Horse Training

''The essential joy of being with horses,
is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace,
beauty, spirit and fire."

Trail rides


Are you ready to break away from the treadmill of everyday life? Yes? Well then giddy up and get ready for a beautiful horseback ride through the Crownlands of British Columbia.

Adjusted to your riding abilities, we will guide you through the endless forest in small groups, from 1 hour up to an exciting day ride (about 6 hours). Adjusting to your daily program, we try our best to take you out on a ride when you feel like it.

There are so many trail areas to explore, so you can have a new adventure every day you're with us!

Our horses are part of our family which is why we try our best to keep them as comfortable as possible. All of our horses are barefoot and bitless. Every horse has it's very own tack which has been professionally fitted, making sure it fits correctly. They also have a horse chiropractitioner visit regularly.

 

Trail riding Pricing

1 hour: $85.00

2 hours: $125.00

3 hours: $190.00

4 hours: $250.00

 

All riders must be physically fit and have good balance. Weight limit: 100kg/220lbs (exceptions made for tall/muscular build)

 

Please be advised, that we can not guarantee horseback riding for ''1 night stays'' as well as riding on your arrival and departure day. 


Riding Lessons

"Let the horse choose to be with you, where there is force there is no will, there is no harmony"

 

No matter which level of riding you are at., beginner or advanced, young or old, I will help you understand the language of the horse, and show you how to communicate with them in a non-violent way. 

I offer basic group and private lessons on the ranch or out on a trail ride.

We have a outdoor & indoor arena and a round pen.

 

Want to learn more about Natural Horsemanship, how to understand and communicate with horses in a non-verbal way, creating a trust based and non-violent partnership with your equine partner?

 

Valaurie is a certified Monty Roberts Instructor and loves to share her knowledge with you!

 

$60/lesson

 



Kids Camps

At the Wettstone Guest Ranch we offer a one week kids camp during school vacation.

They will learn about horses in a fun and playful way, shown how to groom, saddle, bridle and lead their own horses from the ground and on horseback.

Not more than 8 kids per one week session

Ages: 8-16 years

Drop off: Sunday afternoon by 2pm

Pick up: Friday after breakfast around 11am

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is included in the price plus a little snack between lunch and dinner

 

 

starting soon

Prices

5 nights, including accommodations, riding lessons, trail rides, all camp activities, and meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack)

$680


Horse training

  

I am currently one out of two Monty Roberts® Instructors in all of Canada.

 

Courses

INTRODUCTORY COURSE

 

The Introductory Course is the first step to gain an in-depth understanding of Monty’s concepts. Students from various equine backgrounds are welcome to take part, as there are no prerequisites. To those of you with little or no horse knowledge, we recommend prior participation in the H101 Clinic.

The Introductory Course is designed to provide you with a well-rounded knowledge in the basics of horse care, performance, breeding, feeding and nutrition, with a strong emphasis on horse psychology.

 

As the foundation of Monty’s work and a prerequisite for the Advanced Course, you will learn the method of Join-Up® as it relates to various environments. You will have the opportunity to build your skills in Dually™ halter work, long-lining, herding exercises and loading.

Classroom discussion will focus on horse evolution, behavior, sensory systems and language. Also covered are learning theory and, of course, Monty’s methods. Through demonstrations and practical sessions you will learn about Join-Up, Dually™ halter work, long-lining, and trailer loading.

Following this you will return home to continue practicing what you have learned. By sending Valaurie videos you can continue to receive our feedback on your work. It is also during this period that you study theory on horse performance, breeding, feeding and nutrition. When we determine that you are ready, you will return for practical and written exams, at the successful completion of which you will graduate from the Introductory Course.

 

You can bring your own horse, provided they are safe to handle and physically fit to use. Alternatively, Valaurie can provide many horses for you to learn from.

 

please inquire for pricing

15% Student Discount

Bring your own lunch (Water, Ice Tea and coffee provided, as well as use of microwave)


2 DAY Join-Up® Course

An introduction to the language of ‘Equus.’ Discussion into horse psychology and helping you to gain a better understanding of horse behavior. The Join-Up® process will be demonstrated and broken down in various exercises, before you get the chance to complete several Join-Ups with different horses. You will learn how to use the Dually™ halter to establish a relationship where the horse leads willingly and respects your space. At the end of the 2 days you will have the tools to create an effective, trust-based partnership with your horse.

 

Key Learning Points: Non-violent approach to working with the horse, the language of ‘Equus’, building a trust-based partnership, how horses learn, Join-Up and Follow Up™, Dually™ halter work, Round pen work

 

You can bring your own horse, provided they are safe to handle and physically fit to use. Alternatively, Valaurie can provide many horses for you to learn from.

 

CAD 360 (+5% tax)

15% Student Discount

Bring your own lunch (Water, Ice Tea and coffee provided, as well as use of microwave)


2 DAY Long lining Course

 

Effective long-lining has numerous benefits for training and conditioning horses. This class aims to teach you these benefits, the advantages of long-lining over single-line lunging and the skills required to long-line effectively. You will benefit most from taking this class after the Join-Up clinic, as the round pen skills have their roots in Join-Up.

 

 

 

 

Key Learning Points: Non-violent approach to working with a horse, the language of ‘EQUUS’, benefits of long lining with two lines, disadvantages of single line lunging, Tacking up and attaching double long lines, working the horse on double long lines, different speeds and directions, different locations (round pen, square pen, outdoors), ongoing double long line training.

 

You can bring your own horse, provided they are safe to handle and physically fit to use. Alternatively, Valaurie can provide many horses for you to learn from.

 

CAD 360 (+5% tax)

15% Student Discount

Bring your own lunch (Water, Ice Tea and coffee provided, as well as use of microwave)


1 DAY Respectful leading Course

 

Learn the basics to safe and respectful leading. Taking over leadership in staying consistent and fair. No more pushing in your space or dragging behind.

 

 

Key Learning Points: Non-violent approach to working with the horse, the language of ‘Equus’, building a trust-based partnership, how horses learn, Dually™ halter work.

 

 

You can bring your own horse, provided they are safe to handle and physically fit to use. Alternatively, Valaurie can provide many horses for you to learn from.

 

CAD 180 (+5% tax)

15% Student Discount

Bring your own lunch (Water, Ice Tea and coffee provided, as well as use of microwave)


2 DAY Horsemanship 101 course

 

For those new to horses, returning after a long break or trying to overcome fear, these two days will help you become safe and comfortable around horses. Classroom discussion will provide an introduction to how horses think and behave and practical sessions will teach you how to approach, halter, lead, groom and move safely around a horse. You will learn the basic concept behind the Dually™ halter and after watching Join-Up® demonstrations, will experience a guided round pen session to experience the magical moment of Join-Up®, where the horse chooses to be with you without force.

 

 

 

Key Learning Points: Non-violent approach to working with a horse, the Language of Equus, building a trust-based partnership, approaching, touching and handling a horse, how horses learn, think and see, Join-Up® in the round pen, Grooming a horse, how to fit and use the Dually™ Training Halter.

 

There are many horses provided for you to learn from.

 

CAD 360 (+5% tax)

15% Student Discount

Bring your own lunch (Water, Ice Tea and coffee provided, as well as use of microwave)


MONTY ROBERTS ONLINE UNIVERSITY

 

Register now with the promotional code 'DAYPASS' and you’ll have access to over 350 Monty Roberts quick and easy training and instructional videos and lesson notes. Learn at your own pace with Monty Roberts.  https://www.montyrobertsuniversity.com

Monty Roberts

Who is Monty Roberts?

Monty Roberts is an American horse trainer who promotes his techniques of natural horsemanship through his Join-Up International organization, named after the core concept of his non-violent training method. Monty Roberts believes that horses use a non-verbal language, which he terms "Equus" and that humans can use this language to communicate with horses. In order to promulgate his methods, Roberts has authored a number of books including his original best-seller, "The Man Who Listens to Horses", and regularly tours with a live demonstration. He runs an Equestrian Academy in Solvang, California and an "online university" to promote his ideas. 

 

 

Why did I choose his methods?

After reading Monty Roberts’ books "Shy Boy" and "The Man Who Listens to Horses",  I wanted to learn more about the language of the horse called Equus, how to use it and how I would get that 50/50 partnership based on trust, confidence and most importantly no violence. 

After I was fortunate enough to see one of his demonstrations live in Germany, I decided to take the Introductory Course in Switzerland with Heidrun Weiss, one of his certified instructors. Having a better idea of his concepts, I worked with different types of horses to gather more experience. In 2016 I passed my Introductory Exam which brought me to the next step of going to Monty Roberts Flag is Up farm in Solvang, California for the advanced course.  That involved working with unstarted young horses, wild and untouched mustangs and remedial horses. After completing that course I continued  to refine my horsemanship skills at home and at a sanctuary in northern California gentling wild mustangs,  getting them ready to find their forever home.

In February 2018 I successfully passed my  Advanced Exam at Flag is Up farm,  judged by Monty himself and the current head instructor. I was invited to stay on for the last stage of becoming a Certified Instructor of Monty Roberts’ methods. That involved a 3 month internship on his farm. During those 3 months I got to work with many horses in different stages of training together with other interns, as well as assisting Monty. A big part of this whole program of becoming a Certified Instructor is being able to teach these methods to others. I was able to do many public demonstrations and teaching a variety of different courses to students.

In May 2018, my dream came true and I was handed my certificate as a Certified Instructor by Monty himself.

 

Monty's mission is to leave the world a better place for horses and people too and I am joining in by offering courses at the Wettstone Guest Ranch, teaching other people the language of the horse "Equus" and showing them the value of having the horses want to do what we ask and not forcing them, building a partnership based on trust, confidence and no violence. I am also offering starting horses of all ages and problem solving of any type.