance. We believe that all horses must first move forward, eventually relaxing "toward" the bit before being expected to move "on the bit" or in a "frame". All horses will work long and low learning to relax and"National Anthem" has achieved relaxation and acceptance of the contact and is ready to move forward in his training.
For horses moving on to jumping jobs we aim to produce a confident and honest jumper who moves willingly towards any obstacle. After addressing the issues of balance, straightness, and bend with basic flat work horses will be exposed to many different obstacles and challenged mentally and physically with gymnastics to improve their style of jumping. For those that hope to move through the levels of dressage we will introduce collection and lateral movements while never forgetting the importance of stretching and relaxation.
Tools and "gadgets" are hardly ever used in our arenas. If you start with proper basics and encourage the horse to move freely forward into a soft hand with correct utilization of seat and weight aids, everything else will follow. The one place tools are always used is for lunging. Lunging a horse without a program or goal in mind is a wasted day. Lunging is invaluable to the horse in training as it allows the horse to work efficiently through his back without the burden of a rider.
Problem Horses
For these horses we will first identify the exact "problem". This may be a horse that simply cannot canter to the right, or one that rears when pushed to move forward. In any case it is important to then identify and rule out possible causes. The most important thing to look at is physical causes for each horse's unique challenges. If a horse is in pain or has a medical condition any further "training" will be of no use until these issues are addressed. From here we must treat all physical symptoms and causes before starting work on the mental and performance symptoms. For most horses this means going back to basics as far back as possibly "restarting" the horse in order to fill gaps in previous training.
Restarting "Odin" a 6yo Arabian Stallion
By far, the most important feature to our training program is an open mind. We recognize that what is good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. While an answer to a roadblock can be found in a memory of a training horse from the past, every year we encounter horses who force us to think outside the box. It is important to take the horse into consideration on a day to day basis and be willing to change the "game plan" to suit the horse on that particular day.