Fox Ridge Farm's Training

Training

Training Methods

Before training any horse here we will do a thorough check up and make sure that your horse is in good condition. We will also go over Breaking In training a bit to see what they have learned so far. Another thing that is very important is knowing what they are able to do. We check over the horses comformation and checks its leg for heat, chips, etc. Then we will watch the horse move and make sure that it can move proberly for the discipline that it is suppose to be trained in. Now to make sure that the owner/rider can ride this horse we give out 4 free lessons, the first one on a school horse and the rest on the horse on training.

Racing

We at Fox Ridge believe in building up our racehorses' wind and stamina by trotting, cantering and galloping our horses over miles of cross-country trails. This method has helped us train some fine racehorses, as well as helped keep our racers from becoming "track sour", that is, afraid or bored of the racetrack and training overall. Because of the way we build up our horses' stamina and wind, most of our racers are long distance runners although there is the odd sprinter in our string as well.

Most of our horses are also dirt runners since this is the most popular race footing. However, we do have a turf track as well as a dirt one, so some of our racers turn out to be turf horses rather than dirt ones due to the way their hooves are shaped and just their different attitudes.

With the yearlings (now that we have some!), we are not planning on riding them until they are at least one and a half. They are then worked on the longe and in the round pen to get them used to people, and to learn ground aids. They all recieve tons of attention from their grooms daily, are turned out with other horses and sometimes a donkey or two, and get regular walks on the cross-country course or just around the property. They are not put into serious training until early in their two years old year. Being this careful with our horses helps prevents break-downs and injuries from over-worked horses later in life.

Most of our horses are not ridden until their one and a half years old year, and their first races are not until the middle of their two year old summer at the very earliest. During their two year old season, all our horses are raced very lightly, with no more than three or four races the whole year.

Each horse in training is assigned his or her groom, who will groom and care that particular horse at home as well as during the racing season at different tracks. Many of our racers also have "companion animals" who accompany our racers to different racetracks, as well as share the racer's stall (or, in some cases, an adjoining stall) and paddock. Companion animals at Fox Ridge Farm range from ponies, donkeys, mules, goats and cats to the odd goose.

Jumping

We do not start jumping a horse until they are at least 4 years old, but do start breaking them to a saddle and rider (if it has not been done already) at age 3. We do this to make sure that our young horses' bones and muscles are properly formed and strong so that they will not break under the pounding that jumping gives them. As with our racehorses, we trot, canter and gallop our jumpers over the crosscountry trails to build their wind, leg and stamina. After all, galloping around a jumping course at top speed can be dangerous if the horse's muscles and legs have not been properly conditioned.

Dressage

We regularily work with these horses in our small dressage arena, and on the trails to help build the balance and precision needed for dressage. I enjoy the musical kurs the best, and we are always happy to work on those.

Cross Country

Just as Jumping we do not start jumping a horse until they are at least 4 years old, but do start breaking them to a saddle and rider (if it has not been done already) at age 3. We do this to make sure that our young horses' bones and muscles are properly formed and strong so that they will not break under the pounding that jumping gives them. As with our racehorses, we trot, canter and gallop our jumpers over the crosscountry trails to build their wind, leg and stamina. After all, galloping around a jumping course at top speed can be dangerous if the horse's muscles and legs have not been properly conditioned.

Halter

We take a lot of time in this discipline. We make sure that the horse has excellent conformation. We teach the horses great stance or how to stand right and make sure that they are very calm. All horses are groomed and well conditioned. All halter horses are taken for long walks, lunged and lightly ridden.

Basic Western

We only start training a horse in western at the age of 3. We start western by doing a lot of and I mean a lot of walking. We belive that in western your horse must have total faith and trust in you. Before doing anything like getting on we have to get the horse used to this heavy saddle. We make sure that the horse won't spook when the saddle is put on by hitting the saddle and moving around the stirrups. Another thing we do a lot is trail riding to help comunicate with the horse.

Basic English

We only start training a horse in english at the age of 3. We also take a lot of time to concentrate on communication between horse and rider. We always start with lots of walk/trot/canter transitions, extentions and collections. Then we'll do a lot of work with trot poles to help extend and collect. After mastering the flat we will work on basic hunter work.

Driving

We will only start a horse in driving at the age of 5. The horse must have either Basic English or western training. We so a lot a work on side reins or whatever you may call them to keep control of the horse. We also take a lot of time over trails and obstacle courses to buil up endurance. We don't specialize in this training but still have great Driving trainers.

Breaking In

We will only start beginner breaking in at the age of 1 and advanced at 1 1/2. We will spend a lot of time with a horse in Breaking In. We teach halter, manners and breaking in the saddle/bit/rider. To excercise the horse we take it on many walks and longe. We also only let the trainers, grooms, etc. be near these horse unless specified by the owner to prevent spooking

Fees

We consider the fees at the center are very low and fair. If you think that the fees or too high or can't afford it we can make a deal. We aslo can change the amount of time depending on the horse. Also remember that the fee includes boarding. These plans below are the specified time only.

Racing(4 weeks)~*$350*~
Steeplechasing(6 weeks)~*$375*~
Hunter(3-4 weeks)~*$325*~
Showjumper(6-8 weeks)~*$375-425*~
Cross Country(5-9 weeks)~*$400-475*~
Dressage(3-6 weeks)~*$350-400*~
Halter(2-4 weeks)~*$275-325*~
Basic Western(3 weeks)~*$300*~
Basic English(3-4 weeks)~*$325*~
Driving(4-6 weeks)~*$325-375*~
Breaking In(3-6 weeks)~*$300-400*~

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