Learn Positive Reinforcement with Gentled Mustangs
12pm-4pm | December 20th, 2025 | Cave Creek, AZ (WAITLIST)
12pm-4pm | January 24th, 2026 | Glendale, AZ - Wild Hooves Open Hearts
Experience a hands-on, transformational afternoon learning positive reinforcement (R+) with the help of our gentled mustangs. This clinic introduces the foundational behaviors of Connection Training—an internationally trusted, reward-based approach that builds confidence, cooperation, and true partnership.
A collaborative, trusting relationship with your horse without the use of dominance.
Working with your horse to be fun and joyful instead of stressful and frustrating.
To solve a specific behavioral problem without using aversive pressure or force.
To train new skills or behaviors yourself without relying on a trainer.
To learn how to use positive reinforcement without creating tension, anxiety, or pushiness around food.
Whether you're new to R+ or looking to deepen your skills, you’ll learn how to create calm, connected, emotionally regulated horses—and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the mustang mind and what makes them so special.
No need to bring your own horse—just come ready to learn, connect, and enjoy a transformational day with these incredible mustangs.
This clinic is for you if you want:
What You Will Learn
Participants will work directly with our resident mustangs at liberty in a quiet, safe, supportive environment with personalized coaching from Sharen. We will cover the most important skills to learn in order to lay the foundation for teaching any behavior using positive reinforcement.
Foundational Behaviors at Liberty:
Food Manners & Calm Default
Handheld Targeting
Walk Together / Matching Steps
Stationing & Start Buttons
For attendees who want to apply everything learned in the clinic to their own horse, Sharen will travel to your property and work directly with you and your horse. These sessions are tailored to your goals—whether you want to address a behavioral challenge, or build more confidence and connection. Working at home allows your horse to learn without the stress of travel or new environments, making progress easier, safer, and more sustainable.
Apply it to Your Horse
Your Coach
Sharen Ross is a certified Connection Training Coach and a certified Trauma-Informed Horse Trainer with 20 years of hands-on experience in owning, riding, and training horses. For the past 8 years, Sharen has been training mustangs using positive reinforcement and trauma-informed training methods and recently presented at the international R+ Horse Summit on working with mustangs/fearful horses. Sharen cares for five formerly wild equines and provides online coaching services to clients worldwide and in-person around Cave Creek, Arizona.
Connection Training was founded 12 years ago in the UK and is now the largest online community in the world for positive horse training. The program is designed to enhance the bond between horses and their handlers through gentle, reward-based methods to foster trust and cooperation. It focuses on soft, horse-friendly approaches that prioritize the horse's emotional well-being. The goal is to cultivate positive emotions such as relaxation, confidence, and willingness by rewarding desired behaviors, most often with food. The food is given immediately after a desired behavior is performed, which increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.
What is Connection Training?
Register Now!
Please use the form below to register for the clinic. Once registered we will reach out with a payment link and to answer any questions you may have.
$85 to attend and participate hands-on with the mustangs (Cave Creek - Waitlist Only)
$60 to attend, observe and join in the discussions (Cave Creek - Waitlist Only)
$75 for a private lesson with Sharen at your facility (90 mins, scheduled separately)
