Just as we are individuals, every horse has its own personality. An important part of my training philosophy is to treat each horse as an individual. In order to see the best in your horse, you must keep in mind his personality and limitations.
I use training methods that work with the horse's instincts, to communicate in a way that makes sense and encourages willing participation in training. Having patience and using training methods that encourage the horse to remain calm and supple is my number one priority when working with a new horse.

I also believe that if your horse does not respect you or is fearful of you, he will never fully trust or obey you. A horse should respect and care for their handlers, cooperate, and try each new task presented. In nature horses establish a hierarchy and pecking order within the herd, and establish boundaries and claim space around them. I believe the same results can be obtained if we duplicate their actions. When I communicate with my horses I’ve found that it’s easier for me to use their language. While I want to be viewed as their superior I am mindful that I do not want to be viewed as a predator or as the bully in the herd. I don't believe that horses should be treated like machines for showing and winning; I have learned that they often perform better when they are treated as friends and partners. This is why I believe in training through rewards rather than punishment; I never use cruel training aids such as short/quick stops or severe bits and rarely use draw reins or whips. Typically, I start each new horse in a full-cheek waterford and standing martingale as I believe they help to encourage proper carriage while allowing the horse some freedom to develop its own unique way of going. My horses learn mainly by positive reinforcement, they receive a "good boy", pats on the neck, and a lap off when they have performed each task correctly. As a result of my encouraging and positive methods they trust me, strive to please me, enjoy their work, and are rarely over-whelmed by new challenges in training. Many trainers would have you believe that the horse is first and foremost a wild animal that responds only to "pressure and release of pressure". I believe that is only the smallest part of what a domisticated horse is today and I know from my daily experience that they respond best when they have formed the bond based on love, fairness, and trust that only comes with patience and deligence in all aspects of horse ownership.

A key part of my training is providing personal care to my horses every day; spending hours with them outside of the normal training schedule. During winter months, daily care consists of three hot meals, 8 hour day-time turnout, morning stall cleaning (twice if it is rainy), blanket check, and grooming. Summer care includes three small meals, 14-16 hour evening to morning grazing, twice daily stall cleaning, and grooming.
Since my horses get plenty of time out doors they view their time with me as time to focus and work; not playtime. Turnout gives them their own creative time, and plenty of exercise which allows them to truly focus during training. Since they are attentive we get more accomplished in shorter training sessions (25-40 min), and longeing is rarely required.
In addition to top-notch care, and 3-4 training sessions each week, I typically perform the farrier work as well. All the time spent with each horse pays off in the end; I believe they can see that they are loved, how hard I work for them and, usually, they love and work for me in return.