GaWaNi Ponyboy clinic, Galway, Oct 2009.

[Elaine]

GaWaNi Ponyboy, author of the best selling book "Horse Follow Closely", and a world reknowned horse behavoirist, will be holding a "horses training people" clinic at Glenamaddy Equestrian Center, Oct. 17 and 18. There are a few openings for people who wish to bring their own horses to the clinics(no stallions allowed though, and no one under 14 may bring a horse), along with the opportunity to audit. Anyone interested in attending can call or text 0877415029.

[Admin]

Glenamaddy, is in county Galway, at the big equestrian centre there. It's about an hour from Galway city, 20 minutes from Roscommon town.

[amanda1066]

This was an absolutely fantastic clinic!!! The real basics were taught to owners on how to communicate effectively with their horses in start/stop/increase and decrease pace as well as establishing and maintaining your personal space and leading. Imo all the owners improved in these skills and as a spectator I learned loads and the benefits of using body language and reading the horse has been impressed on me once again in a really well demonstrated way.

There is a possibility 'Pony' will be back in August next year and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn how to get a fundamental relationship with their horse, and how to use their bodies to communicate effectively.

Here's some poor pics!! Sadly my camera doesn't do moving subjects so many I took are blurred or of Pony's back!!!

Pony looking out across the Centre fields in the morning Irish mist.


Demonstrating throwing your energy (the rope) at the horses feet (rather than using the head to move the horse)


Working with a young student to help her with her positioning and body language.


Explaining and answering questions to the observers.


Getting horse to understand where to stand when there is a break.


Practising leading and personal space outside.

[mariab]

Ahhh, I would have loved to see Pony maybe next year was of on a work related conference all weekend (YAWN)

[mandy]

I would like to have seen him too... sounds interesting... next time

[amanda1066]

My reoport I posted on another Forum as well. I don't have Elaine's writing skills so hope it makes sense.

2 day "Horses Teaching People" clinic at Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre, Ireland 17th & 18th October 2009.

I attended this Clinic limited to 12 students as an observer for both days with no real idea what to expect so went with a totally open mind.

Late start due to students and their horses arriving late.
This is my interpretation not Pony's exact words.

Pony began by explaining that this clinic was for the humans to allow the horses to teach them and impressed that what the humans were doing all the time they were in the round pen with the horse they were influencing their horse. He talked about horses using negative reinforcement amongst themselves to communicate and keep the herd safe and stable.
3 round pens were set up and the 12 students asked to divide themselves between the pens, to take turns working.
The first exercise was to ask a loose horse in the pen to trot for 2 laps keeping the horse within 1 metre of the pen wall. Pony gave instructions as the students worked where needed... explaining positioning to move the horse forward and focusing on the inside front leg to keep the horse out to the perimeter. The reward was to turn past the horses nose and walk quickly to the opposite side of the pen keeping your back to the horse for at least 3 seconds immediately the required manouver was completed or with the backing up the moment a foot was shifted and so on till the step back was achieved.
Each student had to work on the horses soft side first for ease and them the horses other side, explaining that horses need to learn things from both sides due to their brain wiring (left and right brain not being connected)

The students took turns and the exercises gradually became more difficult, the second exercise was 1 lap at walk (not dawdle) and here especially students were able to see how too much pressure made the horse rush and increase speed and practiced balancing this pressure by positioning themselves to achieve a good forward walk.

The exercises progressed to walk trot walk, and walk halt and one step back. Pony explained the step back was to disengage the hindquarters fully to get a complete stop. Turns were then introduced and a clear explanation of addressing what Pony called the horses future ie. moving to a spot ahead of the horse to effect turns. Much fine tuning explanation was given about body positioning to keep the horse moving on the turns and how to increase your intention without getting too close to the horse using body language and throwing the light rope towards the foot.

The horses and Students waiting their turn were also addressed... Pony asked them to back their horses a good metre behind them and stand with their backs to the horses to signal release of pressure. When asking a horse to back Pony doesn't like to use the head to signal he prefers to focus on the feet, he says that you will notice that a horse will often raise it's head when the halter is used and explained about head position being a signal as to the stress a horse is feeling. He said that addressing the feet and then keeping the horse behind you helped the horse feel safe, that you are in charge and he can relax, this was clearly demonstrated by all the horses waiting standing with their heads low and almost sleeping.

I've left loads of useful info out and watching is a great way to see the students developing and how the horses responded as the students improved.
At first I was a bit concerned as one or two horses appeared to be getting confused and frustrated but Pony did intervene and explain where the students were not being effective. I soon got used to this teaching approach and looking back it was a great way for the students to learn ie. by making mistakes. The emphasis was on the human taking responsibility for what happened. Pony did have to work with a couple of horses which was fascinating and a pony who he later said was one of the most 'difficult' horses he had ever met was his lunch time project.
All the students progressed imo and the changes in the horses was remarkable. Definitely imo a clinic to see if you get the chance.

[Elaine]

Great info. Thanks for the write up & pics Amanda!

[amanda1066]

Glad it's not too garbled. Pony has some DVD's out covering these basics and more...
The Simple Truth about horses. Episode 1 defining your space.
and episode 2 earning your horses trust.

I haven't seen them but understand they are very good at explaining his ideas/method.
He's also written a book about women and horses so being a female I might have to invest in that one!

[ponyboy]

Thank you Amanda for your report, I had a great time at the clinic and it was a pleasure to have you all as students. The Irish hospitality was second to none!

[hopalong]

There is a saying here in Ireland ," That one goes to look at a stud horse far away ,but you should take your mare to the nearest one"