Horse Board and Training

Many of the horses in the Vermont Mounted Response Unit reside at Catamount Ranch, and all of its mounts and rangers are trained at the ranch. Space is available for a limited number of civilian horses to board and train at the ranch with Captain Grant Mitchell, the same trainer we use with the elite unit.

Clients often refer to the horse training programs here at the ranch as a "camp for horses" where mounts learn new skills, make new friends and return home ready to show off their talents. So strong are the relationships we develop with our clients and these mounts, it's not at all unusual for a truck and trailer to come up the driveway loaded with rider and horse just stopping by for a visit.

We believe training should be fun and rewarding for the horse. Our outdoor equine challenge course provides an inviting set of obstacles and evokes amazement among those who watch the horses at 'play'. The horses are so proud of their accomplishment that they routinely want to show off their newly mastered skills.

Training Methods

Captain Grant Mitchell pioneered the Natural Learning Systems© method of training employed by the Horse Patrol and at Catamount Ranch. We utilize a blend of ancient, native and modern training methods from around the world to create an environment where horses actively step forward to be the next in line for that day's training. After more than thirty years of focused development, Natural Learning Systems© is recognized by some of the industry's top trainers as one of the most effective ways to improve communication and performance.

The spectacular results that we obtain are built upon a foundation of trust and communication. Capt. Mitchell has a strong academic and amazing experiential background in interspecies communication, and helps ranch personnel and clients develop greater understanding of the languages spoken by horses. The horses that he trains quickly discover that in his presence no harm will come to them from any quarter. They respond by becoming his attentive—almost adoring—students.

When a horse first arrives it is given a private outdoor paddock from which it can observe all ranch activities. Initial handling and lessons are performed either in the paddock, in an adjacent round pen or in the fields surrounding ranch pastures. The paddock offers the newcomer the opportunity to see and communicate with the other horses on site while enjoying space to move about.

Later the horse is transferred to a central pasture near the paddock for even more space to run. Training sessions generally begin with time at the barn for grooming and handling, followed by the activities of the day. All horses receive daily personal attention and are given one day off from training each week.

Owner Involvement

We believe that proper training includes the education of both horse and rider, so the skills your horse develops in our hands ultimately transfer to your hands where they can continue to flourish. Equine training programs at Catamount Ranch enable the horse owner to periodically participate in and learn from the horse's training sessions. Training begins with a professional evaluation of your horse, after which one of our trainers will work with you to establish your training goals and ultimately a written training plan. Your horse's training follows your acceptance of the written plan, and you are invited to participate in selected training sessions to ensure that your horse experiences a smooth transition when returning to your hands.

Cost

Horse training at the ranch (includes horse board and a minimum of five training hours per week):

• $200/week per horse
• $600/month per horse

Horse training at your facility (includes mount evaluations and working with multiple horses for up to eight hours/day; travel, meals and lodging away from the ranch are not included):

• $275 per 1/2 day
• $500 per day
• $2000 per week

Horses not in training at the ranch are pasture boarded at $400/month. (Ranch members pay $300.)