Functional Horsemanship is..

Utilizing the three pillars of empathy, biomechanics, and consistency to maximize the joy between a horse and rider

who I am and what I do

With over a decade of professional riding and training experience, Claire Martin has dedicated her life to understanding how to connect with horses and pass her methods on to those around her. With a background in Dressage, Natural Horsemanship, Western Riding, OTTB rehabilitation/retraining, and Hunters, she doesn’t believe there is one strict “way” to ride and train. Rather, she believes that every horse and rider pair are unique and takes into account their personal goals.

Because of this unique training philosophy, she is not bound to any one training or riding style, but rather finds what works best for the horse and rider pair.

She specializes in working with adult armatures who wish to improve their riding and relationship with their horses and travels around the ETX area teaching lessons and riding.

Pillars of Functional Horsemanship

  • Empathy

    All that we ask of the horse should be done thoughtfully and with an empathetic spirit, never from reactional emotion or preconceptions of why the horse may be “misbehaving.” If a horse is reacting, they are not in a learning mindset. As trainers and riders, we must create a safe learning environment for our horses and that means controlling our emotions through empathy.

  • Biomechanics

    When you learn better, you should do better.

    We know now from scientific studies that many of the common ways of training, riding, and keeping horses can cause long-term harm to our equine partners. Functional horsemanship seeks only to build stronger, more mechanically sound horses who will stay strong their entire lives. Because of this ideal, trainers and riders should always be learning and growning as horsepeople.

  • Consistency

    You may have tried other methods in the past that promised your horse fixed in 30 days. Maybe the lasted for a little while, maybe not.

    Functional horsemanship trains not only the horse, but the rider as well. The goal is a flourishing partnership. This only comes through consistent effort and dedication to the task. With the right tools in your toolbelt and a willingness to stick it out through hard times, you’ll see changes you never thought were possible.

Services Offered

  • Are you looking for a dressage trainer in the ETX area with a wholistic method that does not put the horse into physically compromising positions or drills? Ask about dressage lessons. Offering lessons from beginner to 3rd Level.

  • Do you have a horse coming back from an injury or one dealing with behavioral problems? Contact and ask about my rehab and retraining, where I work with both horse an rider to give you the tools you need to succeed.

  • Limited lessons are available on privately owned horses at my home barn High Pointe Stables. Open to beginners through experienced riders who want to be a part of a regular lesson program and who want to learn about every aspect of horsemanship.

  • Start your horse right with my methodical process. I take each horse and rider’s unique needs into account and set reasonable goals for you.

  • Like my philosophy and think you’d like to have me at your facility? Contact and ask about clinic availabilities.

See What My Clients Say

  • "I have worked with Claire for over two years, both riding lessons and the training of my OTTB. Claire is knowledgeable about all aspects of horsemanship including rehabilitation training for horses recovering from injuries or simply helping a horse get back into shape after time off. I have enjoyed taking weekly lessons with Claire and she has proven to be a fair, consistent, and knowlegeable instructor. I would highly reccomend her services for any level of rider looking to improve their skills."

    Rebecca Davis

  • "I feel so fortunate to have Claire as my instructor. Between music, art, and horses, I have literally had hundreds of hours of private instruction, and I can say in all honesty that Claire is a truly gifted teacher and one of the very best I have studied under. She not only understands the person side as an instructor but the equine side as well as a horse trainer. She communicates clearly and if I don’t understand something she figures out a different way. She pushes me forward and challenges me without overwhelming me and also gives me a good grounding and perspective when I start to fret. Her expertise was invaluable actually picking out my horse. Then continuing on to restarting her from her race career and helping her get over her anxiety and become a calm, solid citizen. I would not be where I am as a horsewoman without her. "

    Mindy Scheffrahn

  • "Claire has been great with my 7 year old and 12 year old in teaching them how to properly care for and ride horses. In fact they have been taking lessons for close to 2 years now. We are also first time horse owners which she has walked us through and teaches us so much in how to care for our beautiful horse."

    Lindsay Grimes

  • "I can't say enough about how wonderful Claire has been working with my horse, Duke, and myself. He has learned so much in the past 18 months from Claire, and I've learned so much, too! She has done a tremendous job of improving my riding skills and helped me understand how to work as a team with Duke to make our riding experience wonderful! Claire has a phenomenal talent of understanding horses and how to train them to be the best they can be! Claire's training has made Duke a great horse and boosted my confidence as a rider. If you want your horse to go from good to great, or if you want to become a more confident rider, or if you want to build a rapport with your horse that enhances the riding experience, then Claire is the trainer for you!!"

    Dave Sutton