Whether your horse is an unstarted colt or a seasoned show horse, Gina meets with all clients to create a customized, boutique training plan. Your training plan will be tailored to the unique development and learning needs of your horse.

Our Training Philosophy

Some horses need a training structure that doesn’t just fit into a 45-minute window. Gina does (almost) all the handling herself to make sure every step – from catching the horse, to saddling, brushing, riding, and turnout – are all consistent. We believe it’s not fair to have one set of expected responses to pressure under saddle, and a different set of expectations on the ground. Standing for saddling and brushing, leading, and handling the feet are all skills that horses can learn correctly or incorrectly. These are also opportunities to practice emotional self-carriage. These are important parts of the process for horse and rider and we treat them as a “pre-flight checklist” for riding. If these parts of the process are unclear or messy, why should we think the ride will be better? At Open Water Farms, Gina takes the time needed to set horses up for success in every step of the process.

Every horse’s training plan is fully customized, with full training starting at $1200/month. Half-training programs are available for horses who have already been enrolled in full training. 

Training includes management of daily turnout, fly masks, blankets, and feeding pre-bagged grain. Additional management of supplements and feed is available for an additional fee. For young horses, Gina does most of the work. However, Gina likes to involve owners whenever possible. We want you to learn the tools, so you and your horse can be safe and successful together. 

We also accept clients to haul in or at your private facility. Contact us for pricing.

New Horse Program - Full Training | $1200/month

Starting and developing young horses. From leading and first saddling, to first ride, through the first years of showing.

Older Horse, Fresh Start Program - Full Training | $1200/month

For horses who have been started under saddle. Some horses in this program have developed a major or minor behavioral problem, and some are just “quirky” or “not quite right”. This is also the program for horses who have some kind of physical or mental limitation. We often get horses in this program whose owner and or trainer need help disentangling the physical/veterinary from the behavioral. Gina has had great success working with Peregrine Equine and training biomechanics to give horses with physical oddities a successful career. We love OTTBs and many have been through this program to go on to have wonderful careers.

New Approach Program - Full Training | $1200/month 

For horse and rider pairs who want to ride their values, and are seeking sport-tailored training with a natural horsemanship lens. For owners who want to listen to their horses and also enjoy the process of preparing their horse for sport. We horse show, but there is no pressure to go to the horse shows.