YOUNG HORSE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

BUILDING CONFIDENCE • ESTABLISHING TRUST • CREATING A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS

A THOUGHTFUL BEGINNING

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We believe a successful young horse begins with patience, consistency, and a solid foundation. Our individualized program develops trust, manners, balance, responsiveness, and confidence through progressive, age-appropriate education. Each horse advances according to its own physical and mental readiness—not a fixed checklist.

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WHY WE RECOMMEND 60–90 DAYS

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We strongly encourage a minimum 60-day commitment. Thirty days can introduce important concepts, but young horses need repetition and positive experiences to understand and retain them. A 90-day stay allows additional time to reinforce skills and develop greater consistency. We believe in developing horses correctly, not quickly.

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FULL-CARE BOARD INCLUDED

1. Private 12 × 12 stall, complete stall care, fresh water, and daily wellness observation

2. Quality hay, routine feeding, and individualized daily management

3. Daily turnout as weather and conditions permit

4. Coordination of routine farrier and veterinary appointments

 

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING INCLUDED

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4–5 days per week of hands-on training, tailored to the horse’s age,

temperament, experience, and readiness. Training areas are detailed Below.

PROGRAM INVESTMENT TOTAL

MONTHLY EQUIVALENT

30-Day Introduction

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Monthly

  $1,500

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60-Day Foundation • Recommended minimum

 

2 month package $2,900                                                        $1,450 per month

 

90-Day Development

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90 day (3 months) package $4,200                                        $1,400 per month

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Additional owner expenses: Supplements, specialty feed, medications, veterinary and farrier services, and other specialized or owner-requested care are not included

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LIMITED ENROLLMENT

To ensure individualized attention and consistent, quality training, enrollment is intentionally limited.

Please contact Winter Haven Farm for current availability or to join our waiting list.

Quality over quantity. Every horse deserves our best.

 

 

THE TRAINING CURRICULUM

INDIVIDUALIZED FOUNDATIONS FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING

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01  GROUND MANNERS & DAILY HANDLING

Haltering and leading; personal space; standing tied or held;

backing and yielding to pressure; picking up feet; grooming, bathing, clipping,

and farrier/veterinary manners.

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02  ROUND-PEN WORK & FOUNDATIONAL GROUNDWORK

Body-language and voice cues; forward movement; transitions; halting and changing direction;

yielding the shoulders; disengaging the hips; focus and responsiveness; walking over poles and tarps,

age-appropriate introduction to lunging.

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03  LONG-LINING & GROUND DRIVING

Introduction to long lines and driving equipment; following the nose; steering

and directional aids; disengaging the hindquarters;

softness and lateral flexibility; straightness, rhythm, balance, halts, and transitions.

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04  DESENSITIZATION & CONFIDENCE

Progressive exposure to new sights, sounds, ropes, tarps, poles, cones, obstacles,

clippers, and unfamiliar environments; developing curiosity and calm, thoughtful responses.

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05  PRACTICAL LIFE SKILLS

Trailer loading and unloading; standing quietly in the trailer; negotiating gates

and new spaces; patience, independence, and appropriate behavior around horses and people.

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06  INTRODUCTION TO TACK

Saddle pad and surcingle; gradual acceptance of girth pressure; comfortable movement in equipment;

introduction to saddle and stirrups; age-appropriate introduction to bridle and bit;

groundwork that reinforces rein and directional cues.

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07  PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT STAGE

Reinforcement of steering, balance, coordination, softness, and responses to light pressure;

ground poles and simple obstacles where appropriate; developing the confidence and understanding

needed for future under-saddle work.

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THE NEXT STEP: UNDER-SADDLE TRAINING

Backing and riding are not included in these packages. When a horse is physically and mentally ready, Winter Haven Farm can arrange continued education with an experienced trainer who offers starting under saddle. This next phase is separate from the Young Horse Development Program and its listed prices.

All curriculum elements are introduced according to the individual horse’s readiness; completion of specific skills within a given package is not guaranteed.