Training
Equine Connection Training is about meeting the horse’s needs in order to release tension, balance asymmetry, and teach them safe and harmonious communication with their people.
Horses will show us what they need, when we listen without judgement and are open to change.
In Equine Connection Training programs, the guardian of the horse is intimately involved in the process, learning along side the horse. Once Annemieke teaches the horse new ways to use their mind and body in training, and she teaches the guardian how to regulate their own body and energy to carry it forward.
Annemieke Buis takes a holistic approach to training, recognizing that every interaction with a horse is a form of training. Everything a horse experiences teaches him/her something.
Training sessions last up to 2 hours to allow time to lead the horse from the stall or pasture, groom, evaluate the physical and emotional state of the horse, perform basic body work, and proceed with groundwork, in-hand work, lunging, and riding as applicable to each unique horse.
Training and development for your horse at your property, whether you have an indoor arena or a just a front yard.
Because when you’re present with your horse, you can train anywhere.
Training is also available on-site at Sage Knoll Farm for trailer-ins and boarders.
Training Modalities
On the ground
Postural Training
Annemieke is perhaps best known for her postural in-hand work. Emotional posturing is all about getting the horse in an emotional state where they are mentally available for learning and the parasympathetic nervous system allows the body to move without brace or unnecessary tension. Mental posturing involves teaching the horse basic movements as building blocks that are used for the physical posturing work. Annemieke emphasizes developing a strong thoracic sling, and a healthy, hyoid apparatus. Postural training is necessary for any horse to be able to do a job with a human, be it riding or something else. It is also highly applicable to rehabilitation, as well as keeping geriatric horses moving comfortably and fluidly.
Basic Groundwork
Groundwork based in biomechanical and psychologically informed horsemanship to establish positive leadership with your horse so that both of you can feel safe and bond together. All horses deserve the opportunity to learn the fundamental concept that wherever I ask them to put their feet will be safe. From this they can learn to stand, have their hooves cared for, and lead in a variety of environments and terrains. When we integrate straightness and balance in the horse’s everyday handling, they are able to use their handler as a reference point and organize their minds and bodies.
Improve attention, trust, and communication.
Above is a sequence of photos to show what is possible in a single postural session. The left photo is before the session. The center photo is after the emotional and mental posturing work. This particular lesson was about how to self-bridle and hold the bit. The photo on the right is after physical posturing work in-hand.
Classical In-Hand Work
As a continuation of postural training, Annemieke’s classical in-hand work for relaxation, impulsion, and balance is inspired by Ecole de Légèreté. It teaches horses how to harmoniously carry their riders without stressing their minds or bodies. Through gymnastic exercises such as shoulder-in, haunches-in, half-pass, and pirouette, the horse learns to bend through the body and load more weight onto the haunches. All exercises translate directly to under-saddle work.
Liberty
Develop communication and partnership with your horse in absolute lightness. All basic and classical groundwork can be performed at liberty, as well as other exercises to bond, play, and dance with your horse. When you remove the tack, you’re left with the pureness of your relationship and understanding of one another.
Training Modalities
Under Saddle
French Classical Dressage
Riding centered on release with the intention to develop relaxation, balance, and impulsion. As the horse progresses physically and mentally, new levels of straightness and collection can be achieved. This under saddle work is directly linked to the classical in hand work, as exercises such as jaw flexion, neck extension, and the gymnastic exercises are also performed with a rider. Biomechanics that encourage the health and happiness of the horse are foundational. Dressage is for the horse— any horse, even and especially those that are not built or bred for the discipline of dressage. Dressage teaches the horse to carry the rider with ease over a variety of terrain and obstacles in balance, harmony, and self-carriage so that the rider can do hard things, be it in the dressage arena, on the trail, over fences, or on the mounted archery track!
Jumping
Over fences work that maintains the classical dressage foundation for minimal stress on the body and mind. A balanced and relaxed horse who understands their rider can clear any obstacle within his stage of development. These skills can be applied to eventing, fox-hunting, working equitation, mounted archery, or the hunter-jumper disciplines.
Tackless Work
When you remove the equipment holding you together, you’re left with pure connection and can assess the clarity of your energy and aids. Bridleless, bareback, or both!
Prices
Travel Fee
Contact us to get a quote to travel to you
Travel fees may be split amongst all clients receiving lessons or training at the same farm in a single visit.
Individual Training Session
Pay by the session
$65
Training Programs
Commit to a 4-week program of training for discounted rates. Training sessions can be interchanged for lessons.
2x per week…………………………$40 off
3x per week………………………..$60 off
4x per week………………………..$80 off
5x per week…………….………..$100 off
Training at Sage Knoll Farm
Board your horse at Sage Knoll Farm for holistic training. Annemieke will personally handle and care for your horse every day, integrating training into every interaction with your horse. One training session per week is already included in board, and you can purchase discounted training programs for up to 5 days per week without having to pay any travel fees! Living on the paddock paradise track system will automatically improve your horse’s hooves and muscle tone. Training at Sage Knoll Farm offers the most holistic approach possible.
