The Partnership Program!

Now Accepting horses for outside training!!

I love horses!!  Everything about them makes me feel alive. 

From walking into the barn on a cold winter morning, seeing their breath coming from their nostrils, rubbing their warm fuzzy necks and listening to their nickering.  Seeing them run and play when they are first let out of their stalls, feeling the earth tremble a little as they come running by.  I find myself in awe of not only their tremendous power and strength, but also of their humble and forgiving nature.  Of the quiet way they slip into our lives, to become some of our most trusted friends.  The horse is truly one of God’s most magnificent and beautiful creations.  As an avid horseperson, I would often ask people how I could accomplish my goals with my horse.  How could I get a better transition, a smoother stop, or a more consistent lead departure?  But one question that I needed to ask was the same one that I overlooked.  What does my horse want from me?  When I began to ask myself that question, it opened up a lot of exciting new opportunities.

In the spring of 2008, I loaded up two of my best friends into the horse trailer, said "C’ya soon" to my beautiful wife Angie, and headed for a part of the country I’d never been to before.  After 3 days of traveling, we arrived in Parachute Colorado for what was surely to become the most intensive, fun, and educational experience of my life.  I found myself immersed in and surrounded by horse people from all across the country with a wealth of knowledge and experience from which I could learn.  On my journey home I thought about what a wonderful experience it had truly been.

It’s been just over a year since that time and my excitement seems to grow more and more with each horse and each person that I get to work with. The feeling that I get when my students begin to accomplish things with their horses that they thought they couldn’t is amazing.  The horses and owners that I have been blessed to meet and work with have taught me a lot since then and I look forward to continuing to learn and teach as time goes on.

I still find myself asking, "What is it that my horse wants?"  As I look to find a better answer I know I’ll be perfecting my performance, one ride at a time.

Bert C. Gates 

John and Josh Lyons Certified Trainer  

Bert with Rips Blue Bonnet "Bonnie" looking into the future

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Gates Practical Horsemanship Grovetown GA