If you are interested in horse and rider training, The Equestrian Center, LLC located in Sandpoint, ID, is available from May through September. During the winter months, training is available on a limited basis in Yuma, AZ. Please inquire with Sam about availability before registering your horse for summer training options. At this time, Sam is accepting a limited number of horses for the summer season.
At TEC, we provide customized training programs for your horse and its owner based on individual needs and budget. Our training packages range from one week to six months.
To ensure the health and safety of all horses, vaccinations, worming, and hoof care are required before training. Horses do not need to be shod as we have mostly sandy footing. We provide quality timothy mix hay as part of the training package. Horses are kept in wooded pastures ranging from 1/4 to one acre, with a maximum of three other training horses of the same sex. They are fed twice a day and have access to an automatic water system at the top of a slight hill, which helps with self-conditioning.
A horse is initially brought in for a week-long evaluation of its mental, physical, emotional, and educational status. Then, Sam discusses her evaluation with the owner and the best options to help the horse gain confidence, experience, and education, to become the ideal equine partner for the owner's specific goals and abilities.
Please note that we require a three-month minimum for starting young horses under saddle education, along with owner participation.
Our goal is to encourage horses to want to "try" for their owners in any situation by offering their mental and emotional availability, which in turn allows their physical availability. We prioritize the horse having a positive experience when working with us, both on the ground and in the saddle.
Owners are welcome to watch training sessions and are required to participate in lessons with their horses before the equine is sent home. This helps clarify understanding and communication between the horse and owner, raising awareness and leading to a respectful and rewarding partnership.
Once a horse has arrived into training, they have priority to stay however long is necessary.
Training sessions take place Monday through Friday. The goal is to start and end the sessions on a positive note. Horses may be dropped off Monday through Friday between 8 am and 12 pm. You will receive updates regarding coordinating drop-off date and time once your horse is registered.
Training fees vary depending on the ID or AZ location. No off-site training is available during the summer season. Due to the waiting list for training horses, owners may reserve the next available spot by paying a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit. Contact Sam to find out her availability.
For the Idaho facility, training for one week with Sam working with only the horse, including five sessions and board costs $400. For full training for one week with Sam working with the horse and owner in any combination of five sessions and including board, the cost is $450. Payments must be paid before each training week.
Please email for availability before you register. Then use our training registration form to submit a deposit to hold the next available horse training spot. Other forms of payment accepted include: Venmo, PayPal (add a service fee), or check.
Make checks payable to "The Equestrian Center" and note your horse's name in the memo. Mail it to:
The Equestrian Center, LLC
55 Trotter Lane
Sandpoint, ID 83864.
You will receive a confirmation email and dates for the next available spot for your horse.
For the Arizona facility, please contact Sam to find out her availability for winter training. Training for one week with Sam working with only the horse, including five sessions and seven days of board, costs $400 at her facility or $450 if the horse is kept at your facility.
For full training for one week with Sam working with the horse and owner in any combination of five sessions, the cost is $475 if the horse is kept at your facility. Full payment for each week is required before training. Payment options include cash, check, credit card (+ 3% service charge), Venmo, and PayPal (friends and family).
To register and pay online, please use our training registration and payment form. You will receive a confirmation email and dates for the next available spot for your horse. Thank you!