It is a special thing to be a Mill Swamp Rider. My riders are not seeking to win ribbons with the techniques that they learn with us. They are seeking to become real horseman. We do not try to ride in proper show style. Instead we ride in a manner that is most comfortable for the horse and rider. Heels lower than toes, toes in front of knees, sit on your pockets,use only one rein stops, and in all things seek lightness. Remove the pressure when the horse begins to start to consider thinking about possibly complying with the cue. And make that a quick release.
During the summer of 2007 my little riders and I started eight horses, including two wild stallions, and a donkey to the degree that they could be regularly ridden safely in the woods. All this was accomplished without having a single horse buck with a rider aboard.
Many of my riders purchase colts from our herd and at age two the rider and I train the horse to saddle. Not all of my riders are children. About 1/4 are adults. We put a lot of miles on our horses. We ride several nights a week during the summer, all morning on Saturdays, and all afternoon on Sunday's. On Saturday afternoons we start colts and train horses. Several of my more talented students are taking an art class at our facility with Kay Kerr with an eye toward producing equine art of sufficient quality to donate to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund for sale in the gift shop.
We have conducted clinics in three states demonstrating our methods of colt starting and have even produced a DVD on the subject. During the summer some of my little riders spend over 15 hours a week in the saddle. Our fee schedule provides for the same cost whether riding one hour per week or fifteen hours.
More about the philosophy of our riding and training program later.
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