Training + Care
On-site professional training for horses who benefit from consistent work while staying at our facility in Arroyo Grande, California.
Horses are accepted from throughout California and beyond. Mobile assessment, training, and handling services are also available throughout San Luis Obispo County and surrounding areas.
Built around the horse
Training + Care is individualized around the horse rather than built around a predetermined training sequence.
Horses may come for foundational handling, behavior and communication work, groundwork, preparation for veterinary or farrier care, riding development, or other horse-specific training goals.
The program can also accommodate horses with limited previous handling who may not yet be able to perform ordinary handling tasks safely or consistently.
How Training + Care works
Three parts, working together.
Board + Care
The horse stays at our facility and receives routine daily care throughout the program.
Training Sessions
Monica works directly with the horse without the owner present. Training is based on the individual horse, current abilities, goals, and progress.
A minimum of 12 Training Sessions per month is required to maintain consistency within the program.
See what training can include
- Approach, catching, and haltering
- Leading and groundwork
- Touch and body handling
- Picking up all four feet
- Preparation for veterinary and farrier handling
- Fear and defensive responses
- Equipment preparation
- Groundwork and communication
- Preparation for riding
- Ridden development when appropriate
- Trailer preparation or loading when appropriate
- Other individual training goals
Owner-Present Sessions
Owner-Present Sessions bring the owner into the work with Monica and the horse. They help the owner understand what the horse is learning and develop the skills to continue the work themselves.
At least one Owner-Present Session per month is required. Four per month are recommended for owners who want consistent participation in their horse’s training.
See what owner sessions include
- Practicing established handling and groundwork
- Developing timing and feel
- Learning the horse’s cues and responses
- Safe handling
- Working through owner-specific challenges
- Learning how to maintain the horse’s developing skills
- Preparing for the horse’s eventual transition home
Build your Training + Care plan
Choose how much professional training and how much owner participation fits your horse and your goals.
21 combined with training
Sessions are used within the month they’re purchased. See how monthly sessions work.
Training approach
Training is based on observation of the individual horse, cause and effect, communication, safety, and the horse’s responses to the work. Goals and methods may evolve as more is learned about the horse.
The purpose is not simply to complete a checklist of behaviors.
The work is intended to develop increasingly useful, reliable skills with the horse while also preparing the owner to understand and continue those skills.
Questions and details
Can a horse with limited handling come?
A horse does not have to arrive already knowing how to do everything required for conventional horse care. Some horses enter training specifically because ordinary handling is difficult or not yet possible.
Depending on the individual horse, training may begin with foundational skills such as being approached, haltered, led, touched, having all four feet handled, accepting equipment, or developing enough safe handling for routine veterinary and farrier care.
Acceptance into Training + Care is determined individually based on the horse, circumstances, available space, health and biosecurity considerations, and whether we can safely and appropriately accommodate the horse.
Do you require an assessment first?
An assessment may be required before a horse is accepted into Training + Care.
The assessment gives Monica an opportunity to observe the horse, learn its history and current circumstances, discuss the owner’s goals, and determine an appropriate path forward.
An assessment does not obligate the owner to place the horse in on-site Training + Care. Depending on the horse and situation, Monica may instead recommend mobile work at the horse’s current location, preparation before relocation, or another training approach.
What about veterinary and farrier care?
Some horses entering Training + Care may have gaps in routine veterinary or farrier care because they have not previously been safe or comfortable enough to handle for those services. When appropriate, training can focus on establishing the handling necessary to make that care increasingly possible.
Health and biosecurity considerations are evaluated as part of intake.
Veterinary services, farrier services, medications, treatments, and other third-party expenses are separate from Training + Care.
Any additional professional handling required specifically for veterinary care, farrier care, medication, treatment, or other appointments may be billed separately when it falls outside the horse’s selected Training Sessions.
How long is the program?
Training progresses according to the individual horse rather than an artificial deadline.
Horses requiring substantial foundational handling may require a longer minimum commitment so there is adequate time to establish skills, develop consistency, and begin transferring those skills to the owner.
A program term represents a commitment to the training process and does not guarantee a particular behavior, milestone, riding goal, or other outcome by a specific date.
How do monthly sessions work?
Every reasonable effort is made to provide all selected sessions within the month as scheduled. Illness, weather, owner absence, or other uncontrollable circumstances may occasionally result in a missed session.
Owner-Present Sessions may be rescheduled when at least 24 hours’ notice is provided, provided the rescheduled session can be completed within the same month of service.
Sessions are provided and used within the month for which they are purchased. Unused sessions do not roll over, accumulate, transfer, or become credits or makeup sessions in a future month. Each new month begins with the number of sessions selected for that month.
All sales are final.
Where is it, and do you travel?
Training + Care is provided on-site in Arroyo Grande, California. Horses may come here from throughout California and beyond.
For horses remaining at their home property, Monica also provides mobile assessment, horse training, and handling throughout San Luis Obispo County and surrounding areas. Mobile services are a separate service from on-site Training + Care.
Is Training + Care right for your horse?
The best first step is an assessment. We’ll talk about your horse, your goals, and whether this program is the right fit.
Call or text 805.709.4663Or email us