G & K Training Centre & Tack

G & K Training Centre & Tack Authorized Canadian dealer for Continental Saddlery. Professional Horse Training facility that spec Invest in your horse's future and get them started right.

Quiet horse training facility which focuses on exceptional care, patience and consistency. Owned and operated by Gary Marsolais, who has over 5 decades of experience in various disciplines and has ridden for some of the best in their field. Gary is a firm believer in continuing his knowledge and designing a program for each horse based on their individual needs. All horses learn at a different pac

e and some just can't be rushed. Gary's specialty is starting young horses and preparing them for their future discipline. Many horses on gone on to have successful careers in jumping, western pleasure, reining, roping, dressage and trail horses. G & K Training Centre & Tack is the authorized Canadian dealer for Continental Saddlery. Gary has been selling Continental saddles for over 15 years and stands behind them because of quality, fit and comfort. Continental saddles are handcrafted individually in the USA made from quality products. You can design your own saddle to your specifications including colour, seat size/material, fender length, etc. Contact us to arrange a fitting at our facility.

🐴 The Saddle Room – Episode 5A Horse Never Lies... But Are We Listening?Today, we're changing gears ever so slightly.We ...
08/10/2026

🐴 The Saddle Room – Episode 5
A Horse Never Lies... But Are We Listening?

Today, we're changing gears ever so slightly.

We recently had a mare come in for an assessment and saddle fitting.

Her owner felt she needed about 30 days of training to straighten her out.

And honestly, that can happen.

Horses can develop bad habits.

They can become sour.

They can become resistant.

And sometimes, things simply change over time.

Owners can unintentionally change the way they ride or handle their horses, and sometimes the horse's behaviour changes right along with it.

But something about this particular situation didn't add up.

You see, we knew this mare.

We raised her.

We trained her.

We showed her.

And we sold her when she was eight years old.

She's actually one of those horses we've always regretted selling.

So when her owner explained what she was seeing, Gary suggested something simple:

"Bring her over. Let's assess her before we decide she needs 30 days of training."

And what was the very first thing Gary did?

He checked the horse.

Not the saddle.

Not the rider.

The horse.

Because horses don't just change their attitude for no reason.

They're usually trying to tell us something.

We just have to be willing to listen.

While checking her over, Gary noticed something unusual.

Her upper left shoulder and wither area was warm to the touch and swollen.

When he compared it to the other side, the difference was obvious—you could both see and feel it.

Interestingly, she was moving sound on the lunge line.

There was no obvious lameness.

This was the only physical sign that something wasn't right.

So Gary asked the owner to tack her up.

We always ask the owner to do this because we want to see how they naturally place the saddle.

When Gary checked the saddle, he immediately noticed a problem.

It was pinching her.

And when she was lunged with the saddle on?

The mare started pinning her ears.

That wasn't her.

This was a horse we knew.

This wasn't a "sour" horse.

This wasn't a horse that suddenly needed an attitude adjustment.

This was a horse trying to tell us something.

So Gary asked the owner to bring out her other saddle—the one she had ridden in previously.

She tacked her up.

Gary checked the fit.

And the difference was significant.

The second saddle fit her much better.

And suddenly...

The sour expression disappeared.

The ear pinning stopped.

The mare was happier.

So what happened?

The first saddle was actually a popular, well-made barrel saddle.

There was nothing inherently wrong with the quality of the saddle.

The owner simply preferred the tighter feel of that saddle for herself.

But here's the problem:

A saddle can be well made and still not fit your horse.

The verdict?

Ride in the older saddle.

And if you prefer the feel of a barrel saddle, then it's time to find one that works for both you and your horse—or talk to the saddle maker about building one specifically for her.

This mare didn't need 30 days to "straighten her out."

She needed someone to listen.

Sometimes the answer isn't more training.

Sometimes it's not a change in attitude.

Sometimes...

It's the saddle.

And once again...

A Horse Never Lies.

The question is:

Are we listening? ❤️🐴

🐴 HORSE TRAINING & ASSESSMENTS — FALL 2026Now booking for fall — limited space available.At G & K Training Centre, we be...
08/09/2026

🐴 HORSE TRAINING & ASSESSMENTS — FALL 2026

Now booking for fall — limited space available.

At G & K Training Centre, we believe the horse comes first.

With decades of experience, Gary Marsolais has developed a training approach built around understanding the individual horse — not putting every horse through the same program.

Every horse is different.

Some need confidence. Some need boundaries. Some need more time. Others need more challenges to keep their minds engaged.

Gary takes the time to learn who your horse is, how they learn and what they need. From there, the training is built around the horse.

Our goal isn't simply to teach a horse what to do. It's to create a solid foundation, a willing partner and a stronger relationship between horse and owner.

Horse Training
Individualized training designed around your horse's needs, with a focus on confidence, communication, responsiveness and a solid foundation you can continue to build on.

Horse Assessments
Not sure what your horse needs next? Bring your horse in for an assessment with Gary. He can see the horse in person, watch how they respond and help you better understand what may be happening and what your next steps could be.

Limited fall spaces available.

Want to learn more about Gary and our approach to training?

Visit our website — www.gktrainingcentre.com

📞 519-374-4677
📩 Message us to discuss your horse.

Because every horse has a story.
Our job is to help you understand it.

Be patient. Be consistent. Be Gary.

Nelson — Part 2 🐴Nelson is doing great.But…we haven't quite gotten his attention yet. 😉Is he being bad?Nope.He just isn'...
08/08/2026

Nelson — Part 2 🐴

Nelson is doing great.

But…we haven't quite gotten his attention yet. 😉

Is he being bad?

Nope.

He just isn't completely focused. It's almost like he's a little out of practice. He knows what he's supposed to do, and he'll do it, but right now he's going through the motions while thinking about something else.

And what is that something else?

His stall.
His neighbour.
And, of course…FOOD. 😂

He's not mean. He's not dirty. He's not difficult.

He's just attached to what he knows and a little rusty when it comes to work.

Nelson went over the bridge and poles without batting an eye. But relaxed?

Not quite.

It was more like, "Yep, I'll go over it. Let's just get this over with so I can go eat." 😂

And that's okay.

We're not going to make an issue out of it. We're going to give him time to settle, get his mind back on his handler and remind him that working with us can be a pretty good thing too.

Patient. Consistent. One step at a time.

It's all good, Nelson. We're just getting acquainted. ❤️

Because every horse has a story. Our job is to help you understand it.

Be patient. Be consistent. Be Gary.

Meet Nelson. ❤️🐴Every horse that comes through our gate has a story.Some arrive confident.Some arrive unsure.Some arrive...
08/07/2026

Meet Nelson. ❤️🐴

Every horse that comes through our gate has a story.

Some arrive confident.
Some arrive unsure.
Some arrive carrying questions that only time and patience can answer.

Nelson is here because his owner wants to learn more about him. He's fairly new to her, and together they're looking for guidance on what he knows, what he doesn't know, and where to go from here.

From the moment he stepped off the trailer, Nelson has been a true gentleman.

But if you look closely, you can also see the worry in his eyes.

Like many horses, he's herd-bound and isn't used to changing barns. New surroundings, new horses and new people can be overwhelming.

That's okay.

We don't rush horses like Nelson.

We introduce them to their new surroundings one step at a time. We keep their world as predictable as possible. We let them settle. We let them think. Most importantly, we help them understand that they're safe.

Before a horse can truly learn, they first need to feel secure.

We're looking forward to getting to know this handsome guy and helping him write the next chapter of his story.

Welcome to G & K, Nelson. We think you're going to fit in just fine.

Because every horse has a story. Our job is to help you understand it.

Be patient. Be consistent. Be Gary.

🐴 Complimentary Saddle Fit/Check – August Appointments 🐴The response to our Complimentary Saddle Fit/Check has been incr...
08/06/2026

🐴 Complimentary Saddle Fit/Check – August Appointments 🐴

The response to our Complimentary Saddle Fit/Check has been incredible, and we just wanted to say...

Thank you.

Thank you to everyone who has made the trip to our facility in Chatsworth. We've enjoyed meeting you, your horses, and hearing your stories.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and that's exactly why we decided to offer this service.

Remember, this isn't about selling you a new saddle.

It's about making sure the saddle you already own is working for both you and your horse. If your saddle fits well, we'll tell you. If there are concerns, we'll explain what we're seeing and discuss your options.

Whether you ride trails, compete, or simply enjoy spending time with your horse, comfort matters.

📍By appointment only, and spots are filling quickly throughout August.

If you've been thinking about booking a saddle fit/check, now is a great time to reserve your appointment.

📞 Call or text 519-374-4677
📩 Or send us a Facebook message.

Because every horse has a story. Our job is to help you understand it.

Be patient. Be consistent. Be Gary.

🐴What does it mean to keep a horse safe? 🐴One of Gary's philosophies has never changed:"Never put a horse in a position ...
08/05/2026

🐴What does it mean to keep a horse safe? 🐴

One of Gary's philosophies has never changed:

"Never put a horse in a position where they can get hurt."

That isn't just about preventing injuries. It's about building trust.

From the very first day, every lesson is designed to show the horse that the person on the other end of the lead rope is someone they can rely on. They learn that they won't be forced into situations they can't handle. They learn that if Gary asks them to try something new, there is a reason for it—and they'll come out the other side safely.

That relationship becomes incredibly powerful.

A horse that truly trusts you will often do things that seem impossible. Not because it understands everything you're asking, but because it trusts you.

Many years ago, we sold a mare that we had raised ourselves. Gary had trained her from the beginning, and she became his personal horse. The trust between them had been built over years of patience, consistency, and fair handling.

After she was sold, her new owner decided to take her swimming. The mare walked into the water without hesitation because that's what she'd been taught to do—trust her rider.

When Gary later saw the photos, his heart sank.

The mare's nose and mouth were completely underwater while her rider remained on her back.

Thankfully, everyone was okay.

But it was a reminder that trust is a tremendous responsibility.

A horse that believes in you won't always question your decisions. Sometimes they'll follow you simply because you've earned that trust.

That means it's up to us to make good decisions for them.

Building trust isn't about seeing how much a horse will do for you.

It's about making sure they never regret trusting you in the first place.

Because every horse has a story. Our job is to help you understand it.

Be patient. Be consistent. Be Gary.

🐴 Looking for More Information?Over the past few months, we've shared training tips, saddle fitting advice, stories from...
08/04/2026

🐴 Looking for More Information?

Over the past few months, we've shared training tips, saddle fitting advice, stories from the barn, and a little insight into how Gary approaches working with horses.

We've realized that many of you are looking for more than just a place to send your horse for training—you want to understand why horses do what they do.

That's exactly why we've been working on our website.

Whether you're looking for information about:
🐴 Our training program
🐴 G & K Training Centre's Horse Assessment
🐴 Saddle fitting
🐴 Continental Saddlery
🐴 Or simply wanting to learn more about our philosophy...
..you'll find it all in one place.

We're continuing to add new information, stories, and resources, so be sure to check back often.

Because every horse has a story. Our job is to help you understand it.

🌐 Visit us at: www.gktrainingcentre.com

Be Patient. Be Consistent. Be Gary. ❤️🐴

🐴 The Saddle Room – Episode 425 Years Later... Let's Take a Continental Saddle Apart.What can an old saddle teach us?Qui...
08/03/2026

🐴 The Saddle Room – Episode 4
25 Years Later... Let's Take a Continental Saddle Apart.

What can an old saddle teach us?

Quite a bit, actually.

This 25-year-old Continental saddle has seen its share of miles. It was well used over the years and, as the dried-out leather clearly shows, it wasn't always given the care a leather saddle deserves.

So, Oliver from Continental Saddlery decided to take it apart.

Not because this saddle was new.

Not because it had been carefully preserved.

But because after 25 years of use, it gives us a unique opportunity to look inside and see how it was constructed—and how it held up over time.

As the saddle comes apart, you get to see things that you simply can't see from the outside.

The tree.

The materials.

The construction.

The way the different components have held together after decades of use.

And this is where it gets interesting.

We've included a series of photographs, and if you click on each photo, it will include Oliver's explanation of what you're looking at and his findings as the saddle was taken apart in the comments.

This isn't about asking you to take someone's word for it.

It's about giving you the opportunity to look inside the saddle for yourself and understand how it was built.

Because sometimes, the best way to understand how something is made...

is to take one apart.

25 years old.

Well used.

Not always well cared for.

And still telling a pretty interesting story.

🐴 Welcome to The Saddle Room.

Because when it comes to saddles, we believe it's always worth taking a closer look.

🐴 The Saddle Room – Episode 425 Years Later... Let's Take a Continental Saddle Apart.What can an old saddle teach us?Qui...
08/03/2026

🐴 The Saddle Room – Episode 4
25 Years Later... Let's Take a Continental Saddle Apart.

What can an old saddle teach us?

Quite a bit, actually.

This 25-year-old Continental saddle has seen its share of miles. It was well used over the years and, as the dried-out leather clearly shows, it wasn't always given the care a leather saddle deserves.

So, Oliver from Continental Saddlery decided to take it apart.

Not because this saddle was new.

Not because it had been carefully preserved.

But because after 25 years of use, it gives us a unique opportunity to look inside and see how it was constructed—and how it held up over time.

As the saddle comes apart, you get to see things that you simply can't see from the outside.

The tree.

The materials.

The construction.

The way the different components have held together after decades of use.

And this is where it gets interesting.

We've included a series of photographs, and if you click each photo, it will include Oliver's explanation of what you're looking at and his findings as the saddle was taken apart.

This isn't about asking you to take someone's word for it.

It's about giving you the opportunity to look inside the saddle for yourself and understand how it was built.

Because sometimes, the best way to understand how something is made...

is to take one apart.

25 years old.

Well used.

Not always well cared for.

And still telling a pretty interesting story.

🐴 Welcome to The Saddle Room.

Because when it comes to saddles, we believe it's always worth taking a closer look.

Address

156689 Concession 7A
Chatsworth, ON
N0H1G0

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