Course Descriptions
Thinking Horsemanship
This is a two day clinic divided into four parts. This clinic is more than just riding, it will teach you to understand your horse and the way he thinks making you more effective in your training.
Ground School: Teach the horse to bend, flex and control his feet through ground exercises. Teach him to respect your space and who you are in his world. Effectively judge his mind and attitude before mounting. Expand your “bubble of influence” and ability to direct the horse, relying more on body language and less on lead lines and ropes. Teach him to turn over his hindquarters and forehand, and perform lateral work from both close proximity and a greater distance.
Riding: Transfer the ground work to the saddle. Ride the patterns learned on the ground. Learn to effectively influence the horse’s movement with your seat and legs, and understand how the seat and your weight impact the balance of the horse. Begin the horse socialization exercise enabling you and your horse to ride better in a group and around other horses.
Riding II: Experience socialization riding to make you and your horse more responsive and effective on the trail and in groups. Ride with balance in your seat and legs. Use what you have learned to ride in group formations and patterns.
Sensory Training: Learn to overcome fears and react appropriately to outside stimuli. Understand the psychology and actions behind a horse’s and rider’s uncertainty. Allow your horse the opportunity to learn by encountering various obstacles and overcoming his fear of them. Learn how to use the advantage of your horses self-preservation instinct to assist you instead of defeat you. Teach your horse to face up to fears and to react safely to them. Experience noises, obstacles, smoke, and flapping objects.
Self Defense On The Trails:
These days we are all concerned with our safety.
While there are many ways to be safe in our homes, our places of work, and some
parks and recreation areas, there are few safety measures for us when we are out
on the trails with our horses. However, there are ways to use our horses to our
advantage.
This clinic is designed to show you how to use your horse to assist you in
protecting yourself from those individuals who might otherwise do you harm. Yes,
we can always “spur” our horses into a gallop and run away, but this is not
always practical or safe depending on where you are. There are many more actions
you can take to protect yourself than simply fleeing.
You will learn how and what to do should you be attacked on the trail.
How to react to stay in the saddle
What to do if someone grabs your reins
How to teach your horse to challenge the threat instead of running away from it
When to push
When to spin
Use your horse as a shield
Equipment that can help you defend yourself
Reading body language
Act quickly - How to anticipate an attack
Young Horse Clinic
This
clinic is designed for those with young horses. Those horses in the six month to
two year old age group who have not had much handling, or need to refine their
ground manners. You will work in a group setting teaching your youngster to
focus in on you and turn off the outside distractions. Emphasis on understanding
how they learn, and what works with them. Improve your reactions to their antics
and teach them to settle down and work with you instead of against you. Teach
them how to react appropriately with other horses in the arena, and still
respect you.