From: Darlene Schmall
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 4:11 PM
Subject: [TexasSavvyPlayground] Colt Starting Clinic

The Colt Starting Clinic with Aaron England & Jack Lieser this past weekend was an incredible learning experience.  I took my 13-year-old "colt", Reo (an Arabian rescue horse I've had for 3 �  years) who had never been ridden.

Aaron & Jack took us through the three stages of preparation - getting the horse to accept the human,
accept the saddle, and, finally, accept the rider (passenger).  The techniques used were not only relevant to the ultimate goal, but clear and understandable for both the horse and the rider AND safe!

This was, undoubtedly, the most educational and insightful clinic I've ever attended.  Aaron & Jack
not only demonstrated technique, but explained what they were doing and why.  It was a whole new chapter looking at things from the horse's point of view - for instance how some horses "internalize" their emotions by appearing to "accept" the human/saddle/rider when all they are doing is "tolerating".  We were briefed on some things we might look for to "read" the horse - such as how the horse has his feet positioned, or the horse not moving after he's been saddled (he doesn't want to feel that "thing" on his back, so if he doesn't move, he can "pretend" it's not there...basically ignoring the situation).

There was just SO much offered at this clinic, I'm still "licking' & chewin'" myself, and looking to apply what I've learned to the mare (Belle) I'm already riding, because now  I'm picking up on the "clues" she's dropping that indicate she could be just "tolerating", and not really "accepting" the human/saddle/rider; sometimes "tolerating" is misconstrued as "calm" and "gentle", which, of course, is a potentially dangerous situation.

I could go on and on, but what I really wanted to share with you is that this was truly a wonderful learning experience and I cannot say enough about the abilities and skill of Aaron & Jack; they are SO savvy.  Not only are they competent instructors, but they are just flat out NICE! - the whole lot of them...including Riva and the people they have working with them and for them.  I would highly recommend that if you get the opportunity to attend any of the clinics that they offer, DO IT!!  You won't be sorry!

And if you're wondering if I got to ride Reo - the answer is "no".  Jack asked me if I still wanted to ride Reo (right when Aaron was actually riding Reo for the first time!), and I told him "no".  When we were asked at the beginning of the clinic what we wanted to accomplish, naturally I said I wanted to finally ride this horse I've had for 3 � years; however, when I saw how much Reo had "changed" under the tutelage of Aaron & Jack (I had minimal "hands-on" input, obviously because of my lack of experience),  I realized that what I really wanted with this horse was a mutual relationship of trust and respect.  I could have put in 1,000 hours of playing the 7 games with him, but never would have brought him to where he was at that moment...braver, calmer, smarter, and more athletic!... nor would I  have established the foundation that he (and every horse) needs to accept the human/saddle/rider.  I knew Reo wasn't ready for "inexperienced" me, and I wasn't ready for "inexperienced" him, and I didn't want to "mess up" this foundation that was so beautifully laid for him.  So I asked Aaron to keep him at his facility and give him 10 hours training.  I just know this is going to be so good for Reo; he was already lovin' what he already learned...and after 13 years, he's finally "getting a life"!

I'm looking forward to picking Reo up - right around the Cow Working Clinic time...so maybe Belle and I will go back to Goldthwaite, work a moo or two, and all come home together!  And live happily ever after.
The End.