Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Horsemanship Through Life

I've been to probably a dozen horsemanship clinics over the last ten years, and they've all been pretty similar. A whole bunch of riders from all disciplines and at all levels of ability gather in an arena. There's a lot of nervous energy buzzing around as participants and their horses adjust to the environment. The clinician philosophizes on horsemanship, shares his experiences and knowledge and takes questions, often for extended periods of time, while the riders get anxious and just want to start riding. Then the clinician leads the participants through various maneuvers, all directed toward developing softness in their horses. This goes on for two or three days, and everybody goes home full of knowledge and enlightenment and sometimes with a softer horse. I have benefited immensely from every clinic I've attended as a participant or as an auditor and wouldn't trade those experiences for anything...

...anything except the experience of participating in one of Mark Rashid's clinics. Now that I've been to the other side, there may be no turning back.



Everything about a Rashid clinic is different except the subject matter. There are only eight riders, and each one receives about an hour of one-on-one attention from Mark each day, followed by an hour with Mark's wife, working on the lessons just learned.



Each individual's hour starts the same way. Tell us about your horse and what you'd like to work on.



Mark quietly listens and observes. To evaluate where you are with your horse, he might ask you to do a few gait transitions, then stop and back your horse. He has a remarkable ability to pinpoint the root cause of a problem, which this day included everything from a rider holding her breath, to a horse holding his breath, to a rider unknowingly using a particular bit which was confusing the heck out of her horse and causing all sorts of discomfort.




He works with each rider patiently and respectfully, with a calm and quiet energy that defines him, his horse, and even his dog. He practices his horsemanship through his life – being a better horseman makes him a better person and vice versa.



And you gotta love the guy's dry wit. I think his exact words to this rider were, "You're going to need to breathe at some point...whenever you get a chance." He must have said this at least once to all the riders, and I laughed every time. Had I been riding, I'm sure he would have said it to me, too.



What I think sets Mark apart from all of today's clinicians is his knowledge of how the rider's energy and focus has everything to do with the horse's actions and reactions – good and bad. He can articulate and demonstrate these principles to his students, who are able to apply them and get immediate changes in their horses and themselves.



As much as I wanted to ride in this three-day clinic, auditing it for one day was a perfect introduction to Mark's unique brand of horsemanship. I'll spend the next eight or nine months trying to incorporate his methods in my own riding...and looking for a ranchsitter... with the goal of attending one of his week-long sessions in Colorado next summer.

22 comments:

  1. Interesting post .. he sounds like a very knowledgeable and interesting man, and an entire hour with him, one on one .. WOW!!!

    I'm raising my hand, saying, "Ranch sitter here, ranch sitter here!!!", but the distance between us is a bit much, darn!!! I really hope you do find someone to help you out so you can go.

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  2. Sounds great, I've read other blogs that think highly of Mark. Clinics are a great way to learn how to communicate with your horse more effectively. From my experience, it's hard to find a clinician that can communicate with ALL people as well as help instruct a person on how to improve riding skills. The whole package is hard to find....and way too many of them like to hear themselves talk!

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  3. How blessed you were to attend one of his clinics. I have read his books and loved them!! He definitely has a gift with the horses.

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  4. I just raised my hand! But I don't know if it was to be picked to ranchsit or go along to Colorado.

    I hate Tom Thumbs and think their name gives the false sense that they are sweet training bits for young horses.

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  5. You were so lucky to be able to attend this clinic, I hope you can make it to the week long one in Colorado. What a treat that would be. I only wish he did some east coast clinics. I'd love to go to one. I think he might be at the Equine Affair in Nov. in Mass. but I'd have to check. I'd definitely take the ride to see him there.

    This guy is one of the only clinicians I truly like. I think he's really got it together. Having read all his books, I feel you can trust him and also that he knows what he's talking about.

    Thanks for the post.

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  6. thanks for the info Carson, I'll have to check out where Compton N.H. is, we're in Duchess County N.Y. so we can make the one in Nov. at Equine Affair, it'll take about 2 hrs. I guess. I'd really like to see this guy work, like I said, he's one of the few I have any respect for. thanks again, enjoy the day.

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  7. Wow, I envy you being able to attend his clinic. I've read his book Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse and fell in love with his unique style of writing. I'd love to ride with him some day!

    Can't wait to hear about some of the things you and the ponies will be working on, and how this clinic has helped you!

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  8. Yeah, I know what you mean - it's a real eye-opener. I try to audit or ride in every clinic Mark has that's close to me because I'm always working on something different with the horses and every clinic is completely different (with the same underlying principles) since very horse and rider combo have different things they're working on.

    I wish I was close enough to you to be your ranch sitter - but hmm . . . maybe a trip out your way would be fun! I hope you make it to Colorado - to say it's worth it is an understatement - I've done it twice - 1,000 mile drive each way with 3 horses one time and 2 the next - and it was worth every mile.

    My work with Mark has completely transformed my horsemanship for the better.

    Your pictures are great - they really capture the "feel". I've linked to your post on my blog - hope you don't mind.

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  9. ...AND he looks like Sam Elliot. Sign me up!

    SVG

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  10. He sounds interesting. I would love to attend one of his clinics.

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  11. Sounds like a great clinic. I haven't been to one of his, but I'd really like to. Too bad I haven't seen one around my area. Glad you found it enjoyable!

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  12. Linda.....I am SO glad you couldn't ride this time. The auditing experience and your chance to take the wonderful pics were well worth you sitting it out. I've sat through many of the EARLY John Lyons seminars and then the 3 day riding clinics and they were worth every minute. Back in the day I could "jaw" with John on breaks before he became such a guru. Now....nah....

    I want to take a clinic with Mark but a couple things first. Move to NM, get a horse...then sign up. I can't wait until you go to your CO clinic, it will be SO exciting.

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  13. I haven't had the opportunity to go to many clinics but I do have to say that I've always learned more (and usually enjoyed more) the ones that start with the intstructor saying "Tell me a bit about you, your horse and what you'd like to work on/achieve"

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  14. I knew you would like it. Mark is unique. The thoughts and general ideas are the same of all the really good trainers, but he can teach it, and not make you feel dumb about not knowing what you don't know. And, you're right, he's got personality and wit!
    That's why I love riding in his clinics. He is genuine.

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  15. Thank you for these wonderful pictures and the clinic report.

    I've read most of Mark's books and hope that sometime I will be able to audit or even ride in one of his clinics. I have heard so many positive things about his clinics.

    Mary H.
    http://stalecheerios.com/blog

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  16. Thanks for the report and great shots. "Considering the Horse" has been one of my favorites. His DVD's are an excellent source also. I would like to attend, even audit a clinic. I like the horsemanship/living connection. I make the horsemanship/painting connection and really see the value there.
    karenmclainstudio.com

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  17. I'd love to ride one of my horses in a clinic someday! I think it would be one of the best experiences ever.

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  18. A ranch sitter hmmm.....? I could be talked into that. I think it would be a win/win all 'round.

    I love this guy and I haven't even heard of him before, much less been to a clinic. I love him because of how relaxed his own horse looks all the time (okay, let's be honest here, the horse is falling asleep).

    I laughed at the mention of breathing. My own trainer says that to me all the time. Makes me laugh, too.

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  19. Very cool Linda, and sounds really interesting. I've never read any of his stuff...but, you've piked my interest. What would you suggest as a first book to read?

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  20. I hadn't heard of this trainer before. Thanks for writing about him. I'll have to check and see if he ever comes to our area or check out one of his books.

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  21. I would highly recommend reading his books. Just go look him up at the library. His writing style on some is very story like, enjoyable to read while you are learning alot about horses and true horsemanship.

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  22. People like that are truly amazing and just being around them to absorb some of their calm energy is a blessing in an of itself.

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