ABOUT | Hartley Performance Horses

"It is the big choices we make that set our direction. It is the small choices we make that get us to our destination." - Dr. Shad Helmsletter

TRAINING

Robert is dedicated to training and showing some of the finest horses available on the West Coast.

Training for the disciplines of reining, cow horse, versatility ranch and stock horses, Robert specializes in building performance horses that he can promote and match to riders of all levels riding and experience.

With each horse that enters the program, Roberts philosophy is very simple and straight forward with two parts to build a foundation for consistency, balance and repeatability:

1) The importance of letting the horse set the pace. This is of equal importance for the longevity of each horse physically, but also mentally.

2) With Roberts program, from the beginning to the end of training, he is setting the horse up for 3 parts:

To be between the reins
And directly between the riders legs
While stepping and moving forward, soft and into the bridle.

Give Robert a call today with any questions you may have (503) 798-1077

PROGRAMS

When starting with a horse, whether a colt or a finished horse for tune-up, Robert practices a hands-on approach, using groundwork to assess the individual horse, and always being mindful of the animal.

This process has proven to be successful in encouraging the horse to be receptive to being ridden and properly trained for the chosen discipline and the customer’s goal.

Horse Evaluations
Colt Starting - 90 Day Minimum
30 Day - Tune Up
90 Day - Cover The Basics
Open and Non Pro Finished Horse

PROGRAMS

SHOWING

Robert is an AQHA Professional Horseman and AQHA National Director representing the State of Oregon.

As ASHA President and WSSH Chairman, Robert shows his support to the horse industry as a whole.

The Hartley's show locally, regionally and nationally throughout the year.

AQHA - American Quarter Horse Association
OQHA - Oregon Quarter Horse Association
NRCHA - National Reined Cow Horse Association
NWRCHA - NW Reined Cow Horse Association
ASHA - American Stock Horse Association
WSSH - Western States Stock Horse
APHA - American Paint Horse Association
ABRA - American Buckskin Registry Association

Showing

PHILOSOPHY

TEMPERED THROUGH PATIENCE? Robert has molded and modified his training techniques for years. To describe his philosophy, Robert concludes that his training process is similar to the process of TEMPERING STEEL, hence the phrase "Tempered Through Patience".

The medium and constant to produce a finished product for each of these, training horses and tempering steel, is PATIENCE. Horse and rider go through a process of discovery, just like tempering steel and the series of steps you follow to make a finished product.

The training phase is never finished. An example is a steel knife; it must always be sharpened. Honing is the process used to keep the blade sharp. With horses it is similar. The trainer or rider is constantly working to balance the horse.

A true blacksmith or craftsman that makes knives is performing a process that has been the same for 1000 years. The basic concept is the same, while the materials have changed.

Training horses is much the same. The same concept was used 4000 years ago, when horses were domesticated, and partnerships were developed between horse and rider.

The connections between man and horse, makes the other that much better.