Horsemanship Improvement Clinic Dr Deb Bennett

DAY ONE

9:00-11:00 a.m. : Lecture #1 “Untracking and its relationship to longeing and other forms of ground-work.” This session intended to prepare students for the “live” session to follow.

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 noontime: Introduction to ground handling. All riders and their horses to be tacked up in either halter with 12-ft. lead, or else standard traditional longeing equipment. Cavessons are welcomed. Horses not to be longed in any type of bit. All rider-horse teams in the arena at one time; this is a group lesson in which participants will learn from each other as well as from the teacher.

12:30-3:00 p.m.: working lunch + 2^nd lecture. Participants should bring bag lunches or else lunch is catered or available very close by, so that no one goes off the grounds in order to obtain food. We will all eat together as Dr. Deb presents the 2^nd lecture, which is entitled “The Anatomy of Straightness/Crookedness.”

3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Group 1 to ride/ground handle

4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Group 2 to ride/ground handle

Each group to contain half the rider-horse teams. This enables more individual attention from the teacher. Riders will continue to experiment with/learn correct/productive/sustainable ground-handling techniques and most will then be invited to mount and continue applying those principles and techniques from the saddle. Rider-horse pairs should arrive at the arena with saddle and bridle with snaffle bit or else saddle and jumping hackamore or sidepull; plus also bringing their cavesson or halter and longeing/ground handling line. No leverage bits please, not even kimblewickes, although Baucher snaffles are OK. No “be-nice” or criss-cross type “bitless bridles”. No tie-downs, training forks, running or standing martingales, or German reins of any type. Simple tack for straightforward learning and positive, honest results!

DAY 2

9:30-10:30 a.m. – Group 1 to ride/ground handle

10:30-12:00 noontide – Group 2 to ride/ground handle

This pair of sessions is a continuation of the afternoon ride from the previous day. Riders will practice the techniques being taught and are, of course, free to ask all kinds of questions.

12:00 noontide – 3:00 p.m.: working lunch + 3^rd lecture, which is entitled “The Magic of Draping Reins”.

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Group 2 to ride/ground handle

4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Group 1 to ride/ground handle

Notice that the order of the groups is switched….so that who goes home latest is shared equally.

Often at the end of the 2^nd day, there is some type of group evening meal. This can be either eaten out at some local place that serves great food and that can accommodate a table large enough for the whole group of us, or else a barbecue or pizza party on the grounds. This is very nice to do as drawing people closer to make friends around shared interests, and also as an additional opportunity to ask Dr. Deb questions and/or discuss topics of interest.

DAY 3

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Group 2 to ride/handle

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noontide: Group 1 to ride/handle

Again, notice that the order of go has been switched, so that who has to go first gets shared around.

12:00 noontide – 3:00 p.m.: working lunch + Lecture no. 4, entitled “Inspiring Examples of Great Horsemanship”. This presentation is a video program featuring noncompetitive horsemanship contexts and the work of several of the world’s greatest horse trainers. I want to send students home not only inspired, but with the idea firmly in mind that they, too, can accomplish wonderful things. It is not difficult to experience beauty and harmony when correct, humane and sustainable techniques – plus the appropriate attitude – are at the root.

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Group 1 to ride/handle

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Group 2 to ride/handle

This is the last riding/handling session, during which I will send each person home with ideas of what to practice for the next year.