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Full Immersion Horsemanship Clinics, Sandpoint, ID
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Wow... I can't believe we're already into July! As always "life" happens and there's been a few openings in the Idaho Full Immersion Horsemanship Clinics. Perhaps the timing is right for you to join me in these fantastic learning Opportunities!
What is a Full Immersion Horsemanship Clinic?
I developed the "Full Immersion Clinic" as an opportunity to address a variety of topics with participants learning during both unmounted sessions and while in the saddle. These safe, fun, and supportive learning opportunities offer an in-depth full immersion experience.
The Friday through Sunday clinics focus on Equine Behavior Assessment, Clear Communication & Effective Aids, Ground Work, and Riding. We also cover a variety of topics such as anatomical lectures, tack fit and appropriate usage, "finding a feel" exercises, group discussions, and much more!
Who may participate?
From novice to advanced riders, I encourage participants of all ages, disciplines, and experience levels. Horses may range from un-started colts to experienced competitive horses, and everything in between. This is not a "discipline-specific" clinic. Maximum of eight participants.
Can I bring more than one horse?
Yes. One horse is included in the participant fee, if you would like to bring an extra horse to "split" sessions with, there is a $10/day fee.
Can I participate if I don't have my own horse?
At this time I have one lesson horse available that is offered on a first-come basis (depending on the order registration is received.)
Why no predetermined "format?"
This is an opportunity to learn about behavioral patterns in you and your horse and to address "holes" in the foundation of your equine partnership. These may be influencing the quality of the relationship with your horse and are preventing you from achieving your goals. The clinic offers a safe, non-critical, supportive opportunity where you are encouraged to take the time to recognize how what, and why you're communicating with your horse. By watching other participants, people begin to see similarities in their own horsemanship.
These horsemanship clinics can be a great way to offer perspective and offer participants both short and long-term realistic direction for them and their horse. Beyond this basic outline, the structure and focus of the clinic will depend on the participants and their interests. Whether you are a trail rider, jumper, pleasure rider, or endurance rider, and everyone else, there is much to be discovered!
How long is a session?
A clinic day begins at 8 a.m., with about an hour lunch break midday, and ends around 5 p.m. I do not work by the clock but individual time is roughly 45 min to 1 1/2hrs several times in a day and group ride time longer. There is a lot of group discussion in between rides further discussing things that arose in each person's session.
Is the instruction individual or group?
Both. Initially, everyone gets one on one time and then depending on the student and their horse's needs, they will continue to have individual time and/or group instruction.
What tack do I need?
The only requirement is that all riders must wear an ASTM-approved riding helmet. There are helmets available to borrow for the clinic for a $10 fee. Otherwise, tack is often assessed, adjusted for proper fit, etc. throughout the clinic.
How do I register?
If you would like to participate, a non-refundable 50% deposit to guarantee participant slots.
To register online and pay online: If using a mobile device click HERE. If on a pc or laptop, scroll to form further down this page.
Or you can visit the Registration page to print participant paperwork and to mail payment.
What does the clinic cost?
The cost to participate in the three-day clinic is $600.
May I audit?
Auditors may pay a daily or a discounted three-day fee. They are encouraged to participate in all relevant group discussions. The auditor fee is $50/day or a discount of $115/3 days. To pay online click HERE or Email to get registered
What is included in the price?
Daily unmounted theory discussions, tack/equipment fitting & usage, individual and group instruction and activities, and pasture board (grass hay) for your horse. There are four 12x12 uncovered stalls available on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be reserved at the time of your registration submission. (You are responsible for cleaning your own stall.)
When may I arrive/depart?
Horse arrivals are to be on the Thursday prior to the first day of the clinic. Local folks typically head home Sunday evening. Those traveling long distances stay through Sunday night, (extra $10/night board charge) and depart Monday morning.
Accommodation options
Free dry camping (sorry, no hook-ups) is available on the property whether you're in a tent, motor home, camper, or horse trailer. There are many options via AirBnB, and plenty of name-brand hotels and motels in Sandpoint (about a 15 min drive south of the facility.)
Food/Grocery Options
Participants must provide their own food and lodging. A mom-and-pop store is just a few miles away, The Pack River General Store, offering basic groceries to a full dining menu that changes daily.
Property Rules
There is NO SMOKING policy on the TEC property.
All cell phones must be on vibrate for the ENTIRE clinic. If you must take a call, please do so to not interrupt the other participant's experience.
You may not ride your horse outside of clinic activities unless otherwise given permission.
Dogs must be well behaved (no barking) and remain on leashes at all times, and owners must pick up after them.
Full Immersion Clinic #1
The Equestrian Center
Sandpoint, ID
July 30-August 1, 2021
Participant SIGN UP
Auditor SIGN UP
Full Immersion Clinic #2
The Equestrian Center
Sandpoint ID
August 27-29, 2021
Participant SIGN UP
Auditor SIGN UP
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The Horse’s Counter Offer- Eliminating Unwanted Behaviors
Every year I have people who call or email asking for help because of the dramatic and dangerous behaviors they experienced with their horse. From bolting to backing while mounting up, to herd bound aggression, to pulling back when tied to a hitching post or in a horse trailer, each incident led to building anticipation as to when the next traumatic event would occur.
Frequently when horses initially try to tell humans they are having a problem, they are ignored if their behaviors are not intimidating enough to be believed or addressed. A common response is, "Oh he just does that." Horses do not randomly act dramatic; there is always a reason, even if the underlying root cause is not apparent.
If the horse’s small unwanted responses are repeatedly ignored by the human, their mannerisms evolve into increasingly dangerous behavior. People will comment, "All of a sudden he did _________." In reality, there are always warning signs of a horse’s developing stress, fear, resistance or insecurity beginning perhaps months, weeks, days or hours before the actual unwanted event occurred.
Being a prey animal, horses operate on "fear-based survival.” If unsupported by the human, the horse has to withstand an experience however he deems necessary, which usually involves excessive and fast movement. This leaves the rider apprehensive and at the mercy of the horse’s decisions.
A substantial contributor to unwanted scenarios is due to people misinterpreting horse behavior by filtering their perceptions with human-based emotions. This can cloud their perspective and interactions with the animal and creates a lack of leadership in the partnership. This increases the chance of accidents or overwhelming scenarios for both the human and the horse.
The time to build trust and respect with the horse is not at the pinnacle moment of stress when he is having an emotional, mental and physical meltdown. So how can riders improve the relationship with their horse and decrease unwanted behaviors? A good start is to address both their own and the horse’s interpretation of pressure and timing.
Pressure is a primary way people communicate with horses, whether it is spatial or physical. Riders need to remember to use a sliding scale of energy when interacting with the horse to learn what intensity it takes to receive an acknowledgment.
One basic way to begin assessing the horse's response towards physical pressure can be while standing on the ground; experimenting with drawing the horse forward a step or two just using the lead rope.
If the horse’s response to the direct pressure of the rope is "heavy," if he does nothing, or pulls his head away or downwards, rather than softly stepping forward to create slack in the taut rope, then the concept of how the horse interprets pressure needs to be addressed.
If defensive or avoidant towards minimal tension in the rope, the resistance from the horse will magnify as more pressure is used to communicate. This leaves the rider without an effective way to influence and support the horse throughout the ride. Whether using the lead rope, rein, seat, or leg, the horse should offer a stress-free, soft and immediate response towards physical pressure.
A superficial quick "fix" riders attempt to use with a resistant or “heavy” horse is the use of severe equipment that gives the illusion of improved physical control of the horse. Tack does not control the horse, his brain does. If the horse’s mental concern towards pressure is ignored, he will respond with an increased defensiveness towards harsher equipment, which is solely designed to physically contain the horse, but not improve his interpretation of pressure.
The first goal is to clarify physical pressure as a positive “tool” when communicating with the horse. This allows a person to influence a horse’s thought, which will then affect his physical behaviors and movement.
Next is learning how to direct the horse’s thought without his entire body moving. This teaches his brain to be clear as to what his “job” is, then to offer specific movement when asked.
Riders are often shocked when they realize the horse is automatically “leading with the hindquarters.” This occurs when the horse offers movement with his rear feet as soon as the reins are picked up, without ever mentally addressing or committing to what the rider has asked. If the horse’s thoughts are not focused on the task at hand, his body has very little chance of offering soft, willing and confident movement through the scenario.
Why does it matter if the horse can address the human’s input, softly look where he is going and adapt his energy? How safe would a person feel driving a car with a loose steering wheel or a gas pedal that only had one speed? Yet people ride 1,000 lb. emotional prey animals with hardly any steering and way too much gas pedal.
Horses continually have “counter-offers” to whatever is asked of them. It is the human’s responsibility to address each thought/behavior the horse offers. Through a process of elimination, the horse can learn how to search until he focuses on the original task. If allowed instead to fixate on his thoughts, the horse will be unable to consider the human’s input.
Timing is another crucial factor that challenges even the most experienced of riders. When asking the horse to do something, if he offers an undesired response, he needs to be addressed immediately. If his unwanted behavior is ignored, a rider is unintentionally teaching the horse to disregard them.
While assessing and refining the ability to influence the horse’s thought and physical response, riders need to remember to offer an acknowledgment towards the horse’s efforts. This can be done by allowing the horse to stand quietly at the halt. Doing so allows the horse time to mentally process the interaction and conversation. It teaches him how to learn and participate in a respectful and confidence-building manner. Practicing these quality “conversations” with the horse diminishes potential future unwanted and dangerous behaviors.
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For people who are new to my teaching and training theories, there are many questions and frequently a great deal of pondering and brooding as folks start to question “the way they’ve always done things” with their horses.
An introspective assessment, rather than seeking “answers” by imitating others, frequently leads people to an uncomfortable stage, of not so “pretty” revelations about themselves, behaviors and patterns in their interaction with their horses.
Unfortunately, in our western society, we are often praised for how much we can multi-task, seemingly “accomplishing” more tasks than feasible in a very limited time.
It may appear that individuals are successfully accomplishing multiple tasks, but when it comes down to quality, clarity, and intention when completing those responsibilities, they often are lacking those traits. The difficulty arises when we take a highly sensitive animal like the horse who will “feed” off of our energy and distractions, and we head out to the barn carrying chaos and tension.
Since we no longer rely on horses for survival, most people want to ride or be with their horse and use the experience as an emotional outlet. The problem is horses are highly emotional and sensitive creatures. They also are mirrors to those around them and often reflect what a person “brings” to the interaction.
If folks are rushed, distracted, and stressed from “life” and unintentionally bring their own “baggage” from the daily demands of a job, family, life, etc. to their equine partners, it makes for a less than desirable experience for both participants.
So the next time you are THINKING about going out to spend time with your horse or go for a ride, pause for a moment. Take 10 (I’m not kidding) deep breaths, mentally scanning your body for rigidity, distraction, or tightness. With each exhale, notice if you can start to let go of or compartmentalize other “realities” from your life for an hour or two while you head out to the barn.
Horses are not machines waiting to “serve” a human’s purpose. The horse within seconds of your arrival has assessed where your brain and emotions are. If you aren’t present, neither will he be, leading to a less than quality experience. They can be fantastic partners, but only if offered fair and respectful communication by someone mentally present. Why not spend quality time, rather than “dutiful” time with him?
And trust me, all those “urgent” distractions and daily challenges you have will still be waiting for you when you’re done spending time with your horse. So, leave reality at the door, and literally, give yourself permission to slow down and enjoy the ride!
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