All our horses carry the “AH” brand, which stands for Authentic Horsemanship. As you read through this page, you might find some new, unfamiliar ideas and theories but all common sense. AH Horsemanship is our concept of Natural Horsemanship.
Authenticity Means Independence with an Open Mind…
Authenticity to us means objectivity, honesty and doing the right thing with an open mind. With an authentic approach to training, a horse is able to develop its full potential, regardless of bloodlines and breeding.
Our AH string of horses is diverse; Mustangs, registered and non-registered Quarter Horses, Arabian half-breeds and other horses from all walks of life, have all passed through AH Training and matched the 3 C’s in order to earn the brand.
At AH we do not believe that a certain breed, bloodline, or paying any amount of money for a horse will guarantee that the horse is, or will be, a great horse. While we believe that some produce a higher percentage of great prospects and we believe that all kinds of horses can become great horses and partners.
There are many horses out there that given a fair chance, and trained by capable and respectful hands, can be great horses.
We feel that financial interest, subjective and opportunistic motivations tend to close the open mind, kill authenticity and often blur the focus on making sound choices to ensure the wellbeing of both horse and rider.
An open-minded approach to horses and a willingness to keep learning is a crucial part of the AH concept.
Authentic Leadership & People to support the AH Concept
We recognize that working with horses is similar to working with people, which is all about leadership. At AH Horses & Training, the individuals that work with and train our horses also need to meet our 3 C’s of Character, Conduct and Competence.
Character means honesty; authenticity, objectivity and trying to do the best you can without manipulation or hidden agendas.
The right Conduct is required to channel the above in a respectful, patient and well-mannered way. It means knowing when to be soft and when to be firm, not shying away when confrontation is necessary. Much as horses behave in the herd or in the wild.
In addition to Character and Conduct, we need superb Competence, as it takes professional hands and an excellent eye to lead a horse to excellence and develop its full potential. The horses also have a feel for this, and will only realize 100% of their potential with a great 3 C trainer. As an old saying goes, “It takes strong shoulders to carry a lot of wealth, no matter being money, talent, knowledge or power.” Horses do not have much say or choice in regard to their training, so whoever handles them needs do it with the best of intentions in mind.
When working with horses, most of the time the horse is not the problem, the rider or the handler is. That is where we start. Not the other way around.
The Ability to Manage Leadership Skills & Talents
The more competence and leadership skills one possesses, the more responsibility this individual carries. Character and Conduct are essential for strong leaders who need to be able to channel their talent and skill. Without this sense of what is appropriate or beneficial, one could abuse their competence and talent to become political or manipulative. Thus, it is essential that the individuals associated with AH Horses & Training maintain a solid balance of the 3 C’s.
At AH Horses & Training, we believe that working according to the 3 C’s concept allows us to train and develop great horses that are safe, light and enjoyable, regardless of their breeding or background. The above principles are fundamental when hiring our trainers like Farrah Green and our wranglers at both The Trapper Creek Ranch and The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch.
You can read more on how we hire our trainers elsewhere in this website.
For more information please visit www.thehideout.com
