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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Kalley Krickeberg?

Kalley Krickeberg is a professional horse trainer, educator, and lifelong horsewoman. She’s known for her balanced, thoughtful approach to horsemanship—one that focuses on understanding the horse, developing feel, and building true partnership over time.

What is Kalley known for?

Kalley is especially respected for:

  • Clear, practical teaching

  • Developing softness and understanding

  • Helping riders who feel stuck

  • Young horse, foal and problem horse training

  • Her work with Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs)

What is Balanced Horse Training?

Balanced Horse Training is a progressive system built on:

  • Clear communication

  • Proper timing and feel

  • Solid foundations

  • Understanding how horses learn

The goal is a calm, willing, capable horse—and a rider who knows why things work.

Is this a method or a system?

It’s a system. The principles stay consistent, while the application adjusts to each horse.

Will this help “problem” horses?

Yes. Many horses labeled as “problems” are confused, rushed, or misunderstood. This training helps slow things down and rebuild clarity.

Who is this for?

This training is for:

  • Adult amateurs and youth riders
  • Horse owners feeling stuck or unsure
  • Riders retraining or restarting horses
  • People who want a better relationship—not just better performance

If you care about doing right by your horse, you’re in the right place.

What if I’m a beginner?

That’s fine. Many members start here because they want clear direction instead of guessing. The lessons are straight forward and easy to follow.

What if I’ve been riding for years?

Many experienced riders come here to fill in gaps, improve feel, and fix issues that haven’t resolved with traditional approaches.

What horses does this work for?

  • Young horses
  • Seasoned horses
  • OTTBs
  • Sensitive or reactive horses
  • Performance and pleasure horses

The principles stay the same. The application adjusts to the horse.

Is this discipline-specific?

No. Balance, clarity, and communication matter in every discipline.

Can I really do this at home?

Yes. Most members train at home with normal arenas, round pens, or pastures. No fancy equipment required.

How long before I see results?

Some changes happen quickly—especially in relaxation and understanding. Real progress comes from steady, thoughtful work over time.

What training memberships are available?

Groundwork & Liberty Membership
Best for:

  • Building communication from the ground

  • Creating softness, respect, and clarity

  • Restarting or settling horses

Riding Membership
Best for:

  • Balance and rhythm under saddle

  • Rider position and timing

  • Improving softness, straightness, and connection

All Access Membership
Best for:

  • Full progression from ground to saddle

  • Knowing exactly where you are and what to work on next

  • Riders who want the complete system

Do I need all three memberships?

No. Start where you are. Many members begin with Groundwork or Riding and move into All Access when ready. Alternatively, you can join the All access, pick & choose, as you progress, adjusting at your pace and needs.

How is this different from random ad-hoc online videos?

This training is organized and teaches decision-making. You learn:

  • What matters most right now

  • When to push and when to wait

  • How to adjust for different horses

That’s what creates consistency.

Can I cancel my membership?

Yes. Memberships are easy to manage. No long-term pressure.

Is this training specifically for OTTBs?

Yes. While the principles work for all horses, this program is especially effective for OTTBs because it addresses their unique background, mindset, and physical development after racing.

Why do OTTBs need a different approach?

OTTBs often come off the track with:

  • A strong work ethic but limited balance
  • High sensitivity to pressure
  • Gaps in basic understanding
  • Physical patterns built for speed, not versatility

This training focuses on helping them slow down, rebalance, and understand a new job.

My OTTB is quiet / hot / anxious / shut down — will this still help?

Yes. OTTBs express stress differently. This program helps you:

  • Read what your horse is actually telling you
  • Adjust pressure and timing
  • Build relaxation without dulling the horse

Do I need OTTB experience to follow this program?

No. The lessons explain what’s different about OTTBs and how to work with them thoughtfully—even if this is your first one.

Will this help my OTTB under saddle?

Yes. The program focuses on:

  • Mental relaxation
  • Rebuilding balance
  • Creating clarity before adding pressure or expectations

This leads to better rides, better transitions, and fewer blow-ups.

Can this help OTTBs that have been off the track for years?

Absolutely. Many OTTBs carry old habits long after racing. This training helps identify and address those patterns, no matter how long they’ve been off the track.

Is this about retraining or starting over?

Sometimes both. The goal is not to erase the horse’s past—but to help them understand a new one.

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Kalley Krickeberg is a world-class equestrian who developed her innovative Balanced Horse Training (BHT) curriculum through extensive study across multiple disciplines.
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Balanced Horse Training

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Off-Track Thoroughbred Program
Memberships Details

Groundwork Program Membership

On-line, Off-line/Liberty

Overview

When you build a foundation of understanding and respect with feel, everything else comes easy. That’s the goal — balance from the ground up.

BHT Groundwork Program builds communication through the horse’s natural responses to pressure and release, body language, and the drive-line — that invisible line that influences direction, speed, and focus. The goal: Develop a calm, connected, and confident partner who moves off your feel — not your strength.

Member Benefits
  • Groundwork video lessons - Essentials, Intermediate, & Advanced
  • Members Newsletter with news, program updates, and special promotions
  • Member-only discounts on tools & gear, educational books and guides, clinics, and events.
  • New lessons and troubleshooting videos, added regularly, to keep your training fresh and progressive.
Course Details
BHT Essentials starts with foundational basics of clarity and connection: establish space, boundaries, and lightness through purposeful movement.
What You’ll Work On:
  • Building confidence through sight exposure, touch, and a rhythmic flow between circles and obstacles like bridges, tarps, ground poles and more.
  • Establishing “driveline control” — using your natural focus and path of travel, to guide and direct the motion of the horse in regards to their natural tendencies surrounding the Driveline
  • Teaching lightness through forequarter and hindquarter yields, back-ups, and smooth circles.
  • Developing light communication — where two fingers on the line can move your horse’s whole body.
Add precision and flow: using patterns for developing a responsive, balanced horse who stays mentally connected through every turn, transition, and task.This is where precision meets feel — where groundwork turns into partnership in motion.
What You’ll Work On:
  • Patterns like the Tear Drop, Leapfrog, and Slice-n-Dice to control and coordinate the forehand and hindquarters.
  • Pivots and slack-line circles to improve rhythm and lightness.
  • Liberty transitions that test trust, respect and timing.
  • Advanced steering through Sternum Steering and Convex Circles.
  • Introducing advanced groundwork skills like using the “knot lariat” in a safe, controlled way.
Freedom through focus: perform obstacles and liberty maneuvers with timing and feel. The Advanced Groundwork module transforms into artistry. This is where horse and human move together in self-carriage — at liberty, at distance, and in complete understanding. Every cue becomes intention, and every movement flows from trust and respect.
What You’ll Work On:
  • Mastering maneuvers and obstacles at distance with accuracy and lightness.
  • Refining circles, pivots, and transitions for advanced balance and rhythm.
  • Liberty exercises like Lead Changes, Mirroring and Sternum Steering.
  • Engaging multiple obstacles and changing patterns without losing connection.
  • Cultivating self-carriage — where your horse takes responsibility for balance and rhythm.
Memberships Details

Riding Program Membership

Balance, Feel & Body Control

Overview

When you ride with feel you start to realize how little you actually need to do.

Ride with intention, not reaction. BHT Riding Program builds on the Groundwork, helping riders connect through seat position, timing, and balance. It’s about riding with clarity , precision and control. You’ll learn to use your seat, feet, “comma, comma” hands, and focus in ways that make sense to your horse. Every cue has a meaning, and every balanced ride builds trust, respect, and understanding.

Each level—Essentials, Intermediate, and Advanced—gives you a step-by-step framework for developing a horse that moves freely, willingly, and with purpose.

Member Benefits
  • Riding video lessons - Essentials, Intermediate, & Advanced
  • Members Newsletter with news, program updates, and special promotions
  • Member-only discounts on tools & gear, educational books and guides, clinics, and events.
  • New lessons and troubleshooting videos, added regularly, to keep your training fresh and progressive.
Course Details
Essentials — Build Connection and Confidence in Motion
This is where we put the foundation in place. You’ll learn to guide all four feet with your reins, move the horse’s body with your body – sternum riding, seat, feet, & hands with accurate intent. The Essentials lessons help you and your horse find balance and communication through simple, meaningful exercises. You’ll start to see how your horse mirrors your position and follows your light feel when you ride with clarity.
What You’ll Work On:
  • Rein to all four feet—understanding how each rein connects to movement.
  • One-rein backups, light bends, and easy transitions.
  • Forward rhythm and straightness through all gaits.
  • Relaxed stops and balanced turns without tension.
  • Using physics, your body and focus to guide direction instead of relying on direct pressure.
Intermediate — Shape, Balance, and Refinement
Now that your horse understands the basics, it’s time to refine how you accomplish transitions, collection, and suppleness through balance and feel. The Intermediate lessons focus on shaping movement and building control through rhythm, posture, and flow. This level bridges everyday riding with higher-level responsiveness—without losing lightness or connection. Collection isn’t about pulling or shoving a horse together. It’s about helping them find their own balance so they want to carry themselves.
What You’ll Work On:
  • Lateral work like half-passes, counter-bends, and correct turns.
  • Timing and rhythm through transitions and lateral movements.
  • Collection through body balance and holding a frame, but not pulling on the reins.
  • Introducing simple patterns to improve precision and flow.
  • Maintaining feel and focus at different speeds and energy levels.
Advanced — Refine the Feel: Connection Through Precision
The Advanced Riding Program is where the smallest details make the biggest difference. You’ll learn to ride with invisible cues—using your seat, physics, and intent to guide movement instead of relying on direct pressure. The horse learns to stay relaxed and balanced even in challenging maneuvers.
What You’ll Work On:
  • Lead changes, pirouettes, and advanced transitions.
  • Strengthening collection and self-carriage.
  • Straightness and balance through higher-energy/higher effort work.
  • Light stops, precise turns, and smooth rollbacks.
  • Riding through energy, not effort—refining truly following a feel.
Memberships Details

All-Access — All Inclusive BHT Membership

BHT Groundwork + Riding Programs

Overview

When you connect the groundwork to the riding, you don’t just train a horse — you build a relationship that works anywhere.

The All-Access Anytime Membership is designed to meet you wherever you are — from the first touch of a lead rope to the lightest cue under saddle. It’s about teaching your horse to think, not react. And it’s about helping you ride and work with balance, clarity, and purpose — every day, in every interaction.

All-Access Member Benefits
  • All lessons in both Ground/Liberty and Riding programs — all levels, all topics.
  • BHT Members Newsletter with news, program updates, special promotions, and more
  • Step-by-step videos that connect groundwork, liberty, and riding - all levels - in a single system.
  • Exclusive discounts on BHT gear and training tools.
  • New lessons, added monthly, so your training never stops growing.
Course Details

BHT All-Access is for the horseman or horsewoman who wants it all — the full program from groundwork through to advanced riding, combining both the BHT Ground/Liberty and BHT Riding Programs.

This membership is designed for people who want a complete understanding of Kalley’s balanced approach of understanding how the horse thinks, moves, and learns — and how to carry that same feel from the ground into the saddle. You’ll learn not only what to do, but why it matters.

  • Establishing communication and boundaries through groundwork and liberty.
  • Understanding the horse’s natural response to pressure and the drive-line.
  • Developing body control, focus, and timing for true connection.
  • Translating groundwork skills directly into the saddle for light, balanced movement.
  • Building feel through positioning, seat, and rhythm — so your cues make sense to the horse.
  • Refining transitions, collection, and advanced maneuvers through understanding and respect, not force.

When you train with balance and clarity, the horse learns to trust your leadership — on the ground and under saddle. The AAA Membership connects every piece of the puzzle: how the horse thinks, how they move, and how your body language, timing, and feel shape the conversation between you.

You’ll start to see how groundwork and riding aren’t two separate worlds — they’re the same language, spoken in different places. By combining both programs, you’ll develop timing that feels effortless, movement that flows naturally, and a partnership built on mutual understanding.