Do you or your child dream of interacting with horses?  Do you dream about horses, love the smell of horses, and/or think you might like to have a horse someday?  Do you know a special person who begs for a horse of their own, but you think they need a little dose of reality to see what horse-ownership really involves?  If you relate to any of the above, this is the option for you! 

Our unique Horse Experience is customized to your desires.  We work one-on-one with you (or your child/loved one) to let you experience a horse first-hand!  Options can include cleaning stalls, grooming, learning about tack and equipment, an introduction to horse health and basic care, a lesson on how to search for the right horse for you, perform a few tricks, and so much more!

You can even include a short, basic riding lesson (usually 15-20 minutes of actual riding time).

Please note, although anyone is welcome to participate in our Horse Experience, for the safety of horse and rider, you must be in condition to be able to easily mount and dismount without assistance other than a mounting step.  Bella, our

mustang, is perfect for the younger crowd or more easily intimidated adults, while Lightning and Flash are great for most adults.  Feel free to request a particular horse, however we reserve the right to select the horse we feel is the best and safest fit for your situation. 

In addition to our on-farm, in-person clinics, we also offer training online, from the convenience of your own farm!  This option is recommended particularly for horseman limited on time or budget, who desire to learn new tips and ideas, or who have attended an on-farm clinic but desire to continue refreshing their memory of some of the things they learned here, or who want the ability to go out and train their horse with an instructional video in-hand.  Just visit our YouTube Channel "A Different Way" for the selection.  And check back frequently, as we are always adding more videos!

This clinic is intended for those who are considering getting a horse, whether for a pet, a riding partner, or to start driving.  It is designed for those who have little to no experience with horses, and want to start right in hopes of avoiding the horror stories you may have heard.  Topics include:

• Budgeting for a horse
• Breeds and their uses
• Selecting the right horse
• Basic horse care and housing
• Feed for optimal health
• Basic health and first aid
• No Hoof, No Horse
• Selecting the right equipment
• Safety around horses
• Handling skills
• Gaining respect
• Handling equipment
• Beginning rider basics

This clinic is about 6 hours long, with a lunch break in the middle.  The morning session is spent partially indoors, learning "head knowlege" to prepare yourself.  Next, we will head outside to get hands-on with the horses.  You will learn how to safely halter, lead, groom, pick up feet, gain respect and trust, tack up, and actually have a basic 1 hour introductory handling and riding lesson.  (Note, in order to ride, you must be able to safely mount and dismount without assistance other than a mounting step.)

This clinic is designed to work with you one-on-one, to ensure you leave feeling as comfortable as possible with the basics.  As a result, this clinic is scheduled by appointment, and is offered March-November, weather permitting. 

Friends or Family can participate with you for a discounted price of $100/each additional, but hands-on and riding time, as well as resource materials will be split among participants (you can decide how).  Children over age 10 may take this course if a parent/guardian registers as an additional participant or auditor*.

Are you considering using horse power on your farm or homestead?  Do you dream of pleasure drives through the countryside?  Have you outgrown or gotten nervous about riding your horse, and thought about driving it instead?  Or do you just want to check "Drive a team of draft horses" off your bucket list?  Whatever your reason, this clinic is a very unique offering in the central IL area, and is sure to please! 

Our Beginner Driving Clinic is a 2-day event, with an intense focus on the basics of draught horse power.  Clinic topics include:

• How a horse can help
• Setting up your farm for work horses
• Selecting the right horse for your needs
• Selecting the right harness
• Selecting and caring for equipment
• Safety
• Basic Horse Care
• Learning to handle the lines
• How to harness a horse
• Ground driving
• How to hitch a single and a team
• How to drive a single and a team

Friday morning begins indoors, where we will discuss the basics of horse power, preparedness, and safety.  Next, we will head outside where you will learn about the harness and its functions.  You will get hands-on with the horses themselves.  You will get to actually harness and ground drive a horse for the first time!  Finally, before the day is over, you will get to drive a horse hitched to a forecart!

Saturday morning starts with a brief review of safety and harness, and then the fun really starts!  You will harness the horses, then we will hitch the team up and go for a drive out on our country roads.  After lunch, you will get to practice harnessing again, and then you will test your skill by driving the team through an obstacle course! 

After the clinic, you will leave much more confident with the knowledge and equipment necessary for driving your own horse, and you will actually take home an assortment of resources to help guide you.  

This clinic assumes you already have basic horse care and handling knowledge, and already own, or are intending to purchase, a horse already trained to drive.  Clinic must have a minimum of 3 participants, with a maximum of 6.  You will share harnessing and driving time with other participants.  If you have a large group (more than 6 participants) that would like to attend, we can offer customized discounted rates.  Please contact us for details.  Sorry, we do not offer family/friend discounts for this clinic, since it is already significantly discounted.  Auditors are welcome for an additional fee*.

Click Here for dates, times, and registration information!

This clinic is exactly like the Group clinic above, but because the instruction is more individualized, you benefit from additional harnessing practice and driving time.  You will also have more time to sharpen your skills in the obstacle course.  This is an excellent option for those who are seriously considering driving horses for work or pleasure, as you will have the ability to be much more practiced and comfortable with the equipment and driving techniques. 

Note: While we have found 2-days to be the ideal for most clients, this clinic can be extended if additional time and practice is desired.  Just contact us for a custom quote. 

Friends or family can attend with you for a discounted price of $250/each additional, but hands-on and driving time, as well as resource materials will be split among participants (you can decide how).  Participants must be over age 18, unless a parent/guardian registers as well, either as a participant or as an auditor*. 

This clinic is intended for those who are serious about using horse power on a small farm or homestead setting.  We will build on everything you learned in the Basic Driving Clinic.  You are not required to take the Basic Driving Clinic if you can demonstrate that you have ability to handle and properly harness horses using a traditional work harness, hitch to basic equipment, and drive a team.  Topics include:

• Types of farm equipment and vehicles
• Hitching horses without a tongue or shafts
• Manuevering in tight spaces
• Using the forecart to hitch farm equipment
• Using a manure spreader
• Grading a driveway or arena
• Hitching to a stoneboat
• Pulling logs--basics

This roughly 8-hour, single-day clinic is almost entirely outdoors with the horses, and includes lunch.  We will review basic safety and horse handling procedures as needed, move into harnessing, then start honing your driving skills!  You will have multiple opportunities to practice harnessing, hitching, maneuvering, backing, and using basic equipment.  The work we do will be somewhat dependant on the season and our farm needs, but you will learn plenty to help you prepare to work your farm!  Because this is a private clinic, we can tailor to meet your desires....do you want to focus on driving a team, or just a single horse?  Would you like to learn how to hitch and drive 3 horses-abreast?  Maybe you have no trees on your property, and would prefer to focus on grading, spreading manure, or maneuvering in tight spaces?  If you have another option in mind that isn't listed, we are always willing to discuss it if we can make it happen safely! 

Note: While we have found 1-day to be the ideal for most clients desiring only a basic review and learning some new horse-powered tools and techniques, this clinic can be extended if additional time and practice is desired.  Just contact us for a custom quote. 

Friends or family can attend with you for a discounted price of $150/ each participant, but hands-on time, driving time, and resource materials will be split among participants (you can decide how).  Note: all participants in this clinic must be over age 18.  Younger may audit, but not harness or drive*. 

 Of course, as an Auditor, you should expect to mostly sit and listen/watch during the clinic.  You will not recive resource materials, nor will you have any opportunity to get hands-on with equipment or actually drive the horses.  You may be invited to ride along in the wagon (applies to the Basic Clinic's "Country Drive" session) IF we have room for Auditors.  Otherwise, be aware you may have to hang back for an hour or so and not view that portion of the clinic.  Therefore this option is best for those who are curious, but not committed to horses yet, or if you have a friend, spouse, or minor who is registering for a clinic.  The fee is for the day, there is plenty learn by watching and listening, and you are free to come and go as desired, though we do ask that you be courteous and try to avoid distracting the other participants by doing so.  Also, you are wecome to join us for lunch!

Have you attended one of our clinics and just want more experience?  Are you considering applying for a job driving ranch or carriage horses, and want to stand out among other applicants?  Perhaps you've been driving your own horse back home, but would like to improve your skills?  Did you used to drive horses, and just miss the feel of the lines in your hands?    This option is for you!  Similar to riding lessons, this time is used to simply improve your skills and give you additional practice with basic driving skills.  Depending on your goals, we will work with you on single or team, challenge you with obstacles, work on traffic safety skills, fine-tune your control and driving style, and much more!  You will drive one of our 3 main vehicles for these lessons, depending on the goal for the day.  This option is not intended to hitch to or learn about farm implements or using horses for work.  It's sole focus is to improve your comfort level and give you time to practice basics. 

Please note, at this time, we only offer lessons using Red Gate Farm, LLC horses and equipment.  Your lesson time may include partial harnessing and unharnessing of horses, so we offer the initial package as a 2-hour lesson.  This ensures that you get a minimum of 90 minutes of actual drive time (usually more!).  Additional driving time can be purchased at a rate of $40/hour to extend any single lesson.  As a general rule, you will have an instructor riding with you the majority of time.  No charge for auditors of these lessons, and auditors are welcome to ride along on the vehicles (if seats are available), however, they may not drive.