Instructor Shelly Foster

I currently own 3 horses and have been riding horses for 19 years. I started in Western Pleasure and English Equitation at local shows 18 years ago, then decided I'd rather hit the trails and have been experiencing beautiful scenery and challenging terrain ever since.

My retired Appaloosa gelding is trick trained. I have competed and placed in Endurance riding with my Arabian cross that is a reformed spooky/bolter. Currently I am working towards cow events with my young Quarter Horse cross. I am the future owner of a Thoroughbred (when he's done racing) that I had the pleasure of starting as a young colt and can't wait to get back!

Experience
Round Penning
Ground Work for Respect and Control
Desensitizing the Spooky Horse
Trailer Loading
Colt Starting
Endurance and Trail Riding
Overcoming Obstacles on the Trail (logs, water, etc)

Philosophy
My philosophy is easy. Gain your horse's respect and control on the ground first for a foundation of leadership, trust, and respect. Once established, you can use this foundation as a building block to accomplish any riding goal or obstacle you encounter.

My Training Method
While I have been training horses for 18 years, I have been an avid follower of "The Method" by Clinton Anderson for nearly 10 years now and I embody many of his principles and methods in my training. It's essential to gain your horse's respect and control on the ground through round penning and/or long line work first. Desensitizing is important. Your horse can not be fearful of you or objects in order to learn. Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing more work. Be a Leader for your horse. A One-Rein Stop will save your life!

Please contact Dakota Stables for pricing, availability & scheduling.
952-913-3222

Instructor Natalie Brenner

I have been riding horses between multiple disciplines for 20 years. I believe in using methods from many different riding & training styles to build a confident and mutually respectful relationship between a horse and rider. My philosophy is that patience, time, assertiveness, a calm demeanor and a true love of and a relationship with a horse creates the most rewarding experience. Frustration and aggression have no place around horses.  That being said, the dominant—submissive relationship between horse and rider is important. Horses are herd animals and need consistent and competent leadership in order to feel comfortable enough to do as their rider asks, but this is because of their nature, not because we must ‘break’ them. Riding should be fun for both horse & human!

Experience
Barrel Racing • Team Penning • Dressage (under Lisa Avaloz, Courtney Hoessley, Allison Sader-Larson & Adam Steffens) • Western & English Pleasure • Western & English Equitation • Intercollegiate Riding Club, UW River Falls • Rodeo Club, UW River Falls • Trail • Games • Working w/ beginning riders, folks just getting back into riding, or fearful riders.

My Approach
Open & ongoing communication with you about your goals • Using methods from multiple disciplines • A combination of ground work, lunging and riding (not in a particular order, but as needed) • Regular analysis of progress (if I’m not a good match for you or your horse, I’ll let you know and will help recommend someone who is.)

Please contact Dakota Stables for pricing, availability & scheduling.
952-913-3222