About Tara
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Tara Orlin is 34 years old and a professional horse trainer who has dedicated her life to horses. Ever since she was 5, horses have been her passion.
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Classical dressage and trail riding was her first encounter with horses. Tara rode dressage for 10 years before she got her first horse, Thelma. When Tara was 17, she and Thelma moved to a western horse ranch and got introduced to natural horsemanship. After working at the ranch and learning how to understand horse behaviour, Tara got even more hooked on horses and her dream became to be a professional horse trainer.
Tara's journey
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Tara's journey of becoming a professional horse trainer brought her to different ranches in Norway and Denmark, then later to America and Spain. Learning to understand horse behaviour and studying wild horses, became a big part of Tara's life.
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In 2013 she started her horse training business and helped trailer load hundreds of horses during the first year. She also started to train and tame horses for clients and traveled around Norway teaching clinics about connection from the ground, bitless and tackless riding, as well as solving problem cases.
The method
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Tara draws her riding inspiration from western riding and the Spanish art of riding, Doma vaquera. All training is done bitless and focuses on creating a trusting relationship between rider and horse. The goal is for the horse to happily become a committed partner.
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Positive reinforcement is used to help motivate the horse, and a foundation of natural horsemanship helps establish boundaries and understanding.
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Learning how to become both a good leader and a good friend is important. Trust is key.
WHY BITLESS
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Tara stopped using bits a long time ago. After watching thousands of horses being in pain because of riders pulling too hard on the reins, not being aware of what they did to the horse, Tara wanted to find a different way.
Horses are very sensitive animals, especially in their mouth. Unless the rider is extremely aware and sensitive when they ride, bits can very easily cause a lot of pain.
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Tara don't see any need to use bits, so why use them if the horses are happier bitless?
Bitless promotes trust
Whe​n you ride bitless the horse can more easily feel safe and comfortable. Not having to worry about being pulled in the mouth will help the horse relax. Bitless riding is a friendly approach, and the horse can also enjoy treats during training and eat without any obstacle.
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Anything you can do with a bit, you can do without. There are no need to use them.
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Either if it's advanced riding in the arena or trail rides you are into, bitless riding can take you there.
Reach out to learn or join the Academy!
Tara's Ranch
FINCA PODEROSA
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The ranch is named after one of Tara's horses, Poderosa. She is a Hispano horse and was a gift from her trainer in Spain. Finca means "ranch or property" in Spanish. Poderosa means Powerful.
Located 10 minutes from the country town Flisa in Norway. The ranch is surrounded by big, open pastures, with the whole property fenced in by trees. Nature is all around.
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The ranch has a stable with 5 boxes and pastures with shelter. There is an indoor arena 20x40m.
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The ranch is dedicated to horses and their well being. Horses feel safe and relaxed at the ranch.
The ranch is completely fenced, which allows the horses to walk freely all over the property.