Gascon Horsemanship Horse Training
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can I expect from Gascon Horsemanship’s horse training program?
When you send your horse for training at Gascon Horsemanship you are guaranteed a hard-working team around your horse. Michael Gascon and the team at the ranch will make sure that your horse gets the best possible care and treatment. You can expect honesty about your horse’s progress in the training, no matter if it is good or bad news. We are not in the business of trying to keep horses in training for as long as we can or glorifying your horse’s abilities into something they’re not. We want to be honest with you so that you can enjoy your equine partner as soon as possible!
2. Who manages the horse training at Gascon Horsemanship?
As the head trainer, Michael Gascon will be responsible for the training of your horse throughout the whole period. Michael will set up a program for your horse and follow up regularly to make sure your horse makes the progress needed to achieve your equine goals. Your horse will be ridden and worked by other members of the team such as hired trainers and students to make your horse as forgiving as possible and used to change of hands. All training, when Michael is not the one on your horse for a training session, is following our Gascon Horsemanship methods and is supervised by Michael Gascon to ensure top quality.
3. Who will take care of my horse during its training?
Your horse will get the best possible care at Gascon Horsemanship. We have a full-time nutritionist on staff that will make sure your horse gets all the supplements and the right amount of grain. Your horse will have free-choice grass hay and regular turnout is available. If anything happens to your horse, we will contact you immediately and provide veterinary care if needed. We also have a farrier, equine chiropractor, and equine dentist coming regularly if your horse would need any of these services, feel free to let us know! Our farrier charges $50 for a trim and $100 for a full set of shoes.
4. What will communication be like during my horse’s training period?
Every horse owner is different and we understand that your horse is your pride and joy. Although not guaranteed, Michael regularly puts videos and highlights from training horses and colt starting on his facebook page. Due to liability, we have stopped sending 2 week update videos due to people wanting to come pick up their horse thinking that it is now ready for them, even if only 2 weeks under saddle due to the progress that Michael is able to make with them. We want to be honest with you and your horse's progress, so please understand that although horses are going through the process with Michael, it doesn't immediately mean that they are beginner ready/forgiving yet. Every horse will be different and we will do everything we can to make sure that you are accurately updated on our suggestions for continued training or rider type if needed. Should you want an update on your horse, you are welcome to call or text us at 573-694-8423! Some owners prefer to just come pick their horse up and don't care to be bothered so we let the owners have open communication with our contact number for what questions you would like answered. We’d be happy to share more on your horse’s progress! Please have patience with our response time as it may take a couple hours for us to get back in the office after training horses all day.
5. How do I pay for my horse’s training?
Current training rates are $2,000 per month all-inclusive. We require a minimum of 30 days of training. Payment is due upfront at the start of every new training month. You will be sent an invoice to the email stated in the horse training contract. Payment methods include PayPal, Credit Card, Cash, Check, Or 3rd Party Payments (launching Fall 2019). In the case of an unpaid invoice, we will withdraw the money from the credit card stated in the horse training contract.
6. What does my horse need to have done before coming to training?
Horses must have current negative coggins and proof of UTD vaccination for Strangles, Equine Influenza, Rhino (EHV 1 & 4), West Nile, EEE/WEE, and Tetanus. For the safety of your horse and all other training horses, we will be checking this prior to the arrival of your horse. We also suggest making sure that your horse has a great body condition score and has been reset or trimmed by the farrier prior to coming to make sure that we can start straight into training without any set backs.
7. What does my horse's daily maintenance consist of?
Breakfast is served at 7am and Dinner at 4pm daily. Free choice hay is available 24/7 . Stalls are cleaned 6 days a week and re-bedded daily to ensure comfort. Turn-out paddocks are used on rotation for play, rolling, playing in the water tub, and sun time. Each horse receives proper fly spray and sunscreen (if needed) before being turned out and then receives a full bath before coming back inside. All training horses are only turned out by themselves with no direct contact with other horses. Paddocks are rubber fencing with an electric fence barrier. All horses are worked 6 days per week. Sunday is a rest day.
8. What does a normal day of training look like for my horse?
Depending on the time of year, your horse may be ridden at any point throughout the day when it is their turn. During the summer hours, we switch to riding horses in the early morning, overnight, and/or late evening. Horses will not be ridden in the heat of the day. Ride time for each horse will vary depending on what the goals are for that horse, what they are working on for the day, and how far along they are in training. Each horse is started in Preschool, regardless of their abilities/past training, and then Michael offers them the final exam of every grade level until they fail. When they fail, he fixes the root of the problem and then moves on to the next grade level. It's the same process for colt starting horses. He refuses to be the horse's biggest limitation, if they are ready, who is he to hold them back? Many of the colt starting horses have a super successful first ride in the first session due to this philosophy. This allows the horse to have an easy and enjoyable first month of training with actual riding. Our program DOES NOT wear the horse out to get what we want. All of our training is from cold with no lunging to wear the horse out. We want them to be cold, sensitive, and ready to learn whatever it is we are asking for the day.
Normal Daily Training Schedule:
-Remove From Stall
-Tie In Saddling Area
-Groom (Brush, Shine Spray, Saddle, Fly Spray)
-Tie & Stand Patiently For Their Turn
-Grade School Prep (Avg. 5 Minutes After Initial Session) -- *Can Be Seen In Respect Series In Our Team MG Membership Club*
-Training Session (Avg. 45 Minutes - 1.5 Hours -- Could Include: Round Pen, Arena, Obstacle Course, Park, Trails, Trails Next To Roadway, Etc.)
-Turn Out Or Extra Tie Time (With Water Access) Depending On Weather And Needs
-Full Bath (Shampoo, Conditioner, Detangler, Shine Spray, Fly Spray)
-Tie Time Under Fans To Dry
-Return To Stall
*Extra Activities May Be Added Based On Needs/Goals For The Horse
9. What will my horse learn during training?
Every horse is different and will advance on varied levels. However, the following is our typical basic standard for a horse that leaves here after 30 days as a colt starting horse. This will vary for horses that come here with no human exposure and have to be unloaded off the trailer with no handling experience. Please have realistic expectations for horses that have to learn how to trust humans, being handled, and pressure & release system.
-Walk, Trot (Or Gait), Canter Undersaddle And Over Obstacles
-Stop
-Back
-Trail Ride (Cross Water, Logs, Etc.)
-Obstacle Course
-Desensitizing
-Arena Work
-Ride In A Halter
-Started In A Snaffle Bit
-Direct Rein
-Intro To Neck Reining (Depending On How Quick They Advance)
-"Come Get Me" Trick
-Intro To Spinning/Pivots
-Intro To Side Passing
-Leading
-Tying
-Respecting Personal Space
-Overall Handling
If your horse has already been started undersaddle and has any issues with the above, we can work through those issues as well as work on anything you want. We will do as much as we can in the time that we have your horse to reach your goals.
Other Things That Your Horse Can Learn & Or Be Started On:
-Problem Solving (Loading, Bucking, Biting, Rearing, Refusing, Etc.)
-More Advanced Riding Skills (Spins, Stops, Two-Tracking, Etc.)
-Trailer Loading/Unloading
-Neck Reining
-Parade Prep
-Mounted Shooting
-Lay Down
-Sit
-Gait Work (Trotting/Pacing)
-Spooky Horses
-Liberty
-And Anything Else You May Want Or Request!!!
***Please Be Sure To List Anything That You Would Like Worked On In The Contract!***
10. What will I get at the conclusion of my horse's training?
Every horse gets 1 FREE exit appointment at the end of your horse's training. This will be scheduled on or close to your horse's last day of training. Additional days of training after your last training date will be billed at $67/day (Pro-Rated Training Rate). Additional lesson sessions during the time of your horse's training will be $200/hour and must be scheduled in advance since we have to shut down the barn for outside appointments due to the liability with some of the dangerous training horses that we get in here.
During your exit appointment, you will spend approximately 1 hour going through all of the steps with Michael, seeing what your horse has learned/worked on, and then riding the horse yourself. At that time, you can either take your horse home as planned or you can decide if you'd like your horse to stay another month to learn more. Either way works perfect for us, we are flexible!
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to us! We'd be happy to answer them for you!
Testimonies From Horse Training Participants
"The halter is fantastic! I have been using it for absolutely everything, riding and of course training. I have always been cautious about having the right bit, using it correctly, watching how much pressure, etc. After using the halter for trail and training, I doubt I will ever go back to a bit for pleasure riding. For the average rider who just wants to have fun, stay safe, not get into a horse’s mouth and not have to worry about “What bit is the right one?” this is the ultimate. Michaels videos and easy to follow, step by step how-to, have in a short time, done wonders for the both myself and Hunter. He stays attentive, as time goes on is bending and flexing more fluidly, is on his own now dismissing distractions that before would make him jump, even though I have not worked him on these. And…I now have total confidence in handling any situation that comes up."
-Ron Jonas
"You are amazingly talented and what you did for us is honestly unbelievable! Porter has no more "spook" which has given Stella the courage to ride him and start building a long lasting bond with him. You brought back her horse riding sparkle! I'm so glad Meg sent her horse to you...and if we ever buy another horse, they will come to you immediately! You have such a gift and a one of a kind program, I'm glad that all those within MHJA are aware of you now. I wish you much success! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
-Stephanie Willams
"We had my horse Magnolia trained by Micheal. He was awesome. I was in shock when we picked her up because of all the trainers we have had over the years they never came close to meeting our horses needs. Micheal met all expectations as our trainer. Magnolia is now safe for all ages and level of rider. I can ride Magnolia without anxiety or hesitation that I had before she was trained. Most of all my 77 year old Dad can ride Magnolia safely during parades which made him and I very happy."
-Becky Francis
"I'm a member of Team MG Membership Club. I've been watching your work with Elegante. I'm getting more insight on how to do things. This system is really working for my daughter and I. We were at the Troy Il clinic. After getting back and signing up with Team MG we are making leaps and bounds of progress. My daughters Saddlebred even went on his very first trail ride with no rearing. He was concerned at first, and we started making excuses, then my daughter remembered the things you had said, and decided NO MORE EXCUSES and the situation changed. We both can't wait to keep progressing. THANK YOU!"
-Barbara Tamborski
"I am so enthralled with Horse Haven! They have a great training facility, they did a great job with my 10 year old Arabian filly, Mimi. I took Mimi out on a trail ride not long after I picked her up from MS. My husband was also riding a horse, and he was taking chemo at the time. We rode with our trail riding buddies, and he started getting ill, about 20 minutes from camp. My filly never made a bobble, with all the commotion, and anxious riders, she was a perfect lady, and allowed me to concentrate on getting my husband back to the trail head, and I did not worry about her acting up or being nervous. She was awesome! Thank you to Horse Haven, Michael Gascon, Christine, Jamie & Cindi Gascon! I am very glad I made the right choice to send my girl to you. I am hoping to get another horse in foal, so that I can also send that young horse to you, I am sure you will make an excellent horse out of it too. Thank you again!"
-Debby Gentles
"I am somewhat new to the “horse-industry”. I’ve always loved and been around horses, but never had one of my own nor worked in training with them. I have become very interested in working with our PasoFino gelding Benito. He was scared of life and only trusted us in his care. We have had many small wins in the past year and he has blossomed so much with the little bit of work we have done with him. My Resolution is to work with him...EVERY DAY! I owe it to him to give him the best life possible and in return give him a more relaxed life so that we may enjoy him more and he will enjoy the company of others and enjoy most, if not all, aspects of life. Thank you for helping me in this process!
-Brittany Hall (Team MG Member)
"The halter is fantastic! I have been using it for absolutely everything, riding and of course training. I have always been cautious about having the right bit, using it correctly, watching how much pressure, etc. After using the halter for trail and training, I doubt I will ever go back to a bit for pleasure riding. For the average rider who just wants to have fun, stay safe, not get into a horse’s mouth and not have to worry about “What bit is the right one?” this is the ultimate. Michaels videos and easy to follow, step by step how-to, have in a short time, done wonders for the both myself and Hunter. He stays attentive, as time goes on is bending and flexing more fluidly, is on his own now dismissing distractions that before would make him jump, even though I have not worked him on these. And…I now have total confidence in handling any situation that comes up."
-Ron Jonas
"You are amazingly talented and what you did for us is honestly unbelievable! Porter has no more "spook" which has given Stella the courage to ride him and start building a long lasting bond with him. You brought back her horse riding sparkle! I'm so glad Meg sent her horse to you...and if we ever buy another horse, they will come to you immediately! You have such a gift and a one of a kind program, I'm glad that all those within MHJA are aware of you now. I wish you much success! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
-Stephanie Willams
"We had my horse Magnolia trained by Micheal. He was awesome. I was in shock when we picked her up because of all the trainers we have had over the years they never came close to meeting our horses needs. Micheal met all expectations as our trainer. Magnolia is now safe for all ages and level of rider. I can ride Magnolia without anxiety or hesitation that I had before she was trained. Most of all my 77 year old Dad can ride Magnolia safely during parades which made him and I very happy."
-Becky Francis
"I'm a member of Team MG Membership Club. I've been watching your work with Elegante. I'm getting more insight on how to do things. This system is really working for my daughter and I. We were at the Troy Il clinic. After getting back and signing up with Team MG we are making leaps and bounds of progress. My daughters Saddlebred even went on his very first trail ride with no rearing. He was concerned at first, and we started making excuses, then my daughter remembered the things you had said, and decided NO MORE EXCUSES and the situation changed. We both can't wait to keep progressing. THANK YOU!"
-Barbara Tamborski
"I am so enthralled with Horse Haven! They have a great training facility, they did a great job with my 10 year old Arabian filly, Mimi. I took Mimi out on a trail ride not long after I picked her up from MS. My husband was also riding a horse, and he was taking chemo at the time. We rode with our trail riding buddies, and he started getting ill, about 20 minutes from camp. My filly never made a bobble, with all the commotion, and anxious riders, she was a perfect lady, and allowed me to concentrate on getting my husband back to the trail head, and I did not worry about her acting up or being nervous. She was awesome! Thank you to Horse Haven, Michael Gascon, Christine, Jamie & Cindi Gascon! I am very glad I made the right choice to send my girl to you. I am hoping to get another horse in foal, so that I can also send that young horse to you, I am sure you will make an excellent horse out of it too. Thank you again!"
-Debby Gentles
"I am somewhat new to the “horse-industry”. I’ve always loved and been around horses, but never had one of my own nor worked in training with them. I have become very interested in working with our PasoFino gelding Benito. He was scared of life and only trusted us in his care. We have had many small wins in the past year and he has blossomed so much with the little bit of work we have done with him. My Resolution is to work with him...EVERY DAY! I owe it to him to give him the best life possible and in return give him a more relaxed life so that we may enjoy him more and he will enjoy the company of others and enjoy most, if not all, aspects of life. Thank you for helping me in this process!
-Brittany Hall (Team MG Member)
