Each week includes:

-An hour of riding (when you reserve your spot, you’ll choose if they ride in the morning before the rest of the day, or at the end of the day. This way I ensure that I have 2 smaller, safer groups of riders who have more of my individual attention and feedback, instead of 1 larger group).

This hour of riding will be focused on Hunter/Jumper skills.

-An hour of ground work or body work (ex: lunging, massage, liberty leading, etc)

-Learning and practicing a horse care skill (ex: supplements, sheath/teat cleaning, saddle fit, etc)

-Time walking horses around the pond, having individual chill time with a horse of choice, or playing horse games <3

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Each week includes:

-An hour of riding (when you reserve your spot, you’ll choose if they ride in the morning before the rest of the day, or at the end of the day. This way I ensure that I have 2 smaller, safer groups of riders who have more of my individual attention and feedback, instead of 1 larger group).

This hour of riding will be focused on Hunter/Jumper skills.

-An hour of ground work or body work (ex: lunging, massage, liberty leading, etc)

-Learning and practicing a horse care skill (ex: supplements, sheath/teat cleaning, saddle fit, etc)

-Time walking horses around the pond, having individual chill time with a horse of choice, or playing horse games <3

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Each week includes:

-An hour of riding (when you reserve your spot, you’ll choose if they ride in the morning before the rest of the day, or at the end of the day. This way I ensure that I have 2 smaller, safer groups of riders who have more of my individual attention and feedback, instead of 1 larger group).

This hour of riding will be focused on Hunter/Jumper skills.

-An hour of ground work or body work (ex: lunging, massage, liberty leading, etc)

-Learning and practicing a horse care skill (ex: supplements, sheath/teat cleaning, saddle fit, etc)

-Time walking horses around the pond, having individual chill time with a horse of choice, or playing horse games <3

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Each week includes:

-An hour of riding (when you reserve your spot, you’ll choose if they ride in the morning before the rest of the day, or at the end of the day. This way I ensure that I have 2 smaller, safer groups of riders who have more of my individual attention and feedback, instead of 1 larger group).

This hour of riding will be focused on Hunter/Jumper skills.

-An hour of ground work or body work (ex: lunging, massage, liberty leading, etc)

-Learning and practicing a horse care skill (ex: supplements, sheath/teat cleaning, saddle fit, etc)

-Time walking horses around the pond, having individual chill time with a horse of choice, or playing horse games <3

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Each week includes:

-An hour of riding (when you reserve your spot, you’ll choose if they ride in the morning before the rest of the day, or at the end of the day. This way I ensure that I have 2 smaller, safer groups of riders who have more of my individual attention and feedback, instead of 1 larger group).

This hour of riding will be focused on Hunter/Jumper skills.

-An hour of ground work or body work (ex: lunging, massage, liberty leading, etc)

-Learning and practicing a horse care skill (ex: supplements, sheath/teat cleaning, saddle fit, etc)

-Time walking horses around the pond, having individual chill time with a horse of choice, or playing horse games <3

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Each week includes:

-An hour of riding (when you reserve your spot, you’ll choose if they ride in the morning before the rest of the day, or at the end of the day. This way I ensure that I have 2 smaller, safer groups of riders who have more of my individual attention and feedback, instead of 1 larger group).

This hour of riding will be focused on Hunter/Jumper skills.

-An hour of ground work or body work (ex: lunging, massage, liberty leading, etc)

-Learning and practicing a horse care skill (ex: supplements, sheath/teat cleaning, saddle fit, etc)

-Time walking horses around the pond, having individual chill time with a horse of choice, or playing horse games <3

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Each week includes:

-An hour of riding (when you reserve your spot, you’ll choose if they ride in the morning before the rest of the day, or at the end of the day. This way I ensure that I have 2 smaller, safer groups of riders who have more of my individual attention and feedback, instead of 1 larger group).

This hour of riding will be focused on Hunter/Jumper skills.

-An hour of ground work or body work (ex: lunging, massage, liberty leading, etc)

-Learning and practicing a horse care skill (ex: supplements, sheath/teat cleaning, saddle fit, etc)

-Time walking horses around the pond, having individual chill time with a horse of choice, or playing horse games <3

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Each week includes:

-An hour of riding (when you reserve your spot, you’ll choose if they ride in the morning before the rest of the day, or at the end of the day. This way I ensure that I have 2 smaller, safer groups of riders who have more of my individual attention and feedback, instead of 1 larger group).

This hour of riding will be focused on Hunter/Jumper skills.

-An hour of ground work or body work (ex: lunging, massage, liberty leading, etc)

-Learning and practicing a horse care skill (ex: supplements, sheath/teat cleaning, saddle fit, etc)

-Time walking horses around the pond, having individual chill time with a horse of choice, or playing horse games <3

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Each week includes:

-An hour of riding (when you reserve your spot, you’ll choose if they ride in the morning before the rest of the day, or at the end of the day. This way I ensure that I have 2 smaller, safer groups of riders who have more of my individual attention and feedback, instead of 1 larger group).

This hour of riding will be focused on Hunter/Jumper skills.

-An hour of ground work or body work (ex: lunging, massage, liberty leading, etc)

-Learning and practicing a horse care skill (ex: supplements, sheath/teat cleaning, saddle fit, etc)

-Time walking horses around the pond, having individual chill time with a horse of choice, or playing horse games <3

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Noticing, interpreting, and Responding to my Horse

So often, when I am called to a property to help solve a problem that a horse and human pair are having, or when I am helping a student at my barn, the root of the problem stems from not noticing what your horse is doing or communicating.

There is so much that horses tell us if we pay attention. About their thoughts, their concerns, their pains, their joys. 

By the end of our session, we will have discussed and practiced the following:

• What are times that I can listen to my horse better?

• What does my horse’s body language tell me literally?

• What can I infer they are thinking or telling me?

• How can I show them that I am listening?

• When are times that I want to listen and let my horse guide us vs when are times that I want to guide my horse?

Ground work practice:

• Leading. 

• Grooming. 

• Tacking. 

• Being in a spooky/scary/uncomfortable place (ex: New space. Place we always spook. Separated from the herd…)

Riding practice:

• What behaviors under saddle indicate my horse is telling me something?

• What are they communicating?

• Is this a moment to be guided or a moment to guide?

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Finding relaxation and reducing tension

Our horses don’t just have sore or stiff muscles or joints. They also hold tension, just like we do. Whether from a hard ride, or even stress in their stall, or dynamics of their herd! 

And just like us, they don’t inherently know how to release that tension. Muscle or mental. And it lives on in their body, either bottled up or coming out in moments of emotion! 

Therefore, I spend time with horses helping them to reduce that tension. They should feel better physically and mentally after a bodywork session or a ride! In this clinic, we will practice doing both.

Ground work practice: Masterson Method and Myofascial release

• Masterson’s bladder meridian technique to find and release tension (“search, response, stay”)

• Common Myofascial release techniques to release the shoulders, back, lumbar, and sacrum

Riding practice: Finding relaxation and down regulation

• Am I down regulated?

• Is my horse down regulated?

• What in the saddle techniques help us to be so?

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Basics of training: Clicker Training and Pressure and Release. 

By the end of this session we will have practiced and discussed the following:

• What are and how do I use both training methods of “Clicker Training” and “Pressure and Release”?

• Do I believe in these training methods? Do I want to use either one or both in my own training?

• How do I think through using these methods in new situations? Or new problems that arise? Or new skills I want to train?

Ground work practice: Leading/Liberty Leading, ground tying, bridling, lining up (and standing still) at the mounting block

Riding practice: Straightness vs bending. Steering. Changes of gait. 

• What initial cue am I giving? 

• Am I using pressure on purpose or accidentally? 

• Is my pressure and release communicating what I want?

• What to do when it’s not working?

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Desensitizing, focusing, down regulating, and building trust

The most unexpected skill I use the most as a trainer, especially called out to clients facing problems, is Warwick Schiller techniques to help horses focus and relax.  

Some times when I have used it:

• A client’s horse rears, bucks her off, then races home on trail rides

• A client’s horse works well in the round pen, but then has a dangerous melt down every time they move to the arena

• A client’s horse continues to step on her on the lead line, and she is now afraid to walk him

• A client wants to show, but her horse is spooky and not calm when they go to the new space

• A client cannot separate her horse from the herd

• A client’s horse is afraid to go into the aisleway at the barn

• A client’s horse won’t trailer

• A client just moved to a new barn and her horse is totally different and doesn’t feel safe to get on

Ground work practice:

• Warwick Schiller’s techniques for when a horse is agitated/hot/distracted/not with you

• Desensitization techniques for common ‘scary’ things

Riding practice:

• Riding in a new space

• Optional: Obstacles (poles, tarps, flags, etc)

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Techniques for common horse pains/stiffness

Our horses are athletes, just like we are! And just like we do, they can aches and pains, they get stiff and sore. Just like we do, they benefit from massage, from stretching, from physical therapy movements. 

As a trainer, I check for any signs of pain when I am called out for any problem a horse is having, because frequently pain is the cause (or a contributor or an indicator). And then as a trainer, or even just when I am casually riding, I am stretching and/or massaging my horse during my grooming time or untacking time, to reduce any places of stiffness or soreness. 

Ground work practice: Massage and stretching

• Identifying if your horse is stiff or sore in common areas

• Using massage or stretching techniquesto reduce stiffness or soreness

• Noticing signs of relaxation or reduced tension

Riding practice: 

• Noticing tension in my own body and reducing it

• Feeling back legs striding forward to feel stiffness or lameness

• Bending and flexing to stretch my horse

• The “Free Walk” and the “Stretchy Trot”

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Pivots, Yields, and Shoulders In

Whether I am working with a green horse or a veteran show horse, I believe that yields are so helpful! For unbroke horses, teaching them to move away from pressure on the ground teaches them to do the same undersaddle. For any horse, working on yields increases their body awareness and physical fitness, and I believe it helps riders increase their own awareness of their cues and their horses movements.

By the end of the session, we will have modeled and practiced the following:

Ground work practice:

• Pivots on the forehand

• Pivots on the haunches

• Side pass

• Shoulder’s In

Riding practice:

• Pivots on the forehand

• Pivots on the haunches

• Side Pass

• Leg yields

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

The Basics of Lunging and 20 Meter Circles

I lunge horses a lot. I lunge green horses to help train them for riding. I lunge hurt horses to see their lameness or lunge horses to help them build strength.  I lunge hot horses or cold backed horses. I lunge horses to help them build confidence and relaxation. 

I do not believe in lunging a horse mindlessly in fast circles. 

By the end of your lunging session, your horse should be down regulated and feeling confident.  They should have increased their trust, communication, and skills with you. 

Ground work practice: Lunging

• Is my horse at the pace I asked for?

• Is my horse in the place I asked for?

• Is my horse “with me?”

Riding practice: 20 meter circles

• Is the shape of my circle symmetrical and correct?

• Is the shape of my horse’s body in my circle correct?

• What are my cues and corrections for a 20 meter circle? 

• Am I helping my horse find self-carriage?

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

The Magic (more than basics) of Lunging and Bending

The more I have lunged, the more I have done while lunging. 

Ground work practice: Lunging

• Moving our horses to different spaces (including scary ones) in the arena

• Opening the neck, shoulders, and hind end by asking them to move away

• Bending on a circle

• Learning to stretch

• Working through or around obstacles/jumps

• Working on new skills before learning them undersaddle 

Riding practice: Bending and flexing (Including: riding 20 meter circles, corners, centerline,and  serpentines)

• Is the shape I’m riding symmetrical and correct?

• Is the shape of my horse’s body correct?

• What are my cues and corrections for bending and flexing?

• Am I helping my horse find self-carriage?

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Long-lining/ground driving and Contact

I have never actually driven a horse in a cart (i wish!). But I love long-lining! 

Long-lining can be helpful when starting a horse: getting them used to travelling in a straight line (vs a circle), not being able to see you (and take cues off your body language), and light contact on both sides of their face. 

And long-lining can be an excellent tool for horses who need work with contact, or straightness/bend including outside aids. I found it helpful for me as a rider to also do groundwork that includes both reins! Not just one, like in lunging. 

Ground work practice: Long-lining both behind a horse and in the center of a circle.

(NOTE: if you are trailering in, you will want your own set of surcingle and lines to be able to practice at the same time as other participants. Or you can wait and use mine: I have a set for a mini, and a set for a larger horse.)

Riding practice: Contact

• Am I developing contact with my horse out of fear or lack of balance?

• Is my contact paired with impulsion and drive from the hind end?

• Is my contact even on both hands?

• Am I quiet and light in my hands and staying out of my horses way?

• Am I on track to developing a head set that will help my horse physically?

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.

Liberty Work and Bridleless Riding

Liberty work (aka- working with our horses with no ropes/leads) is a really beautiful experience. 

Removing all the equipment from our practice, allows us to see our horses’ baseline skills and allows us to see our horses’ feelings and thoughts even clearer. If they are afraid, or exuberant,   uncomfortable, or connected, etc, we will see it all. 

And as you get into liberty work, you’ll build the communication and trust between you and your horse. 

Note: Our barn does not have a round pen, so we will be doing liberty lunging in our arena. It’s a harder space, but if you can do liberty in an arena, a round pen is easy!

Ground work practice:

• Liberty leading

• Liberty lunging

• Liberty lateral work

Riding practice: We’ll work toward bridleless riding. 

*We will still wear bridles (unless you have experience without one).  

You might want to experiment with a bitless bridle if you haven’t before! 

If you have a neck rope you’d like to work with, bring it!

*Clinics are held at River Ridge, a private barn in Ada, MI.

Address: 1723 Pettis Ave, NE, Ada, MI 49301

*Our arena is outdoor. If weather does not permit us to ride or work, we will cancel and refund participants.

*For haul-ins, we have crossties or stalls if needed. Our driveway has two roundabouts for easy trailering in and out. A clean coggins will be required in advance of attendance.