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Strange Things, Calm Horses: A Desensitization Experience for Horses

Real life can throw some pretty strange things at our horses—but meaningful exposure doesn’t require chaos or crowding.

Book a dedicated time slot and give your horse the chance to safely experience the unexpected—without crowding or pressure. Small groups, controlled environments, and thoughtful exposure help build calm, confident horses.

Strange Things, Calm Horses is a scheduled exposure experience, not a traditional one-day clinic. Participants reserve a dedicated time window to bring their horses into a controlled arena environment designed for thoughtful, horse-centered exposure.

To prioritize safety and quality learning:

There will be a limited number of horses in the arena at one time
Participants may book time in 1-hour increments
Sessions are structured to allow horses to work at their own pace
Space, distance, and intensity are adjusted as needed

This format allows for individualized support while maintaining a calm, organized environment for both horses and humans.

What Horses May Be Exposed To

Depending on the session setup, horses may encounter:

Donkeys and miniature horses
Sheep, goats, and alpacas
Dogs and typical farm activity
Tractors and four-wheelers
Ostriches (a uniquely uncommon exposure opportunity)
Peacocks (free-ranging; sightings not guaranteed)

Our Approach

Each exposure is approached with the horse’s mental and emotional well-being as the priority, along with safety for all involved.
This experience is not about flooding horses with stimuli or forcing them to “push through” fear. Instead, we focus on:
Observation and reading equine body language
Respecting thresholds and stress signals
Allowing choice, curiosity, and processing time
Creating positive, repeatable learning moments
The arena setting allows us to carefully control variables—distance, duration, and intensity—so horses can build confidence without becoming overwhelmed.

Who This Is For

This exposure experience is well suited for:
Horses who don’t have access to varied environments at home
Young or green horses building real-world experience
Horses preparing for shows, trails, parades, or off-property outings
Owners seeking practical tools for supporting calm behavior in unfamiliar situations

Strange things happen in life.

Calm horses are built through thoughtful experience.

Schedule - Every Other Saturday

1:00 PM — Novice
2:00 PM — Novice
3:00 PM — Experienced
4:00 PM — Experienced

Upcoming Dates:

2/7
2/21
3/7
3/21

Booking Details

Sessions are booked in advance
Choose a 1-hour or 2-hour time slot
Up to four horses per session
Horses may participate in-hand or mounted (as appropriate to the horse and situation)

Safety & Participation FAQs

Is this a safe environment for horses and handlers?

Yes. Safety is a core priority of this exposure experience.

Sessions are held in a controlled arena environment with carefully managed spacing, group size limits, and adjustable exposure intensity. Each exposure is approached with the horse’s mental and emotional well-being as the priority, along with safety for all involved. We do not flood horses or force interaction with unfamiliar stimuli.

How many horses are allowed at one time?

Group size is intentionally limited based on experience level:

Novice Sessions:
• Maximum of 4 horses in the arena

Experienced Sessions:
• Maximum of 6 horses in the arena

This ensures adequate space, focus, and safety for every participant.

What is the difference between Novice and Experienced sessions?

These distinctions help ensure horses and handlers are grouped appropriately.

Novice Sessions are ideal for:

Green or young horses
Horses or handlers new to exposure work
Riders/handlers who prefer a slower pace
Horses that may need more space or support

Experienced Sessions are suited for:

Horses with prior exposure or off-property experience
Confident riders or handlers
Horses that recover quickly from novelty

If you’re unsure which category fits best, guidance can be provided during registration.

How long are the sessions and how often are they offered?

Sessions are offered every other Saturday during a 4-hour block, divided into Novice and Experienced hours.

Participants book 1-hour time slots within the appropriate session level.
This structure allows for consistency while keeping the environment calm and intentional.

Do I need proof of vaccination to participate?

Yes. Proof of current vaccination is required for all participating horses. Required documentation must be submitted prior to participation. This helps protect the health and safety of all horses on the property.

Is this mounted or in-hand?

Both options may be available depending on the horse, handler experience, and session conditions.

In-hand participation is always acceptable and encouraged for horses who benefit from it. Mounted participation should be appropriate to the horse’s training level and emotional state.

What if my horse becomes overwhelmed?

That’s okay—and expected sometimes.

Horses are never forced to engage. Participants are encouraged to:

Take breaks
Increase distance
Step out of the arena if needed

Learning happens through choice, curiosity, and recovery, not pressure.

What animals or equipment might be present?

Exposure elements may include:

Donkeys and miniature horses
Sheep, goats, and alpacas
Dogs and typical farm activity
Tractors and four-wheelers
Ostriches (a unique exposure opportunity)
Peacocks (free-ranging; sightings not guaranteed)

Not every element will be present during every session.

Do I need to stay for the full hour?

Participants are welcome to use as much or as little of their booked hour as benefits their horse. Leaving early is always acceptable if the horse has had enough for the day.

NEW YEAR, NEW BARN!