April 2004~ Rancho Doblado
Mark
Rashid and Kim Lankford returned to Rancho Doblado last week for two
back-to-back horsemanship clinics. This year, more than ever before, we had a
variety of horse breeds well represented: a Friesan, a couple Tennessee Walkers,
an Appaloosa, two Arabians, three Mustangs, a Thoroughbred, and half dozen
Quarter Horses. We had a marvelous turnout of students with a full slate of
riders each clinic and 40 auditors Easter weekend! Folks asked great questions
which lead to some interesting discussions on horse training and life. Thanks to
all who came to learn and ride with us. Each year Mark and Kim return to our Rancho they have so much to offer the students. (If you all don’t know Kim by now, she is director of Rocky Mountain Pilates Center and she brings a background in rehabilitative Pilates.) Mark & Kim bring new concepts, such as weight under and breathing in time with strides to influence the feet. They also refine lessons we worked on the year before, such as influencing motion and learning to release the braces in both horse and rider. They have so much to offer. Mark works primarily with students and their horse’s behaviors, while Kim offers riding instruction and exercises in and out of the saddle. She also offers students bodywork on the floor of the barn- stretch and massage to help release tightness. They blend together well are both deeply committed to helping people.
The first clinic lasted 3-days and we worked with 8 enthusiastic students and their horses. The format of the 3-day was individual lessons with both Mark & Kim. We learned about softness through circles; saddle fit; a straight, soft, crisp back up leads to developing a soft feel plus good diagonals which lead to a good trot; FOCUS; persistence; cadence/ footfall; how to breathe in time with a hind foot at the canter in order to support a lead change; snaffle bits and bitting; ways to un-stick a stuck horse at the walk by directing his feet; the circles of motion in the horse and rider represent harmony and flow; how to learn to sit a trot; some of the many, many ways you can ask for softness from a horse.
The 5-day clinic “camp” was a new experience for me and one I would like to host again, and again, and again. We had 7 riders at the intermediate to advanced level with no auditors, which meant we were free to do whatever we chose to do over the 5 days: cow work, trail rides, cavaletti work, jumps, ground-work, relax, visit, and watch other rider’s lessons. Riders were welcome to bring two horses or different horses each day. Riders could ride all day, ride part of the day, the format was completely up to each individual. We met with Mark and Kim each morning for a round table discussion and set goals for the day so everyone would know what each student was working on. When we declared ourselves done we met again to discuss the day and how our lessons progressed. Mark gave us homework each night to think about.
Mark did not need to turn his PA on the entire 5-days. He was horseback within talking distance to all riders in the arena. Mark has invited me to begin teaching with him in his clinics, as a student-teacher-in-training. I cannot think of anyone I would rather learn to teach from. He spent some time with me coaching me on how to teach. Mark, Kim and I were available all day, every day for all the students. It was marvelous. Gone was the normal pressure of riding in a clinic in front of others and in front of an instructor. It felt comfortable, casual, fun, and more than anything it felt rich with opportunity as each day riders flowed from one activity to the next.
A few of my favorite quotes from Mark Rashid this year:
In teaching your horse a soft feel:
“When your horse doesn’t get it, it is just a stumbling block. It only becomes a failure if you quit trying.”
In discussing unwanted behaviors from horses:
“I don’t want to give validity to anything that doesn’t have value to me.”
“If your horse is stuck, instead of trying to move the whole horse, try to move one foot.”
“We might be lost, but we’re making good time.”
“Softness doesn’t come from your hands; it comes from your heart.”
Paraphrased:
“Softness and firmness are compatible. Try really hard not to let your emotions get involved. It is hard to think when you are emotional.”
“We are not training for today, we are training for tomorrow.”
And Kim’s valuable words:
Bellybutton to the spine!
Breathe.
Ride from your center, Missy.
Very nice.
And from a few students:
Reflecting over the day,
“Old Lessons in New Ways”- Charlotte.
On homework:
“Never talk when you mean to listen.”- Katie
“Meanings are in people, not in words.”- Katie
Out on trail, playing leapfrog and focusing on body awareness:
“Follow the yellow brick road. Follow the yellow brick road.
3 and 9 and 3 and 9 and follow the yellow brick road.”- Renee & Gayle.
Thanks to all the riders who brought their horses, their courage, their smiles. We sure appreciate you taking time out of your busy lives to ride in our clinics. You were all so committed to improving your skills and helping your horses. I am both humbled and honored to be in your company. I hope you will keep in touch, keep me posted on your progress and come back to visit someday soon. I will be here.
I think Mark plans on returning next year, so if you want to ride with us, contact me today!
Keep a leg on each side until we see you again,
Beth Anne Doblado
www.ranchodoblado.com