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Training and Workshops
trained trail riding horses, trained pleasure and recreational paso finos. Retire and ride Paso Finos, Fit and active, learn to ride Paso Fino horses
riding trained pleasure paso finos. Trail Paso Fino training for exercise and healthy activities. Riding Paso Finos is good for healthy aging.
Learn to ride trail trained pinto paso fino. Trail and recreational paso finos at Artworks Paso Finos
Paso Finos
Artworks
WORKSHOPS
Robert Darling, a professional Paso Fino trainer, experienced with several gaited breeds, has joined Artworks Paso Finos after moving from Paso Fino Niagara. He brings decades of horse training experience with multiple breeds and offers one on one workshops with clients and their horses.
The usual gaited horse workshop format is a two day affair with the horse boarded on the farm and the folks taking local accommodation, morning sessions, afternoon sessions and conversational dinners at local restaurants. The program is tailored to the horse/rider needs.
Horses can also stay on site for extended training. Please call to discuss your unique requirements. 613-646-2890
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TESTIMONIALS FROM WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS
Lise Ballantyne of Brockville arrived with a beautiful Paso Fino mare that had been trained for the Fino ring in Florida but was proving too much for Lise to enjoy calm trail rides she wanted.
Lise reports: "Once I got Belena tacked up I started riding in the ring for Robert to observe us. Right away he could see how animated she was, collected and just a buzzing like a little machine gun with her feet going a mile a minute without hardly covering any ground. First change he did was to insert a different bit and adjust the way I had my saddle pad sitting. He gave me pointers on how to relax my ankles and feet and my seat, minor adjustments that began to work miracles...He taught me how to move her neck to relax her, to let her know it's OK to relax and enjoy the ride. After three 2 hour sessions (divided in two days) I was able to ride Belena around the ring at a relaxed walk with hardly any contact on the bit and reins while two foals cavorted at one end of the ring, Kim's horse was getting a chiropractic adjustment in the middle of the ring and Jo was banging nails into a board at another end of the ring! I was so impressed with what we accomplished that weekend!"
Kim Porter of Lyn Ontario came along with her friend Lise and brought her Paso Fino gelding Mani that she had imported from North Carolina. In the prevous year Mani had changed from a wonderfully trained, smooth gaited mount to being agitated under saddle and even hopping around and rearing. Chiropractic therapy had helped some but the ride was not relaxing. Robert assessed the horse and found continuing back problems most likely due to an incorrectly fitted saddle.
Kim reports: "Robert showed me where the issues were and how to'steep' his back with some linament and hot moist towels. Robert then began to do some ground work showing me how to get his attention and doing some easy longing. The next afernoon the chiropractor came to adjust Mani and his back seemed much better. I realized now why he was so unfocused and anxious when I came near him with a saddle...I enjoyed the weekend and hope to make a return visit. We enjoyed a relaxing trail ride on Artworks beautiful pinto Pasos. --there is always something new to learn..!"
On another occasion Artworks had the pleasure of hosting Sally Jorgenson and Ann Hedberg from Kemptville, Ontario and their Rocky Mountain horses.
Sally reports: " We had the most incredible session with Robert Darling. By the end of the first day you would not think they
were the same horses. Robert had us ride around the ring in our usual fashion as he observed how we and the horses operated. He then tinkered with the hardware-lengthening stirrups, changing the riders' center of gravity, loosening curb straps etc. The effect was immediate as the horses' heads came down and noses started to tuck in. He also rode each horse for a bit to get a sense of which issues might be horse and which were rider. He has a lovely way with horses-clear, quiet and gentle, but the horses were expected to listen, which they did. By the end of day one the horses were relaxed and happy. We riders were grinning like fools. I scurried home to swap my horse for a younger one whose biggest issue was head tossing. After one session the head tossing was gone. The end of the second day was a trail ride and the horses were as calm and happy and cooperative there as they were in the ring."
"This page outlines the Training Philosophy for horses at Artworks, followed by new sections on Workshops and Testimonials from Participants.
Last is a look at some of our Lessons including those geared to folks with more life experience who are preparing for healthy aging and retirement as well as the joy of some of our youth riders.
Please scroll down to the section that interests you....."
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
At Artworks we believe that production of the Recreational Pleasure Paso Fino requires just as much attention to quality genetics and training as the champion show horse---just different genetics and training. Gait and temperament are paramount.
Gait selection is very important in the recreational horse because although smooth, quick and accurate is still desired, without natural extension forward progress on the trail becomes laborious. The fino horse, although a pleasure to ride, does not lend itself to recreational activities such as long trail rides, jumping, dressage, mounted games, team penning,endurance and competative trail and the numerous other horsey activities people like to get up to with their mounts. The Paso Fino is a versatile horse that when appropriately chosen has the temperament, athletic ability and willingness to do these activities.
LESSONS
Lessons are usually on an hourly basis. The objective is to become a capable trail rider by starting with the basics in the arena, followed by terrain and obstacle challenges in a fenced field and graduating to riding on a bush trail. Thereafter advanced lessons can be on trail.
Artworks specializes in working with folks with more life experience who may also have body issues that make it uncomfortable to ride a trotting type horse. The smooth gait of the Paso Fino is suitable for people with back, hip and knee issues to ride is comfort.
Of course we also welcome youth riders who enjoy the great temperament, smaller size and natural brio of the Paso Fino.
Please call to discuss your wish list. You too can be part of this learning experience! 613-646-2890
In our training, from the initial introduction as adult or foal we use every opportunity to build on the existing
experience base of a horse. Ground and stall manners are
the first priority and these are addressed in the arena. Living in
a cold climate with long winters we have moved our
'round pen training' indoors.
Once we can work comfortably with the horse on lead and prior
to backing, all horses are ponied by an experienced horse to
consolidate leading skills and provide exposure to new
environments.
Once backed we focus on flexibility and manoeuvrability
exercises using mounted games, often played with other horses. This coupled with extensive trail exposure, first in the
pony position and then under saddle allows our horses to learn about new environments in a safe contained way in the
company of another experienced horse. Advance pony-trail training is done in wilderness conditions where the trainee is
turned loose to follow the companion horse. This allows the trainee to do their own problem solving about picking their
footing, navigating prickly foliage (juniper bushes in our case), responding to unexpected bird and wildlife encounters and
navigating water.
We have found that started early at problem solving our horses learn how to learn. Thereafter advanced training under saddle is more readily accepted and progressive. This is the time for biting, gait consolidation and transitions and overall development of condition and self confidence.
Horses are trained in all seasons of the year from +32C (90F) to -20C (-5F). Artworks is fortunate to have 40 km of logging and snowmobile trails on the Canadian shield at our back door where we meet hikers, fellow riders, snowmobilers and four wheelers. All these experiences contribute to well rounded trail horses. The best rides are when we see bear, deer or wolf or when we climb to heights with spectacular lookouts. I enjoy taking out a young horse in the pony position and watching their delight, fear and annoyance at having to choose their own footing through rock and particularly water.
Anne Hedberg reports: "Robert put us through a series of exercises to increase balance and flexability--exercises which will be our homework over the next weeks and months.
