Contact Kathy Valentine 406-546-5135 kmjjag66@hotmail.com		We believe modern day horse owners have needs and expectations which are different than what "traditional" apprenticeship programs are offering. We believe you want to learn how to develop a relationship with your horse based on trust, communication and mutual respect. We believe you will not tolerate what you view as harsh or abusive horse training techniques. We believe you want the horse's point of view integrated into your training programs.  We believe you want to learn how to develop a partnership with your horse that will last a lifetime. We believe many of you want to learn how to train your horse yourselves and/or learn how to keep your trained horse responsive to you.  About Sending Your Horse to a Trainer Many horse owners send their horse to a horse trainer hoping their expectations will be met. Most trainers offer the horse's owner lessons on how to ride and handle their horse. Although this is a good way to quickly accomplish specific training goals, it is the trainer who establishes the partnership and relationship with the owner's horse while the horse is in training. The horse owner learns the mechanics of riding the horse in the way the trainer has taught the horse, but, after the training is complete and the owner brings the horse home, the owner is left to try and figure out how to develop that long term partnership they desire.  About Clinics Horse and rider clinics are an excellent way to be introduced to a particular clinician's training methods and techniques. They are usually reasonably priced ($250 - $500 range). They are fun and an excellent way to learn from both the clinicians and other riders attending.  However, the information presented is limited because clinics are usually only 2 or 3 days long. For those of you who have a desire to learn how to develop a long-term partnership with your horse, a clinic will only whet your appetite. About Present Day Apprenticeships, Horsemanship Schools, and other Educational Programs Some apprenticeships, horsemanship schools and other educational programs are excellent and provide lots of information. However, they are essentially a cram course that attempts to take the you and your horse from kindergarten through college in just a few short weeks. They often do not allow enough time for the student and their horse to digest, learn and apply the information presented. They do not have the benefit of teaching the information in bite sized pieces and do not provide the opportunity to practice at home between lessons. Those programs also usually require the horse owner to spend from one to four weeks at the instructors facility. They are usually priced in the $3000 - $5000 range. Travel expenses are often significant. Also, many horse owners  find it difficult to take a significant block of time away from home, family and work. About Our Practical Apprenticeship Program We have named our program a "Practical Apprenticeship Program".  "Practical" because: It is designed to work for novice riders, advanced horsepeople and for people with a desire to train horses professionally as well.  In other words, our curriculum is flexible enough to be custom designed to fit your level of experience. It provides the opportunity to apply the information presented to everyday real-life situations you and your horse will face. It is not overly complicated.  Instead, even advanced material is broken down into "bite sized" pieces. The apprenticeship facility is located in Victor, Montana.  However, if you have at least four other people willing to register, we will conduct the program in your immediate area. Sessions are scheduled for Sessions are scheduled for three hours each week with plenty of  homework and practice time between sessions at your residence. It is designed specifically for horse owners who would rather learn how to train their horse themselves or learn how to keep their trained horse finely tuned. It is taught personally by us. We are excellent teachers and have been certified by John Lyons, a nationally recognized horse trainer and clinician. Our program is  practical because it's not only affordable but also doesn't require you to take a significant block of time away from work or family to participate. It will provide you with an understanding of why your horse thinks and behaves as he does and provides you with the ability to teach your horse things yourself. And finally, when you have completed the program, you will have cemented a partnership with your horse that will last a lifetime - your horse will have learned you are its greatest friend on earth! Ours is a 16 session program spread out over 5 months that is open to all riding disciplines. Students who complete the program will receive an apprenticeship certificate and plaque.  There will be 3 hours of instruction and 6 to 8 hours of homework required each week.  You may use a horse that hasn't been started under saddle, a green horse or a "trained" horse.  We do insist you use the same horse throughout the entire program. By the end of this practical apprenticeship program, you will have the knowledge and confidence to do the following: Use a round pen safely Use the 20 steps of round pen reasoning to start a horse Safely and confidently "sack out" and saddle a horse in preparation for itâs first ride Additionally, you will know how to teach a horse to:  Have an excellent set of ground manners Perform advanced leading maneuvers Become soft and supple by giving to the bit  and understanding "Communication through the Reins" Disengage the hips in response to a single rein Move its shoulders both with and away from a single rein Sidepass fluidly and willingly Neck rein Perform collected  stops Back-up with collection Control its speed Move its hips in response to a single rein Have a relaxed movement over trail obstacles Make smooth transitions Have excellent canter/lope departures Perform flying lead changes Do spins Do sliding stops Respond to a calm down cue Clip Bathe Trailer load quietly and safely Stand tied Additionally, we will also teach you about your own mental, emotional and physical self which will enable both you and your horse to achieve the highest possible level of performance.  You will learn how to tap into your inner strength so that your mind, body and emotions become more flexible, responsive, resilient and strong.  As with horse training, we will break this down into easy steps so that your physical, mental and emotional self become stronger and more confident than you have ever imagined. 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