Drifting Sands Horsemanship
We're on a mission to help you on your horsemanship journey.
Mike and Faith
Horsemanship Teachers and Developers
We are offering progressive systematic horsemanship classes that that continue to build on the previous class with revision and thought. This becomes a way of thinking as well as riding. We don’t just get you doing exercises, we want you to understand the purpose and reason for the exercise. The aim of this training, through pressure and correct release, is to create a foundation for the horse and rider to build their partnership. We want to create a responsive, thinking and soft saddle horse and rider. Join us and learn the essential elements and enjoy a pathway to quality horsemanship.
We also have a small Quarter Horse stud only breeding a handful of foals per year, they are bred for quality of temperament.
Our other passion is Australian Cattle Dogs - these dogs are loyal and clever. Great working dogs or wonderful loyal pets.
We are based at Inman Valley, an hour south of Adelaide in South Australia
Horsemanship Training Days & Clinics
We're on a mission to help you help your horse to create a partnership you will treasure
creating leadership and horsemanship skills.
We are running a progressive training course, where one day builds on the last.
The course starts with Essentials, then moves to Primary and Secondary.
Up coming events - Snap Shot
October 14th ~ Essentials, Venue: DSH arena, Inman Valley
October 15th ~ Primary/Primary Plus, Venue: DSH arena
November 18th ~ Essentials, Venue: DSH arena
November 19th ~ Primary/Primary Plus, Venue: DSH arena
NOVEMBER 18th - 20th ~ Foundation Workshop: DSH arena
December 9th ~ Extreme Cowboy - obstacle intro: DSH arena
December 10th ~ Extreme Cowboy - obstacle challenge: DSH arena
Available for private lessons throughout winter
Refer to "Forms" for a schedule of fees
Sponsor a clinic in your area - contact us to learn more.
Foundation Workshop
3 Day workshop
Immerse yourself in 3 days of horsemanship and foundation training.
The day classes will cover Essentials through to our Primary Plus level. There will be evening classes, discussing concepts and how elements come together. We will also do some videoing throughout the day and review these as a group in the evening.
Go to our Facebook page for more details on the format and accommodation or book by clicking the booking button below.
You can contact us directly if you would like to book by credit card.
Essentials
Groundwork Skills (essential to success)
pre-requisite to all classes
Correct and accurate ground work, is a pathway to creating good leadership skills.
Covered in the Essentials class:
Spacial awareness ~ Relaxation ~ Pressure and release ~ Driving/Draw and de-sensitisation ~ Leading and backing ~ Specific foot placement/timing ~ Disengaging the hind quarters ~ vertical and lateral flexion ~ setting up the soft feel.
Commences at 9am running through to 4pm
$120 per rider ($135 Regional classes) - $35 spectator
Click on the booking button below and select the Essential Class on the date.
Primary - Intro to saddle
Groundwork exercises and concepts applied in the saddle
Covered in Primary:
~ Revision of Essentials and application of these principles in the saddle ~ Disengaging the hind quarters and creating a correct and functional one rein stop ~ introducing the soft feel ~ forward, backing, stopping ~ square turns ~ placement and movement of each foot.Commences at 9am running through to 4pm
$125 per rider ($135 Regional) - $35 spectator
Click on the booking button below and select the Primary class on the date.
Primary Plus - saddle
Refining and improving on Primary skills - being more specific
Covered in Primary Plus:
Revision of Primary with focus on soft feel ~ vertical and lateral flection ~ timing, feel and balance ~ foot placement ~ bringing up the energy ~ legs without hands ~ stopping with the hind ~ forequarter spins ~ side passing.
$125 per rider ($135 Regional) - $35 spectator
Click on the booking button below and select the Primary Plus class on the date.
Secondary - advancing skills
Progressing to more advanced levels
Covered in Secondary:
Collection ~ lateral movements ~ timing, feel and balance! ~ quality of transitions.
$125 per rider ($135 Regional) - $35 spectator
Click on the booking button below and select the Secondary class on the date.
Float Training
Available by appointment
Focus
There will be a float loading demonstration, then we will teach you to teach your horse how to self load and unload quietly with no fuss.
Limited to 5 horses per session.
This is a safe and valuable skill to learn and is something you will have forever.Lessons with Mike
Available by appointment
Focus
Private lessons available - do you have something specific to work on?
Individual and Small groups also available - limited to 5 horses per session.
Extreme Cowboy
Introduction and Challenge days
Focus Day
You don’t have to be a cowboy or cowgirl to compete in Extreme Cowboy Racing. As long as you have an interest in honing your horsemanship skills and developing a deeper partnership with your horse, consider yourself qualified.
We are running an introduction to obstacles day - how to introduce your horse, this will be done from the ground first, building to riding the obstacle.
We will then run an informal competition, or challenge day, where we will test our skills in a safe, friendly supported environment.
Communication Development Day
Next ~ TBA
Focus Day
This course is designed for people from all walks of life - whether you have a horse or not.
How is your communication with your horse, with your work colleagues or with your spouse?
Horses are the masters of reading body language and energy levels. Are we being clear and effective?
Horses act as a mirror to our sole - they hold no prejudice and provide honest feedback, if we dare to look inside!
Holiday with your horse
Drifting Sands Retreat
Want to get away and relax with your horse? We have a 3 BR home available for you and choice of paddocks for your horse, up to 8 acres of picturesque grazing. You can trail ride on the property or make use of one of our arenas.
Great option if you are travelling for a clinic.
Go to www.driftingsandsretreat.com
Drifting Sands Photo Album
Photos & videos our horses & cattle dogs
Who's Talking About Us
Take a look and enjoy!
From Robyn
When I first met Faith and Mike I had been struggling for about 2 years to rehabilitate an unbroken thoroughbred mare, I had rescued from going to the doggers. When she came to me she had a lot of pain issues and when they had been corrected she was still anxious and expecting pain every time I worked with her. As time went on she slowly improved but I had gradually lost my confidence and no longer believed I would be able to make her into a safe riding horse. Mike's step by step instructions, not only explaining (and demonstrating) what to do but also how your actions affect your horse gave me a new insight in working with her. She went from being the most head shy horse I have ever encountered to a horse that stands calmly while a rope is flipped around her head. She was also extremely difficult to load onto a float and after one half day lesson she now self loads. Following Mike's process I have a calm horse all of the time and within a few short months of correct groundwork I have now started to ride her. I can't thank Drifting Sands Horsemanship enough for teaching me the skills to attain a dream I had begun to think was unachievable.
From Megan
To all my friends and Friends that have horses, I am excited to write about my awesome experience which i attended at the Drifting Sands horse clinic on Sunday the 14th of Feb. I have been riding horses for over 25 years and have owned a few in that time. My riding experience has been a basic get on and go style, which was great as a kid but now getting older i need to feel safer and more in control. I have been looking for a place to get better knowledge and a better understanding of how my horse thinks and behaves, and how we can work better as a team. I came across the Drifting Sands Training and Partnership Education Face Book Site, and saw a clinic that begins with ground work and decided to book.
From the moment i arrived I was made feel welcome, and was guided to the arena. I was a part of a small group where there was myself and my horse Rover, and 3 other girls 2 of which were quite younger. These girls were able to work with horses provided by Michael and Faith as they did not have one of their own.
Michael and Faith Demonstrated different techniques both on the ground and in the saddle, with their own horses which was explained both verbally and then shown physically. I was extremely impressed on how they spent the time evenly between us all, and that the young girls were just as important as the rest of us.
We broke for lunch, which was a lovely sausage sizzle accompanied by a light salad. Tea or Coffee. then started the second Half of the Training.
One of the biggest issues i have with my horse Rover, is him standing still while i mount which i normally always use a crate, and can take up to 5 - 10 minutes. The biggest achievement for me on this day, was sitting on the Post of the arena, and with the techniques we had learnt throughout the day, i was able to mount my horse from sitting on the fence to sitting in my saddle, which he stood perfectly still.
I highly recommend to any one, that is having large or small issues with their horse to go out to Drifting Sands and experience their professional and friendly Training. I will definitely be attending the next clinic in March.
Thank you Michael and Faith, for providing such a great service so close to home.Caitlin
I had a great time today I learnt heaps of awesome things
So happy that I worked with the best 2 year old in the world, poor Henry he had to put up with me
Thank you faith and mike so much I had the best time everFrom Ashely
Love it! Have learnt sooooooo much and so have both my horses. Has helped me build my confidence and bond so much more with both my horses. Every lesson I do I learn so much and keeps me wanting to know more and build on what I learn. I more than likely wouldn't be riding or have the confidence I have now if I didn't go to these training days. Highly recommend to anyone. Thank you faith and Michael for all the support and encouragement you give to us all. Keep up the great work. Can't wait for the next one
Contact Us
Located at 282 Bald Hills Road, Inman Valley, South Australia
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Mike's Email
Faith's Email
Phone us
0427 792 078
