Student Programs at Cardinal Ranch

Buddy and Devanee Cardinal have often talked about the mutual benefit of matching high level horsemanship students with young horses. Thus the idea for putting together a team of Horse Development Specialists was born.

All students at Cardinal Ranch are involved in horse development on some level. The amount depends largely on the foundation they have in their personal horsemanship. Because of this, our colt start methods are as safe as we can make them and draw from experience working with horseman such as Jack Brainard, Martin Black and Eddo Hoestra, of course using a Parelli focused foundation. We therefore place a high value in you progressing through the Parelli levels as a significant part of that foundation. There is a point though, when the horses become our best teacher. As you know, each ‘horsenality’ is different and has something new to teach us. We offer them our ‘savvy’ and they give us the feedback we need to improve upon it. Remember Principle #7, horses teach humans and humans teach horses.

The second part of the equation is ‘coordinating’ such a team. Enter ‘Tanya Bennett’ into the picture. This 3* Aussie Parelli Professional was very vocal about how much she appreciated the unrelenting amount of horse development she could do when she arrived at our ranch. It was something she was passionate about, but hadn’t had many opportunities to do in the past. Cardinal Ranch provided the perfect environment for which to implement much of what she had learned as a Parelli Mastery Student the previous 18 months. Opportunities like the 14 two year olds, 10 three year olds and a couple of challenging older horses that needed a bit of extra attention and support was exactly what she had been looking for.

Horse Development includes the following:
 
• Colt Starting (referring to accepting the human, saddle and rider) which is usually set up over a two week period the end of September or early October.

• Foundation Development of 2/3 yr olds, that includes a progression through the Parelli levels as well as ranch riding and cow work. This is largely preparing horses for our ‘Partners, not Projects’ horse sale program.

• Restarting Challenging Horses. Sometimes we get horses that need a ‘restart’ or at least some holes filled in their foundation. There are also opportunities offering horses confidence in specific areas that are challenging for them.

Applicants will be selected based on their suitability and are required to complete an application process. Students need to come with the skill necessary, and flexibility to go right into horse development. If you are not sure, a great way to start would be through the student program and onto horse development when you are ready. Ideally we would like to see you with a Parelli Horse Development rating or your L4 in the Parelli program, but recognize that you may have the skills or talent without the Parelli foundation. If you don’t have either of these, the student program will allow you to demonstrate your ability in these areas and focus on your Parelli foundation. In the interest of consistency for our developing horses, students are encouraged to commit for an extended period of time. A minimum stay would be 6-8 weeks but students attending for the full program (May- mid Oct) will receive the most benefit.

Horse Development Specialists are welcome to participate in any clinics that are of interest. For example; Martin Black Ranch School, Don Halladay Level 4/5, Eddo Hoekstra (Walter Zettl Dressage Protégé). As a Horse Development Specialist, you are offered the reduced price for students and should inquire for these dates if you are interested.

Members of the Horse Development Team do not pay a program fee. A place to stay is provided and all participants buy their own groceries. Horse Development students are requested to bring their own equipment, particularly their own saddle. Exceptions can be made for special circumstances.