NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP LESSONS WITH LINDSEY FORKUN
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Lessons are for all disciplines although Lindsey focuses on hunter, jumper, western, trail, pleasure, and ground lessons. Lessons can also be topic specific if you want to learn something specific such as trailer loading, saddling, etc.
All lessons have a foundation in natural horsemanship. This means the focus is on communication, leadership, trust, and building a partnership with the horse instead of using intimidation and fear. As a result, horses are more willing, safer, and more confident to work with.
Lindsey also includes teaching basic horse psychology within
lessons so that riders and handlers understand why horses react the way they do, what they are saying, and how to respond. This develops a well rounded horseperson that can problem solve on their own.
Lessons are suited to the needs of the handler and horse and are for riders/handlers of all levels aged 5 or older. Group lessons are only available if students/horses are working at a similar level on similar tasks.
Lessons are generally scheduled for one hour, but may run shorter or later depending on the needs and goals within the lesson. Lessons may run an additional 20 minutes past the scheduled time with no additional charge.
It is recommended that your first lesson with Lindsey be scheduled for two hours because of all the underlying ground and principals that need to be covered. This two hour lesson usually results in about 75% of the time on the ground and 25% of the time in the saddle—unless you only want to play on the ground.
Benefits to Lessons with a Natural Horsemanship Focus:
- The focus is on leadership and communication which puts your relationship first with the horse
- Develops a better partnership with your horse so that your horse is more willing, calmer, and safer to work with
- Helps to give you and your horse confidence because you have established trust
- You learn the language of horses which means you are better equipped to handle situations when no coach or trainer is around
- You end up with a horse that is easy to work with overall, instead of just focusing in the saddle or in one area
- You can understand what, why, and how to act and react because natural horsemanship is based on horse psychology
- Your horse can learn to want to be with you and as a result be a better competitor in the show ring or a safer ride on the trail
- You can still work on riding, your position, and exercises that enhance the rider/handler, the difference is that the horse is also taken into consideration so that you get optimum results
- Diversity—there are so many areas and topics to learn and practice when you open the door to natural horsemanship
- Safety—working with horses using natural horsemanship is much safer than using intimidator style tactics
Benefits to Lessons with Lindsey:
- A broad range of experience to draw from
- The opportunity to go to competitions, have lessons on trails, or progress to part boarding or owning a horse
- The ability to try a different discipline or type or riding without changing instructors
- She offers free lance coaching where she travels to your own farm, which means Lindsey can continue coaching you even if you move to another farm
- She started using the old intimidator style techniques and can understand both ‘worlds’ or thinking, which can help when you are making the transition to natural horsemanship
- She is a registered nurse—so in the unlikely event something bad should happen, you’re in good hands
- Lindsey has proven her knowledge by obtaining various certificates including her English Rider Level 8 (currently the highest riding level you can test for with the Ontario Equestrian Federation), her Parelli Level 1 in natural horsemanship, her Canadian Coaches Certification, and winning the Top 20 Under 20 Award for Leadership and Innovation for her work with horses
- Lindsey’s book on natural horsemanship is available, which can provide guidance and learning in consistent language for when there is no coach or trainer around
Benefits to Part Boarding:
- You get a taste for what it is like to own your horse
- You are not responsible for vet, farrier, or any extra bills that may arise
- You still get to have the horse all to yourself for certain days of the week and plan your own schedule for riding/playing
- You get to advance your skills with extra practice
- It can help you to decide what type of horse you would want to buy
- You learn a lot of the ‘behind the scenes’ work that goes on with horses
- Prepares you for one day owning or fully leasing a horse
- Provides you with independence, but at the same time a support structure to help you if things come off track
- Allows you to ride/work with a horse that might otherwise be out of your budget
- Is excellent for developing responsibility in kids/teens
- Gives you the opportunity to really get to know a horse and develop a relationship
- Is great for helping to instill confidence and consistency in your play with horses
Pricing:
For those that have their own horse to use:
- $40/hr for private lessons*
- $25/hr/person for group lessons*
- $45/day at a show: Lindsey spends the entire show with the student (warm up and rounds)
- $360 for 10 lessons when purchased in advance (to be used within one year) *
* Additional charges for travel to/from the farm may apply. Please contact Lindsey for an exact quote if your farm is further than a 1 hour drive (round trip) from Uxbridge, ON.
Purchase Natural Horsemanship Lessons with Lindsey Forkun now! 
Lessons for those who do not own their own horse are also available through:
- York Equestrian Riding School: 905-888-1730 (hunter/jumper, offers group and private lessons and the opportunity for competition)
- Pleasure Valley: 905-649-3334 (western/trail/pleasure, offers mainly private lessons as well as outdoor boarding and more)
- Part boarding on one of Lindsey’s horses: Lindsey occasionally will have opportunities to part board one of her horses at a privately run facility (Lindsey does not operate her own facility). To part board, the student must be able to function independently for practice rides (includes getting the horse from the field, tacking up, having a safe ride, untacking, putting the horse away, and knowing when to seek help). If you part board one of Lindsey’s horses, there is the opportunity to take the horse to shows and on trail rides. Please contact Lindsey to see if there are any current opportunities.
*Lindsey may also know of other part boarding opportunities in the area
If you are interested in lessons through either York Equestrian Riding School or Pleasure Valley, please call the facility directly and ask for Lindsey’s availability.
Natural Horsemanship