What we believe...

 

 

Founding Dabney Riding Academy has been the experience of a lifetime for us!  As a

sixth-generation horsewomen, growing up with my parents, Ed and Colleen Dabney,

in Wyoming was a constant adventure.  My father passed down the time-honored

techniques of Classical Equitation and Gentle Horsemanship.  At Dabney Riding Academy,

our lessons are based on a combination of these tried-and-true techniques and our own

insight into how best to apply these techniques. You won't find any other lesson

program quite like ours. If you ask our students, you will feel right at home.

 

Much of our lesson emphasis is on building rider confidence, safety, clear communication,

light responses and quality of control of speed and direction.  Because of this, our

lessons are applicable to any riding discipline. First and foremost, our students come to

                                                          understand how the hose perceives the ideas

                                                          presented to him and how to communicate

                                                          with him in the same way he communicates with other horses. This is all shed                                                           with respect for the horse by using gentle, natural horsemanship techniques.

 

                                                          As you advance through our program, you'll build confidence in handling                                                                   horses on the ground and when mounted, develop natural communication                                                                        skills and establish a natural authority as a confident, consistent leader for

                                                          the horse.  

 

                                                          At the heart of our program are the principles of Ed Dabney. His formal                                                                     training in 17th century classical equitation provides us with a very unique and broad basis of skills and knowledge to pass on to lesson participants. Students will learn gentle

horsemanship and classical riding techniques that are not taught in any other

lesson program.

 

Often, we begin with a series of seat lessons to help riders find a balanced,

independent seat and to feel more secure in the saddle. It is from this sense of

security that your confident leadership is communicated to the horse.  Our

students develop a natural, anchored seat and learn how to ride from their core.  

Students discover how to eliminate bouncing and flow with your horse's natural

rhythm.  With the safety of being on one of our specially trained lesson horses

—who are all personally trained by us, specifically to be used for instruction—

and being on the lunge, you will be able to really concentrate on all levels of

fundamental riding. These seat lessons have proven to be very helpful even for experienced riders.