Learn Horsemanship
13220 Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD 21082
Jim McDonald for all of your horsemanship needs (410) 627- 4243
Helping people build a trusting relationship with their horses.
Learn Horsemanship in the Baltimore area with Jim McDonald
Change your perspective. Transform your horsemanship.
Horsemanship is the art and science of being with, handling, training and riding horses with an understanding of how the horse sees the world. We must always keep in mind the prey animal perspective. They scare easily and react to a fearful situation reflexively. When fear disappears then curiosity sets it. Their learning is largely through the process of negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is also an important component in the learning process. We must never use aggression in our interactions with them but rather a mindful, calm assertiveness.
While there are no quick fixes when you are dealing with problems that come up with horses, it is important to know how to approach the horse in a way that he will understand. You will see what appears to be fantastic results just by changing how you communicate with your horse. Your horse will be more relaxed and more willing to do what you ask when you ask. Please contact me with questions that you may have. Change your approach and have a better relationship with your horse now!
Open the door to learning
As prey animals, horses survive on fear and reflex. But when fear disappears, curiosity sets it and a horse’s capacity for learning blossoms. We must never use aggression in our interactions with horses but rather a mindful, calm assertiveness. Whether I am teaching basic safety or advanced dressage skills, these are principles I promote at every clinic, lesson, or workshop - and they can be truly transformative for my students.
Learn to speak the right language
There are no quick fixes when you are dealing with issues with your horse, but by learning to communicate in a way he will understand, you can solve just about any problem. My students see fantastic results simply by changing how they communicate, because their horses become more relaxed and more willing.
It’s never early or too late to build a better relationship with your horse. Let’s talk!
Horseback Riding
Riding should be fun but sometimes we need a little help learning how to make it more fun filled …
I can teach you to be balanced in your saddle with good alignment and make it easier for your horse to carry you and perform the maneuvers you ask of him.
Clinics
Jim McDonald's Horsemanship clinics and courses give you a fresh approach to horsemanship based on the principles of behavioral science and learning theory.
The format includes a symposium/discussion in the morning. A break for lunch then work with the horses in the afternoon.
Jim's Wisdom
- To calm your horse, quiet your mindAnyone who has ever taken up meditation, yoga, or any kind of mindfulness practice knows that intentionally quieting your own thoughts is not easy. It’s something you have to work at. But when you’re
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