At Winter Raven Farm introducing the horses slowly and with great care to being handled and ridden is of the utmost importance.

We prepare our horses for long term performance by drawing on classical and time-tested training methods using a unique and integrative approach of Dressage and Western-style horsemanship.

Particularly, Western-style horsemanship is crucial for desensitizing the horse, establishing respect and rapport and making a seamless transition from work in hand to work under saddle. With his years of experience, extensive training with some of the most renown Western riders and trainers in the US and a remarkable understanding of and rapport with young horses, Brent Winston  has been Winter Raven Farm’s professional start-up trainer. While owner Becky and other staff work with all the young horses on handling and daily care, Brent has a special role in starting our horses under saddle. Using the most effective methods Western horsemanship has to offer, Brent ensures that our horses have only the best experiences when they are first ridden. Brent builds an outstanding and sound foundation on which we can build when beginning the horses training in basic principles of dressage. We believe this approach is another way in which Winter Raven Farm is unique combining the best of Western horsemanship and classical dressage. 

We invite our clients, friends and visitors to Winter Raven Farm to see the training of our horses first hand. Brent offers clinics at Winter Raven Farm on Western horsemanship as well as training of the young horse and overcoming common obstacles such as trailering and spooking at strange objects. In his training, Brent focuses on timeless principles for how to build love and respect with your horse and to communicate more effectively with the horse by understanding how the horse feels, thinks and responds. Should you be interested in any of Brent’s clinics or on learning more about Brent’s training for young horses, please click here.