LogoDays End Farm Horse Rescue, Inc.

Since 1989

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HORSE TRAINING

The horses that come through our doors have all had difficult, and sometimes traumatizing, backgrounds. We rarely know what our horses have had to go through prior to them coming to us, therefore it is our responsibility to find out what we can about their histories and what training they have/need before placing them up for adoption. Once our horses complete their rehabilitation, we fully evaluate them to determine where they are in their training. The levels of training of our horses can vary greatly; from well-seasoned under saddle to never started, from off-the-track to pleasure, from bomb-proof to completely feral, the list is never-ending. Regardless of their training, it requires time and dedication to bring them along and make them ready for a forever home.

Days End Farm has one, full-time trainer on staff, Sara Nyman, who is responsible for the training of all horses on the property. Obviously, it is quite impossible for Sara to put sufficient time and energy into 50-60+ horses, therefore she relies heavily on the generosity of volunteers with established skills in horse training to share in the daunting task. Whether the training be on the ground or under saddle, there is always a need for help both on and off-site.

Sarah Nyman

Staff Trainer Sara started with us in September 2008 and jumped right into her responsibility as full-time trainer of 50-60 horses on Days End Farm. She is an experienced rider and trainer, with backgrounds in Dressage and Natural Horsemanship training. Sara graduated from the University of Maryland College Park, with a B.S. degree in Animal Science. After graduating, Sara worked under various trainers, gaining experience with a variety of different training techniques, before coming to work for DEFHR.

Soon after Sara's arrival to DEFHR, the effects of her hard work and dedication were already felt. Our horses were progressing well in their training and our adoption numbers started to increase. In the beginning of 2009, Sara completed an apprenticeship under Kenny Harlow, after which she brought back the techniques that she learned and was able to effectively start applying them to our horses. During her time with us, Sara has been able to work closely with many professional trainers, including Kenny Harlow, Scott Purdum, David Beard, Charlie Powers, and Craig Cameron. Her interaction with those trainers has helped her to better the quality of training that our horses receive, as well as formed some very close connections between Days End Farm and some very influential and motivational professionals in the horse training circuit.

Sara has taken on many responsibilities and tasks since arriving to us. In addition to her daily work with our horses, she also assists with our Adoption and Foster Care Programs. Sara's addition to the DEFHR staff has helped our Volunteer Training Team to become active again and it is now stronger and bigger than ever. Sara, along with the help of our Training Team, has made the huge leap of getting our horses off-site to be seen in various local shows, fairs, and expos. The influence that Sara has had at DEFHR is impossible to convey and we are so happy to have her as a part of our team.

On-Site Training

Volunteer Training Team - The Volunteer Training Team is open to adult and select youth volunteers who already have established horse training experience. All volunteers must apply to be a member of the team, which consists of completing a written application, as well as being evaluated with a horse. Based on what each volunteer knows, and what they can bring to the team, their admittance is then determined.

Applicants must keep in mind that the Training Team's main objective is to benefit the horses; to make them safer to handle, easier to ride, and aid in getting them adopted. Horses are assigned to one trainer, or multiple trainers, and it is the trainer's responsibility to be flexible and open to feedback and changes made by Sara and other DEFHR management. Trainers are expected to attend Training Team meetings, which usually occur on a monthly basis. Clinics and other special events are often made available to members of the team and DEFHR highly encourages all members to participate in as much as possible. Special opportunities and privileges are made based on the level of interest and participation shown by each member of the team.

The Training Team is a fun and educational group, filled with many exciting opportunities (ie - clinics, shows, fairs, expos, etc) and fun-loving individuals who all have one thing in common - their love of horses. If you feel like you would be a good fit for our Training Team and would like to further help our horses in a very unique and rewarding way, please contact our Staff Trainer, Sara Nyman, at trainer@defhr.org.

Above:  Training Team performing a drill at the 2009 Montgomery County Fair.


Above:  Sara with two of our volunteer trainers at an eventing competition in 2009.

Off-Site Training

The Off-site Training Program is available to those trainers who would like to donate their services toward furthering along one (or more) of our horses' training to better their chances of adoption. The horses are taken off-site to the trainer's facility, where all expenses paid on that horse are tax-deductible.

Not every horse currently at DEFHR is available for off-site training, as we would rather keep those horses who are solidly trained both on the ground and under saddle at our farm so that they can be easily adopted. The horses that we consider sending for off-site training are any that include being feral, young, unbroke, or having specific problems either on the ground or under saddle that may prevent them from finding a home. We ask that any trainer wanting to assist with off-site training please understand and work with us when trying to determine which horse they will take. We also ask that trainers who take horses to their farms please be open to possible visits from potential adopters accompanied by DEFHR staff while the horse is there.



Trainers who we have worked with for off-site training or clinics include:

        

Overreaching Goals:

  • To provide transportation, holding facilities and quality care for abused and neglected horses.

  • To promote public awareness for the dramatic prevalence of horse abuse and neglect.

  • To foster coorporation and coordination with Maryland humane officials in their abuse investigations.

  • To involve the community in events, activities and a continuing enviroment which teaches patience, kindness and creates a sense of moral and social wel-being.