From:  Norm & Beth

    Subject:  Troubleshooting Consultations for horse and rider.   

Welcome to our web-site. I will be taking the next six months off and not training or teaching due to a upcoming hip replacement surgery.   However,  I will be troubleshooting horses and rider problems that are sent to me by e-mail and phone.   The problems can be anything from the horse, cattle and agricultural industry.   We will discuss your situation in depth due to the fact that many problems can be caused by a series of situations.  This is like a jigsaw puzzle.   To properly diagnose the problem, I will need all the pieces to the puzzle. I will be asking a lot of questions involving you and your horse, it is important for you not to take any of the questions personally. 

In my 40 years of teaching and training, I have made my share of mistakes and each one has been a learning experience.  You can ask any questions you wish, there are no stupid questions.  Many of the questions may seem trivial or elementary but when all the little things are put together I can usually diagnose the problem and put together a plan of action to cure the problem.

 Please send  a e-mail with your full name, address, phone number and a short narrative about the problems that you are having and  the best time for me to call you back.  It will help me a lot if you will make a list of the problems that you are having by answering the following questions: when, where, why, what and how.  In your e-mail include a short narrative with any pictures or DVD's of your horse saddled, unsaddled and being ridden.

 The charge for this service is $20 for the first consultation, many times the first visit can take up to an hour.  Each follow-up visit is $5.

             Evaluation For The Horse and Rider.

1.  What is the age of your horse?
2.  What is the breed of your horse?
3.  Do you ride Western or English?.
4.  On a scale of 1 to 5, is your horse aggressive towards you, (five being very aggressive)?
5.  Is your horse curious, calm, excitable, flighty, over reactive, docile or about average?
6.  Is this a lameness issue, attitude issue, training issue or all of the above?
7.  How many horses do you own, and how often do you ride?
8.  What is your degree of education, in training, riding and general horse knowledge?
9.  What is your riding ability with one being a beginner and five being a professional?
10. When you are preparing for a ride do you have a routine that you stick with?
11.  I will need photograph's of your horse with and without saddle on all four sides.
12.  On a scale of 1 to 5, are you a patient person, with five being very patient?
13.  Is your tack clean and in good condition?
14.  Do you have a round pen and can you work your horse on a lunge line?
15.  How much time do you spend warming your horse up before you ride?
16.  Does your horse bite, kick, step on you, pin his ears at you, push or run over you?
17.  Is your horse barn sour (will not leave the barn and runs back to the barn)?
18.  Does your horse buck with you or try to rub you off on trees?.
19.  Is Your Horse buddy sour (will not leave other horses)?
20.  Do you ride for pleasure or a discipline like barrel racing, roping or endurance?
21.  When you start your discipline, how long does it take for your horse to show attitude?
22.  Does your horse show attitude every time you ride?
23.  Does your horse gets frightened of objects and shy, spook,  jump or spin away from them?
24.  When he does spook, is it always at the same thing or can it be anything at any given time?
25.  Have you ever done any groundwork with your horse and do you believe in it?
26.  Have you been following a worming and a shot schedule? (Some things can be medical).
27.  When your horse does get mad does he buck, run backwards or try to bite you?
28.  Does your horse have a problem with some bits and not others or with any kind of tack in general?

  For inquiries on troubleshooting, "Cowboy Stories" and Cowboy Poetry DVD's, you may email Norm at : 

(This email address can be confusing,) it's  doss_ n@ then netzero or doss_n@netzero.com   (The line underneath

 hides the under score between doss_ n.) 

 The DVD contains 65 writings and photo's about the life of a cowboy. DVD are $12.99 and maybe ordered from the email address above or: Norm Doss at 1715 South Calhan Hwy., Yoder,  CO  80864 

  For more information, call Norm or Beth at: 719-321-5120 or 719-478-3347   

    Lessons are $35 for 1.5 hours. Horse training is $1100. for 62 days.  

   Norm applies the latest teaching and training techniques as well as the time tested techniques.

He started training horses in 1972, under the direction of horseman and cattlemen, who rode horses and worked cattle

everyday of their lives. As a roper and horse trainer Norm has won money, numerous buckles, saddles and a 3 horse trailer. 

Many of the students and horses he has trained have become professional horseman, cattleman and competitors.

   We train safe and well-manored horses in all disiplines from amateur to professional western.)

   Our training center is located in the state of Colorado, just 26 miles east of Colorado Springs, off of Highway 94. 

Our facility is set up with a large roping arena and two smaller arenas for barrels and poles. We teach many

disciplines here at the Ride and Rope Ranch.   Our full size riding arena is equipped for Working Cow Horse

and Roping. We offer a trail course with bridges, poles and barrels on forty five acres of open space.

   As it's said, "one picture is worth a thousand word's."

Horses are trained by introducing them to all the scary situations they are exposed to in the world by people, nature and

objects. The key to training horses and people is building confidence and courage with knowledge.  

We will work with you and your horse on the fundamentals to make a broke and gentle horse.

   THE TOPICS TAUGHT AT THIS FACILITY ARE AS FOLLOWS:  

• Roping Lessons and Horsemanship Lessons
• Ranch Horse Versitility
• Reining, Cutting
• Team Roping, Calf Roping
• Speed Events, (Barrels, Poles and trail Class.)
• Trail Horse
• Colt Starting & Round

   In our Ranch Horse Versatility Training Program, we spend the time and effort to sucessfully complete each discipline

for the Working Cow Horse.

                            THE TOPICS TAUGHT IN RANCH HORSE VERSATILITY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

          1. Ranch Riding

              Your horse will be taught to work at a walk, trot and lope with a smooth transition between each gait.

              We will teach your horse proper lead changes, with a straight stop and back.

          2. Ranch Trail

              Your horse will be taught the following tasks:

           A. Crossing natural terrain at a walk trot and lope: (ditches, hills and downfall.)

           B. Crossing bridges and water hazards.

           C. Opening and closing gates.

           D. Dragging a log and slicker training.

           E. Hobbling and ground tieing.

           3. Ranch Cutting & Cow Work

•   Your horse will be taught to cut on a flag and live cattle.  
•   We will teach your horse to cut and sort cattle in a quiet manor with confidence.
•   We will teach your horse to hold, block and circle cattle in the arena and the pasture.
•   Your horse will be taught two of the approved reining patterns for the AQHA Ranch Horse Versatility.
•   Your horse will be taught good ground manors and trailer loading skills.

   The Ride and Rope Ranch and it's trainers require a minimum commitment of 70 days, to complete the training

program for Ranch Horse Versatility.

 This training is offered to students who wish to become profficient in Ranch Horse Versatility and of course

owners of horses in training are welcome to stop in at any time. 

  For cost and fees of lessons and horse training, please contact us at: doss_n@netzero.com  (or by phone listed below.)

  (719)-321-5120

  (719)-478-3347

  Norm & Beth