Horses - its an addiction!
Believe in your horse so your horse can believe in you
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 and courses, 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 (both physically and mentally) 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. All horses receive a wonderful foundation from the time they are weaned they become part of our training program.
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 and create a partnership you will treasure
by creating leadership and developing excellent 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
Announcing 2021 classes:
Essentials Groundwork - 6th of March
Primary Ridden (focus on soft feel) - 7th March
Essentials Groundwork - 10th of April
Primary Ridden (focus on transitions) - 11th April
Foundation Studies Course - Level 1 27th Feb, 27th Mch, 24th April, 29th May, 26th & 27th of June
Foundation Studies Course - Level 2 20th & 21st March, 17th & 18th April, 22nd and 23rd May
Horse starting - contact us for available slots.
Mike and Faith are available for private lessons.
Get a group together and sponsor a clinic in your area - contact us to learn more.
Foundation Studies Course
6 class program
Taking you on a horsemanship journey
Structured and designed to take you on a horsemanship journey with specific outcomes. We will teach you the fundamentals of groundwork, developing your skills and help you to achieve your personal goals.
Suitable for people at all levels. This is a results orientated program, you will be assessed and graded as you go. There will be homework and practice tasks to complete between classes.
This requires commitment - with reward at the end.
Lets make this season really count!
Cost $810 - 6 full personalised training days, plus study material and full support.
Horse Starting
Places available
We now have openings for starting horses under saddle.
We are offering an extended program ensuring a solid foundation in groundwork and under saddle.
You will be invited to be part of the process so you can hone your skills and learn more about the methodology of your horses experience.
Having a young horse is a wonderful journey and this requires your knowledge to be constantly developed.
DSH's sole aim to create a long lasting safe partnership between horse and human.
Essentials
Groundwork Skills (essential to success)
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
Full day $135 per rider ($145 Regional classes) - $35 spectator
Half day $75 per rider
Click on the booking button below and select the Essential Class on the date.
Primary - skills in the 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
Full day $135 per rider ($145 Regional) - $35 spectator
Half day $75 per rider
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.
Full day $135 per rider ($145 Regional) - $35 spectator
Half day $75 per rider
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.
Full day $135 per rider ($145 Regional) - $35 spectator
Half day $75 per rider
Click on the booking button below and select the Secondary class on the date.
Friday Focus Days
Discipline Focused
The format: We will run through a pattern and assess the gaps. We will then look at the specific skills you need to participate in the event breaking them down and practicing those exercises to give you the tools you require. We will then run through the pattern again in a mock competition.
Float Training
contact us for details
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.
Private Lessons with Mike or Faith
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.
Essentials - Connected and Centred
Focus Day
This class is an extension to our Essentials groundwork class, while we are learning the exercises with pay far more attention to the connection we have with our horses, we allow the horse to set the pace. We learn how to read our horses, control our energy levels.
With these exercises we get our horse even - mentally centred, in control of their own body and spirit. We even get ourselves mentally centred.
Bookings
Make a booking for our events by clicking on the button and making your payment via credit or debit card
Alternatively email us and make payment to FA Mason & MJ Pitman - BSB: 065 034 Account Number: 1051 3313
your booking will not be confirmed until payment is received as there are limited places
Sale Yard
Quality Quarter horses for sale
Buddy QH Gelding
$6000
Okie Attitude Q-90796
Gelding mature to 15hh
DOB: 11/12/2016
Sire: Docs Okie Jackhammer Q-48870
Dam: Miss N Attitude Q-47353
Confident and friendly boy - easy to train
Full brother to Henry
Felix - QH Gelding
$8000.00
Felix - Registration Pending
Sire: Docs Golden Gossip Q-40114
Dam: Spinnabreeze: Q-38366
DOB: 1/10/2017
Has had his first rides under saddle, and is proving to be a confident calm horse. Felix is full brother to Lucky and all horses from this mare are just wonderful.
Quarter Horse Filly
SOLD
Filly DOB: 7/12/2018
Sire: Who Whiz Jack Q-60281
Dam: Sassy Docs Bar Q-75170
This stunning filly is now weaned and has basic training. She has the X factor and a real "look at me" presence. She has impeccable blood lines. with Docs Spinifex (Imp)(Docs Oak USA), Kings Phillip (Imp) (Peppy San Badger USA).
JAZZ
SOLD
QXH All That Jazz - Q93666
Filly DOB: 5/09/2016
Sire: Dual Jazz Q-57414
Dam: QXH Miss Precious Oak Q-65537
Very sweet filly, going well under saddle. Still having some basic training, but a great prospect for someone to continue.
Experienced home only.
Young Stock always available
Weanlings, Yearlings +
We always have young stock available for sale.
10 youngsters will be started in 2021
Please call for more information.
Our Horses
We are so blessed to have some amazing and beautiful horses
Who Whiz Jack (Jack) Q-60281
Stallion
Sire: Who Whiz It Q-57307
Dam: Jacks Little Miss Perfect Q-43511
Jack is a true gentleman and proven sire. His offspring have great temperaments and athleticism. Jack is a high point winning Reiner.
Spinnabreeze - Q-38366
Broodmare
Sire: Okie Spinner Q-25879 (Docs Spinifex)
Dam: Koonamara Breezette Q-11019
This mare is very special - she was the dam of our late sire Docs Okie Jackhammer.
This foal is a colt to Who Whiz Jack and we are very excited about him.
Sassy Docs Bar Q-75170
Broodmare
Sire: Docs Banumum Calcutta Q-52560
Dam: Spinnabreeze Q-38366
Sassy has amazing blood lines, with Docs Spinifex (Imp)(Docs Oak USA), Kings Phillip (Imp) (Peppy San Badger USA),
Sassy's foals are lovely quiet, sensitive horses.
Miss N Attitude (Missy) Q-47353
Broodmare - for sale
Sire: Tassas Robinhood Q-39976 (Smart Little Lena - USA, Doc Freckles Oak)
Dam: Diamonds Reflextion Q-37481
Missy produces gorgeous foals with bold, outgoing characters. These foals are a lot of fun and make great enthusiastic partners.
Kyanjuwa Docs Morn (Beans) Q-72601
Broodmare
Sire: Docs Cobra Q-47406 (Docs Yakoon, Docs Bar)
Dam: Bandido Chex Morn Q-48662 (Morn Deck, Big Red Chex)
Beans is a relatively new addition and had her first foal 2017 season by our deceased stallion Docs Okie Jackhammer, a stunning filly with look at me presence. Pictured here with her 2018 foal by Who Whiz Jack.
Foals are proving to have fantastic trainable easy going attitudes.
Xtreme Aftershock (ET) Q-69120
Broodmare
Sire: Zippos Aftershock Q-57113
Dam: Winderadeen Dream On Q-53174
Fane is new mare purchased in (with colt foal at foot) based on her wonderful temperament, her trainability and her lovely friendly easy going nature.
She will have her first foal to Jack, late 2020 early 2021
Winderadeen A Little Cash Q-35874
Broodmare
Sire: Little Peppy Doc Q-5786
Dam: Winderadeen High Finance Q-26645
We took the opportunity to purchase this beautiful old mare. She has superb classic blood lines. We are hoping for a first foal to Jack late 2020 early 2021
Scoots Jasmine Q-39206
Broodmare
Sire: Scooter Bar Q-15826
Dam: Yulgilbar Jingle Bells - R2-835
Jaz has given us 2 stunning buckskin colts - they are tall leggy horses, wonderful to handle and really looking forward to starting under saddle.
2020 / 2021 Foals
foals by the wonderful Who Whiz Jack for this season
Chestnut Colt - foaled 16th September 2020
Sire: Who Whiz Jack. Dam: Spinnabreeze - Q-38366
PJ has one blue eye and is already very curious and friendly.
Palomino Colt - foaled 17th September 2020
Sire: Who Whiz Jack. Dam: Sassy Docs Bar Q-75170
Yet to be named - he is a big strong colt.
Palomino Colt - foaled 6th November 2020
Sire: Who Whiz Jack. Dam Xtreme Aftershock Q-69120
Very inquisitive and playful boy
Cremelo filly - foaled 5th September 2020
Sire: Who Whiz Jack. Dam: Miss N Attitude (Missy)
Missy and her foal are offered for sale.
Gorgeous 'black?' filly - foaled 10th Jan 2021
Sire: Who Whiz Jack. Dam: Wineradeen Little Cash
What a super filly, very bold and curious from day 1
Drifting Sands Horsemanship - Store
Only selling the best horsemanship products
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 ever
From 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
Helen and Robyn
Helen was at her whits end with her young horse and was seriously considering parting with him. Mike worked for a week with the horse and then with both Helen and the horse - the photo tells the story :)
Robyn had falling in love and bought this young Gypsy Cobb who was nervous and jumpy - look at him now :)
Review from happy client purchasing a horse
At Drifting Sands we will never pressure a person into buying a horse and always make sure that WE feel like it is a good match. The horse needs to suit the purpose and the also needs to be a good fit with the person.
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