About HorseSense

Philosophy of Training

Thank you for coming to visit our website on Horses.  We hope the articles you read here will enhance your horse experience. We have posted articles on a wide variety of topics relating to horses.  Along with horses we have posted information about the people, YOU, who work with and care for horses. The products and links will relate to both horses and people. It is our hope that you will find that “elusive” product that will make your life, with your horse, even better. It is our intent to provide information that fits in with our philosophy of horse training as well as providing ideas for the health and care of horses . In order for those horses to be well taken care of, we have offered some suggestions for the health  and care of the horse’s “person”.

The Quilliams method of horse training results from years of experience. Dennis incorporates the philosophy of training from other Natural Horsemen. Dennis bases his philosophy of training on the mutual respect of horse to man and man to horse.Dennis began his love of horses as a young man (40+years ago). He lived in the middle of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. So he had to hunt to find that “elusive dream”. At the age of 12, he mucked stalls at a local riding stable in exchange for lessons. Beginning with riding English, he soon proved to be a natural horseman and advanced from riding to teaching. He trained his first horse within that first year.

Dennis went on to work at various ranches in Alberta, British Columbia & Saskatchewan, continuing his learning and training of ranch horses. He has worked with & trained Quarter horses, Appaloosas, Pintos, Arabian, Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, and Trekaneners, to name just a few. For several years he worked as Manager and Trainer, on a gaited horse ranch, in Snoqualmie, WA. While on the ranch he trained Gaited Mountain Horses, Tennessee Walkers, Saddle Breds, Peruvians, and Paso Fino.

He begins working with foals as young as possible.   Halter training begins about 3 months old, when he teaches them to halter and lead.  He will pony the foal along side the mother and go for the first trail ride.  When the horse is a yearling Dennis will do some round pen work, and reinforce the lessons of leading.  Saddle training begins  between 2 and 3 years of age.

Using the resistance free methods of training he is also able to retrain older horses as well as work with problem horses.  After an initial evaluation of horse and rider he is able to give an estimate of what time is needed.  His primary focus is to enable the horse and rider to enjoy each others company as they head out for their activities together. For the gaited horses, Dennis uses a variety of exercises to encourage and enhance the gait.  As with all horses muscle development is very important, as is the maturity of the horse.

Specialty training, such as neck-reining and further education of the horses is dependant upon the horses ability and maturity,  as well as  the rider’s ability. Dennis is available for clinics, both in Canada and the USA, and coaching for novice riders, teaching HorseManShip FROM THE GROUND UP.  He is experienced with all ages and skills, including children with special needs.  He specilizes in training the gaited horse and encouraging the best gait for each particular horse.  Contact him to help you with your needs. Email Consulting also available. Childrens Horsemanship & Adult Riding/Training manuals available.

Contact Information: Web site www.horsesensedk.com, Email: dkhorses2009@live.com

Trainers Training: University of Manitoba – Agriculture;  John Lyons Clinics, TTEAM clinics,  Centered Riding clinic,  Pat Parelli Clinics, Buck Brannaman, Studied Ray Hunt, Tom & Bill Dorrance Methods,Member of Certified Horseman Association (CHA), Alberta
Equestrian Federation (AEF)

“I am the owner of Rosebud River Ranch- a full care boarding, training and breeding facility. Dennis and Karen worked directly for me as manager-trainer- and book keeper/financial manager for six plus years. Dennis was a profoundly talented trainer, a trusted employee and an effective manager. I liked both him and his wife as people of integrity and diligence and he was a marvel with my horses. I was very sorry when they finally had to leave the ranch. Pepper Schwartz, PhD.” March 12, 2010 Professor, University of Washington