[Rebelwithacause]

Good Morning,

I am new to this board, I hope I have posted this in the correct place! I have some experience with horses-- I worked on a ranch after college and also have done part time jobs working in stables. I am a beginner to intermediate rider, and I love horses. However; I am having a very difficult time finding someone in my area who offers any kind of training for western pleasure. It seems that everything is dressage ( I live in the HEART of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association).

I would love to one day (soon) purchase a horse. My work at the stable(s) was to give me a better working knowledge of how to care for one, and my time on the ranch taught me to ride, but I still need some guidance and would love to find a mentor. The problem is, I cannot find anyone ( either through Google searches, Facebook, Craigslist) that offers this or that will respond to me!

For those of you who are like me, ( i.e. didn't "grow up" around horses and are having to be self taught) how did you get started? Any suggestions on where to find someone/a place where I can learn these skills?

Thank you!

 

[Left Hand Percherons]

Don't focus on the type of tack you are riding in. A good seat and riding skills will transfer to any riding discipline you choose. I would be more interested in finding a good instructor who can teach. Learn the skills first. I do have a friend in the Goodletsville area with halter and working paints and QH that might be of help. I boarded with her 20 years ago in the Franklin area. I'm sure the area is nothing like I remember but it was pretty country.

BTW, it's saddle seat not dressage. TWH and saddlebreds are all ridden saddle seat. You might find a flat shod trainer around you.

 

[Rebelwithacause]

Thanks for the response! Yes, this is a gorgeous area with a lot of trails and natural beauty. It is probably a lot like you remember it, very green with rolling hills.

BTW, it's saddle seat not dressage. TWH and saddlebreds are all ridden saddle seat. Thanks for the tip! I am still working on my terminology, maybe that is where the disconnect is when reaching out to some of the local stables and farms.

 

[countrylove]

I never took actual riding lessons but I do have a trainer who trains my horse and most importantly me. She doesn't just work with her and leave me to mess it up. She shows me the correct way so it doesn't become an issue because of rider error. Maybe try finding a trainer who will work with BOTH of you (horse and owner). Might be easier than a discipline specific riding coach to find but IDK your area either.
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[Rebelwithacause]

Thanks for the suggestion! It's just me right now, I don't own my own horse just yet

 

[tinyliny]

Start watching YouTube videos. Lots and lots of them and you'll get an idea of where you want to go. I like Warwick Schiller, but there are many good vids.

 

[walkinthewalk]

Good Morning,

I am new to this board, I hope I have posted this in the correct place! I have some experience with horses-- I worked on a ranch after college and also have done part time jobs working in stables. I am a beginner to intermediate rider, and I love horses. However; I am having a very difficult time finding someone in my area who offers any kind of training for western pleasure. It seems that everything is dressage ( I live in the HEART of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association).

I would love to one day (soon) purchase a horse. My work at the stable(s) was to give me a better working knowledge of how to care for one, and my time on the ranch taught me to ride, but I still need some guidance and would love to find a mentor. The problem is, I cannot find anyone ( either through Google searches, Facebook, Craigslist) that offers this or that will respond to me!

For those of you who are like me, ( i.e. didn't "grow up" around horses and are having to be self taught) how did you get started? Any suggestions on where to find someone/a place where I can learn these skills?

Thank you!

These folks are in Nolensville, the wife is my equine chiropractor. They are wonderful, ethical folks.

He and his wife own Crossroads ranch.

https://www.facebook.com/josh.guin.9

http://joshguinhorsemanship.com/crossroads-ranch/

Josh is mainly Quarter Horses, which might be more to your liking.

However, if you want to stay in Murfreesboro, I can dig up the Walking Horse folks. They are breeders and trainers of pleasure Walkers, not the Performance Walkers.

Barn work and horse handling are the same regardless of breed and the basics of early horse training are the same with trotting horses as with gaited horses - except for lunging, Gaited horses need a bigger lunge circle to accommodate the sweeping movement of their shoulders.

Once in the saddle, some things are also different between trotting and gaited breeds.

Give Josh a call and see if he might be able to help you. His wife sure knows who "Joker's mom" is but Josh may not remember

 

[mslady254]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

My horse lives in Murfreesboro.

I ditto what walkinthewalk said, Josh Guin is excellent. I can pm you his number if you'd like. I'm taking lessons with Josh now and I ALWAYS come away from a lesson feeling like I've learned a lot. Josh is so good at reading the student and knows just how much to push them enough to get good results yet not so much they feel uncomfortable.

Another option is a guy at my barn there in Murfreesboro. He gives lessons several days a week. Basic riding, and he teaches the basics very well, as far as I can see. Although he does use some gaited horses, he teaches traditional seat, but you could talk with him to make sure. He is closer to you and less expensive than Josh. Again, Josh is AWESOME if you don't mind the drive.,,,just giving you another option.
PM if you want their numbers.

Fay

 

[becky61]

Hello and welcome. I think the best advice is to find a well respected trainer in area and go from there. Although we ride mainly western(I ride TW gelding),my oldest granddaughter has taken lessons emphasizing dressage and jumping-they have helped her immensely with seat and balance. She rides bareback on my horse and hers-even canters!!

 

[twolucid]

Start watching YouTube videos. Lots and lots of them and you'll get an idea of where you want to go. I like Warwick Schiller, but there are many good vids.

Schiller's the only horse 'trainer' I'm subscribed to

 

[Zexious]

I absolutely second what everyone else has been saying--definitely pursue some lessons. Sounds like people on this thread have given you a good place to start! <3

 

[Wild Heart]

Welcome to the forum!

I wholeheartedly agree with the other members. You can learn in any discipline and as you develop and solid seat, you will be able to ride with any saddle. The basics are pretty much all the same.

 

[Rebelwithacause]

Thanks everyone so much, I did find someone local (in Christiana), but I am open to speaking with Josh Guin in Murfreesboro. I appreciate the link and the feedback about him and Crossroads Ranch so much, that is exactly the kind of information I was looking for,

I actually have my first lesson this afternoon with a trainer, and I am REALLY excited and also a little nervous. I am just doing one lesson to get a feel for the trainer, so if they do not work out I have someone reputable to try in Josh!

Thanks!

 

[Edgy13]

Welcome!!!