Rehabilitation
& Classical
training with
Ginger-Kathleen Coombs
360-904-2396
or 360-254-3545 * Brush
Prairie, WA
About
my training:
I don’t believe in either 30-day breaking or milking out
training
charges. I train
part time (usually just
1-2 outside horses) only, as my family comes first, so you are never
just part
of the pack. We
discuss clear training
goals. Once these are achieved, the horse goes home (albeit with a lesson plan & local instructor support).
I don’t keep horses in training indefinitely. Of course,
making sure the owner is equipped to continue once the horse is home is
a
significant part of our plan.
I
don’t follow any fad
trainer’s methods, but rely on the masters to light the way. The
Selection of
horses:
To be considered for training, I require an owner who is
willing to be
involved, and a training goal I agree with.
Challenging horses are quite welcome!
Competition: Showing
is always a second best to training accomplishments, and while we show
casually
for fun, it does not make a significant importance in our training and
lives. Showing
can be great feedback, and fun and important
exposure for the horse, though, and I don’t charge extra for schooling shows.
We do like to take young horses to shows for the great
exposure it provides to 'real life' elements.
‘Problem’
horses: Training
issues are first dealt with by
looking for pain causes such as dental & chiropractic issues. Fitness and
gymnastisizing, so the horse can
do what is asked correctly and comfortably, along with making sure that appropriate
tack, i.e.
basic bit fitting, suitability to mouth shape, saddle comfort, etc.,
are
addressed next. The
horse’s social life,
order in herd (dominance or fear issues), turnout and play time, and
respect
and bonding with humans is also evaluated and addressed.
Feeding time is a big part of our training to
respect humans, and life style changes may be required once the horse
goes
home. Known dangerous horses may incur an extra charge for the extra
time and
risk required.
Lessons:
I do offer very limited lesson
openings, but I currently do not offer lesson horses.
Lessons are $35 and potential students must
go through a ’mutual’ interview to see how similar our goals would be. I work slowly, from the
ground up, on your
feel, understanding of mechanics, and seat, and it’s a lot of work!
Owner
responsibility: I
believe that the owner has a great
responsibility to be involved in the training and must be willing to
make
changes once the horse goes home. Unscheduled visits are welcome, and
there is
never an extra charge to include the owners in the lessons. Weekly updates by phone or
email are part of
the training process so you can be fully informed about what to expect.
I prefer
that the owner takes lessons at
least weekly when applicable. I also may address the rider’s fitness
(not to be
confused with thinness or weight!) for the horse’s benefit.
Young
horses: I
offer a preschool at reduced rates for
2& 3 year olds. I
don't back them
fully until they are 4 (read here for a brief idea of why: http://www.equinestudies.org/knowledge_base/ranger.html)
but I do offer 'preschool' of long reining, despooking, traveling to
schooling
shows for in-hand classes for the practical exposure
and
'pre-breaking', ei saddling, bitting, gymnastasizing and even packing
lightweight kids around on leadline.
As the workout periods are short as suits the younger horse's mind, the cost is $250/month plus board. The goal for a 3 year old is to produce a young horse that has respectful ground manners, lunges lightly, accepts bit and saddle, new surroundings, weight on its back and keeps its 'spark' and sense of fun/playtime. A work ethic will be lightly encouraged but it's still mostly about play at this age. Sometimes the training can be all about getting that sense of play, too, as this is vital to producing a horse capable of being a joyful partner.
Depending on the youngster and the background,
assuming basic
ground manners and lack of previous issues, approximately 2 months will
see the
horse ready to continue on at home being petted, ground worked and
doing lead
line work, and then riding at 4 will be a virtually seamless step. We
also do a lot of
walking over ground poles & obstacles as well, so jumping comes
naturally (and with less refusals
then traditionally dealt with), as they develop early ideas that
anything in
front of you can be gone OVER. Great for trail riding as
well!
Advanced
training:
I do not offer training beyond 2nd
level dressage or low level jumping currently due to health issues. I
give
horses a good work ethic, a correct foundation, a sense of joy in their
work, and
horses that are brave. I give riders/owners an understanding of
correct mechanics and WHY techniques and methods are used.
This will enable them to make the best use of clinicians and
selecting higher level instructors when the time comes.
Charges: Standard
training involves workouts generally 5 days a week, minimum weekly
consultations with the owner (progress reports), owner is encouraged
to be
there any chance they have and combined owner/horse sessions are no
extra
charge. This is $400/month plus board unless horse is known
to be
dangerous. Difficult issues requiring both risk and concentrated time
run about
$550/month. Horses are kept where they get a run or pasture for free
movement 24 hours a day. Usual board
rates are $350 for full care, occasionally I offer pasture board at my
home for
$75/month if owner provides feed.
I have (bothfully trained veterinarians) a equine dentist
and a chiropractor (AVCA trained/certified) that I refer to if required.
If your horse needs this, I will inform you at the intake
evaluation and
get you estimates.
Sales
& rescue work: I
occasionally take rescue horses or help
others with finding the perfect home. This work is on a case by case
basis.