Our Training Philosophy

Bareback Branch  is the place to bring your horse for a tune up, foundation training or  to get your horse to the next level in jumping or dressage. Choose the training plan that's right for you and your horse. Mike is trained in multiple western disciplines and a masters in colt starting. His wife Paige has been successful in hunter and dressage events and can help you bring your horse to the next level.

As parents they know how important it is to have a save horse especially when kids are involved.  A solid foundation and immaculate ground manners are vital to a good partnership between horse and rider. 

Mike and Paige will train your horse to respond correctly and consistently under saddle and on the ground. When the horse learned to respond correctly to anyone, they start to involve the owner/rider.

When the horse has a clear concept of what aids mean, Mike and Paige will teach the rider how to give those aids. The trainers will adapt their training to every unique rider to help bring this new partnership together in a way that will be save for horse and rider and last but not least to make it a happy one.

• Colt starting

When starting colts Mike and Paige will work with them at least 6 days a week. Colt starting can take anywhere from a 30 days to 24 months depending on your goals for your horse and your horse's physical and emotional maturity and temperament.
Mike and Paige will be happy to discuss your horse and goals with you and give you an idea of how long it usually takes to get a colt to where you want to be. In order for the training to be successful, its important that the owner (or intended rider) work together with the trainers and the horse for at least two weeks before the horse goes home to ensure that all basics are covered.

• Tune up

Does your horse have a vice you don't like? Or would you like to help him step up to the next level? Let Mike and Paige work with your horse to tune up his performance.

• Foundation

Starting out with a new four-legged partner?  Not sure where to start?  Mike and Paige will help you to teach your horse the respect it needs for a save partnership.

Mike and Paige like to get to know your horses. Both stress a solid foundation in the basics, because everything rests upon that foundation. And building (or repairing) a foundation takes time and patience. If a horse is rushed in this process, you will have a horse who has lost confidence in himself and in his rider and in the long run that will take much longer to fix than it would have to have done it right in the first place.

The ultimate goal is to have a horse who is willing to do whatever you ask - not because you are forcing him, but because he wants to. If you have taken the time to make sure the horse understands and enjoys his job, and have trained him so he has confidence in himself and his rider, you will have a horse who is fun to ride and is a true partner.

• Jumping & Dressage

Are you ready for higher level dressage and/or jumping?  Let Paige Cooley bring your horse up to your level.  Paige has numerous years of experience in jumping, dressage and cross country events and has been successful in training winners!