| Training and Instruction |
| Around The Bend Farm Dressage Training by Karmen Mills |
Lesson Information
Karmen is available for lessons in Loomis, Lincoln, Auburn, and surrounding areas. Lessons are 45 dollars
for 45 minutes of instruction. It is recommended that you have your horse warmed up or at least tacked up
and ready to go in order to maximize your lesson experience.
Karmen works hard to create a planned and implemented training program for yourself and your horse.
Contact Karmen for more information on training programs and openings.
Read more about Karmen's ideas on training here or click the About Karmen link on the left. Contact Karmen
for more information and scheduling at:
karmen@aroundthebendfarm.com or (916) 716-4289
Karmen is available for lessons in Loomis, Lincoln, Auburn, and surrounding areas. Lessons are 45 dollars
for 45 minutes of instruction. It is recommended that you have your horse warmed up or at least tacked up
and ready to go in order to maximize your lesson experience.
Karmen works hard to create a planned and implemented training program for yourself and your horse.
Contact Karmen for more information on training programs and openings.
Read more about Karmen's ideas on training here or click the About Karmen link on the left. Contact Karmen
for more information and scheduling at:
karmen@aroundthebendfarm.com or (916) 716-4289
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Testimonials
"Karmen Mills is a wonderful instructor. Not only is she kind to the rider and the horse but she makes the whole lesson fun. My skills are
improving, as is the relationship with my horse. I'm constantly amazed at the depth of her knowledge and her ability to break down
complex concepts into simple steps I can easily apply. I'm so happy with the results I'm getting. Karmen is a treasure and wise beyond her
years."
- Karen Scott 10/09
"My gelding, Lakota, and I started taking lessons with Karmen in the late fall of 2009, and we're already on the path to success. From the
very first lesson, Karmen read what Lakota needs to increase his softness, increase his confidence, and improve his carriage. She also
explains the aids clearly and concisely so that I can improve as a rider and maximize the relationship & unity I have with my horse. She
welcomes my myriad of questions, the occasional "huh's?" and provides easy-to-understand explanations. On a professional note, I
couldn't ask for more in a trainer. She is professional, responsive, helpful, never-condescending, and just plain fun to ride with."
- Leslie Mirise 10/09
"Karmen Mills is a wonderful instructor. Not only is she kind to the rider and the horse but she makes the whole lesson fun. My skills are
improving, as is the relationship with my horse. I'm constantly amazed at the depth of her knowledge and her ability to break down
complex concepts into simple steps I can easily apply. I'm so happy with the results I'm getting. Karmen is a treasure and wise beyond her
years."
- Karen Scott 10/09
"My gelding, Lakota, and I started taking lessons with Karmen in the late fall of 2009, and we're already on the path to success. From the
very first lesson, Karmen read what Lakota needs to increase his softness, increase his confidence, and improve his carriage. She also
explains the aids clearly and concisely so that I can improve as a rider and maximize the relationship & unity I have with my horse. She
welcomes my myriad of questions, the occasional "huh's?" and provides easy-to-understand explanations. On a professional note, I
couldn't ask for more in a trainer. She is professional, responsive, helpful, never-condescending, and just plain fun to ride with."
- Leslie Mirise 10/09
Testimonials
"Jake and I will always be grateful to Karmen for her excellent advice and sound instruction. Jake, a geriatric gelding, came to me a year
and a half ago skinny, scared, cranky and sore. After a few riding mishaps which in hindsight were downright dangerous, we found
Karmen. Karmen truly loves horses. She has a unique way of understanding how to handle situations between horse and rider where
goals get accomplished and everyone feels good about the outcome. Through Karmen's positive but disciplined approach Jake has
muscled up and we have both established confidence in each other. Our accomplishments have impressed our greatest critics, (even
those that told me to send Jake packing) but most importantly we are both happy. I would recommend Karmen to anyone who wants to
advance their riding skills no matter what level or discipline. I have been so pleased with Karmen's foundational approach in dressage, I
truly believe it can improve any horse and rider relationship. Thanks Karmen, we sure couldn't have done it without you!"
- Jennifer Matthews 1/07
"Karmen Mills trained my Thoroughbred gelding, Bacchus, for 5 months; she also assisted in his sale. She showed the highest level of
integrity and ethics in handling his training and sale. She is an exceptionally hard-working and diligent trainer. While training my horse,
she patiently worked through many of his issues, including resistance to lead changes, and bucking. With her patience and gentle training
methods, my horse progressed well under her training. Furthermore, she took exceptional care of him, as prior to his arrival at her facility,
he had difficulty maintaining his proper weight. She was successful in finding the appropriate amount of feed to keep his weight on, and
succeeded in maintaining his correct weight throughout his stay at her facility. She also attends to the spirit and mental health of horses,
and was sure to give Bacchus "play time" to alleviate any boredom and allow him to just be a horse. I strongly recommend Karmen to
train and school horses, and will continue to use Karmen's services in the future. Karmen is an exceptional person, a pleasure to know,
and superb trainer!"
- Maureen Cummings 11/05
"Ally came to Karmen heavy in the forehand, unfit, and proving to be a pissy mare. She has come back light in the trot, relaxed in the
canter, and calm. We were able to show ten days after her time with Karmen, placing third in our first show, out of about 30 english and
western riders. Karmen did a great job with Ally, even though Ally was pissy to her, kicking at her leg... She is now quiet and willing, no
more kicks! Thanks Karmen for your excellent help and I will seek you in the future for continued help."
- Elizabeth Ruiz 4/05
"Karmen did a wonderful job with my greenbroke 4 year old Arabian. She taught him collection and balance and helped me get him ready
for hunter pleasure classes on the Arabian show circuit. Above all she is quite pleasant to work with, honest and very reliable. She treats
each horse with respect and kindness. Her rates are extremely reasonable and I felt like my horse was in very capable hands. She helped
provide him with a wonderful foundation that will definitely serve him well in his Arabian show career. I would recommend Karmen to
anyone without reservation as a trainer, and in general as a responsible and trustworthy individual."
-Ashley Mullica 2/05
"My name is Laura Leidy and my horse is named Lexie. She went to Karmen as greenbroke and has come a long way in a short period of
time. I have seen drastic improvements since I first brought her to Karmen in the beginning of January 2005. I am very impressed with
Karmen's ability with horses, such as her knowledge of horses, her calmness around them, and her understanding. I would recommend
Karmen Mills to anyone and their horse. She has proven to be a great trainer for both myself and my mare."
- Laura Leidy 1/05
"Jake and I will always be grateful to Karmen for her excellent advice and sound instruction. Jake, a geriatric gelding, came to me a year
and a half ago skinny, scared, cranky and sore. After a few riding mishaps which in hindsight were downright dangerous, we found
Karmen. Karmen truly loves horses. She has a unique way of understanding how to handle situations between horse and rider where
goals get accomplished and everyone feels good about the outcome. Through Karmen's positive but disciplined approach Jake has
muscled up and we have both established confidence in each other. Our accomplishments have impressed our greatest critics, (even
those that told me to send Jake packing) but most importantly we are both happy. I would recommend Karmen to anyone who wants to
advance their riding skills no matter what level or discipline. I have been so pleased with Karmen's foundational approach in dressage, I
truly believe it can improve any horse and rider relationship. Thanks Karmen, we sure couldn't have done it without you!"
- Jennifer Matthews 1/07
"Karmen Mills trained my Thoroughbred gelding, Bacchus, for 5 months; she also assisted in his sale. She showed the highest level of
integrity and ethics in handling his training and sale. She is an exceptionally hard-working and diligent trainer. While training my horse,
she patiently worked through many of his issues, including resistance to lead changes, and bucking. With her patience and gentle training
methods, my horse progressed well under her training. Furthermore, she took exceptional care of him, as prior to his arrival at her facility,
he had difficulty maintaining his proper weight. She was successful in finding the appropriate amount of feed to keep his weight on, and
succeeded in maintaining his correct weight throughout his stay at her facility. She also attends to the spirit and mental health of horses,
and was sure to give Bacchus "play time" to alleviate any boredom and allow him to just be a horse. I strongly recommend Karmen to
train and school horses, and will continue to use Karmen's services in the future. Karmen is an exceptional person, a pleasure to know,
and superb trainer!"
- Maureen Cummings 11/05
"Ally came to Karmen heavy in the forehand, unfit, and proving to be a pissy mare. She has come back light in the trot, relaxed in the
canter, and calm. We were able to show ten days after her time with Karmen, placing third in our first show, out of about 30 english and
western riders. Karmen did a great job with Ally, even though Ally was pissy to her, kicking at her leg... She is now quiet and willing, no
more kicks! Thanks Karmen for your excellent help and I will seek you in the future for continued help."
- Elizabeth Ruiz 4/05
"Karmen did a wonderful job with my greenbroke 4 year old Arabian. She taught him collection and balance and helped me get him ready
for hunter pleasure classes on the Arabian show circuit. Above all she is quite pleasant to work with, honest and very reliable. She treats
each horse with respect and kindness. Her rates are extremely reasonable and I felt like my horse was in very capable hands. She helped
provide him with a wonderful foundation that will definitely serve him well in his Arabian show career. I would recommend Karmen to
anyone without reservation as a trainer, and in general as a responsible and trustworthy individual."
-Ashley Mullica 2/05
"My name is Laura Leidy and my horse is named Lexie. She went to Karmen as greenbroke and has come a long way in a short period of
time. I have seen drastic improvements since I first brought her to Karmen in the beginning of January 2005. I am very impressed with
Karmen's ability with horses, such as her knowledge of horses, her calmness around them, and her understanding. I would recommend
Karmen Mills to anyone and their horse. She has proven to be a great trainer for both myself and my mare."
- Laura Leidy 1/05
| Here are some various photos of Karmen riding with Hilda Gurney, Rudolf Rostek, Juan Matute, and Kristina Harrison . |
Training and Instruction Rates
45 min lesson ............................................................................... 45 dollars
8 lesson package .......................................................................... 350 dollars
12 lesson package ........................................................................ 500 dollars
Training Ride Packages
Training ride ................................................................................. 60 dollars
1x a week .................................................................................... 240 dollars
2x a week .................................................................................... 400 dollars
3x a week .................................................................................... 500 dollars
4x a week .................................................................................... 600 dollars
5x a week .................................................................................... 700 dollars
45 min lesson ............................................................................... 45 dollars
8 lesson package .......................................................................... 350 dollars
12 lesson package ........................................................................ 500 dollars
Training Ride Packages
Training ride ................................................................................. 60 dollars
1x a week .................................................................................... 240 dollars
2x a week .................................................................................... 400 dollars
3x a week .................................................................................... 500 dollars
4x a week .................................................................................... 600 dollars
5x a week .................................................................................... 700 dollars