OUr Mission
We strive to help people live their best lives through the practice of Horsemanship.
How do you Say ... DEH-FraY-Tis
Change is a GOOD thing. Let's be real, can we? You wouldn't be considering training with us if you didn't want to change some aspect of your relationship with the horse, and wanting a change does not mean there is anything wrong with what you have now. Whether you are just starting your equestrian journey, or looking to master that last high performance maneuver, there is always more to learn, and there is always room for improvement. At De Frates Horsemanship we never settle for the best and we not only embrace change, we celebrate it and LEAD it to make dreams come true. We use the Lyons Conditioned Response Method, our corporate management and training expertise, and a lot of hard work to make change happen, which builds confident partnerships and sets you on the path to your dreams.
We won't stop until you are happy AND successful.
At De Frates Horsemanship, we specialize in change...it's who we are and it's what we do. Let us show you how.
We won't stop until you are happy AND successful.
At De Frates Horsemanship, we specialize in change...it's who we are and it's what we do. Let us show you how.
"Change is the only contstant in life.”
- The ancient Greek Philosopher, Hercalitus
Dana De Frates
Dana has been riding since before she could walk and started competing in Hunter/Jumper shows when she was still in pre-school. She spent her childhood years on the back of a Morgan mare named Isis and dreamed of becoming a Morgan breeder, but when Isis passed away shortly before Dana graduated high school, her dream was crushed. Horseless, Dana volunteered her free time while in college to an Equine Facilitated Therapy Center where she learned the Parelli method and worked with the incoming horses to assess their existing training and ensure they were prepared for their new careers.
Dana received her BA in Education from Saint Mary's College of California. She took her educational background to Google, where she spent years in the internal education department designing and delivering team development, leadership, coaching, and onboarding trainings. Dana is a gifted and natural teacher, who makes learning even the most difficult skills entertaining.
When the time came to get a new horse, Dana searched for just the right Morgan and finally found Angel, a chestnut flaxen yearling. Dana had never trained a horse before and she sought out every opportunity she could for her and Angel build a strong partnership. She used what she had learned about the Parelli method and it helped her get a solid foundation with Angel on the ground, so great in fact, that she even thought about becoming a horse trainer, but keeping Angel at a public boarding facility posed its own challenges. Other boarders made fun of Dana for her Parelli work and they always let her know just how incompetent they thought she was. After a year of this constant bullying, Dana's confidence was nearly destroyed and she turned to a very well known professional for help starting Angel at a colt-starting clinic. Unfortunately, an accident at the clinic severely injured both horse and rider, left Angel traumatized, and almost cost Dana her hand. Unable to get back in the saddle for the better part of a year, Dana taught Angel to do several tricks and pull a cart to work through Angel’s trauma until they were both ready to continue their work under saddle. Still at a boarding facility when she got back on Angel, and struggling with confidence issues in the face of the same bullies, Dana found comfort in the process of classical dressage training, which she then studied for over a decade, until a non-horse related foot injury left Dana unable to walk for months. That was when Jason stepped in to care for Angel and fell in love with horses.
When Dana was able to return to the ranch, Jason wanted to learn to ride and she was happy to teach him. Watching Jason excel in the saddle restored her confidence in her training abilities, and Dana went in search of a new mentor to further her education. Her search led her to Brandi Lyons and Dana left her first clinic with Brandi so full of knowledge and confidence that she bought a project horse for Jason. Dana put some training on the horse and was extremely proud of the they had made, but just one month after they brought the new horse home, did said horse kick Jason in the face during an accident on a trail ride. Jason was hospitalized for a few weeks and when he left he had half a face full of metal. The accident also left Dana with something she had never experienced around a horse before. Fear. Paralyzing, soul shaking fear. The couple used the Brandi’s methods relentlessly for months to overcome their fear. They tried to salvage the relationship with the horse, but ultimately decided the traumatic memories were just too powerful, for all of them. They found the horse a great new home, and found Jason a new horse, Boo. This new horse of Jason's was great, until he wasn't, and when he wasn't, Dana's confidence was shaken and the fear came back stronger than it had ever been before. Her fear was so powerful that Dana wanted to get out of horses entirely. She was miserable. With Jason’s support, they decided that if Dana could overcome this fear, if she could find her way back experiencing joy around horses, that they would make it her mission to help others facing similar issues. Two days into a four day clinic with Brandi and Dana was confidently riding Boo again. Before the clinic was over, Jason had plotted with Brandi for Dana to become a Brandi Lyons Certified Trainer.
Dana spent months living and studying with Brandi at her home in Arizona, where she learned the details of the Lyons Conditioned Response Methods and how to use the theories to start horses, fix almost any problem, and take a solid horse's capabilities to near peak performance. She also learned to teach a few more tricks, run a successful clinic, and give impactful lessons. When Dana came home full of confidence and ready to make a change, the couple sold their house in the suburbs, moved to Gilroy and started De Frates Horsemanship.
In addition to training horses, teaching horsemanship, giving lessons, and running clinics out of her own facility, Dana is proud to combine her equine expertise with her educational background and corporate training experience. Dana is also certified by Greg Kersten, the founder of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, and owner of the O.K. Corral Series to offer Equine Assisted Learning Programs focused on Team Building and Leadership Development.
Dana received her BA in Education from Saint Mary's College of California. She took her educational background to Google, where she spent years in the internal education department designing and delivering team development, leadership, coaching, and onboarding trainings. Dana is a gifted and natural teacher, who makes learning even the most difficult skills entertaining.
When the time came to get a new horse, Dana searched for just the right Morgan and finally found Angel, a chestnut flaxen yearling. Dana had never trained a horse before and she sought out every opportunity she could for her and Angel build a strong partnership. She used what she had learned about the Parelli method and it helped her get a solid foundation with Angel on the ground, so great in fact, that she even thought about becoming a horse trainer, but keeping Angel at a public boarding facility posed its own challenges. Other boarders made fun of Dana for her Parelli work and they always let her know just how incompetent they thought she was. After a year of this constant bullying, Dana's confidence was nearly destroyed and she turned to a very well known professional for help starting Angel at a colt-starting clinic. Unfortunately, an accident at the clinic severely injured both horse and rider, left Angel traumatized, and almost cost Dana her hand. Unable to get back in the saddle for the better part of a year, Dana taught Angel to do several tricks and pull a cart to work through Angel’s trauma until they were both ready to continue their work under saddle. Still at a boarding facility when she got back on Angel, and struggling with confidence issues in the face of the same bullies, Dana found comfort in the process of classical dressage training, which she then studied for over a decade, until a non-horse related foot injury left Dana unable to walk for months. That was when Jason stepped in to care for Angel and fell in love with horses.
When Dana was able to return to the ranch, Jason wanted to learn to ride and she was happy to teach him. Watching Jason excel in the saddle restored her confidence in her training abilities, and Dana went in search of a new mentor to further her education. Her search led her to Brandi Lyons and Dana left her first clinic with Brandi so full of knowledge and confidence that she bought a project horse for Jason. Dana put some training on the horse and was extremely proud of the they had made, but just one month after they brought the new horse home, did said horse kick Jason in the face during an accident on a trail ride. Jason was hospitalized for a few weeks and when he left he had half a face full of metal. The accident also left Dana with something she had never experienced around a horse before. Fear. Paralyzing, soul shaking fear. The couple used the Brandi’s methods relentlessly for months to overcome their fear. They tried to salvage the relationship with the horse, but ultimately decided the traumatic memories were just too powerful, for all of them. They found the horse a great new home, and found Jason a new horse, Boo. This new horse of Jason's was great, until he wasn't, and when he wasn't, Dana's confidence was shaken and the fear came back stronger than it had ever been before. Her fear was so powerful that Dana wanted to get out of horses entirely. She was miserable. With Jason’s support, they decided that if Dana could overcome this fear, if she could find her way back experiencing joy around horses, that they would make it her mission to help others facing similar issues. Two days into a four day clinic with Brandi and Dana was confidently riding Boo again. Before the clinic was over, Jason had plotted with Brandi for Dana to become a Brandi Lyons Certified Trainer.
Dana spent months living and studying with Brandi at her home in Arizona, where she learned the details of the Lyons Conditioned Response Methods and how to use the theories to start horses, fix almost any problem, and take a solid horse's capabilities to near peak performance. She also learned to teach a few more tricks, run a successful clinic, and give impactful lessons. When Dana came home full of confidence and ready to make a change, the couple sold their house in the suburbs, moved to Gilroy and started De Frates Horsemanship.
In addition to training horses, teaching horsemanship, giving lessons, and running clinics out of her own facility, Dana is proud to combine her equine expertise with her educational background and corporate training experience. Dana is also certified by Greg Kersten, the founder of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, and owner of the O.K. Corral Series to offer Equine Assisted Learning Programs focused on Team Building and Leadership Development.
Jason DE Frates
Jason has been a IBEW Union Electrician since graduating high school; his relentless work ethic and natural skill allowed him to quickly rise into management where he has managed multi-million dollar projects for several companies including Genentech, Google, box.com, and The San Francisco International Airport. He now sits in an office, managing a department that specializes in creating the digital plans that the field teams need to build and create masterpieces.
Jason spent his youth constantly searching for his next adrenaline rush and found them through rock climbing, mountain biking, kickboxing, and stunting motorcycles. Unfortunately, these pursuits left Jason with multiple injuries including several damaged disks in his neck and lower back. When Jason discovered horses he found a new outlet for excitement that also brought him the fulfillment all his other endeavors always seemed to be missing.
Jason came to horses much later in life, the few experiences that he had previously left him thinking that horses were nothing more than 1000 lbs brainless creatures that were afraid of their own shadows. That all changed when Jason met Dana, and more importantly, met Angel. Dana and Angel opened Jason's eyes to just how amazing horses truly were, and how building a relationship with one could change your life. It was all over for him; he was hooked. Jason saw just how much joy, fulfillment, and of course, challenges, working with horses could bring to your life and after training with Dana and Angel for a few years, it was time for Jason to get a horse of his own. The couple found a wonderful horse that after a little tune up, would be perfect for what Jason wanted to try, Mounted Shooting. Dana provided the training, and not even one month later the horse was well on the road to being Jason’s perfect mount. Tragically, during a trail riding accident, Jason was kicked in the face by this horse. The accident left Jason hospitalized for weeks, and facial reconstruction surgery left him with a face full of titanium. Jason walked away, but walked away with something else that he had never known before, fear.
With Dana's constant and relentless support, Jason overcame his fear and tried to salvage his relationship with the horse. Ultimately the trauma all three felt was just too strong and they found the horse a great new home. Jason wasn't done with horses though, and they found him a new horse. Boo was great in the beginning, but when he began to have issues, Jason's fear returned. With the couple not sure what else to do, they signed up for a 4-day clinic with Brandi. Two days into the clinic, Jason was riding without fear, and he worked with Brandi to push Dana to become a Certified Trainer.
Jason and Boo continue to strengthen their bond and their skill level, which is clearly evident when you see them doing flying lead changes bridleless. Jason’s love for horses has only continued to grow, and after trying a few different equestrian sports, Jason is now training in Cutting with his new horse Izzy, until his baby, Duke, is ready to compete.
Jason spent his youth constantly searching for his next adrenaline rush and found them through rock climbing, mountain biking, kickboxing, and stunting motorcycles. Unfortunately, these pursuits left Jason with multiple injuries including several damaged disks in his neck and lower back. When Jason discovered horses he found a new outlet for excitement that also brought him the fulfillment all his other endeavors always seemed to be missing.
Jason came to horses much later in life, the few experiences that he had previously left him thinking that horses were nothing more than 1000 lbs brainless creatures that were afraid of their own shadows. That all changed when Jason met Dana, and more importantly, met Angel. Dana and Angel opened Jason's eyes to just how amazing horses truly were, and how building a relationship with one could change your life. It was all over for him; he was hooked. Jason saw just how much joy, fulfillment, and of course, challenges, working with horses could bring to your life and after training with Dana and Angel for a few years, it was time for Jason to get a horse of his own. The couple found a wonderful horse that after a little tune up, would be perfect for what Jason wanted to try, Mounted Shooting. Dana provided the training, and not even one month later the horse was well on the road to being Jason’s perfect mount. Tragically, during a trail riding accident, Jason was kicked in the face by this horse. The accident left Jason hospitalized for weeks, and facial reconstruction surgery left him with a face full of titanium. Jason walked away, but walked away with something else that he had never known before, fear.
With Dana's constant and relentless support, Jason overcame his fear and tried to salvage his relationship with the horse. Ultimately the trauma all three felt was just too strong and they found the horse a great new home. Jason wasn't done with horses though, and they found him a new horse. Boo was great in the beginning, but when he began to have issues, Jason's fear returned. With the couple not sure what else to do, they signed up for a 4-day clinic with Brandi. Two days into the clinic, Jason was riding without fear, and he worked with Brandi to push Dana to become a Certified Trainer.
Jason and Boo continue to strengthen their bond and their skill level, which is clearly evident when you see them doing flying lead changes bridleless. Jason’s love for horses has only continued to grow, and after trying a few different equestrian sports, Jason is now training in Cutting with his new horse Izzy, until his baby, Duke, is ready to compete.
Our Horses
We would be lost without our equine partners. Meet the horses that taught us most of everything we know.
We call this the Alphabet Soup Gang, and more importantly, our family.
We call this the Alphabet Soup Gang, and more importantly, our family.
AngelThe finest 2002 model ever made, Angel has been Dana's best friend since she was just a yearling. She is a 14.3h, chestnut flaxen Morgan mare. Angel loves to show off her tricks, will concur any obstacle you point her towards, and is our most trusted babysitter.
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BooBoo was born in 2003 and is Jason's bud. Jason got Boo in 2015 after recovering from his accident and Boo works hard to make sure Jason stays confident. Boo is a 14.3h Paint gelding who loves to cuddle, give kisses, and pony rides.
He is the sweetest boy of all time. |
CortanaCortana was born in 2013 and is a Foundation Morgan with a rare gene that gives her pinto markings and earned her dual registration with the APHA. Cortana came to us as a weanling and we are so proud of the beautiful, talented horse she has become; the sky is the limit!
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DUkeDuke is the youngest member of the Alphabet Soup Gang and is Jason's future cutting horse. Cowboys Metallic 45 is Duke's registered name and his lines make cutting trainers drool! Duke has already proven to be an amazing addition to the family; he is super sweet and wicked smart. Born around Thanksgiving 2017, Duke has a long way to go and we look forward to sharing his progress with you!
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IzzyIzzy was born in 2010 and is a finished cutting horse having LTE's of $35K+ before coming to us in Nov of 2019. Driven Miss Jessica, Izzy, has a stellar pedigree that makes her a potential future broodmare. An own daughter of Hydrive Cat (LTE of $416,709 & Offspring earnings of $4,656,491) out of the West Coast Cutting Horse of the Year, Jessica Wood (LTE of $47L), Izzy is no slouch herself and was the 2014 Western States Derby Open CHAMPION. Izzy will teach Jason the sport of cutting.
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ThunderThunder is 17.3 hands and nearly 1 TON of pure Clydesdale perfection. Born in ~2010 and trained to be a mounted patrol horse, Thunder is a go anywhere, do anything type of horse with a super friendly, generous attitude. We are so happy to have this guy in our lesson program and we are sure that he will capture your heart just as he has captured ours.
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SprocketA long time ago, Jason made a promise to Dana: if they ever had property, they could get a Mini, and even though Dana traded her 'rights' to a mini in order to keep a future baby from Cortana, Jason still made good on his word. What a guy! Sprocket came to use from a local rescue in Gilroy. He is roughly the same age as Cortana, and is everything Dana always dreamed a mini would be, sweet, smart and hilarious and Dana looks forward to teaching the little man to pull a cart and do lots of tricks.
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Our Ranch hands
No ranch would be complete without assistants. Meet the rest of De Frates family.
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