Welcome to Workhorseworkshops.com, your premier destination for comprehensive educational programs designed to guide you through the rewarding world of draft horses, from beginner to advanced levels. Whether you’re looking to understand basic handling or master intricate farming techniques, our tailored programs offer hands-on experience and expert instruction to help you achieve your goals. We pride ourselves on offering a unique learning environment with well-trained, patient, and willing horses that are selected specifically for their ability to integrate into your learning journey. Our horses are safe, responsive, and provide an unparalleled opportunity for you to develop exceptional teamster skills.
Our Educational Offerings
Workhorseworkshops.com provides a diverse range of programs to suit various experience levels and learning preferences. Each program can be adapted to different lengths, ensuring you receive the most effective training for your needs.
Teamster Training Intensive (3-Day Program)
This intensive program is ideal for individuals with little to no prior experience with draft horses. The focus is on introducing you to the craft of working with draft horses in a safe and effective manner, building confidence and mastery of essential skills. Upon completion, you will be better prepared for working with horses on the farm, in a woodlot, or for pleasure driving. The training is limited to two hands-on participants to maximize individual learning opportunities. Key topics include:
- Horse behavior, language, and understanding equine cognition.
- Safety protocols for working around horses and equipment.
- Harnessing and basic adjustment techniques.
- Line (rein) setup and effective handling.
- Communicating effectively with your horse through lines, body language, and voice commands.
- Developing the proper mindset for successful teamstering.
- Ground driving, single and team hitching.
- Hitching to various implements like sleds, wagons, and forecarts.
- Driving teams with wagons and forecarts.
- An introduction to farm implements such as discs, harrows, plows, and mowers.
- Discussions on essential resources and equipment for farming and logging.
Teamster of the Week (6-Day Program)
For those with some existing experience or a strong desire to immerse themselves fully in hands-on draft horse work, the “Teamster of the Week” program offers an in-depth learning experience. This program focuses on building a solid foundation for exceptional teamster skills.
Teamster Training Continuum (Ongoing Mentorship)
This program is designed for participants who wish to continue their learning and skill development beyond introductory workshops. It’s an ongoing mentorship opportunity that includes monthly hands-on training at our farm, phone and internet support, and access to a private online discussion group. The curriculum is custom-tailored to the trainee’s needs and progresses at their pace, covering advanced line handling, equine communication, and practical farming techniques on our certified organic farm. Participants can also benefit from farm seminar organization, local field trips, and support with horse and equipment sourcing.
Advanced Draft Horse Farming Workshop
This workshop is for participants who have mastered the basics of draft horse driving and hitching and are interested in using their horses for commercial-scale farming or small-scale food plot gardening. Emphasis is placed on using single horses to three abreast hitches. Participants will drive various hitch configurations on a range of farm implements, from small food plot tools to larger, multi-horse implements. Topics include:
- Selecting the right horse for farm work, considering conformation and temperament.
- Proper harness and collar adjustment for maximum horse comfort during heavy draft work.
- Rigging hitches for the correct angle of draft.
- Discussion and use of various eveners and rigging tools.
- Line adjustment and application for field hitches.
- Row spacing considerations and lateral/horizontal hitch configurations.
- In-depth discussion and hands-on use of implements like walking plows, sulky plows, discs, harrows, cultivators, seeders, tool carriers, and harvesting implements.
- Evaluating soil conditions for optimal tillage timing.
- Resources for further learning.
Multiple Hitch Driving Workshop
This workshop is designed for individuals experienced in driving a single horse or team who wish to learn how to drive larger hitches, including three or more horses abreast, as well as tandem hitches (teams arranged in front of other teams). The program covers setting up and successfully driving 3-4 or more horses abreast, and tandem hitches of 4-8 horses. Participants will learn various line and hitch setups and will drive hitches on appropriate implements for short periods to cover a wide variety of configurations. Key topics include:
- Driving three to six horses abreast, with different line arrangements.
- Positioning horses abreast for optimal performance and comfort.
- Driving tandem hitches (4-8 horses in two spans) and unicorn hitches.
- Teaching horses to work effectively in abreast or tandem configurations.
- The use of buck back straps and tie-ins.
- Driving with jockey sticks.
- Eveners styles and setup for multiple abreast and tandem hitches.
- Extensive instruction on line handling, arrangement, and adjustment for various hitch configurations, including different line systems and tandem driving techniques.
- Accessory equipment for multiple hitch driving.
Farming with the Single Horse
This training focuses on utilizing a single horse for farming and working food plots on a homestead or market garden scale. The program covers safety, harnessing, line setup, and the use of various single-horse implements for plowing, discing, harrowing, and cultivating. Discussion also includes hay production, on-farm forage, and homestead food production using a single horse.
Programs for Groups
Workhorseworkshops.com offers custom training workshops for small groups, driving clubs, or families. These sessions can be tailored to specific interests and can incorporate the group’s own horses. Clinics can be held at our location or yours, and discounted fees are available for organizing a group training clinic.
Horse Training
We provide beginning to intermediate training for horses at our farm, covering driving, hitching, and implement use. Horses can be trained individually, as a team, or hitched with our experienced horses. Training methods take at least a month of daily commitment, and we emphasize teaching owners methods and principles for continued success in a safe, positive, and productive environment.
For further details on any of our programs, pricing, or to enroll, please feel free to contact us.
