Spring Hill Horse Rescue’s
2008 Summer Educational Programs

About Clinicians      Schedule       Registration

About Our Clinicians…..

The following are equine professionals who support Spring Hill Horse Rescue’s mission in helping horses and humans. Although each one has their own unique techniques and methods they all share a common ground – the love for horses. These professionals are donating either all or portions of their fee’s to Spring Hill Horse Rescue’s to pay for hay, grain and medical attention for horses in need. If you have the opportunity to talk to one of these generous people, please thank them for the wonderful work they do for horses and humans.

Billy Smith
Natural Horseman Billy Smith owns and operates Potter Mtn Farm which is located on over 100 acres, nestled in the Adirondack Mtns, just minutes north of the heart of New York's horse country in Warrensburg. Billy specializes in colt starting and problem solving. Relying on a strong foundation training program to build a relationship based on mutual respect and trust, Billy is dedicated to promoting good horsemanship thru education and understanding of the horse. Billy has received formal training in all disciplines of riding and has studied natural horsemanship under such greats as Ray Hunt and Mindy Bower. He’s been working with horses for nearly four decades! Billy has helped hundreds of people with his unique blend of natural horsemanship philosophy with tried and true cowboy wisdom. Billy’s message is…”horses whisper, we are supposed to listen”. For more information contact Billy via email pottermtn@spa.net or phone (518) 623-4934 or (518) 368-5384.

Gina Brown
Gina Brown founded Spring Hill Horse Rescue in January, 2000. Since its inception, Spring Hill has had over 500 horses in need come through their barn doors. Gina is a long time advocate of natural horsemanship and natural horse care and believes prevention is the key to helping horses. “We can rescue horses all day, every day but what we really need to do is educate people about safe and humane methods to handle and care for their horses. Horses are happiest and healthiest when they receive care that is closest to their natural environment. Learning to understand and communicate with horses is vital to a horse-human relationship; this is what natural horsemanship is all about.”

Along with running the day to day chores of Spring Hill Horse Rescue, Gina is also the owner of Head to Hoof: natural hoof trimming and horse training. Most hoof and leg problems are man-made. Natural hoof trimming can prevent and reverse most hoof ailments, even navicular. Gina’s been practicing natural horsemanship for almost 15 years. She believes that the relationship between horse and owner is not only a commitment but a bond, almost like a marriage. Like some marriages the relationship can become one-sided, neglectful and sometimes abusive may times due to misunderstandings and lack of clear communication. Her goal is to help people safely, humanely and successfully progress with the handling and training of their horses.

Gina’s training clinics will consist of step by step levels of training from halter training through saddle work. “Training a horse is like building a house; you must build a solid foundation if you don’t want your roof to cave in years down the road”. The series of clinics are not only for young, untrained horses but will be advantageous for horses needing to be restarted or horses with vices or behavioral problems on the ground or under saddle. For more information contact Gina via email springhillrescue@aol.com or cell phone (802) 353-6540.

Sue Mellen
Sue Mellen is a long time advocate of natural hoof care and has been trimming hooves since 1977. She is certified through and a Field Instructor for the American Natural Hoof Care Practitioners (AANHCP). She’s a member of the Vermont Farriers Association and a founding member of the American Hoof Association (AHA). Sue’s philosophy and approach to hoof care is “to recognize & respect the innate healing powers of nature; systematically identify areas of dysfunction and facilitate the rehabilitation process without causing harm to any tissue.” 

Not only does she have a hoof care cliental through her business Engaged Frog, Sue’s a mentor to many up and coming hoof care providers and gives clinics throughout New England. Her work is not limited to trimming hooves; she also educates horse owners about proper saddle fitting, boot fitting and natural equine nutrition. Sue has a Bachelor’s Science in Animal Husbandry. She and her husband Don raise and sell Llama’s on their farm in Danby, VT.

Katherine Barbarite
Katherine is a Nationally and Internationally known Specialist of Gentle Partnership Building. She’s a certified trainer through Frank Bell and a CHA certified Western and English riding instructor. Katherine has mastered a straight forward set of exercises that immediately places a solid foundation keeping heightened safety in mind. No matter what riding level or discipline, this clinic builds elevated CONFIDENCE for horse and rider. Take home a higher level of trust, communication and bonding. Replace fear and competition with introducing yourself to your equine friend with the joy of the dance. Understand the Theory (why), Technique (how), Timing (when to stop) of the 7 step safety system.  

Anna Tweeny
Anna Twinney is a certified Reiki Master, animal communicator and Founder of the Reach Out to Horses® program based in Golden, Colorado.  She travels world-wide conducting classes and clinics to educate people & horses on gentle communication techniques.  Anna writes for national & international equine magazines and her DVD series “Reach Out to Natural Horsemanship” is due to be launched on Horse TV April  2007.

Spring Hill’s Schedule of Clinics:
CLINIC REGISTRATION FORM
(for all clinics)

May 10^th, Saturday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm+: Morning Session with Gina Brown: Pre-Flight Evaluation and Correction. Learn how to evaluate your horse’s readiness to work before jumping in the saddle. Demonstrations will include round penning and working on-line. Learn how to put an E-Brake on your horse while getting him to be soft and supple in the bridle. Afternoon Session with Sue Mellen: Basic Hoof Analogy. Sue will explain in laymen’s terms the function of the hoof and why a balanced hoof trim is important to your horses whole body wellness and future. Learn how to your horse’s hooves to ensure they are balanced and healthy. Sue will demonstrate a natural hoof trim on a live horse.

This clinic is limited to 2 horses/handlers but an unlimited amount of spectators. Horses enrolled will participate in the Pre-Flight Evaluation and Correction and receive a hoof evaluation and trim.

Horse / Handler Participation Fee: $100            Spectators: $25 at the door (bring a chair)

RAIN OR SHINE

$5.00 BAGGED LUNCHES AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

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May 24^th, Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm+: Spring Tune-Up with clinician Gina Brown: It’s been a LONG winter and perhaps a while since you have ridden your horse. You may have spent some time reading or watching defend clinicians round penning or working horses on a rope on videos or TV or maybe you’ve tried it on your own without much success – this clinic is a great opportunity to work with a skilled trainer while having hands on guidance. You’ll learn some basic “pre-flight” checks that are great for young and older horses. Techniques will include working in the round pen and on-line (with a rope) and then under saddle. Horses will leave calmer and softer then when they arrived. Gina will help you evaluate your horse and work with you to correct any problems or weaknesses that arise. Specific problems like trailer loading, hard mouthed, standing for mounting, etc can be addressed as well. Horses and humans will establish trust and confidence and a much better understanding of each other. This is both educational and fun for horse and human!

This clinic is limited to 4 horses/handlers but an unlimited amount of spectators.

If you can’t bring a horse Spring Hill can provide you with the use of one, just let us know ahead of time.

Horse / Handler Participation Fee: $100            Auditors: $25 at the door (bring a chair)

RAIN OR SHINE

$5.00 BAGGED LUNCHES AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

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June 14^th, Saturday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm+: Morning Session with Gina Brown: Pre-Flight Evaluation and Correction. Learn how to evaluate your horse’s readiness to work before jumping in the saddle. Demonstrations will include round penning and working on-line. Learn how to put an E-Brake on your horse while getting him to be soft and supple in the bridle. Afternoon Session with Sue Mellen: Basic Hoof Analogy. Sue will explain in laymen’s terms the function of the hoof and why a balanced hoof trim is important to your horses whole body wellness and future. Learn how to evaluate your horse’s hooves to ensure they are balanced and healthy. Sue will demonstrate a natural hoof trim on a live horse.

This clinic is limited to 3 horses/handlers but an unlimited amount of spectators.

Horses enrolled will participate in the Pre-Flight Evaluation and Correction and receive a hoof evaluation and trim.

Horse / Handler Participation Fee: $100            Spectators: $25 at the door (bring a chair)

RAIN OR SHINE

$5.00 BAGGED LUNCHES AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

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June 27^th – 29^th, Fri - Sun, 9 am – 4 pm: Gentling Solutions / Partnership Building Clinic with Katherine Barbarite.

Learn Solutions For: 

·        Horse and Human Communication through Feel Technique

·        Balanced Horse and Rider w/ core influence

·        Spooking and Shying

·        Aggressiveness and Nervousness

·        Jigging and Prancing

·        Mounting Problems

·        Pullback

·        Hard to Bit

·        Proper Foot Handling

·        Ears / Clippers / Spraying / Bathing

·        Difficult to Saddle and proper Saddle Fitting

·        Proper Leading and Driving

·        Trailer loading

·        Locating and Treating Pain

·        Mustang Gentling

·        Nutrition, Dentistry, Imprinting, Message, Bits, Farrier

·         Ask and Wait for answers then give for results

Participation Fee:  $380 reduced to $300 for the workshop. Bring a ride-able horse. Arrive ½ hour early.  Limited Space Reserve Early! RAIN OR SHINE   Spectators:    $35 a day

Details:   * Local hotel information available   *RV hookup rates available   *Lease & Horse Board rates available      

Contact:  www.KatherineBarbarite.com   Kathy@whisperinghooves.com   Phone: 631-764-7515 www.whisperinghooves.com   

PLEASE BRING A CHAIR! $5.00 BAGGED LUNCHES AND REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE.

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July 19th, Saturday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm+:  Whole Hoof Care Clinic with Sue Mellen: Sue’s clinic includes a lecture period followed by whole horse evaluations with hoof trimming and booting of several horses.  Clinic horses will be assessed for hoof health, dietary and biomechanical issues, overall health and fitness, and the effects of saddle fit.

 

• Wild Horse Model

  1)  Why is it important as a prototype

  2)  Genotype

  3)  Phenotype

  4)  Environmental considerations

  

• Ideal Natural Hoof - individual exterior components analyzed as to form & function 

  1)  Hoof function 

  2)  Coronary band

  3)  Hoof capsule

  4)  Hoof wall

  5)  Heel bulbs 

  6)  Sole

  7)  Frog

 

• Ideal Natural Hoof - interior view

  1)  P3 (coffin bone)

  2)  Corium

  3)  Navicular bone

  4)  Major tendons, ligaments & vessels

  5)  Lateral cartilages

  6)  Digital cushion
 

• Unnatural Hoof = pathological changes 

  1)  Myriad of adaptive changes

  2)  Laminitis

  3)  Founder

  4)  Navicular Syndrome

  5)  Causes & treatments
 

• What can we do different?

  1)  Diet

  2)  Environment

  3)  Movement

  4)  Trim

  5)  Boots
 

• Fun Foot Facts

 

LUNCH
 

• Horse Evaluation & Observation

  1)  Conformation & Posture

  2)  Soft tissue assessment

  3)  Saddle fit

  4)  Movement
 

• Trimming

  1)  Discuss "reading" the foot

  2)  Evaluate foot for tissue changes

  3)  Trim

  4)  Assess difference
 

• Booting

  1)  Evaluate movement with & without boots & pads

Questions will be addressed at the end of each topic.  ALL questions will be addressed before clinic ends.

Who Should Attend This Clinic? Horse owners and others who want to know more about hoof health, natural trims, and overall care of their animals, along with their farriers, veterinarians, trainers, and barn managers and staff.

Horse / Handler Participation Fee: $100            Spectators: $25 at the door (bring a chair)

RAIN OR SHINE  $5.00 BAGGED LUNCHES AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

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 August 9^th, Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm+: Junior High - Equine Junior High School is the start of riding. If successful in the previous grades (Kindergarten and Middle School where basic leading and body control is learned on the ground) there should be no problem transitioning right and left turns, going forward and backward, and side passing while on the horses back. This work is all done at a walk and trot. High School - Equine High School is basically reaping the wealth of all learned past skills and tightening them up. Horses in high school learn to transition into any command one right after another while at a walk, trot and now a canter. At this time he can be taught some finer details like seat cues. When your horse can calmly, controllably and successfully go in any direction at any speed while being supple and soft in your hands your horse can be a full fledge graduate of High School – he/she should now be able to move on to be a great trail horse or low level show horse. If you have a specific career in mind then he should have a wonderful foundation for whatever college courses he would need to be successful!

This clinic is limited to 3 horses/handlers but an unlimited amount of spectators.

Horse / Handler Participation Fee: $100            Spectators: $25 at the door (bring a chair)

$5.00 BAGGED LUNCHES AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

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October 24th, Friday, 10 am -  4 pm: Holistic Horse Day with clinician Anna Twinney. The universal communication between humans and horses, known as horse whispering, involves body language, listening to your intuition and understanding the laws of energy.  It requires an in-depth understanding of the horse’s temperament and character.  Patience, kindness and affection are balanced with gaining respect.  Watch, participate & learn how to communicate with individual horses. 

“De-Mystify the Round Pen”

Ø      Create the ultimate foundation with your horse

Ø      The importance of herd dynamics & behavior

Ø      Body-language and energy talk

Ø      Create a 2-way communication system

Ø      Learn to use your eyes like a pro

Ø      Determine when the RP is NOT the right tool

Ø      Understand how horses perceive your actions

Ø      Discover the how’s behind the why’s

Ø      Find out how to “Mirror” or “Match” your horse

“Muscle Testing”

Ø      Learn about the body, mind, spirit connection

Ø      How your thoughts, limitations and beliefs affect your daily life

Ø      Get direct feedback from your body – the body does not lie!

Ø      The power of visualization and its connection with your horse

Ø      How to test your horse for any supplement, feed or deficiency

Ø      How to address energy blocks

“Animal Communication”

Ø      Discover the ability to connect with another being

Ø      Steps to uncover your innate gift

Ø      Insights into this new language of images, emotions, thoughts…

Ø      And the scientific perspective

Ø      When to utilize the services of an animal communicator

Ø      How to enhance love, respect and understanding between you and your companion

Ø      Share thoughts, ideas, feelings & messages

Ø      Understand their perspective on situations

Ø      Reasons behind behavioral issues & resolution techniques