Dundee Training Stable is owned and operated by Carl Reiche and
Tracey Dikkers. We have many years of experience training a wide
variety of horses of all breeds - AQHA, APHA, ApHc, warmbloods, Arabians,
Saddlebreds, drafts, mules, and many crosses of all different varieties.
Our own breeding program consists of Arabians, and our showstring are
also Class A Arabians, although we often have many other breeds in
the barn. Carl and Tracey do all the training, and as a result
we restrict the number of training horses in the barn to no more than
10 or 12 at any given time.
We have trained and shown Arabians to the National level and have been quite
successful in the Class A circuit. We currently have approximately
half a dozen Arabians and Half Arabians in training for our 1998 show
season. We don't believe in pushing our horses and treat each horse
as an individual! We do not promise our customers 30, 60, or 90 day
miracles, as each horse will tell us how long it will take to reach
individual goals. We communicate with our customers on a regular
basis, keeping them posted on their horse's progress and encourage
owners to call or visit as often as they like.
All training horses enter our barn with the assumption that they know
nothing - even if they do! We will find out quickly what kind of
background they have as we begin working with them. They start with the
kindergarten basics: leading (many horses do not lead properly - not
respecting the handler's space, walking over or into you, etc.), backing,
tying, hoof cleaning, and moving away from pressure. They are then
taught to longe quietly and obediently, and to accept a surcingle, bridle,
snaffle bit, and side reins, all one step at a time at the horse's own
individual pace. When they have mastered the above and are accepting
of the bit and mild bit pressure from loose side reins, they are
introduced to ground driving. They will then be introduced to the
saddle and will longe and ground drive with that until they are willing,
accepting, and comfortable. This is the stage when we will first get
on the horse (or hitch it if it is for driving). If all work has
been done properly, and the horse is willing and not fearful, we
usually have very little trouble with our first rides.
We teach the horse to respect us but never to fear us. We do not whip
or physically abuse any horse, or use any other severe or forceful
training techniques, but we do demand respect. We reward by frequent
positive reinforcement throughout each session and phase of training.
The above ground work on the "average" horse will take anywhere from
30-60 days if the horse has no previous training background, but again
we treat each horse as an individual. Some horses with a history
of solid ground basics can progress very quickly, others with a history
of neglect or abuse will of course take longer. We want to gain the
horse's trust as well as respect. We use our own training methods
based on years of experience and observations that we have made over
the years from a variety of respected trainers in the industry. We
do not follow any specific Lyons, Parelli, or other approach although
we do incorporate many of their principles.
We encourage owner involvement as much as possible, so the owner
understands our methods and how their horse has been trained prior
to returning home. We will work with individual schedules and try to
assist in setting up convenient appointments. Dundee has an open
door policy and you are welcome to stop in any time to visit your
horse. Workout times do need to be scheduled in order to keep
other appointments on time. Owner participation is welcomed in
the show arena as well. As mentioned, we have a Class A Arabian
show string. We will train and show horses with as much or as
little participation as the owners choose - it is their preference.
Tracey can show your horse for you and/or assist the owner with
riding in AOTR classes. We attend anywhere from 8-14 shows a year,
and owners can pick and choose which if any shows they want their
horses to attend.
Our current training rate is $375/month for pleasure training,
$400/month for Class A Arabian training. The training fee includes
board, feed, training,
and turnouts, but does NOT include any vet, farrier, or show
costs. We do require horses entering our barn to have a current
negative coggins, recent worming and up to date vaccinations of
EWT, Flu, and Rhino. This is for your horse's protection as
well as for the protection of other horses in our barn.
If our services sound like what you are looking for, please
give us a call at (608) 938-2410 or email us at
dundeets@juno.com.