Road to the Better Horse Schedule

January-March
Sunday 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Clinic Dates: January 9, 23
February 6, 20
March 6, 20

Welcome and congratulations on taking a positive step towards strengthening your horsemanship skills! Over the next three months you will learn how to confidently work with your horse, address problem behaviors, and increase the level of trust between you and your “partner.”
The attached schedule outlines the clinic agenda, and we ask that participants arrive on time and ready to go at 2:00 p.m. so that we can cover all the material and maximize your benefit of our instruction.
In the event of inclement weather, you will be notified by noon of the clinic day of cancellation and the session will be rescheduled to the following Sunday.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Shelly Phillips at 404-427-5004 or Jeri Flint at 678-458-6388.

Road to a Better Horse
Clinic Schedule

Session One:
2:00-2:25: Introductions & Overview

2:30-4:00: Groundwork Concept Lesson(s):
? Personal space
? Pressure – steady, driving, and escalation
? Backing
? Leading
? Flexing to the halter
**********************************************************************************Notes:

Road to a Better Horse
Clinic Schedule

Session Two:
2:00-3:15 – Groundwork Concept Lesson(s)
? Defining the Drive Line
? Yielding the hindquarters
? Desensitizing & “scary objects” – using a progressive approach to increase your horse’s confidence
3:15-3:25 – Tack up
3:30-4:00 – Riding Concept Lesson
? Flexing to the bridle
? Mounting & Flexing under saddle
**********************************************************************************Notes:

Road to a Better Horse
Clinic Schedule

Session Three:
2:00-2:45: Groundwork Concept Lesson(s)
? Groundwork checkup – yielding the hindquarters
? Lunging with a purpose – level 1 & 2

2:45-2:55 Tack up

3:00 – 4:00 Riding Concept Lesson(s)
? Emergency One Rein Stop
? Obstacle Course – in-hand and under saddle
**********************************************************************************Notes:

Road to a Better Horse
Clinic Schedule

Session Four:
2:00-2:45: Groundwork Concept Lesson(s)
? Yielding the hindquarters & backing
? Circle driving
2:45-2:55 Tack up

3:00 – 4:00 Riding Concept Lesson(s):
? Go cues – taking control of movement
? Checking the brakes – techniques for refining and strengthening your “whoa”
**********************************************************************************Notes:

Road to a Better Horse
Clinic Schedule

Session Five: *Tack up *
2:00-3:00 – Groundwork Practice Test
? Show us your stuff –
o Backing
o Flexing to the halter
o Yielding the Hindquarters
o Lunging Level 1 & 2
o Circle Driving
o Desensitizing exercises
3:00-4:00 – Riding Concept Lesson(s)
? Yielding the Hindquarters under saddle
? Riding with confidence – let go of those reins and trust your partner!
? Cruise control – maintaining gaits
**********************************************************************************Notes:

Road to a Better Horse
Clinic Schedule

Session Six: *Tack up *
2:00-2:45 Groundwork “Final Exam” ?

2:45-4:00 Riding Concept Lesson(s)
? Following the Fence
? Yielding the Hindquarters along the Fence
? Cloverleaf pattern
? Diagonals

**********************************************************************************Notes:

Here are some tips and ideas we’ve learned along the way that we think will be helpful…
? Remember the 3 “C”s of success
Be Clear about what you are asking your horse to do
Be Consistent with your training schedule
Be Committed to your training program
? Every horse learns at a different speed. Be patient – success is just around the corner if you take the time to work towards your training goals.
? It’s okay to make mistakes – and you will! But the more you practice, the better you will get.
? If you can only work with your horse a few times a week, schedule your training days consecutively for maximum results.
? If you are teaching your horse something new and he just isn’t “getting it,” go back to something he does well, and try again another day. Always end on a good note.
? Variety really IS the spice of life. If you are bored, chances are your horse is too. Keep your training/riding sessions more fun with a variety of exercises and activities.
? Be a leader. Your horse will respect and trust you if he believes that you are in charge.