Meet Patrick King
Growing up Patrick partnered with a number of ‘problem’ horses that lead him to seek something more than just a superficial base of horse training: real horsemanship. The works of Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, and others offered a perspective on understanding horses through psychology and emotions... and that changed everything.
His deeper learning quickly developed into a business of starting colts and working with challenging horses. To date, he has started well over two thousand young horses under saddle.
This led him to opportunities to ride and collaborate with some of the best horsemen and women in the industry across multiple disciplines. He was also incredibly fortunate to be offered the opportunity to spend extended time with master horseman Ray Hunt. This uncovered many layers of feel and timing in his relationship with horses; pieces of which he continues to develop daily.
Along his journey, he’s met several "enlightened horsemen" including Mark Russell, a student of Master Nuno Oliveira, who brought new ideas and set him down another path in this horsemanship journey by introducing an understanding of the biomechanics of the horse and the influence that has on feel and timing. This combination of working with the horse on the inside as well as the outside, psychologically and physically, really helps us to understand a more "total package."
Patrick’s teaching has now expanded beyond the US into Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the UK and more - and through his online coaching, he works with riders in many countries around the globe.
He has ridden and trained horses in the Grand Prix movements, advanced in-hand work, and haute ecole. He continues to study each year with many teachers and mentors, constantly growing in skills and perspective…. Perspective that he shares with his students through his clinics, lessons (in person and virtual) and his online Academy for Classical Horsemanship.
Patrick has also very recently returned to the competitive arena, earning his USDF Bronze and Silver medals... which goes to show that classical horsemanship principles CAN and DO still fit inside the competitive arena if one chooses to take them there.
Because Of The Horse...
I have learned to seek… and to find… and to allow. Myself. Other individuals. Quiet. Strength. Activity. Peace. Growth. The horse helps me to find these things. To allow them to be. And to grow them, through awareness and interaction.
Patrick King’s 2025 Presentations
DAY 1
★ Releasing Your Horse's Poll, In Hand
The horse's poll is the "doorway" to the rest of the body, as well as the mind. Proper movement, and receptive learning, won't take place if there's a brace in the poll. This video demonstrates releasing your horse's poll, both in a cavesson and a snaffle bridle.
★ Initiating Mindful Movement, In Hand
The way your horse starts their movement when working in hand will set the stage for the rest of the work. We're looking for balance, mindfulness, engagement, and relaxation. This video shows how to achieve this in a cavesson as well as a snaffle bridle.
★ Reinback And Half Halts, In Hand
Reinback is the ultimate rebalancing gait, and the half halt is a request to rebalance. Without a proper reinback, we don't really have access to the horse's body to ask for a halt. This video discusses the ways we help the horse to understand and access their balancing muscles.
★ Unlocking The Mind And Body
When it comes to working with your horse, relaxation is a major part of acceptance. This video shows a couple ways of unlocking your horse's mind and body to release tension and promote relaxation as a baseline in our work.
DAY 2
★ Poll Flexion & Jaw Mobilization, Under Saddle
In the saddle, poll flexion and jaw mobilization are incredibly important to get the soft responses we are looking for. This is also the doorway to helping the horse relax their topline and use their bodies correctly. Simple, but not always easy. Small, yet profound.
COMING SOON
★ Reinback, Under Saddle
Reinback - the ultimate rebalancing gait. So under used, often misunderstood. But incredibly important for the horse and rider to utilize in daily work.
COMING SOON
★ Releasing To The Leg And Rein
Acceptance to the rider's aids is important for clear communication. This video showcases one way that we can help the horse to RESPOND, rather than simply REACT to the rider's aids under saddle.
COMING SOON
★ Trailer Loading, A Meditation
Trailer loading doesn't need to be such a dramatic event. This video was taken during a clinic when a student struggled to load her horse. Trailer loading is like a meditation - just let the extra thoughts or stresses float away and the understanding will come through.
COMING SOON
Where You Can Find Patrick King
