Tom Lobsiger and Andrea Howson's horsemanship page
Tom Lobsiger & Andrea Howson moved to the Okanagan in 2015 and rented Stepney Stables in Armstrong for 1 1/2 years. We decided that we liked it here and bought a place in Trinity Valley. Currently we're working on building our riding facilities with hopes that we'll have a nice log round pen and outdoor arena before the 2017 season kicks off.
Tom comes from a diverse horse background. He started into horses at an Arab training stable in Ontario. He was a trail guide in Jasper, Algonquin Park, and Waterton. He worked for a QH breeding & training stable in Virginia and visited several ranches in Uruguay and Argentina. The last 5 years before our move to the Okanagan were split between two cattle ranches in Alberta.
Somewhere in there he attended University of Guelph and got a Degree in Equine Management. Anatomy and nutrition were his main interests. The Degree has served as a good foundation for learning the biomechanics of riding and helping horses and riders develop their skills.
Tom has borrowed ideas and skills from many of the people he has met along the way. He also spends time studying the principles of the California Bridle Horse and Classical Dressage. He likes to keep things simple, with a focus on proper movement and patience. 'Straightness & balance through patience' sums things up nicely.
Andrea grew up showing hunters and jumpers in Ontario. She graduated with a Marketing degree in 2011 and has since been making her way back into the horse world. She was the Stable Manager at Stepney Stables and now takes care of our client horses. She has ambitions to show her Thoroughbreds to a high level. This fall she plans to begin studying at the BC College of Equine Therapy.