Good horses are built through thoughtful training, real-world experience and time.

Horse of Your Dreams grew from a simple goal: to produce horses that are safe and enjoyable for real riders without giving up the responsiveness and refinement of a well-trained horse.

Many riders are not looking for a specialized show horse. They want a trustworthy partner they can enjoy on the trail, ride comfortably in the arena, take somewhere new and depend on when conditions are less than perfect.

That is the kind of horse we have spent years working to develop.

A Training Program Built for Real Riders

Over the years, we saw the same need again and again. Riders wanted horses that were quiet, sensible and experienced enough to enjoy outside the arena, but they also wanted good brakes, body control, comfortable gaits and the ability to guide the horse easily with their seat, legs and reins.

We do not believe riders should have to choose between a dependable trail horse and a nicely trained horse.

Our program developed around combining those two qualities: the judgment and confidence that come from real-world experience with the softness, balance and responsiveness developed through thoughtful arena work.

Two Parts of the Same Training Program

Jennifer and Davy bring different strengths to the horses, and both are important in producing the finished horse.

Jennifer — Foundation, Feel & Finish

Jennifer brings more than 35 years of horse training experience to the program.

Her work focuses on developing the horse’s foundation and putting the finishing pieces together: softness, responsiveness, body control, comfortable and rhythmic gaits, lateral work, obstacles and the ability to remain willingly guided when situations become more difficult.

The goal is not simply to teach a list of maneuvers. It is to develop a horse that understands the rider’s aids, stays mentally connected and becomes increasingly light, balanced and enjoyable to ride.

Davy contributes much of the real-world experience that helps turn training into reliability.

Trail miles, unfamiliar environments, camping, varied terrain and everyday situations give horses the opportunity to use what they have learned outside the controlled environment of the arena.

His patience and practical approach are also an important part of working with young horses, mares and foals and allowing horses the time they need to develop confidence.

Experience That Cannot Be Rushed

Good training creates the foundation, but experience teaches a horse how to use that training when life becomes unpredictable.

We gradually expose horses to trails, obstacles, new environments, other horses, traffic, animals, equipment and the many ordinary surprises that come with riding away from home.

The objective is not to make a horse numb or simply force him through things. We want him to learn that when something changes, he can stay responsive, look for direction and think through the situation instead of immediately reacting

The Partnership Matters

Selling a horse is only one part of creating a successful partnership.

When possible, we want the new rider to understand how the horse has been trained and how to communicate with him clearly. Lessons can help riders understand the horse’s seat, leg and rein cues as well as the groundwork, handling and leadership that support the horse’s training.

The right horse still needs the right rider. Our goal is to help create a partnership that is enjoyable, safe and successful long after the horse leaves our farm.

Horses We Would Want to Ride Ourselves

We are selective about the horses we offer because not every horse has the temperament, willingness, soundness and trainability we want in a finished partner.

The horses that make the cut are the ones we believe have the potential to become the kind of horses we would want to ride ourselves: thoughtful, responsive, experienced and enjoyable to be around.