Current Rate: $1200/month includes a private stall with run, stall cleaning M-F, twice daily feeding, hay and bedding. You provide grain, blankets, supplements. Farrier work is charged separately. We do have an indoor arena and are able to take clients year round. Outdoor riding is available on the 160 acre ranch and gives young horses the opportunity to leave well rounded between the arena and outside riding. There is a beautiful vacation rental with all amenities available within walking distance to the barn for customers who are traveling and want to overnight.

$600 is due at drop off. other fees like shoeing will be billed at the end of the month.

In General we train client horses M-F so 30 days is typically around 20 sessions. If something comes up during the week that interferes with the training schedule we add an extra M-F day or pickup a Saturday. Owners are always welcome. We have an open door policy. If you want to watch your horse’s session for the day please call or text so we know to wait until you arrive. We try to send weekly videos to show your progress. If you want an update sooner please call.

If you are a new customer a $200 deposit is required at booking to hold your spot.

Please try to come as close to the 1st as possible. If you come on the 15th it holds your stall until the 15th of the following month and we struggle to get the stall back on track. If you do not pick your horse up on time we charge a daily boarding fee of $15.00/day until you arrive.

After you take your horse home you are welcome to schedule haul in lessons at $75.00/hr.

What to Expect:

Step 1: Focus on ground work and learning to hard tie with patience. General manners and respect. Partnership. Working with flag stick, rope stick, lariat being swung over head. Learning to wear a surcingle, saddle pad and saddle. Develop understanding that stirrup bump means forward. Accept lariat swinging saddle stirrups. Learn that bucking is undesirable. Learn to trust ground person when out of view. Send out easily both directions. Learn Whoa. Disengage hindquarters. Build foundation for one rein stop. Learn to move shoulders, hindquarters independently. Teach horse to stop his feet and start them on command. When the horse can come out into the training space and stand quietly to be saddled and do groundwork without bucking or resistance we are ready for step 2.

Step 2: Wear a bit. Understand to give on one rein then give on both reins. Learn to Ground Drive. Accept weight on one stirrup. Accept being mounted from the left side, then the right side. Accept saddling on both sides. Accept being mounted from a block and from the ground. Teach horse to side step up to mounting block and stand quietly.

Step 3: Walk, Trot and Lope both directions. Keep it simple, allow the horse to find balance. Increase complexity and ask horse to pick shoulder up and side step. Back Circles stepping a hind leg over. Gain confidence in outdoor arena. Gain confidence riding in open spaces, up and down hills, navigate rocky terrain, tolerate wildlife encounters as weather permits. Continue arena work.

30 - 60 - 90 Days?

We push the next step as able. Horses progress through our program at their own pace. Horses often arrive with baggage and it takes time for the story to unfold. It takes time for horses to trust us. We don’t ride a horse until the horse tells us they are ready. It can be really difficult to predict the amount of time it will take for success. The horse is ready to go home when the owner can saddle up, step on and ride off without assistance. Many people have their own trainers that will further horse and rider education which is totally acceptable. How long it takes will be up to the entire team. We take in a limited number of training horses each month. For horses who have never been ridden booking 90 days is a great start. We do not book horses who have never been ridden for less than 60 days. You can book 30 days at a time but we may already be full the next month and you may have to take the horse home and then bring the horse back. We realize this can be inconvenient but a month or two of turnout on a colt doesn’t have a negative impact on the learning process.

Outside horses must have proof of current Flu/Rhino Vaccine before unloading on the property. Recent Dental exam also required.

If you have a better way of doing something we are always willing to grab a cup of coffee and watch you demonstrate a skill with your horse. Whomever decides when the horse is ready to be ridden puts their own foot in the stirrup. No exceptions.

Cowboy Up and Welcome to RM Ranch Horses!