Priority to Positive®, The future of sport horse training

Priority to Positive®,
The future of sport horse training

BRINGING POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING TO THE TRADITIONAL HORSE WORLD

BRINGING POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING TO THE TRADITIONAL HORSE WORLD

BRINGING POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING TO THE TRADITIONAL HORSE WORLD

BRINGING POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING TO THE TRADITIONAL HORSE WORLD

BRINGING POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING TO THE TRADITIONAL HORSE WORLD

BRINGING POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING TO THE TRADITIONAL HORSE WORLD

BRINGING POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING TO THE TRADITIONAL HORSE WORLD

WELCOME TO VIA NOVA

Bringing Positive Reinforcement into the saddle

Priority to Positive®

5 CORE PRINCIPLES

A practical approach to positive reinforcement training for equestrians.

At Via Nova, we make positive reinforcement into practical tools that support both the everyday rider and the competitive equestrian. Our five Core Principles and Priority to Positive® training approach will help you think like a positive reinforcement trainer, so you can successfully apply this powerful training method to the many different needs and goals of all equestrians. Including our most important goal of all, the benefit of the horse!

Want to learn more? Check out our Articles and FAQs!

Understanding Motivation:

Desire Vs. Avoidance

Look at your "YES!":

Flip your negative mindset

Create opportunity:

Use the positive reinforcement tools that your horse wants to learn

Shape toward what you want:

Use thin slices and building blocks

Set up for success:

It's not cheating to make it easy

Priority to Positive®

5 CORE PRINCIPLES

A practical approach to positive reinforcement training for equestrians.

At Via Nova, we make positive reinforcement into practical tools that support both the everyday rider and the competitive equestrian. Our five Core Principles and Priority to Positive® training approach will help you think like a positive reinforcement trainer, so you can successfully apply this powerful training method to the many different needs and goals of all equestrians. Including our most important goal of all, the benefit of the horse!

Want to learn more? Check out our Resources and FAQs!

Ready to Embrace Positive Reinforcement Training?

TRAIN & LEARN WITH VIA NOVA

Our mission at Via Nova is to spread the remarkable benefits of Positive Reinforcement training within the equestrian community. We are dedicated to providing equestrians with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools essential for success in using R+ training, both on the ground and undersaddle. Through our passion for horses and unwavering commitment to their well-being, we strive not only to improve performance in the ring but to deepen the bond and communication between horse and rider.

Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, we’ll help you learn to Build a Happy Athlete. Explore a new road to training sport and performance horses!

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ACCESS

Access our online articles designed to help riders, trainers, and competitors learn valuable R+ techniques.

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LEARN

Horse training is hands-on! Our Workshops in Sante Fe, NM, will give you practical skills and real-life experience using Positive Reinforcement with horses.

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SOLVE

Problems with trailer loading? Is your horse fearful or aggressive? Experiencing nervousness in the show ring? We have solutions!

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ADVANCE

Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, we’ll help you learn to Build a Happy Athlete. Explore a new road to training sport and performance horses!

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Our Facilities

A TOUR OF VIA NOVA

Via Nova’s home, Terra Nova Equestrian Center, is both an exceptional boarding facility and an international center for Positive Reinforcement Training for horses and riders. With a total of 40 stalls in two barns, well-designed turn-out facilities, and a variety of indoor and outdoor options for multiple disciplines, we focus on our horses’ natural needs for movement and enrichment.

Job Opportunities

WANT TO BE PART OF THE TEAM?

Via Nova is on a mission to spread awareness about the benefits of applying Positive Reinforcement training when working with horses. We provide equestrians with the transformative knowledge and practical tools they need to implement these techniques in their training practices!

If you are a team player committed to a professional career working with horses and being a part of an evolution in horse training, Via Nova has space for you!

Upcoming Events & Clinics

TAKE YOUR JOURNEY TO THE NEXT LEVEL

About Us

ABOUT VIA NOVA

At Via Nova, we’re providing horse-centered tools and skills to help riders reach their goals. Through Positive Reinforcement training, we create happy, well-mannered, and confident horses for all aspects of equestrian life — from everyday barn activities to trail rides, arena work, and competitive events. Our programs are tailored to individual horses and riders, and include our on-site Training program, workshops, clinics, and consultations. We deeply value and respect diverse training objectives, empowering our community to witness tangible results and make informed training decisions at their own pace within their chosen discipline. Whether you're looking to enhance your horse's performance, improve communication, or simply deepen the bond with your equine partner, the Via Nova team is here to support you.

A Better Way to Communicate

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Via Nova Training is taking the principles of behavioral science and Positive Reinforcement (R+) into traditional equestrian pursuits.

Our aim is to integrate Positive Reinforcement training methods into the conventional horse world; providing skills and principles that can help you succeed with any horse or any situation.

We believe that equestrians can better train horses by understanding how behavior and learning really works.

By centering Positive Reinforcement techniques in our training strategies, we promote both mental and physical well-being for our horses - creating happy and confident athletes

We know that the sport horse world is just beginning to understand how R+ can be applied for both welfare and competitive success. Our facility at Terra Nova Equestrian Training Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, functions as a dynamic laboratory, providing us with the opportunity to challenge ourselves and enhance our approach continuously.

This commitment to continual research and application aims to establish a new benchmark for training excellence within the equestrian community, emphasizing the well-being and success of both horse and rider.

Answers at a Glance: Your Top Queries Answered

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

R+ Training

EXPLORE OUR ARTICLES

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No Spurs

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