July 2009 ~ Rider Horsemanship Newsletter

Watch Caroline perform this Saturday
Carroll County Equestrian 25th Anniversary

Saturday, July 11, 10-2pm
www.carrollcountyequestriancouncil.org


St. Michaels, MD - 2-Day Trail Riding Clinic
ACCEPTING AUDITORS ONLY - CLINIC IS FULL

For clinic flyer and details, Click here:
To register, please contact: caroline@riderhorsemanship.com
or 888-401-2258

Damascus, MD - 2-Day Trail Riding Clinic
“Preparing You and Your Horse for the Trail”

ONLY 3 Spots Available!
Learn the steps to creating a calmer, safer, more confident, obedient, responsive and connected partnership between you and your horse! This clinic is for any level rider and any discipline. It is a great opportunity to work on basic riding patterns, techniques and maneuvers – all designed to enhance your relationship and horsemanship. A fun and challenging obstacle course is set up for everyone to participate in at the end of the day.

For clinic flyer and details, Click here:
To register, please contact Mary Jo: Mary.Hazes@fda.hhs.gov


This Month’s Topic of Interest:
“Keeping Our Horses Connected”

What does “connection” mean to you and your horse? Does it mean creating a conditioned response, or cue system, when riding and practicing online ground techniques? Does it mean having mental engagement, your horse’s mind, when working together? Does it include acquiring your horse’s attention at all times? And does it include capturing moments with your horse where you “feel” within your heart a guttural sensation that leaves you feeling like you both understand one another and are speaking the same language?

I have personally experienced all the above with each and every horse I have encountered, and had the pleasure to know and work with. Whether it was a cue system (conditioned response) created over time, or a different kind of connection that mirrored more of what I felt within my heart, there has always been an opportunity to experience “oneness,” or unity, when being and doing with horses.

So, how do we keep connected ALL the time with our horses? It’s really simple, but not always easy… and involves us practicing being mindful, conscious and aware of our intention, position and movement when with and around our horses. When I speak of being mindful, I am specifically talking about 3 core awareness’ within us and they center on our thoughts, our physical position and our movement. The more aware we are of “where” we are with all 3, the better opportunity we have to seek out connection and keep it. The process of working all 3 awareness’ together is what I strive for each and every day. When it is achieved there is both mental and physical connection, or “togetherness,” in mind and movement – and, that is when we can experience oneness with our horses.

What’s so liberating about this awareness, or “approach” is that everything we do around, and with, our horses becomes an opportunity that allows for “all possibilities” for connection, communication and oneness. When we have this level of awareness with our horses, we begin to understand where we need to be for our horse, when we are needed and why. Being aware, combined with developing the skill sets necessary to further develop and nurture the connection, is the beginning to creating a foundation built upon deep levels of acceptance, trust, communication, willing partnership and consensual leadership. Once you have these ingredients, anything you dream is possible!

You can learn all about this in my Tao of Horsemanship™ Round Penning DVD. This DVD involves you learning 3 core awareness’s to mastering connection and join up with your horse. It is not about round penning in the conventional sense and does not involve running your horse around to establish who’s alpha or in charge. It isn’t about “sacking out” your horse either before you ride. Rather it is a safe environment that provides enough space for intimacy and enough space for your horse to choose to not be with you, or join up. All in all, it is a great opportunity for you to learn where you need to be for your horse in partnership and leadership, at any given time.

What’s New?
“Caroline Rider's “Art of Natural Dressage” webpage, slide show and video

Combining Haute Ecole Principles with a Tao of Horsemanship™ Approach to Working with Horses Naturally

Caroline has been developing she and her horses for the past 3 years now for the ultimate in classical dressage maneuvers – without stress, force, bridles or saddles! What you are about to experience, through slide shows and video is cutting edge, revolutionary and innovative to horse training.

While she practices Haute Ecole – a very stylized and advanced form of classical dressage, she does so at liberty and through play. The result is a way of training dressage that empowers the horse and is based solely on positivism and the joy of both human and horse to train body and soul as one. Caroline's sole purpose is to change the view of training horses by shedding light on their incredible ability to not only teach us but become consensual partners in this journey. Video coming soon!

For more information, and slide show of Caroline and her 3 top horses, please CLICK HERE