Josie Howard
Dressage & Event Rider
RE Sporthorses, LLC owned and managed by Josie Howard, offering training, lessons, and sales. Josie is a passionate eventing and dressage rider offering training for all levels of horse and rider.
Located between Harrisonburg and Staunton in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, RE Sporthorses is home in a 25 stall barn on over 80 acres. A few of the many amenities include multiple pastures (big and small), large outdoor arena, cross country jump field, and trails.
Whether you have big riding goals or simply want to have more fun, lessons with Josie are beneficial for all riders. Does your horse need to be started under saddle, a tune-up, or brought to the next level for marketability? We specialize in happy, healthy horses and provide training for all levels of horses.
Training Philosophy
I believe in order to have success with a horse you must work together as partners. Since you can’t teach a horse to speak English, we must speak their language. All horses have different personalities and buttons and all need to be handled differently. By using natural horsemanship techniques we can learn how to use our body language to accomplish this. Horses naturally fear humans; we are predators and they are prey animals. We must teach them that they need not fear us which is accomplished through effective communication with them. Once trust is established between horse and rider, you are able to form a lasting partnership.
As a rider, I will help you gain overall confidence, trust and respect for your horse. We start with the basics of rider position, seat and leg aids, balance, and communication. From there we move on to more advanced study of balance to help riders gain confidence in their seat allowing the horse to move naturally and balanced in their own self carriage.
~ Josie
Show Results
2025 Session starts soon!
