September Full Immersion Clinic Promo

Ok, so here is my “self-promotion” (which I loathe to do) to inspire you to sign up or tell all your friends about the upcoming last Full Immersion Clinic of the summer season, being offered here in gorgeous Sandpoint, ID (voted America’s #3 most beautiful town BTW) at The Equestrian Center, LLC!

My Full Immersion clinics typically cater to all level horses and riders, and don’t have a predetermined lesson plan, but often participants quickly recognize similarities, even between young horses being started and older “been there, done that” equine partners.  I cater to ALL disciplines; often a review of the basics (which is not a NEGATIVE thing even to those who have ridden for years) to help clarify and improve our understanding of the how, what and why’s of our communication, body language, interpretation of the horse’s behavior, etc.

This next FIC I’m going to also prioritize three main focus points.

The first is helping folks recognize, put value to and understand their horse’s behavior.  All too often people accept a horse’s behavior because, “he always does that,” without ever investigating what might be causing the behavior, if it is appropriate and if there needs to be a change in what is acceptable and those behaviors that aren’t. (Rushing out the gate, “leading” the person on the lead rope, taking extra steps as someone is half way mounted, tearing away as the halter is being undone, difficult to catch, fidgeting while grooming and tacking, anticipative during the ride, rushing in his gaits, heavy on the bit, etc.)

The second is learning how to raise the human’s awareness.  This helps people learn to recognize the beginning of “a problem” rather than like most folks who wait until after the horse has become very dramatic and dangerous before they start paying attention to their horse.  Also learning how, when and what you are conveying with your own body language and energy will influence the quality of your communication.  In the long run this will allow you to do “less” and get “more” from your horse.

The third major topic of focus will be learning how to “feel.”  I forget because I work with horses day in and day out, how dull, heavy and physically resistant most people are when they are interacting with their horse.  This topic will help re-sensitize the human participants so that they can become faster at “hearing” the horse, refining what and how they “send” information through use of their hands, seat, legs, etc. to achieve clearer and faster, “black and white” communication.

Plenty of other topics will be discussed and as always, the group of participants will “direct” the clinic, but after this summer season of seeing SO MANY cases of lost riders and horses, I want to re-emphasize offering a portion of equine related education that I find most folks are missing no matter how experienced they may be.  Whether someone is a total novice or has ridden for 20 years, often there are missing “chapters” in their equine education, and I’d like to help fill in the blanks. 

I don’t want to sound egotistical, but often as past participants have stated, “these clinics can be life changing,” and are a great opportunity for a lot of people who never have been offered a safe, supportive, positive environment to literally slow down and learn more about themselves and their equine partner in.  Just a few days really can change everything you thought you knew… and your horse will thank you for it in the long run!

Often it is not what the participants and auditors “came to fix” but more what they didn’t realize they were missing in their horsemanship and equine partnership that they learn most about at these clinics.

Remember, the clinic is limited to eight participants, but there is no limit to the number of auditors.  If you have a self-contained unit you are more than welcome to camp at TEC’s “million dollar views” at no additional charge.

The clinic will be offered Friday September 20^th, through Sunday September 22^nd.  Each day will begin at 8am and then we will have an hour break for lunch around noon, and then will continue until about 5pm.  All level and discipline horse and riders are welcome.  These are mentally stimulating, not physically exhausting clinics.  Lots of questions, interaction, instruction and laughter!  Please visit the following link for registration and details:  http://www.learnhorses.com/Clinics/camp.htm