Learn Horsemanship Skills
Horse Training * Rider Coaching
Alternative Horsemanship™ Lessons
Understand Horse Behavior
Facing Groundwork and Riding Challenges with your Horse?
"My horse is difficult to catch..."
"The more I do with my horse, the worse he behaves..."
"I feel like my horse progresses 'two steps forward, then four back' every time I ask more of my horse..."
"I can't exactly explain 'what' specifically is wrong as my horse is always obedient, but I know he is always carrying tension..."
"I am always wondering what my horse will do next..."
"My horse is great most of the time, as long as he has his buddy horse around..."
"I was making so much progress with my young horse, and now he wants nothing to do with me..."
"Years later, I am still having issues trailer loading my horse..."
"My horse is great at home, but if I haul him anywhere, it becomes a nightmare..."
Common Client Horse Problems
"I stepped away from the traditional horse training world, and now I feel like I've become completely unclear in how I work with and interact with my horse in trying to consider his needs..."
"I took riding lessons for years, but now that I have my new horse, I feel like I don't know anything..."
"Despite years of riding, I am losing confidence every time my horse is concerned. I know he needs a clear leader, I just don't know what to do..."
"My horse has started acting very aggressively toward me. I know he is fearful with an abusive past, how do I build his trust?"
"I recently purchased a new horse, and realize I have no experience in building a horse's trust or confidence. All those years of riding 'trained' horses, and now I'm at a total loss..."
Why Alternative Horsemanship™?
Samantha Harvey has spent 30 years developing her Alternative Horsemanship™ approach through her various equine-related experiences such as being an equestrian student, horse instructor, mentor, author, and equine business consultant. She teaches equine enthusiasts worldwide practical and realistic horse skills to acknowledge, interpret, and address horse behavior. Filling this missing "hole" in the foundation of many riders' education helps to refine their communication and build trust with their horses. Sam offers horse-related coaching in horsemanship clinics, groundwork session, horse training, individualized horse lessons, and riding sessions in all disciplines. Her adaptable teaching style is suitable for riders of all levels, skill-sets, and backgrounds, whether for competitive or pleasure purposes. Learn more about Lessons, Sam's Background, Training, and FAQs.
Photo credit: Peggy Martin
What In-Person horse services are offered?
Sam offers onsite horsemanship, groundwork, and horse riding lessons at The Equestrian Center, LLC, in Sandpoint, Idaho, from May through October, accepting a limited number of horses and students in her summer individualized horse training schedule. She starts colts, re-habilitates or re-educates horses with behavioral issues or trauma, she refines a horse's education (check out the Charm School) She also teaches Full Immersion and Private Horsemanship Clinics.
No horse boarding, horse rentals, or guided trail rides are offered. Lesson horses are available for groundwork only.
During the winter months, Sam travels worldwide including working in South America, Asia, South Pacific, Caribbean while offering her Alternative Horsemanship™ clinics. Her upcoming travels will include Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, South Africa, and the UK.
When stateside, she accepts a limited number of horses for training February through April, while based in Yuma, Arizona.
What Distance Horse Learning options are there?
If you are unable to join Sam in person, she has been the Remote Horse Coach since 2014. She offers online, distance video and telephone horse learning opportunities, consults, evaluations, instruction, mentorship and more. Visit the sister site for distance horse learning details or check out her Video Catalog. Follow #alternativehorsemanship on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest social media platform for over 3,000 videos of horse insight. Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship™ YouTube Channel for free weekly horse training and equine behavior insight in the Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series. Enjoy reading over a 1,000 articles of horse rider insight, skills, tips, and equine behavior offered on Sam's blog with weekly entries!
Testimonials
"I feel that she has really opened my eyes and given me a brand new and exciting way of RIDING my horse. I have competed for the last 15 years or so and with some nice success but, I realize I only rode to compete if that makes sense. I told Sam that I really didn't like riding by myself, basically keeping my horse legged up and in shape to compete but what I realized in riding with Sam in just a short time is that most of that riding was mindless, and realized that I was missing the best part!" Kim, AZ
"You are THE most amazing horse psychiatrist and trainer!! Every person who owns or rides a horse should connect with you and learn from you. Their relationship with their horse will most certainly flourish. Your insight and instruction when I attended an immersion camp with my mare Raven were so helpful and your knowledge and assessment of a horse’s behavior is SPOT ON! Keep doing what you do best."
G Kennedy, KY
"Thanks to Alternative Horsemanship Coaching I experienced the awakening of a shut down horse."
Lynda, USA
"The success I’ve had is mind-blowing. Truly. They were always so good for me and I could basically do anything with them but the guilt I used to feel before I talked to you was awful. Now, I let go of the guilt... I am sooo happy! So - a huge THANK YOU!!!!!"
Julie O, USA