KIMBERLEE  STRAUSS

        Horsemanship from the Heart

   

   

"The only commendation a rider should seek is that of his horse"

     E. Beudant

    I must begin by saying a big "Thank you" to my students, past and present for all they have taught and continue to teach me!  I will be forever grateful to each and every one of them.  And, a huge thank you to the horses for their continued patience with all of us! 

Just as with the horses, it is critical to adopt an individualized approach to each student.  Everyone learns at their own speed with no pressure to keep up with anyone else or be held back 

as another may need strengthening with a particular skill before moving on.  My focus is to maintain a positive atmosphere where learning is fun and creative thinking is encouraged.

    Each lesson is a private one hour session and therefore I am able to customize the time to help an individual reach his or her specific goals.  It is vital to me that my students are safe and well rounded in their horsemanship.  To that end, I work with them on the ground as well as in the saddle to develop an awareness of the horse and his or her body language at all times.  They are taught everything from routine care and grooming to basic first aid.  Sometimes the lessons are on a longe line, sometimes they are on the trail and sometimes we work with obstacles, all in addition to work in the arena.  When needed, I will videotape a lesson to help a student better understand their relationship to the horse as we work on a particular exercise.  For intermediate and advanced riders, there is also an emphasis on the cause and effect aspects of our balance, positioning and timing in the saddle in relation to the horse's response to our riding. 

    I am certified by the American Riding Instructor Association in the disciplines of Dressage, Western and Recreational Riding.

 

    All students are required to wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet when riding and proper footgear with at least a one inch heel.