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The Program
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About the Program
Carlyn Lengwenus is an avid instructor specializing in the
hunter/jumper & equitation discipline. She has also been
teaching and training horses and riders in various disciplines
(western, dressage, event, trail) with very
positive results. The reason for this, is that the basic
concepts of riding and schooling a horse are the same and will
work for most horses and riders, regardless of discipline.
Carlyn teaches on the basis of riding thru feel and effective
communication with your horse, which involves creating effective
riding habits and developing rider skills that will then able to
help improve the horses understanding of the aids. Ultimately a
horse that understands communication from the rider will gain
confidence and positive attitudes towards riding, therefore both
horse and rider will be safe, effective partners. “My goal is
always to create a safe and positive environment for horse and
rider, while helping them to develop into the best that
they can be as a team.”
More About the Techniques
Carlyn’s program incorporates a variety of techniques including
natural horsemanship, dressage, hunter/jumper & equitation, and
trail riding. Natural horsemanship involves riding through feel
and timing, creating trust between horse and rider, and
developing a reliable partnership on which both can build. Her
natural horsemanship routes involve the works of several
different trainers, although she primarily involves the
techniques of Tom Dorrance and John Lyons. Natural horsemanship
allows Carlyn to develop horses from “the ground up.” She has
learned that a horse that doesn’t have the proper communication
skills on the ground, cannot effectively communicate with their
rider under saddle due to a disconnect that is often over looked
and thereby tends to result in a confused and trouble horse (and
rider). By taking the time to create clarity on the ground and
develop the understanding of communication thru feel before
stepping into the saddle, riders and their horses will find an
entirely new partnership begin to evolve when they ride.
Carlyn also believes that dressage is a vitally important
foundation to the physical and mental development of the horse.
Without proper flatwork, a horse will have holes in their
training, weakening the structure of their physical and mental
“foundation.” Eventually these missed training steps will show
up (usually as more difficult or demanding performance is
expected of them) and the result will be a troubled and
problematic horse. Many riders fail to remember that the
majority of the time spent on their horse will be flatwork
related, therefore both horse and riders skills should be
adequate. It will give them the tools to deal with situations
and develop beyond their current level, all while avoiding the
inconsistencies caused by inadequate flatwork development.
Sufficient dressage can become your ally, helping you where
necessary. A lack thereof can also become your worst enemy,
hindering you as you ride. Dressage allows a horse to learn to
free their body and mind by teaching them to move in ways that
they might not normally do while remaining relaxed and
confident. A strong base in dressage will only further the
horses development so that a partnership filled with harmony and
togetherness can exist.
Her hunter/jumper and equitation routes enable her to further
develop the show potential of the horse and rider, using
gymnastics and other exercises to develop the confidence and
ability of the horse over fences, and better riding exercises to
enable the rider to become secure, effective and balanced in
order to enable and encourage, rather than inhibit, their horse.
She uses trail riding (or hacking) to give horses and riders the
exposure required to produce quiet, level-headed minds that will
bring steady responses to the unusual circumstances that horses
can and will encounter in real life situations. Whether you are
a recreational rider or a show rider, this tool becomes
invaluable for your safety and enjoyment of riding your horse
both inside and outside of the arena.
Finally, Carlyn teaches riders to ride with a purpose and to be
thinking riders with a greater insight into the how's, why’s and
when’s of riding and training. Her hope is that with help
they will become more informed and meaningful horsemen and women
creating positive experiences for their horses. All together
this program aims to create a relaxed, confident, and positive
minded horse (and rider too!) that will provide a partnership
with a lifetimes worth of enjoyment.
“The key is balance between all aspects of riding because a
balanced horse is a happy horse!”
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