Basic Horsemanship Part 1

If you've just brought home your dream horse or you want to get into horses and don't know how - this class is a great beginning. This two day course is taught by Mountain Trail Horse Center, professional outfitters for over 30 years. We will cover the basics that are essential to know - and demonstrate with actual horses. Once we show you, you'll get a chance to try it yourself - hands-on. These classes are taught with our own horses, and give you a chance to learn BEFORE you go home to your own horse.

Our talented instructors will cover the following:

• Why are you buying a horse? What are you buying it to do? What is the primary and secondary purpose?
• Are you ready - pasture, boarding, worming, vets, shoeing, trailer, truck, feed, etc?
• Buying with your brain - not your heart by looking at:
  • Confirmation - why it's important for more than just looks
  • Geldings versus mares - and what's the deal with stallions?
  • Teeth - how do you tell how old a horse really is
  • Gaits - more than just fancy footwork - it can tell a lot about health
  • Feet - a horse is only as good as his hooves
  • Eyes
  • Judging temperament
• Training - for you and your horse - when to seek it
• The buying process (Auctions and sales versus private owners and neighbors)
• Questions to ask a seller - do you really know your neighbors or friends horse?
• Correct feed requirements
• CTC - Consistency, timing and clarity
• How to correctly groom your horse - not for show, but for health and safety
• Taking the mystery out of fitting a saddle correctly to the horses build
• How to saddle efficiently, safely and correctly
• How to bridle correctly, what is a hackamore and why do we use them?
• Bit types and correct fit
• How and where to lead and tie a horse correctly and safely
• Knot tying
• Stirrup adjustments - how long and how to
• Safe mounting procedures - the MANE event!
• Correct seat and balance, neck-reining basics and go and whoa!
• How to know when your horse needs a farrier visit
• Basic first aid - for you and your horse

Even if you've never owned a horse or seem to have bad luck with horse purchasing and are looking at buying (or adopting) - this class is a must! 80% of first time horse owners get out of horses in two years or less because they are overwhelmed and unprepared. This class will get you pointed in the right direction and give you the confidence you need to make good decisions.

A lot of places will teach you to ride, and you can learn from a book, but some things are best learned in person, from real horsemen and women.

The owners of Mountain Trail Horse Center have been professional outfitters for nearly 30 years. We have led thousands of expeditions into the PA Wilds on horseback and we have an outstanding safety record. We have well-trained horses, an experienced professional staff, and can teach with a level of safety that only a true outfitter can provide.

Includes:

• Two days of class
• Two nights stay at the Coach Stop Inn (based on double occupancy - ask about single rooms)
• Lunch on both days
• Three dinners at the Coach Stop Inn

$449 per person - call for your spot today!

 

Basic Horsemanship Part 2

This is a great complement to round out the skills you learned in Part 1. We will cover the more extensive learning and again we'll demonstrate with actual horses. This two day course is taught by Mountain Trail Horse Center, professional outfitters for over 30 years. We will cover the basics that are essential to know - and demonstrate with actual horses. Once we show you, you'll get a chance to try it yourself - hands-on. These classes are taught with our own horses, and give you a chance to learn BEFORE you go home to your own horse.

We will cover the following skills in our Part 2 Class:

• A review of Level 1
• CTC (more advanced) Consistency, timing and clarity
• Round Penning - more than running around in circles - where it can help and how it can be more effective than lunging
• Learn how to communicate effectively
• Posture and eye contact - what you didn't even know you were telling your horse
• Spooky horses - how to work with them and identify the source of agitation
• Trailer basics, - loading, correctly tying once in and unloading calmly and quietly
• Shoeing and foot problems - prevention by knowledgeable identification
• Fear - in both the horse and rider
• The horse is a mirror - your mirror
• Respect and how to get it

At the end of the Part 2 Class, you will have an understanding of round-penning, trailering, and have more knowledge to deal with the little problems before they become big ones.

The owners of Mountain Trail Horse Center have been professional outfitters for nearly 30 years. We have led thousands of expeditions into the PA Wilds on horseback and we have an outstanding safety record. We have well-trained horses, experienced professional staff, and can teach with a level safety that only a true outfitter can provide.

Includes:

• Two days of class
• Two nights stay at the Coach Stop Inn (based on double occupancy - ask about single rooms)
• Lunch on both days
• Three dinners at the Coach Stop Inn

$315 per person - call for your spot today!

 

Wild Country Horsemanship

This is the answer for those who want to learn useful and safe techniques for packing and camping with horses. What better place to learn how than the area?s top outfitter who?s been doing just that for nearly 30 years? We?ll share our hard earned experience and knowledge with you so that you can plan your next horseback getaway with confidence. These classes are taught with our own horses, and give you a chance to learn BEFORE you go home to your own horse.

We will cover the following skills in our Wild Country Horsemanship clinic:

• Your riding horse and gear - is your horse ready? What to carry with you?
• What do you need to take for the horses wellbeing?
• Shoeing on the trails
• Basic tack repair
• Packhorses - using one or putting a string together
  • Temperament
  • Leading
  • Methods
  • Limitations
  • Advantages
• Packing - saddles, gear, methods, uses and purposes
• Respectful dominance
• Hobbles and bells
• Scotching
• Highlines and pickets
• What makes a good camp
• How to ride and camp with minimal impact
• Choosing trails
• Hunting with horses - packing out your kill

At the end of Wild Country Horsemanship you will be better prepared to plan your next horse adventure!

Includes:

• Three days of class
• Three nights stay at the Coach Stop Inn (based on double occupancy - ask about single rooms)
• Lunch on each day
• Three dinners at the Coach Stop Inn

$425 per person - call for your spot today!

The owners of Mountain Trail Horse Center have been professional outfitters for nearly 30 years. We have led thousands of expeditions into the PA Wilds on horseback and we have an outstanding safety record. We have well-trained horses, experienced professional staff, and can teach with a level safety that only a true outfitter can provide.