The Light Hands Horsemanship Clinic returns to Santa Ynez, May 30-June 1 for the second annual weekend-long clinic devoted to horse training from “birth to maturity.” The event brings together Robert Miller, DVM, Eitan Beth-Halachmy, Jon Ensign, Lester Buckley and Anne Judd, five acclaimed training and judging experts, each well-versed in the innovative schooling and rearing methods known as Light Hands Horsemanship™. The clinic will be held at Intrepid Farms, a Morgan facility owned by Arthur Perry, who pioneered the revolutionary clinic. Radio personality and equine author Rick Lamb will emcee the event.
Light Hands Horsemanship is based on the implication of absolute lightness while raising and training horses. According to Miller, “By definition, lightness is an immediate and full response to an absolutely minimum amount of stimulus. In all disciplines, lightness in the use of the reins, the hands, the seat, and the legs is too often overlooked.”
Each clinician will demonstrate how to achieve complete respect and compliance without producing fear in the horse. The clinic will advance through several stages and disciplines of equine care, starting with Dr. Miller, who will concentrate on foal training, which creates a solid base for a horse’s development, and the science of reinforcement.
Noted horse starter Jon Ensign will cover ground work and preparation for the first ride. He will address common mistakes and challenges and continue to focus on an incredibly light touch. Then, Lester Buckley, who is accomplished in both dressage and cutting, will ride both english and western, showing the benefits of cross training in his demonstrations. The main emphasis will be on understanding the mind of the horse as well as the links between muscular function and the construction of the skeleton working in combination as the horse develops over time. Lester will lay the foundations of lightness by combining the science of natural horsemanship with an understanding of equine anatomy and movement. Lester’s goal is for people to come away with a sound understanding of life from the horses’ point of view.
Finally, Eitan Beth-Halachmy, known for his “Cowboy Dressage” school, will demonstrate the basics of lightness control on his champion show horses Indigo Gold and Santa Fe Renegade. He will show how to control three parts of the body: first the head, neck and shoulders, followed by the rib cage and then the hindquarters. He will teach the early training methods he uses for the development of self carriage and the importance of the use of lightness. Eitan will also discuss the art of transitions and showmanship strategies, as well as roundness, suppling, balance and cadence.
Featured guest Anne Judd will be discussing and demonstrating “natural balance” and the “balanced seat.” She will cover exercises on and off the horse to strengthen parts of the body to insure this seat, as well as exercises on the ground to help maintain natural balance. Additionally, she will discuss the use of the five natural aids: voice, seat, legs, brain and, of course, light hands.
There will be a chuck wagon for meals and entertainment and Cowboy Museum tours are offered. The clinic is sponsored by Spalding Labs, creator of Spalding fly control products. Reservation by April 30 are encouraged to ensure a spot at this invaluable experience.
For more information, visit www.lighthandshorsemanship.com, or contact Eitan and Debbie Halchamy at eitan@foothilll.net or 530-346-2715 or 530-346-9125.
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