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My system of
training horses has ripened over decades of working with ranch
horses, competitive dressage horses, reining horses, and
pleasure horses. My program can take the most novice rider
(with the greenest horse) through a series of carefully
sequenced steps, and bring both horse and rider to their best
– and "best" is ALWAYS better than they ever imagined it could
be.
My life with
horses began on a ranch outside Ismay, Montana. I was 2 1/2
when I escaped the confines of the yard and was found in the
center of the horse corral, hand feeding grain to the horses
surrounding me. |
Jeanne Dial |
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Shortly
after, we moved to a farm in Cody, Wyoming and my riding began
in earnest on a tough black pony named Cookie. My first
training experience was at age 12 under the guidance of my
mother, also an accomplished horseman. I trained 10 Shetland
ponies for $25/head.
Coming thru the 4-H ranks, I set my sights on Quarter Horse
shows and my training expertise began to gain some attention
and I began to train horses for local ranches to finance
my show experience.
Many years
later, I moved to the Oklahoma as an experienced rider,
showman, and trainer of horses and their riders, that I enjoy
today.
The successful system I have developed is this: systematic,
appropriately sequenced steps wherein the rider actually
teaches the horse as they learn together. Five simple,
easy-to-learn maneuvers produce the basic foundation for
training any horse and rider. Although words are used to
communicate to a horse, the largest part of teaching a horse
comes from pressure, release, reward, and repetition. These
maneuvers are universal and apply to any horse whether it is
trail riding in the mountains, barrel racing, jumping, or
becoming a competitive show horse.
I repeat –
it’s all the same.
Warning. "Natural horsemanship" is the latest buzz word in
today's horse training vernacular. But what is natural about
training horses, riding them, or utilizing the equipment we
use to control them? Believe me, horses would much rather we
never crossed their path than to be riding on their backs
telling them what to do!
My training style is unique in the way the horse and rider are
taught - together. The teaching is based on how a horse learns
and the physiology of the individual horse. This is unlike
systems that force the horse to adapt to the rider.
The five steps that both rider and horse learn are the
foundation to higher levels of riding including flying lead
changes, spins, roll backs, and sliding stops. This system can
be learned by anyone wanting to be a safe and confident rider,
and have a disciplined, contented, and confident horse.
To put it simply, this is true horsemanship: the art of
teaching a horse. It is not easy. There are no shortcuts. It
is a commitment of time, energy, and thought that brings a
horse and rider to a better understanding of each other.
The rewards are indescribable. |
