The program is open to all levels of horse experience.
You will be assigned your own rescue horse to care for and train throughout your stay. We will teach you to work with your rescue horse in a patient, thoughtful and consistent manner that will allow you and your horse to build trust and advance together at your own pace.
We will teach and support and help you every step of the way, but when your horse begins to trust, or learns something new, it will be your hard work that has helped your horse. The path is not always easy, but there is no better reward than transforming another living being for the better.
Our goals are to help you develop skills which will help you with your rescue horse in the program and your horsemanship at home, but don't be surprised if the lessons you learn with your horse stay with you beyond the world of horses into the rest of your life.
We are excited to announce our new Rescue Horse Training Program, which is a unique horse training experience where you will learn about horsemanship and western riding while you train and rehabilitate rescued horses. The program is open to all riders, new and advanced.
You will be assigned your own rescue horse to care for and train throughout your stay - this horse may be progressing through the training program or be completely new to it. Classes are five days a week with approximately five to six hours of horse work per day including theory and practical lessons, trail rides, horse-games, group discussions and guest speakers. You will have evenings and weekends to yourself, to relax in the beautiful accommodation and grounds, visit local attractions or enjoy the Florida sun. For those interested, there are always additional horse-related activities at the Ranch, such as lessons and clinics. You train and relax at your own pace!
Classes are designed for a maximum of six students and cover the fundamentals of horsemanship from groundwork to riding, seat placement, body control and critical evaluation of horse and rider with progression to advanced maneuvers. Keeping the groups small ensures that each rider gets a rich, personalized experience with opportunities to build on existing knowledge. Students will work in the Western tradition with opportunities to learn roping, handle livestock and make traditional horse tack such as bridles, halters, and more.
We are committed to supporting local and national non-profit rescue organizations and individuals making a difference for horses that may not otherwise receive the training they need to become adoptable. You will be supporting the organizations involved through your training and program fees.
Our head trainer, Chezz Perlini, has over thirty years of experience working with horses and is accustomed to training and starting colts, having worked with a number of abused and challenging horses, including American Mustangs and “failed” performance horses. These are horses that require a patient, thoughtful and consistent approach without a time limit on their training. The horses at Rafter P Ranch are able to stay in the program for as long as it takes for them to get the education and confidence they need to be successful.
Our goal is to help you develop skills which will not only help you with your horsemanship, but beyond the world of horses into your daily life. Training horses, especially rescue horses, requires patience, understanding and introspection. Horses present an honest reflection of what you are bringing to every interaction; this allows you to see yourself as you are in the moment. By developing a sensitivity to this bias-free reaction, you can begin to work with consideration for yourself and your horse.
At the Rescue Horse Training Program you will begin this process in a beautiful and well equipped ranch setting while learning safe horsemanship and problem solving skills, ultimately helping these horses to find forever homes through the training and gentling process.
