We use a variety of training techniques and methods. We primarily use negative and positive reinforcement. If you are unsure on what those are here is a video explaining the four quadrants of operant conditioning: https://youtu.be/xMo0C2QZJU8

Horses have access to 24/7 grass hay in slow feeder hay nets at our New York facility. We will use a variety of hay throughout the year to keep horse’s diet diverse to meet nutritional needs. We hand inspect each load of hay to meet our quality standards and will regular test hay for nutrient content. Once per day we feed an alfalfa or grass hay pellets, 4-8lbs depending on need. We top their pellets with a plant-based balanced Omega oil called ExcelEQ ProElite. It is a camelina oil grown specifically for horses and has Vitamin E. We may also give them 100X Equine GutX if we feel they are suffering from ulcers or digestive issues. Horses are turned out on grass pastures during the day. Sunlight and socialization plus room to stretch their legs are vital for a happy and healthy horse. Horses also have free choice access to salt 24/7 (loose salt in their stalls and block salt in their turnouts). If you have supplements your horse requires, we are happy to feed it if you supply it. We will not feed any grain though while horse is in training with us. We have been a strict forage based/grain free program for the past eight years with less than 1% colic rate out of thousands of horses we personally feed. We highly encourage you to research and explore grain free/forage based diets for equines.

Horses are required to be up to date on vaccines (5-way with WNV, Rabies and Potomac Fever) and have a current Coggins before coming to the ranch. Horses in our restart, problem horse or colt-starting program are required to have a dental exam and float within the past year prior to horse entering training program. Horses too wild for vet examination will be required to have current vaccines, Coggins and dental exam done while in training, when they have reached the level of training to have vet care safely done by our vet. They will be in quarantine until that time. All horses are required to have a minimum body condition score of 4 before entering training. Exception: wild horses who need gentling first. Here is the body condition scale for reference: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2021-05/PIM2021-007%20att2-%20HennekeBodyScoringChart.pdf

Yes! You are welcome to visit your horse anytime during business hours. We just ask that you let us know which day and time window you plan on coming at least 24hrs in advance. This is to ensure that we are available and can dedicate time specifically for you when you arrive. For the safety of our team and equines, our Arizona ranch and New York facility are private and the gates are kept closed/secured.

If you would like to see your horse worked or would like to schedule a lesson with your horse (up to 2 lessons per month included with training), please be on time. We will work with your horse as close to the scheduled time as possible.

Dos Lomas Ranch (Snowflake, AZ facility) - If you need to stay overnight there are three hotels located in Snowflake, AZ plus airbnb options. Please ask for a list and we will e-mail them to you. You are also welcome to dry camp at the ranch. We have a port-a-john available for clients and water. The ranch is off-grid so it gets very dark at night.

Yankee Folley Equestrian Center (New Paltz, NY) - There are airbnb options plus very nice hotels in New Paltz if you need to stay overnight. Please ask us for a list and we will be happy to e-mail one to you. There is a bathroom in the office available for clients and relaxing couches for your family/friends to enjoy while we work with you and your horse. There is a nice picnic area outside if you want to bring and enjoy lunch.

Horses in training will get worked with a minimum of 5 days per week. We change the schedule to fit the horse. Some horses may benefit from several shorter sessions throughout the day while others need a longer session. If a horse is telling us they need a day off, we give it to them. If they do better with a routine, we do that as well. If a horse is in part-time training they will get worked with 3 days per week. We take Sundays off and Wednesdays we use as a makeup day or extra training day for those who need it.

All horses will get worked by both Isidro and Amber throughout their stay. Many will get worked by additional members of the team as well to make sure their training transfers to other people. We have found the more people these horses can get exposed to, especially mustangs, the better they do when they go home. All interaction is strictly supervised by Isidro and Amber.

You do not need to bring any equipment for your horse. We have everything needed already. Your halter will get your named labeled on it and stored until your horse is ready to go home. We do not use boots or wraps on horses. If your horse needs bell boots please provide those but find these is rarely needed if horse has balanced hooves and physically conditioned.

At our Arizona ranch we use Dr. Milton DeSpain at Cedar Ridge Veterinary Center located in Taylor, AZ. Horses needing routine care we haul to the vet at no extra charge. This is a training opportunity for the horses to be exposed to a busy town. If we feel your horse needs veterinary care we will contact you first with our recommendations and concerns. If you refuse care that we feel the horse needs before progress in training may continue, we may ask you to leave the program. You will pay the vet directly for any care received. We do not have a surgery center or emergency care in the White Mountains. If such care is needed we will need to haul down to the Phoenix Valley. The one most commonly used is Arizona Equine Medical & Surgical Centre in Gilbert, AZ. Thankfully, such care is rarely needed with our management methods. You are not required to use our vet. You may book with any vet of your choosing and haul to them yourself or pay their travel fee. We are happy to assist with holding, etc. for vets coming to our ranch.

At our New York facility we primarily use Dr. Katie Gould. We find her soft and minimally invasive approach fits our methodology and values well. You are not required to use our vet. You may book with any vet of your choosing and haul to them yourself or pay their travel fee. We are happy to assist with holding, etc. for vets coming to the equestrian center.

Isidro trims and shoes all the horses in training currently. Often it will be their first hoof care or they are a difficult case with farriers and he can get them confident with this care. We often get horses in that need to be sedated for farrier care and leave never needing sedation again. We do not do corrective shoeing. Basic balanced trims and basic shoeing (if needed) only. We are happy to have your farrier come and handle your horse for them. We may use an outside barefoot trimmer once we find someone that meets our standards.

We routinely deworm every 3-4 months.

Sometimes the horses we get in need aggressive deworming (kill pens, newly adopted from corrals, adopted for awhile and not gentled enough to be dewormed, etc). This deworming is included in the training program. You will get a report of what your horse was dewormed with and when upon them leaving the training program, if requested.

We believe an integral part of a horse’s health is making sure we have a very effective fly control program. Flies bring so many health and well-being issues to horses. We use a safe feed through fly control that uses natural ingredients to deter flies from the horses. We do not use harmful chemicals. We also use fly predators to decrease the fly population as well as consistent manure management. Pens are open to sunlight, cleaned daily and the manure spread with a manure spreader at our Arizona facility. Stalls are cleaned daily and turnouts picked or dragged regularly at our New York facility. We are happy to place fly masks, sheets and boots on your horse if you provide them.

Once your horse completes the training you are encouraged to have an exit lesson before taking your horse home. If unable to do a lesson we will shoot a comprehensive video covering what your horse has learned, current training status and any issues to be aware of. We will send you a link to this video for you to view at will. You will also receive a report of any health interventions such as deworming, trims, bodywork and vet care for your records (if requested). You may continue taking lessons with your horse, join us at a nearby Horsemanship Clinic, or learn from our online Perpetual Training Toolbox to continue progressing your partnership together (previous training clients receive a 10% discount on lessons and clinics).