A friend once told me "you train your horse all the time--in the saddle and on the ground--whether you know it or not." This was a daunting realization for a new rider. How, I thought, can I learn to ride and train my horse at the same time? How can I learn to reward my horse's good behavior and correct her bad behavior with confidence and compassion? How can I earn her respect so she will accept me as her natural leader? How will I know what to do if I am out on the trail and something goes wrong? That is exactly what I am learning at Charles Wilhelm's training center in Castro Valley, California. Charles and his amazing team are teaching me the tools I need to ride well and be safe--in the saddle and on the ground. His incredibly patient trainers have worked with me from the ground up, carefully tailoring a lesson program that suits my individual needs. As a result, I have become much more confident and have improved my seat and basic horsemanship skills. Safety is always the number one priority at Charles Wilhelm's training center. The basis of his program is his "ultimate foundation training", a step-by-step, comprehensive, and effective set of skills designed to keep you and your horse safe. Charles and his staff will teach you to understand what your horse is thinking and how to clearly communicate with him or her. He also offers high quality video CDs and books on a variety of topics so you can continue your education at home. The facility is gorgeous and the barn is well run. It is clean, orderly, and the horses are well cared for. I love going to the barn because it is such a pleasant environment. The Charles Wilhelm Training Center is an incredible resource for horse owners in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are a beginner and just learning to ride, or an advanced rider wanting to improve your skills I enthusiastically recommend Charles Wilhelm's training center. Have fun and learn with other horse enthusiasts at one of his excellent clinics or bring your horse in for an annual tune-up. If you want to do it right, this is the place for you! read more

Charles Wilhelm Training is a superb equestrian training facility. Charles offers a unique opportunity to learn from a master horseman. When your horse is in training there, you, too, are in training. Charles will not only dramatically improve your horse's behavior and way of going, he will improve your riding skills and he will teach you horsemanship. Charles wants you to succeed with your horse AFTER your horse leaves his facility, not just while you are there. So, you will be taught techniques to handle your horse properly and safely from the ground up. Everything about this facility is professional. Standards are high. The arenas, round pen and trails are first rate. And beautiful. Time and again I witness horse and owner behavior that makes me wish that the horse and owner would spend even a little time in training with Charles. The horse would be happier and the owner a whole lot safer. read more

Charles Wilhelm training facility is hands down the best training facility I have ever been to. The ranch is top notch with numerous arenas, turnouts and trails to explore. Its beautiful land, which makes you want to spend all your time there! The staff is wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to providing the best service for you, and you know your horse is receiving the best care. Before training under Charles, I thought I knew a lot about what it takes to work with horses and ride. But Charles has completely changed my perspective, as well as my relationship with horses. Charles works with you and your horse from the ground up, enabling you to form a unique relationship with your horse. By working together, Charles helps you to essentially train your own horse and maintain that bond beyond his training scope. I wouldn't go anywhere else! read more

You know immediately once you step onto the property that the Charles Wilhelm Training organization is well managed and professional. I took riding lessons here for a year and day after day I saw how the staff worked diligently to provide the best care and training for all the horses. I was so impressed that I brought eight college students to study horsemanship with Charles for four weeks. He and his instructors were kind, patient, organized, hugely knowledgeable, and generous with their time. Safety was the number one priority. We worked with responsive, happy horses and all of the students enthusiastically expressed their desire to continue their studies at Charles Wilhelm Training. We'll be back! read more