With Canadian Instructor/Coach Marty Gardner
About Flattop Horsemanship
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My introduction to horses began with a simple dude ride at Martin Stables near Banff, Alberta when I was about 8 years old. That experience stayed with me. As a teenager, I volunteered at a dude ranch north of Cochrane, spending time around horses whenever I had the chance.
Later in life, after becoming a journeyman Automotive Technician, I made the decision to leave that trade and follow what had always been pulling at me — working with cattle and horses.
Although I had ridden many of my friends’ horses over the years, I didn’t own my first horse, Shaker, until I was nearly 30 years old. That horse changed everything for me.
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The moment things shifted
Like many riders, I once believed the challenges I was having were problems with the horse. I sent Shaker to a trainer to fix what I thought needed fixing. Not long after, I realized something important:
The real limitations weren’t in the horse — they were in my own understanding.
From that point on, learning became an unquenchable thirst. I wanted to understand how horses think, how they learn, and how I could communicate more clearly with them every time I stepped into the saddle. Every ride became another opportunity to learn how to communicate better.
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A path shaped by many traditions
In the beginning, I turned to the people closest to me — cowboys I respected and learned from. That led me to the teachings of Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, Peter Campbell, Bryan Neubert, Joe Wolter, Buck Brannaman, and others whose work emphasized feel, timing, and understanding.
My interest in the Vaquero and Californio traditions opened the door to a deeper appreciation for the development of the bridle horse and the refinement of communication over time. That curiosity eventually led me further — to Doma Vaquera riders in Spain and Portugal, and from there into the study of Classical Dressage.
Each discipline offered a different perspective, but they all pointed toward the same truth: good horsemanship is built on understanding, not shortcuts.
Over the years, I’ve continued to study, observe, and educate my own horses across a wide range of work. Not to promote a particular style, but to deepen my understanding of what truly helps a horse and rider improve together.
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How Flattop Horsemanship Began
Flattop Horsemanship was founded on July 1st, 2007. While cowboying at the historic Waldron Ranch, I was often asked to ride outside horses for customers. That naturally led to helping people with their horsemanship and offering riding lessons in my spare time. As more riders began seeking guidance, the demand gradually grew into clinics and group lessons.
It was at that point that Yvonne and I made the decision to create Flattop Horsemanship and commit to helping people with their horses full time.
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Still a student
I don’t see myself as someone who has “arrived.” I see myself as a student who is always working to become a better horseman and a better teacher of horsemanship.
To me, good horsemanship is a never-ending journey that begins with compassion for the horse and requires a desire to become the best version of yourself in order to communicate with them effectively.
Everything I’ve learned — through mentors, experience, trial and error, and years in the saddle — shapes how I work with riders today. My goal is to help people better understand what their horse is trying to tell them, and to give them the clarity they need to move forward with confidence.
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Why I teach
What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing the smile on a rider’s face when something finally clicks — when they apply what we’ve worked on and feel their horse respond in a way they’ve never felt before. Those moments are incredibly rewarding and are a big part of why I continue to learn, teach, and share what I’ve been fortunate enough to discover along the way.
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Yvonne – The Heart Behind the Scenes
Flattop Horsemanship would not be what it is today without my partner in life and in this journey, Yvonne. She is my biggest supporter and the steady presence behind everything we do. Yvonne often describes herself as the “fix-it lady,” and that couldn’t be more accurate.
She takes care of the countless details that keep things running smoothly — scheduling, accounting, preparing meals for retreats, cleaning pens, and handling whatever else needs doing. Her dedication allows me to focus fully on what I do best: teaching and helping riders and their horses grow together.
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