Blossom Creek Farm is dedicated to providing an environment in which the horse and human can achieve their goals in a beautiful, safe and fun environment. We are an english riding facility with a strong foundation in the philosophies of Natural Horsemanship. With these principals at the forefront, we have teamed up with Matt Brown to help our boarders learn and grow. The following is a description of Matt's training philosophy.
Matt has adopted a multi-faceted philosophy of riding and working with horses. His main objective is to create horses and riders who are confident and skilled partners. He believes that this is achieved, at it's most basic level, through a proper understanding of the horse: how they think, move, and feel, as well as through a proper understanding of one's self as a rider: how we react, balance, and move with the horse.
Matt insists on clear communication with the horse through the thoughtful and correct application and well-timed release of the aids. In their training, the importance of having both trust and respect as the foundation of one's relationship with their horse is continuously emphasized. With such a foundation the horse and rider are free to develop through the Training Scale as partners.
No matter what one may be working on with their horse, Matt believes that the first step that one takes is to help the horse understand the task at hand. Once the horse has a clear understanding of it's task, then it is the rider or handler's job to encourage acceptance within the horse. With a horse that both clearly understands and willingly accepts it's task, we are then able to create brilliance and expression within the horse. As a result both the horse and the rider develop a special confidence and pride in their work and their partnership. In his teaching, he encourages each rider to constantly strive to possess the virtues of compassion, sensitivity, and precision in their riding and handling of their horse. With a clear, fair, and reassuring rider, each horse is more likely to become relaxed, confident, and successful in their job.
Matt’s instruction is clear and easy to understand. He helps riders develop a better understanding of themselves and their horses, which allows them to excel at home and in the show ring. In addition to approaching the training of each horse and rider in a thoughtful, personalized, and methodical manner, Matt believes that it is equally as important to promote the physical well-being of the horse, as most training problems that don't stem from having a confused horse or rider can usually be traced back to a physical issue. He does this by utilizing the expertise of a team of well-rounded equine professionals including trusted vets, farriers, physical therapists, and chiropractors.
Matt has created a refreshing philosophy and approach that takes the whole horse into account. His leadership fosters a safe place for horses and students to build their confidence and meet their goals. No matter what discipline or level of riding, Matt’s training is an invaluable tool.