Young Horse Foundation

A large part of the program is teaching horses correct groundwork — lunging to work over the back, and learning to truly stretch and bend in the cavesson without any auxiliary equipment. This reveals how the horse naturally carries itself and where its imbalances lie, which shapes the rest of the program.

Once the horse stretches properly, we develop connection on the lunge and introduce in-hand work of the basics, which develops into piaffe with time. From starting under saddle to a horse's first shows, the goal is a confident, mannerly partner both on the ground and under saddle.

Confidence is built through exposure, consistency, reward, and repetition until new experiences become just another day. Young horses are taken to different venues to school — without the pressure of performing — so they associate new environments with relaxation.