Partnership Horse Training is empowering, mutually beneficial for horse and owner, and grows both of you together - just as all great partnerships should! Mattie strongly believes that horses and their owners need to work together to grow and learn in horse training situations. This form of horse training is for owners who want to grow along with their horse and who want to see the process as well as the product. Partnership Horse Training works for young or green horses (even ones needing starting) all the way through to performance horses.

Traditionally, horses are sent to the "trainer" for several weeks to months to learn something (starting, problem/challenging horse issues, advancing skills, etc.). Mattie's experience has been mixed as to the success of this form of training for several reasons. 1.) The horse is learning new things and growing, but the human is not. 2.) The horse develops trust, confidence, and understanding with the trainer but this does not automatically translate to the owner - these things are only earned. 3.) The owner is often not growing and learning while the horse is at the trainer's... either the horse is the only one that the person has or it is the "challenging horse" that needs extra help... either way, the gap in communication and learning is greater after the horse is with the trainer. Mattie's solution to these problems is to have a horse training/instruction combination for horse and owner over several weeks or months.

Weekly Intensive Training
This situation is best for horses and owners that can dedicate one or more days each week to at least one or two hours of studying directly with Mattie and can then can take her homework to independent study for several sessions until the next week's lessons. Both you and your horse will learn a lot and very quickly if you are able to dedicate this time. You get the benefit of Mattie working directly with your horse on a weekly basis and you can see the progressive steps. This is absolutely the BEST way to train your horse - you will reach your goals very quickly, your horse will have an experienced hand to show him what to do, and then you will be able to work on the smaller pieces inside of what Mattie teaches your horse so you can become more skilled too.

Monthly Intensive Training
This situation is best for an owner that can dedicate at least two sessions a week to studying with their horse or horses between lessons/horse training time with Mattie. Mattie works with you and your horse (or in many cases, several horses!) for two or three days intensively - several hours each day. You are then given specific homework and goal setting. You need to work with your horse(s) several times in the coming month. Mattie is always available for coaching or problem solving if something comes up between monthly lessons. The next lesson will check your practice and then add to what you have learned. People who have done this with Mattie have learned to be independent, their skills have grown by leaps and bounds, and their horses advance each session.

Long Distance Coaching and Intensive Check Ups
Some people are not able to study directly with Mattie on a weekly or monthly basis but can still get horse training help from her. She recommends an intensive learning session at least once every six months so she can get hands-on feel of your horse's progress and any issues. She will coach you through problems and road blocks while making sure you are working toward your goal with your horse.