Patrick Fox Horse and Rider Training

America’s best trail riding academy program

The time has come for the first national trailing riding academy.  This program is designed for the novice trail rider to certify the rider and horses’ ability to perform required skills for a successful trail riding experience. 

Trail riding today makes up 85% of horse activity.  It has been long in coming, but a program that provides for a safe and successful trail riding has arrived. 

Each horse and rider will be challenged both physically and mentally.  Both participants will learn basic and advanced ground-work, and safety first riding techniques that focus on advanced natural horsemanship techniques.

The backbone of the program will be the riding of no less than 7 different progressively challenging trail rides that are located in a three county area.

How do we (horse and rider) graduate?

To graduate from academy program both horse and rider must…

1.    demonstrate a strong grasp of ground work basics and advanced work

2.    demonstrate a strong command of skills related to groundwork, and a     successful and safe trail ride.

3.    accomplish challenges that are commonly seen on the average and “not so average” trail ride

4.    demonstrate controlled and collected transition between all gaits.

5.    demonstrate active riding capabilities versus passive riding.

What will we have to be able to accomplish?

Do you have horse that….

1. spooks easily
2. tries to push you around on the ground
3. walks with a high head
4. tends to be barn or buddy sour
5. struggles to make a strong stop
6. does not respect your turn request
7. trots or jogs, lops or canters with a high head
8. you think needs more than a full cheek snaffle
9. throws head when bit comes in contact with mouth
10. objects to obstacles
11. crow hops when asked to change gaits

 The program is divided into two classes. 

            Level 1

Walking into the bit, shoulder work, controlled disengaging, sacking out, trailer loading, proactive spooking, safe trail riding, calm down cue,

            Level 2

Trail ride rules, horse psychology, trail riding, power steering, calm down cue, trail ride inventory, trailer unloading, tacking up, safety check, pole positioning on the trail, buddy sour no more, no bucking in a safe and soft manner, walking into the bit, shoulder work, controlled disengaging, speed control, soft turns, obstacle challenge, numerous trail rides that will challenge horse and rider

What time frame are we looking at for successful completion?

Requirement for successful completion of program is two weeks.

Do we have stalls?

We do have 12x12 stalls available for rent $5.00 per day

My horse eats grass hay or alfalfa hay is it available?

Grass Hay or for that matter alfalfa can be purchase from local farmers for $4.00 per small bale (depends on farmer pricing)

A few wheel barrels will be made available (however, if you want to bring your own that would be a good idea also)

Do I have have to supply my own stall bedding?

No.  There are shavings supplied.

Bedding can be purchased at a nearby Farm & Fleet store

A few mucking rakes provided by horse owner (however if you want to bring your own that would be a good idea also)

If I have a sleeping trailer can I stay in it?

Yes you can, however we do not have electrical or waste hook ups.  There is however a KOA campground near Stockton, Illinois 20 miles away.

Where do I stay?

Hotel accommodations in the area:

1.      Holiday Inn Express – Freeport

2.      AmeriHost (under new name..) – Freeport

3.      Ramada Inn – Freeport