Many people love clinics, they can't get enough. Some avoid them all together and prefer one on one, private lessons. Some think that there is nothing to learn, they can just figure it out on their own. A wise horseman said once:
"It takes three lifetimes to perfect horsemanship, but we are only given one. That is why we must borrow from as many others as we can." - Jack Brainard
Have you ever considered that? I love to learn. I am like a sponge, I will soak up as much as I can from other good, proven horsemen. I equially enjoy sharing with I learn with others. But this isn't answering the question, 'Why Clinics?'
What advantage do clinics have over lessons? Immersion. You read that right, immersion. The powerful thing about clinics is you immerse yourself in horsemanship. This first occured to me when we did a week long day camp for kids. We had kids come who knew very little, and some even very imtimidated by the horses, that by the end of the week were able to catch, groom, saddle, mount, ride, unsaddle, and turn out their horses with confidence. With nearly 30 years of teaching experiance I have not seen this level of knowledge and skill bloom like it did with the consecuive week of a camp, or clinic. Immersion.
Lessons are great, don't disount them, but don't exchange them for immersion. A lesson is a time scheduled in your day or week. Your mind is not always focused. You will find that it is concerned about the next thing on the schedule. It may be concerned about "will I be able to load my horse after?" or "what do I need to make for supper" or whatever your mind wanders to.
Funny thing is, horses live in the moment. They are not able to think abstractly like we are. They are not created that way. So when our mind is not 100% present and in the moment they can only process our busy mind the way God created them to: fear. When a horses's mind moves from their present moment to something else, it is usually because there is a threat to them. A mountain lion in the bushes possibly. If they can't be comfortable in the moment then they figure they must save their lives. That's how they were created as a prey animal. Being present in the moment with your horse is of utmost importance. A clinic setting of being immersed for 3-5 days helps to train you to be present in the moment.
In addition to being in the moment, cllinics also provide the opprotnity to be all in with your horsemanship. You will be gaining knowledge as well as honing the skill repetitively. (To learn more about knowledge and skill ask us about our Wagon Wheel handbook.) This helps grow both of those areas exponentially in a way that a weekly lesson doesn't always allow.
Through our Cornerstone Horsemanship program, we offer a variety of different clincis for all levels of riders. Learn more about Clinics on our website. If you are interested in hosting a clinic, or scheduling a private clinic, contact us. We hope to see you and your horse along the trail soon.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and the horses you ride, from our barn to yours.