Clinic Descriptions

Pre-Purchase: So You Want to Own a Horse
Description: This clinic is designed to provide the basic information you need to make an educated, logical decision about buying a horse, and the responsibilities and costs involved in horse ownership. In this clinic we will cover:

1. What to look for when buying a horse
2. Horse ownership costs
3. Basic horse care
4. Horse ownership costs
5. Housing requirements

Prerequisites to attend: An interest in or desire to enter into the commitment of owning a horse.

Round Pen Series

Round Penning I:
Description: This clinic is designed to provide the foundation and starting point that all subsequent clinics will build on. The main goal is for improved safety and communication between you and your horse. In this clinic we will cover:

1. Inside turns
2. Outside turns
3. Turn and face you
4. Come to you cue (walk)
5. Sacking out
6. Calm down cue

Prerequisites to attend: Must be able to trailer your horse and safely maneuver your horse around other people and horses.

Round Penning II:
Description: Building on the foundation gained in Round Penning I, we will follow up on safety and acclimating your horse to scary objects. In this clinic we will cover:

1. Come to you cue (trot)
2. Preparing to bridle your horse
3. Head down cue
4. Calm down cue – intermediate application
5. Sacking out
6. Introduction to scary objects

Prerequisites to attend: Must attend Round Penning I, or have instructor approval prior to class.

Groundwork Series

Groundwork I:
Description: In this clinic your horse will begin to learn to “give” to the bit from the ground. Safety will be reinforced as we work through disengaging your horse’s hips and go through clockwork exercises. These exercises are a MUST for the avid trail rider or riders taking their horses to an unfamiliar environment. In this clinic we will cover:

• Bridling your horse
• Go forward cue
• Disengage your horses hindquarters
• Hips, shoulder, shoulder exercise
• Developing softness to the bit
• Beginning clockwork exercises

Prerequisites to attend: Must have attended Round Pen I & II, or have instructor approval prior to class.

Groundwork II:
Description: The goal of this clinic is to apply all groundwork and round penning work done in previous clinics. Safety and improving your horse’s groundwork foundation will be emphasized. In this clinic we will cover:

1. Advanced clockwork exercises
2. Hips over
3. Side pass from ground
4. Sacking out (review)
5. First saddling
6. First Ride
7. Using exercises you learned on ground while mounted

Prerequisites to attend: Knowledge of all previous lessons, or have instructor approval prior to class.

Horsemanship Series

Horsemanship I:
Description: This clinic teaches you how to develop a strong stop and control of the horse’s direction while traveling. The focus will be on learning how the previous groundwork translates directly to the horse while mounted. You will learn control of the horse’s shoulders and hips while at the trot. All of these exercises with give you a greater control and responsiveness while mounted. In this clinic we will cover:

1. 3 Step stop and start
2. Directional Control from the saddle
3. Hip, shoulder, shoulder from the saddle
4. Connect the rein to horses foot
5. Review giving to the bit and developing softness

Prerequisites to attend: You must be able to safely ride around other riders and their horses. All above foundation clinics must have been completed, or have instructor approval prior to class.

Horsemanship II:
Description: Building on the foundation you learned in Horsemanship I, this clinic reinforces your communication and partnership with your horse. To ensure that the class moves on track, this is the only clinic that requires a previous clinic with no exceptions. In this clinic we will cover:

1. Calm down cue
2. Serpentines while maintaining softness
3. Collected stop and back-up
4. Shoulders over
5. Crossing obstacles
6. Hip control and Flying lead change preparation

Prerequisites to attend: Completion of all previous foundation clinics. Horsemanship I must be completed prior to enrollment in this clinic.

Trail Series

Trail Riding I:
Description: If you’re wanting to get out of the arena or improve your existing trail skills, this clinic is essential. This class relies heavily on the foundation skills learned in Horsemanship I and II. To ensure the safety of the class, and that it moves on track, this clinic requires a previous clinic with no exceptions.

This is a five (5) day clinic. The first two (2) days will be spent in the arena learning and practicing the basic skills outlined below. The final three (3) days will be spent out on the trail, where we will put the skills we learned in the arena into practice. In this clinic we will cover:

1. Trail readiness
2. Trail manners
3. Riding single file
4. Lead and drag positions
5. Crossing obstacles
6. Tying

Prerequisites to attend: Completion of all previous foundation clinics. You must be able to trailer your horse and be able to ride safely around other horses and riders. Horsemanship II must be completed prior to enrollment in this clinic.

Trail Riding II:
Description: The focus of this clinic will be to build on the foundation skills learned in Trail Riding I and previous clinics. To ensure the safety of the class, and that it moves on track, this clinic requires participation in Trail Riding I with no exception.

This is a five (5) day clinic. The first day will be spent in the arena reviewing, learning and practicing the skills outlined below. The final four (4) days will be spent out on the trail, where we will put the skills we learned in the arena into practice. In this clinic we will cover:

1. Trail readiness (review)
2. Crossing obstacles
3. Dealing with scary objects
4. Advanced Tying

Prerequisites to attend: Completion of all previous foundation clinics. You must be able to trailer your horse and be able to ride safely around other horses and riders. Trail Riding I must be completed prior to enrollment in this clinic.

Trail Riding III:
Description: The focus of this clinic will be to build on the foundation skills learned in Trail Riding I and II. This clinic includes an overnight stay in an area suitable for horse camping. To ensure the safety of the class, and that it moves on track, this clinic requires participation in Trail Riding II with no exception.

This is a five (5) day clinic. The first day will be spent in the arena reviewing, learning and practicing the skills outlined below. The final four (4) days will be spent on the trail, with one overnight stay. In this clinic we will cover:

1. Preparation for an overnight ride
2. Crossing obstacles (review)
3. Dealing with scary objects (review)
4. What to do when your horse gets untied
5. Setting up camp
6. Packing
7. Tying/Advanced tying (review)

Prerequisites to attend: Completion of all previous foundation clinics. You must be able to trailer your horse and be able to ride safely around other horses and riders. Trail Riding II must be completed prior to enrollment in this clinic.

Individual Clinics

Foal Handling: “ Bringing Up Baby” is a fun, interactive clinic for owners of weanling to yearling horses. From hassle-free hoof handling to trailer loading, this clinic is packed full of useful information and techniques for handling your baby horse. This clinic is essential to building the foundation for continuing on with Round Penning l & ll , and Groundwork. In this clinic we will cover:

1.      Desensitizing

2.      Sensitizing

3.      Moving away from pressure

4.      Hoof handling

The Scared or “Spooky” Horse: When a horse is afraid of something, that fear is real to them no matter how insignificant or un-scary it may be to you. Whether you’re on the trail or riding in the arena, new sites and sounds can create anxiety and elevate emotions in even a well trained horse. This clinic is designed to help develop a conditioned, calm response. In this clinic we will cover:

1.      Basic horse psychology

2.      Calm down cue

3.      “Spook” in place

4.      Dealing with scary objects 

Trailer Loading: There are few things more frustrating than a horse who will not load. Not only is it aggravating for the rider, it can be equally frustrating for the horse – not to mention dangerous to both horse and rider. This clinic provides a complete foundation for teaching a horse to load calmly, safely and consistently. In this clinic we will cover:

1. Preparing the trailer
2. Introducing the horse to the trailer
3. Safe loading methods
4. How to avoid dangerous situations

Packing:  This clinic is designed to deliver the basic skills you will need to understand using a pack animal on the trail. In this clinic we will cover:

1. Equipment review
2. Fitting the pack saddle
3. Loading the pack
4. Leading the pack animal 

Want to learn more? Check the schedule for clinic dates and locations, or call 707-695-7470 or email us at info@waynewing.com for more information.