Our Educational Mission
“To educate each student as a horseman, not just a horseback rider.”

Students of all ages receive the highest quality instruction at IHC from nationally certified instructors who help them reach their skill-oriented goals as pleasure or competitive riders.

The standard lessons offered in this sport are aimed at teaching only the basics of riding: sit up straight, heels down, shoulders back, chin up, etcetera.

We believe you deserve more than this superficial approach. Horsemanship is both an art and science. It requires an understanding of much more than the “how-to” of steering a horse around an arena or down a trail. It involves everything from understanding the psychology of horse behavior to feeding and caring for horses.

The true joy in working with a horse comes from the relationship you develop while caring for this gifted animal that God has blessed us with. Relationships take time to develop. Time spent in a ‘give-and-take’ manner in which we give the horse loving care before and after each ride, and in return the horse gives us the exhilarating experience of riding him.

Certified, professional educators
You place your physical and emotional safety in the hands of your instructor when learning about horses. It makes sense to choose wisely.

Bob and Nikki Cohen-Wichner have 20+ years experience helping others learn about horses. Their students have ranged from physically or mentally challenged persons whose smiles stretch beyond the sunset over accomplishments that most people would take for granted, to students who have earned National Champion titles through their guidance.

What sets IHC apart is the fact its programs were developed by professional educators.

Nikki taught high school for nearly a decade before earning her masters degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Edgewood College. Bob earned his BS in Elementary Education from Edgewood College and is working on licensure as a Special Education Teacher. He works as a Supervisor for WI Youth Company’s AfterSchool program in Stoughton.

Both love the challenge of designing instruction to meet the individual needs of each of their students, regardless of age or ability. They are Registered Level Riding Instructors certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and work with colleagues in the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA) developing national standards to guide work in this field.

Horsemanship programs follow an 8-Level, 3 Phase Curriculum developed by Nikki & Bob. IHC strives to teach students to be horsemen who better understand life through relationship with nature.

The curriculum has been shared with hundreds of Midwestern instructors via IHC’s Horsemanship Instructor Education Program as well as IHC’s Teachers’ Weekend of Fun & Learning seminars. The Beginner Package is an excellent model of integrated education. All students develop a relationship with the horse as they learn safe groundwork skills before mounting.