Windy Hills Ranch

"Training People and Horses"

509-588-2878 or windyhillsranch@yahoo.com

Jim & Robin Wadsworth

I feel the biggest advantage a person can have over a horse is gaining their respect--I start here. I am convinced this begins on the ground. If I do not have respect on the ground, then I will not have it in the saddle. Whether it be a 15 year old or a 2 month old, a person needs to begin by gaining the horse’s respect! Once you have gained their respect, everything else will fall into place. However, just because you had their respect last week, does not mean you will have it today. This is especially true in younger horses as they like to check their boundaries more frequently than older horses. Therefore, gaining respect and keeping it at all times, is vital to a horse and handler’s relationship.

Secondly, I believe teaching people are key elements to a success program. Once a horse has come to my facility to be started or to overcome some learned behavorial problems, the owner needs to further their education to follow up with the horse. Just like people, a horse will continue to learn and develop. They are never too old to learn new tricks and some horses, like people, pick it up faster than others. A horse owner must realize that every time they are with their horse, they are teaching it. Unfortunately, this is where many bad habits come from. I strive to help owners learn to handle their horses effectively to reinforce positive behavior.

Customized Training

Start Where You're At - Learn What you Need

First I do a free evaluation of horse and rider/owner. I try to establish if the horse and rider is a good match. If you have a child that is learning to ride and you have bought a 2 year old green broke horse for them, there is too much potential for accidents in which serious injury may occur. Green horses and green people are not a good match.

Second, I try to understand what it is you want your horse to be able to do and if the horse is capable of your wishes.

Third, I will determine if you and I are on the same page, namely if what you want is the same as what I have to offer and if you are a willing partner to learn along with your horse.

Examples of What You Will Learn

My teaching ranges from training the horse to accept clippers, water, etc., to loading into a trailer, by using the “approach and retreat” method. I teach softness and suppleness to any age of horse by yielding to pressure whether it is by my hand or with their bit. I teach a horse to accept spooky objects on the trail or in the arena. I believe in a lot of wet saddle blankets along with de-sensitizing and sensitizing exercises. With any age of horse, I start where ever they are in their development. If it is a yearling that does not catch, halter, or lead, I will start with step one before I go on to step two. I strongly believe that if you can not put a halter on your horse, then it is ridiculous to try to bridle them. Basic steps and completed steps before going on to more difficult tasks are necessary in a successful, progressive program.

Services and Rates

Robin offers horse boarding, colt starting, horse and rider training and Follow-up lessons. She has a background in training your riders and specializes in teaching adults to be comfortable with their horses.

Introductory Rate - $450/Mo including Board

509-588-2878 or windyhillsranch@yahoo.com

About Robin

I was born and raised on a farm outside of Pasco, Washington. I was fortunate to have parents that knew quite a bit about horses. My mom was a horse trader. She was always looking for that perfect horse for herself or a deal to make a little money, so horses came and went from our home and I was the guinea pig who test rode them. Riding all the different horses that she would pick up from the neighbor or at the sale made me the rider I am today. Through my childhood, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. I loved horses and loved to ride. I was involved with 4-H and Junior Posse and enjoyed going to playdays and the show scene. I worked under a number of instructors and met Al Dunning during a clinic he did for our Junior Quarter Horse Association. I have been around horses all my life.

Today, I enjoy trail riding, arena riding, working with our 4-H Club, and playdays. My current mount is a five year old that I started when she was three. I like my horse to be very versatile from moving out to a fast gallop to a collected show ring lope. I like a soft and supple horse, one that can give to pressure and move from pressure. I believe you never can know it all; and while working with horses, a person is constantly learning. I enjoy working with my own horse and I would love to help you learn to work with yours.

 Robin Teaching Molley Lateral Flexing