Whether you are new to the world of obstacles, struggling with them, or are already hooked, you will benefit from the increased trust and confidence that that working obstacles using our Pillars of Horsemanship will bring to your partnership.
Why obstacles?
Using the Pilars of Horsemanship to work horses over obstacles builds trust and confidence and will strengthen even the strongest of partnerships.
The horse learns that he can face new and potentially unsettling situations and live if he follows our lead. We learn to trust our horse as his bravery grows. As confidence abounds, so does the partnership we share with our horses. Plus, it’s just fun!
How do obstacles challenge us?
To successfully navigate obstacles with our horses, we must improve our horsemanship in all four key areas. That means we must master our ability to influence our horses, as well as control our own Speed, Direction, Body, and Emotions. By improving our horsemanship in these areas we become laser focused and more tuned into our horses than ever before; as a result, our timing and feel improve and we are able to navigate any obstacle in our path, and let us be completely honest here, everything can be an obstacle when you are working with a horse ;)
Using the Pilars of Horsemanship to work horses over obstacles builds trust and confidence and will strengthen even the strongest of partnerships.
The horse learns that he can face new and potentially unsettling situations and live if he follows our lead. We learn to trust our horse as his bravery grows. As confidence abounds, so does the partnership we share with our horses. Plus, it’s just fun!
How do obstacles challenge us?
To successfully navigate obstacles with our horses, we must improve our horsemanship in all four key areas. That means we must master our ability to influence our horses, as well as control our own Speed, Direction, Body, and Emotions. By improving our horsemanship in these areas we become laser focused and more tuned into our horses than ever before; as a result, our timing and feel improve and we are able to navigate any obstacle in our path, and let us be completely honest here, everything can be an obstacle when you are working with a horse ;)
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What types of obstacles can I do with my horse?
There are really only four types of obstacles that we do with our horses. There's stuff you need your horse to go On, Over, Under, or Through, like bridges and tunnels or trailers. There's Scary Stuff To Get Past, like that mysterious killer bush on the trail or our Wacky Inflatable Tube Man, Erick The Red. Then there are things that we need to Interact With, like gates and mailboxes. Finally, there are things that require us to Desensitize our horses to them, like bouncy balls, umbrellas, and sprinklers. To navigate each obstacle category we must utilize one of the four pillars of horsemanship: Speed, Direction, Body, and Emotional Control. Wondering which horsemanship pillar you need to master to conquer each obstacle category? We go into this in depth in our Horsemanship Over Obstacles Clinic but here's a quick overview.
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What our past participants had to say!
"It was excellent; I learned a lot and appreciated this weekend so much! Your teamwork and organization flowed beautifully; this was a really, really nice clinic. Just wonderful!! THANK YOU!"
"I wish I had something like this YEARS ago...it is foundational."
"The educational foundation given for applying the method was essential; it was explained in a carefully thought out, common sense way that every person could understand. It made sense! Both you, Dana, and Jason have true, sincere compassion for riders and horses that absolutely radiates with your behavior and actions in everything you do and say! I've never been to a better clinic!"
Obstacle Clinic Levels
We offer two different levels of obstacle clinics: Horsemanship Over Obstacles and Advanced Obstacles.
Horsemanship Over Obstacles This is our Intro-mediate clinic (Intro -> Intermediate) appropriate for absolutely everyone (age 13+). We start by introducing you to the four pillars of horsemanship: Speed, Direction, Body, and Emotional Control, cover how we use training fundamentals to influence those pillars, and then, of course, use all that knowledge and apply it to navigating the four categories of obstacles. If it is your first time with us we will start on the ground learning the skills that will allow us to tackle any obstacle safely and progress from there. This clinic is suitable for both in-hand and in-saddle participation. In other words, you do not need to be able to ride to benefit from this clinic! This clinic is a prerequisite if you wish to attend our Obstacle Skill Labs or our Advanced Obstacle Clinics. Past participants tell us that this clinic is transformative and many choose to join us time and time again and again because, as with all our clinics, it is always about you, your horse, and where you are in your journey. We customize exercises, and the obstacles available at a clinic for that clinic's unique set of participants.
All disciplines and all levels are welcome! Young horses welcome! Well behaved stallions welcome!
Limited to just 10 participants (age 13+) to ensure you get plenty of 1:1 instruction and support.
Clinic Length: 2 days - 9:00am - 5:00pm each day with hosted dinner on Saturday night
Cost: $400
Advanced Obstacles Hooked on obstacles? So are we! Once you have attended our intro-mediate course, or have worked with us privately to learn the same material, join us to take the skills you've acquired to new heights with our most challenging obstacles. This clinic also includes a mock competition to help prepare you to compete out in the real world.
As with all of our clinics, all disciplines are welcome. Young horses and well behaved stallions also welcome!
Limited to just 10 participants (age 13+) to ensure you get plenty of 1:1 instruction and support.
Clinic Length: 2 days - 9:00am - 5:00pm each day with hosted dinner on Saturday night
Cost: $400 to participate; $100 non-refundable deposit required to reserve your spot.
We offer two different levels of obstacle clinics: Horsemanship Over Obstacles and Advanced Obstacles.
Horsemanship Over Obstacles This is our Intro-mediate clinic (Intro -> Intermediate) appropriate for absolutely everyone (age 13+). We start by introducing you to the four pillars of horsemanship: Speed, Direction, Body, and Emotional Control, cover how we use training fundamentals to influence those pillars, and then, of course, use all that knowledge and apply it to navigating the four categories of obstacles. If it is your first time with us we will start on the ground learning the skills that will allow us to tackle any obstacle safely and progress from there. This clinic is suitable for both in-hand and in-saddle participation. In other words, you do not need to be able to ride to benefit from this clinic! This clinic is a prerequisite if you wish to attend our Obstacle Skill Labs or our Advanced Obstacle Clinics. Past participants tell us that this clinic is transformative and many choose to join us time and time again and again because, as with all our clinics, it is always about you, your horse, and where you are in your journey. We customize exercises, and the obstacles available at a clinic for that clinic's unique set of participants.
All disciplines and all levels are welcome! Young horses welcome! Well behaved stallions welcome!
Limited to just 10 participants (age 13+) to ensure you get plenty of 1:1 instruction and support.
Clinic Length: 2 days - 9:00am - 5:00pm each day with hosted dinner on Saturday night
Cost: $400
Advanced Obstacles Hooked on obstacles? So are we! Once you have attended our intro-mediate course, or have worked with us privately to learn the same material, join us to take the skills you've acquired to new heights with our most challenging obstacles. This clinic also includes a mock competition to help prepare you to compete out in the real world.
As with all of our clinics, all disciplines are welcome. Young horses and well behaved stallions also welcome!
Limited to just 10 participants (age 13+) to ensure you get plenty of 1:1 instruction and support.
Clinic Length: 2 days - 9:00am - 5:00pm each day with hosted dinner on Saturday night
Cost: $400 to participate; $100 non-refundable deposit required to reserve your spot.
Overnight paddocks are available for $15/night.
Limited Dry Camping is available: $15/night/person. No dumping of any kind and no open flames.
Auditor spots available: $20/day if paid in advance, $25/day if paid at the door. Pre-registration is required to access the property.
Limited Dry Camping is available: $15/night/person. No dumping of any kind and no open flames.
Auditor spots available: $20/day if paid in advance, $25/day if paid at the door. Pre-registration is required to access the property.
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Obstacle Clinic ScheduleHorsemanship Over Obstacles
Saturday, May 27 - Sunday, May 28, 2023 Saturday, September 2 - Sunday, September 3, 2023 Advanced Obstacles
Saturday, October 21 - Sunday, October 22, 2023 |
