Hard To Catch Program

​Monthly Training Fee: $650 + Board
Training & Pasture Board: $650 + $300 pasture board per month 
Training & Stall Board: $650 + $400 stall board per month
(30 day minimum) 
Additional months can be added to a horse’s training program at the owner’s request. While I do not pressure or require extended stays, I do provide honest feedback based on each horse’s progress at the end of their scheduled training period and leave it up to the owner's discretion. If I believe a horse would benefit from more time, I will share that recommendation, but the decision to continue is entirely up to the owner. I fully understand and respect the impact of time, financial considerations, and personal circumstances. ​
PLEASE READ: More in-depth information on sending your horse in to training with me is here: Public Training Information
Basic requirements: Current Negative Coggins, UTD Vaccinations, UTD Worming, with PROOF sent in prior to horses' arrival. This is nonnegotiable.
Any questions? Just ask!
"Celeste is also working with a 9 year old Arab ex-stud(Buddy)who was re-homed to me by the Arab Rescue and had very little handling except for breeding. Buddy had issues with catching, touching his ears and mouth, vaccinations. Buddy has come so far in 6 weeks with Celeste. You can see he is eager and engaged and enjoying ground work. Celeste has begun riding him and he looks like he is enjoying that also. I am very pleased with his progress.
I would highly recommend Celeste for training horses or working with horses with "issues". ❞ - Terry L.
Tinkerbelle was a project pony of mine that I took on that was practically feral. She had minimal handling, was aggressive with her legs/hooves being messed with, terrified of any and all human interaction. She was hard to catch, unwilling, and completely distrustful. Within a few days I had her turned around.
This program is designed for horses that are difficult to catch, using liberty work and positive reinforcement to create a fun, engaging, and rewarding experience for the horse. The goal is to teach appropriate responses and develop a willing, confident connection between horse and handler.
Horses may resist being caught for a variety of reasons, and this program focuses on finding the root cause of the behavior while creating a routine and workload that encourages the horse to want to be with people rather than avoid them. Some horses are naturally eager and affectionate, while others are intelligent and independent, testing boundaries and preferring to avoid human interaction.
I try my best to find the root cause through trial and error and then start working towards building positive experiences to help the horse overcome this issue.
Through this program, horses will:
  • Build a trusting and consistent connection with their handler
  • Engage in fun, motivating activities that make interaction enjoyable
  • Learn liberty exercises that reinforce willingness and respect
  • Respond reliably to cues such as “come” and “follow”
  • View seeing a halter, lead rope, or handler as something positive to look forward to
Owners will also learn hands-on skills during this program and may need to continue practicing and developing these techniques at home to maintain progress dependent on the severity of the horse's issue. Consistent work and reinforcement are key to ensuring the horse does not revert to avoiding human interaction. Usually once learned, it gets conditioned as a successful way of getting out of what they're avoiding. Many horses in my program have turned around completely, some with a more severe case of being hard to catch needed a year's worth positive experiences to be turned around, and others continuously attempt, but through adding cues and creating fun and engaging environment first, they snap out of it and are able to be caught. It all depends on the individual horse and what their owner is willing to continue doing after training. 
By understanding each horse’s individual personality and motivations, this program encourages voluntary participation, respect, and connection, ultimately transforming a hard-to-catch horse into one that approaches humans willingly and confidently.

​Important Things to Know

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  • Individualized Approach:
    I train horses based on their age, mental state, physical ability, and overall readiness. I do not push them beyond what they can handle.
  • Gentle, Respect-Based Methods:
    I do not use fear, force, or “cowboy-style” rough methods. My approach is rooted in natural horsemanship, positive reinforcement, and liberty-based training. If this philosophy doesn’t align with your expectations, my program may not be the right fit for your horse.     While my training methods are rooted in positive reinforcement and gentle handling, I believe in creating clear boundaries and consistent expectations. Horses learn best when they are treated with respect, but also when they understand what is and isn’t acceptable. I’m not here to “pamper” them, I’m here to help them become confident, respectful, and willing partners. That means I reward desired behavior, but I also use firm, fair corrections when needed to ensure safety and understanding. Positive reinforcement in my program is not about endlessly handing out treats; it’s primarily used as communication but also about building trust, clarity, and accountability in a way that the horse can understand and thrive in. 
  • Progress at the Horse’s Pace:
    If your horse needs extra time in any area of training, I will give it to them rather than rushing the process. I focus on long-term success over quick results.
  • Behavior Management:
    I address unwanted behaviors in a firm but fair and positive way. I correct, when necessary, but I never use pain or aggression. I work through issues with patience and mental clarity, aiming to help the horse understand rather than react out of fear.
  • Safety Boundaries:
    I do not accept horses into my program that rear consistently or have a history of flipping over. If this behavior presents itself during training and cannot be safely addressed, the horse will be sent home. Please do not send in horses with these issues unless discussed honestly and in advance.    ​
  • Physical Risk to the Horse:
    If your horse exhibits behavior that puts themselves at serious risk, such as extreme self-endangerment or disregard for physical limits, they will be sent home for their safety.
  • Pain & Discomfort:
    If I observe signs of pain, emotional distress, or physical discomfort, I will inform you immediately. Give you the option to have a veterinarian exam before continuing training to rule out any concerns or leave it up to you if you wish for the training to continue. If I believe continued training could worsen the issue, I will pause or end training until a full veterinary evaluation is completed and said horse will not be accepted back into my program without a vet exam. I will not work a horse that is in pain.
  • Safety First – For Horse and Trainer:
    My safety and your horse’s safety are always top priorities. While getting hurt is part of the job, I will not put myself in unnecessary danger due to dishonest representations or unsafe horses. If your horse causes serious injury, it directly affects my ability to work and earn a living. I do not "cowboy through" issues or push horses through force just to meet a deadline. If you are seeking fast results through harsh methods, I am NOT the trainer for you.
  • No Show Training:
    I do not offer specialized show training. My focus is on building reliable, well-rounded horses for endurance, trail, family, and all-around use. That said, many of my horses have gone on to succeed in various show disciplines thanks to the solid foundation laid in my program.
  • Early Departure & Refund Policy
    • ​​If a horse is sent home before completing its scheduled training period, regardless of the reason, the owner will be reimbursed for any unused training days and/or unused board from the date the horse leaves. However, any fees already accumulated for training, board, or care up to that point are non-refundable.