| At M-Bar-K Farms we are constantly striving to improve our education so that we can pass on our knowledge to you our students. Mike Aldridge is currently enrolled in the Professional Horse Trainer Certification Program and we are excited about this wonderful opportunity to be able to bring you the latest information available in professional lessons and training. |
| Interested in Lessons? Click here. |
| See our new Testimonials page. |
| New! See the wonderful Forward to a limited addition Horsemanship book that we published on our website by special permission by the author. His teachings follow along with the philosophies of M-Bar-K Farms. An Analysis of Horsemanship |
| Congratulations!!! As of March 1, 2008 we have had 243,265 page views on our website since we started it at the end of January 2005! Thanks Everybody!!! "www.dfwridinglessons.com These pages have been viewed a total of 243,265 times." |
About Us
Mike Aldridge, Trainer/Instructor
Mike Aldridge started riding nearly 28 years ago at the age of 13.
He spent two years volunteering at All Seasons Riding Academy in Fremont, California specializing
in therapeutic and recreational horseback riding activities to children and adults with disabilities.
He also learned how to drive horse teams for wagons and ride both English and Western.
In April, 1987 he graduated as an Animal Care Specialist in the U. S. Army at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center in Washington D.C. There he received extensive training in medical care for horses.
His first assignment in August, 1987 was in Fort Hood, Texas where he worked at the Army Post’s
Animal Care Facility. He was assigned to assist the Post Veterinarian in taking care of the 60+
horses in the Army’s 1st Calvary Ceremonial Horse Detachment and approximately 200 – 300
privately owned horses that were boarded on post. He was invited and participated in practicing
with the Cavalrymen during their drills and exercises, learning their unique style of riding as well as
their precision drills and maneuvers.
He spent two years volunteering at All Seasons Riding Academy in Fremont, California specializing
in therapeutic and recreational horseback riding activities to children and adults with disabilities.
He also learned how to drive horse teams for wagons and ride both English and Western.
In April, 1987 he graduated as an Animal Care Specialist in the U. S. Army at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center in Washington D.C. There he received extensive training in medical care for horses.
His first assignment in August, 1987 was in Fort Hood, Texas where he worked at the Army Post’s
Animal Care Facility. He was assigned to assist the Post Veterinarian in taking care of the 60+
horses in the Army’s 1st Calvary Ceremonial Horse Detachment and approximately 200 – 300
privately owned horses that were boarded on post. He was invited and participated in practicing
with the Cavalrymen during their drills and exercises, learning their unique style of riding as well as
their precision drills and maneuvers.
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In October 1989 Mike was transferred to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where he volunteered with a
Boy Scouts of America Horse Cavalry Unit. He became a Merit Badge Instructor and horse
trainer for the Boy Scouts and during his three years there, he taught children how to ride and
care for horses, he trained four green broke mustangs that were donated from the Bureau of
Land Management for the Scouts to ride and he attended many seminars, clinics, shows and
parades. He attended a Linda Tellington Jones clinic while he was there and volunteered with
the local Special Olympics Equestrian Program earning a volunteer award.
In December 1992 Mike and his wife purchased a small farm in Woodlawn, Tennessee. Mike
continued his journey with horses and helped form a Mounted Drill Club where he instructed
new members and attended parades and shows to perform practiced drills.
Mike was appointed to the Board of Directors of the local riding club and he qualified three years
in a row for the Tennessee State Saddle Club Association State Show, placing in this regional
show.
Boy Scouts of America Horse Cavalry Unit. He became a Merit Badge Instructor and horse
trainer for the Boy Scouts and during his three years there, he taught children how to ride and
care for horses, he trained four green broke mustangs that were donated from the Bureau of
Land Management for the Scouts to ride and he attended many seminars, clinics, shows and
parades. He attended a Linda Tellington Jones clinic while he was there and volunteered with
the local Special Olympics Equestrian Program earning a volunteer award.
In December 1992 Mike and his wife purchased a small farm in Woodlawn, Tennessee. Mike
continued his journey with horses and helped form a Mounted Drill Club where he instructed
new members and attended parades and shows to perform practiced drills.
Mike was appointed to the Board of Directors of the local riding club and he qualified three years
in a row for the Tennessee State Saddle Club Association State Show, placing in this regional
show.
In May of 2000 Mike moved to the DFW, Texas area where exciting things continued to happen, he
was offered a job with Las Colinas Equine Veterinary Clinic. Where he befriended Dr. Mark
Crabill, Diplomate, ACVS (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons specializing
in equines) Mark now works at Lone Star Park Equine Vet Clinic in Grand Prairie. Mike still visits
him on occasion, sometimes bringing his students in to tour the facilities. (Update: See photo's
of Mike helping Dr. Crabill in surgery 11/18/05 Click here)
He was hired and trained by Alpha Omega Mounted Patrol in 2001. Working with them until they
relocated to Houston.
See new photo's of Mike taking a lesson with former head trainer for the Royal Lipizzaner
Stallions dressage trainer/instructor Matt McLaughlin on March 16, 2008. We continue our
education so that we may pass along the valuable information to you!
was offered a job with Las Colinas Equine Veterinary Clinic. Where he befriended Dr. Mark
Crabill, Diplomate, ACVS (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons specializing
in equines) Mark now works at Lone Star Park Equine Vet Clinic in Grand Prairie. Mike still visits
him on occasion, sometimes bringing his students in to tour the facilities. (Update: See photo's
of Mike helping Dr. Crabill in surgery 11/18/05 Click here)
He was hired and trained by Alpha Omega Mounted Patrol in 2001. Working with them until they
relocated to Houston.
See new photo's of Mike taking a lesson with former head trainer for the Royal Lipizzaner
Stallions dressage trainer/instructor Matt McLaughlin on March 16, 2008. We continue our
education so that we may pass along the valuable information to you!
Kasey Aldridge, Coordinator
Schedule permitting Kasey attends a student’s first lesson to help with introductions to Mike and
the horses. At that time she will explain any rules and complete all necessary paperwork that is
required to be signed. She will inform students of resources that may help them with what they
are trying to learn.
For students that already own their own horses she helps them learn and understand horse
genetics, breed planning, pasture maintenance, as well as proper nutrition and care for their
horses. She coordinates times to go out to the student’s barn with Mike to work on their horses,
or she makes arrangements to bring them into their barn.
She works with Mike and Tricia as a buyer’s agent. Some of those responsibilities include
interviewing the buyer and explaining the process to them. She helps to locate and research the
horse, interviews the seller, and coordinates a meeting time and place. She then walks the
buyer through the transaction and handles all the paperwork to close out the deal.
Kasey is very efficient and helps the new horse owner get settled with their new horse. Because
she is so detail oriented she can lead the owner through the process of boarding, feeding, vet
care, equipment and supplies etc. that can sometimes be overwhelming to a novice. We are so
proud to have her as part of the team!
the horses. At that time she will explain any rules and complete all necessary paperwork that is
required to be signed. She will inform students of resources that may help them with what they
are trying to learn.
For students that already own their own horses she helps them learn and understand horse
genetics, breed planning, pasture maintenance, as well as proper nutrition and care for their
horses. She coordinates times to go out to the student’s barn with Mike to work on their horses,
or she makes arrangements to bring them into their barn.
She works with Mike and Tricia as a buyer’s agent. Some of those responsibilities include
interviewing the buyer and explaining the process to them. She helps to locate and research the
horse, interviews the seller, and coordinates a meeting time and place. She then walks the
buyer through the transaction and handles all the paperwork to close out the deal.
Kasey is very efficient and helps the new horse owner get settled with their new horse. Because
she is so detail oriented she can lead the owner through the process of boarding, feeding, vet
care, equipment and supplies etc. that can sometimes be overwhelming to a novice. We are so
proud to have her as part of the team!
Kasey has been married to Mike for 22 wonderful years. They
work well together as a team and Kasey is a very valuable
asset to the business. Kasey does the website for the
company, our videos and the advertising. She also screens
potential students that call for lessons to determine what they
want and need to learn in order to customize a lesson plan that
will best suit their needs.
work well together as a team and Kasey is a very valuable
asset to the business. Kasey does the website for the
company, our videos and the advertising. She also screens
potential students that call for lessons to determine what they
want and need to learn in order to customize a lesson plan that
will best suit their needs.
Our Philosophy
Lessons- We place an emphasis
on patience, safety, confidence and
horse riding skills, our students
have the opportunity to become
accomplished riders.
Training-We start from the ground
and work our way up. Using
gentle, caring techniques we earn
the horse's trust and build their
confidence. Then we work with the
owner and horse together
extensively in order to promote the
best relationship possible.
on patience, safety, confidence and
horse riding skills, our students
have the opportunity to become
accomplished riders.
Training-We start from the ground
and work our way up. Using
gentle, caring techniques we earn
the horse's trust and build their
confidence. Then we work with the
owner and horse together
extensively in order to promote the
best relationship possible.
M-Bar-K Farms
| 469-682-4405 |
| See our new Testimonials page. |
| Update 6/21/08 We just discovered something nice somebody wrote about us on www.newrider.com |
| "Because not everybody is in it for the horse" Mike Aldridge, July 6, 2008 This comment was made after we saw the awful underweight condition of a horse that came to us from a well known big name barn in the DFW area. The horse's trainer had been unable to pay board so the horse was stuck in a filthy stall with barely enough food to eat and was not let out for weeks. |