By Jeff Wilson
Our Summer Horsemanship Training Courses were filled with the most enjoyable people and horses, and we had a great time.
The first day is always the icebreaker; everyone is getting to know each other and getting into the training groove with their horses. But everyone was extremely motivated, and by the second day it seemed as if everyone had found their way through the learning process and was at ease with one another. That afternoon we found ourselves in the middle of our “on the trail” part of the clinic - in the woods eating lunch. Though the sandwiches had unfortunately gotten smooshed, it was still a great time spent together.
The third day was the crescendo; multiple teams of two were doing teamwork exercises and competitions, all designed to utilize what had been learned. It was an amazing and truly unique experience for our riders, and I believe all of their expectations of what the clinic would accomplish were met.
I had a great connection with everyone. The riders, regardless of their differing horse experiences and riding backgrounds, left empowered with a better understanding of how to speak horse, and most importantly, how to be more “one” with their horse.
I will be doing another course in October, and I can't wait to see more people benefiting by what I love to do.
Until then, keep riding and stop by sometime!
1 comment:
jody said...
Hi Everyone! A little late but I just wanted to say Thank you Jeff, Alex,Denise and everyone involved in the August clinic. I went in with a nice horse and came home with a Great horse who is getting better. With each ride we gain a little bit more. We do the flexion excersises before each ride.. and yes that one side is a killer...but Jacob is softer each time and the vertical flexion at the trot is really getting there! Those 3 days were empowering! I found this poem that just says it all of me..
Wishing everyone safe & happy rides!
Jody O'Connell
A Rider's Prayer
Dearest Creator in Heaven,
Give me strength to guide my horse.
Make my hands soft and my head clear.
Let my horse understand me and I him.
My heart you have blessed with a special love of these animals.
Let me never lose sight of it.
My soul you have gifted with a deep need for them.
Let that need never lessen.
Always let my breath catch as the sun gleams on an elegant head.
Always may my throat tighten at the sound of a gentle nicker.
Let the scent of fresh hay and a new bag of grain be sweet to me.
Let the touch of a warm nose on my hand always bring a smile.
I adore the joy of a warm day on the farm.
The grace and splendor of a running horse,
The thunder of its hooves makes my eyes burn and my heart soar.
Let it always be so.
Dearest Creator grant me patience,
For horses are harnessed wind, and wind can be flighty.
Let me not frighten or harm them.
Instead show me ways to understand them.
Above all, dear Creator, fill my life with them.
When I pass from this world,
Send my soul to no heaven without them.
For this love you have given me graces my existence
And I shall cherish it and praise You for it for all time.
Author Unknown
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