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Natural Horsemanship

Natural Horsemanship School
(Mules Too!)

It's not what you whisper to your horse, its what your horse whispers to you.

A note from James Mater, trainer
Horses and Humans, we both live in the natural world. It’s been the desire of humans to ride and work horses from the beginning.

The desire to have a trusting, harmonious and safe relationship with horses is the end result. Having a harmonious rapport with equine, in so many ways, we as humans, need to be more like our horses.

Aside from the technical aspects of the school, we present the following discussions…

  • Horses live in the moment.
  • Horses are completely aware of their surroundings.
  • Horses remember “everything” from birth to death.
  • Horses react positively with steady kindness.
  • Horses are sensitive to weather changes.
  • Horses express themselves outwardly if they are fatigued, thirsty, sick or injured.
  • Horses live on nature’s clock.

The awareness of these qualities, and more, is the core of our Natural Horsemanship School. Teaching methods and techniques to build trust, safety and a harmonious relationship with your equine partner. Your relationship with your horse can grow and evolve into something beautiful and surprising. Having a horse as a friend and companion for life, is the best reward we can have.

Who is this School For?
For riders who wish to explore the quiet messaging that horses and the natural world express.

Beginners
We train towards advancing your skill set to intermediate ability.

Intermediate Riders
We train towards advancing your skill set to advanced.

Advanced Riders
We train towards adding more skills and ability to your experience.

Students are welcome to bring their own equine or use ours. Horses or mules. School is 1x1 or 2x1 or 3x1. Includes lodging and food. Comfortable Log Cabin facilities and training center. U-Trail Ranch borders the Gila National Forest and Wilderness for diverse landscapes and riding challenges.

In five days, I went from being afraid of riding to feeling in command of my horse. Thank you again.

— Lynn, San Francisco, CA

Contact U-Trail

James Mater, Wild Horse Road
PO Box 66, Glenwood, NM 88039
Email: utrail@gilanet.com | cell: 575-519-8569

School Curriculum - Five Days, Five Steps
Riding instructions & training each day
Training Schedule 2023

March 26th-30th
April 23rd-27th
May 21st-25th
June 25th-29th
July 23rd-27th
Aug. 27th-31st
Sept. 24th-28th

Price:
$1500.00 six days, plus 9.1% tax. 


Day One, Step One:
Observe & Communicate
Your safest experience with your equine partner starts with your ability to observe and communicate. Communication starts with your observations. Students are trained to achieve the proper state of mind, for no-judgement observations. Techniques are taught to bond with your equine partner.

Day Two, Step Two:
Tack & Gear for Sustainable, Long-Term Use
For a safe and confident riding experience, students are taught proper use of tack and gear. The result to minimize wear on the equine and wear on the rider. How to detect saddle sores and steps to keep your equine on the trail. Taking particular emphasis on riding techniques on difficult terrain. Training for sustainable, long-term use of your equine partner.

Day Three, Step Three:
Enhance Riding Skills
Enhanced riding skills are taught, merging your relationship with your equine to challenges on the trail. Gradually, difficulty is increased to build trust and safety. Skill set is acquired by repetition and awareness of the environment surrounding you.

Day Four, Step Four:
Equine First Aid
This training helps you to see problems in advance before they become acute. See at a glance, the status of your horses health. Solutions to colic, dehydration, inflammation, soreness, open wounds, saddle sores and more. Learn to encourage you're equine to drink to avoid dehydration. Shoeing and hoof instruction.

Day Five, Step Five:
Plan Your Adventure
On the trail awareness. Planning for back-country rides increases your ability to handle unexpected events. Planning a day trip, includes proper tools, first aid supplies, map reading, GPS use, rain gear, fire building supplies, and weather forecasting. Preparation brings you and your horse back safely.

Jim Mater, Trainer → Bio Video

Planning - Your Tools

Planning - Tack & Gear

Planning - First Aid

Great Horses

Thank you James for the eye opening Horsemanship School. It was a daily awareness awakening that boosted my abilities and confidence. 

— Kyle, Socorro, NM

Great Riding Experiences

Schedule Your Wilderness Adventure