Our Gaited Trail Horses Trainers

Sarah Moorhead - Head Gaited Horse Trainer

Each of our horses is personally trained by Sarah Moorhead, one of the most experienced and successful trainers of Gaited Horses in the business today.

Sarah has been riding since she was eight years old, and has been training for over fifteen years.  She has extensive experience in handling, training, riding, showing and finishing horses.  Sarah possesses a unique knowledge of the conformation, composition, and movement of the Gaited Horse.

Sarah has developed a very successful training program including handling, ground work, obedience, lateral movement, longing, releasing, and respect for the rider.  Each and every horse completes the program before being offered for sale.  Sarah’s program emphasizes calm temperament, handling, safety, and exceptional trail riding capabilities.

Sarah is experienced in the procedures of Parelli, Lyons, and many other training methods.  She believes that exceptional behavior on the ground translates to a safe and enjoyable behavior of the horse on the trail, and she emphasizes that approach through many hours in the round pen and out on the trail.  Sarah rides each of the Ranch’s horses at least every other day and incorporates trail rides off the ranch as part of her normal training routine

In addition to her full time duties as the ranch’s trainer, Sarah trains and shows Dressage horses in her free time.  Sarah lives in Canon City with her husband Blake who trains reining horses.  In addition to her own four horses, Sarah has a new Australian Shepherd – Sam – who accompanies her on trail rides.

Nick Lawson - Assistant Trainer

The head trainer is supported by Nick Lawson, the HS Gaited Horse Ranch’s Assistant Trainer.

Nick has a natural ability to train and get the most out of every gaited horse he rides.  Nick has amazing patience, and often establishes a lasting bond between himself and the horse.

Nick has been training at the ranch for six years, and although still a teenager, he also assures that each of the ranch’s horses is ‘kid proof’ before being offered for sale.

In addition to his training duties, Nick often leads trail rides.  Like many customers, Nick transitioned from Quarter Horses after learning to appreciate the unique comfortable style, temperament, and trail skills of the Gaited Horse.