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For this months newsletter scroll down the page.
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Sherry and Cisco having fun!
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JULY NEWSLETTER "Hands Tell Your Horse Who You Are"
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Hello everyone,
We had such a beautiful June here in central NE. The cooler temperatures with a few gentle rains kept our pasture green. I spent most of my time playing with our horses when I wasn’t teaching private lessons, giving clinics, or conducting the youth horsemanship camps. July 1st certainly brought the hot weather, so maybe I can get caught up on the office and computer work I neglected in June.
As I traveled in June many people asked me how I came up with the name "Heart in Your Hand Horsemanship". Six years ago when I went to my first Parelli tour event in Denver, I heard Pat say “put your heart in your hand”. Those words hit me hard; because I realized most of my life my hands had been hard, selfish, controlling and unpredictable. I wept as I watched people having a connection with their horses I knew I was missing. At that moment I saw inside my heart through the actions of my hands. I saw a lot of pain and undesirable attitudes that I knew needed healing and change. And so began the journey of naturalizing my horsemanship approach, which had to start in my heart, go to my head, and is now beginning to manifest it through my hands.
Your hands tell the horse who you are through your rhythm, feel, and timing. The touch you give on its body, and the relaxation or lack thereof in your wrist and arms reveal your intentions to him. Your hands need to communicate an unselfish attitude, be soft yet firm and predictable. Your hands tell him how the rest of your body is from moment to moment, so while your hands are the tools, your body is the fulcrum from which the tool is suspended. It needs to be calm, relaxed, fair, and confident in order to help your horse become a partner. But it all starts in the heart with an attitude.
Several studies show the benefits of touching animals. Advantages include lowering blood pressure, relieving stress, and releasing endorphins - the "pleasure" hormones of the brain. It is understanding the above concept that seems to lead to grooming as a way of building a better relationship with your horse. The theory follows that touch leads to bonding with the horse. Touch seems to be commonly associated with building relationships. However, when people ask the horse to do something, there tends to be a lack of the desired response. Relationships require more than touch or affection. Healthy relationships involve responsibility, give and take, respect, trust, action, communication, and support.
Finding the balance between the affection we feel for our horse and the leadership we must offer in order to develop a healthy partnership is an ongoing process. Some people find the balance quicker than others. When you find the right balance between begging your horse and forcing him everything starts to get easier for both you and the horse. When you are able to balance your feelings, attitudes, and actions with fascination and confidence instead of frustration and fear your horse will recognize you as a trustworthy leader who is to be respected and he will become your willing partner.
When you start to examine what your hands are doing with your horse and how he is reacting, you may be able to see deeper into your heart. You may realize, like I did, that my heart needed an overhaul in certain areas for me to become a good partner for my horse. Now when I put a set of reins in my hands, I remember they are more than a steering wheel. It is a means of communicating what is in my heart to the most sensitive part of the horse.
What are you communicating to your horse through your hands?
Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
EXCITING SUMMER NEWS!
DISCOUNTS!
I am giving some discounts to those students who have attended more than one of my classes or sign up with a deposit at least a month early. I also give away free classes a host who gets at least 6 other people signed up and attending the class. Call for more specific details.
WOMEN'S CONFIDENT LEADERSHIP CAMPS
The Women’s Confident Leadership Camp at the Calamus Outfitters Ranch near Burwell, NE on Oct. 6-9 is full. However, there is a waiting list in case of a cancellation, and there will be more of these Camps to come in 2007. In fact I am going to schedule several of them. So if you are interested at all it would be best if you let me know as soon as possible that you would like to attend one and what month would be best for you. Specific dates will be announced soon.
BEST BUYS
As I have been researching the cost of other clinics. Most other clinicians are charging $300-$600 for a weekend and it doesn’t include lodging, stalls, or food. The camps include everything for 3-5 days for as low as $400 and up to $800 depending on the number of participants and how many other classes you have attended. The camps are definitely the best buy for the money.
KIDS CAMPS
I have lowered the age limit, as many people who expressed interest had children in the 9-10 year old range and I didn’t have much interest from the older teens as of yet, but they are still welcome. There is still time to sign up before school starts for your own private camp. Call to arrange a date.
We also plan to announce dates for these camps next year as well.
We had two of these camps so far and they were a real hit. In fact after three days they wanted more and we extended the camp an extra day. After experiencing the camp with a small number of participants I have decided to keep the camps small for the kids. I like being able to help each child and their horse individually. I am only accepting 4-5 kids and one or two adult sponsors. The cabins at Calamus Outfitters sleep six with comfort. However, we may have to get two cabins or the lodge if we end up with girls and boys. So far I have had all girls and their Moms.
The camps were both fun and exhausting. We not only did lots of trail riding, and played ground games with obstacles; we also swam in the lake plus ate plenty of S’mores and good food. We saw cattle, deer, grouse, sand turtles, and coyotes on our trail rides, plus lots of wild flowers and cactus. The girls had a chance to ride their horses and Cisco bareback. One girl even rode her 14-month-old paint for the first time bareback and at a trot. It was a wonderful experience for everyone.
FAMILY VACATION AT CALAMUS OUTFITTERS RANCH
Rent a cabin $75/night for two people $100/night for 4 people. Sleeps six maximum.
Includes a kitchen (microwave & frig), bathroom (shower only, no tub), air-conditioning, picnic table, and grill. Two bunk beds (one double, one single)
Stall is $10 a night. Bring your own hay.
Horses must be current on all vaccinations.
Private Instruction is $25/hour at the ranch.
Lower group rates per hour, or a package deal per day.
Call to arrange your special package deal for a small group.
Lease one of my horses $25 a day.
Miles of trail riding, fishing, boating, canoeing, tanking, swimming, etc.
Lodge is available to lease for larger groups. 10 people $300 a night.
There are also camper RV hookups close to the Calamus Lake.
There is a small house available to rent for a very reasonable price per day especially for a family. However the house is in town about 15 miles from the ranch, but only 2 miles from me.
If you are interested in any of the above ideas please let me know, as the cabins do book up quickly especially in the summer time. This opportunity is available all year.
I also have access to an indoor arena; however, it is about 20 miles to the facility.
There is a rental fee of $12 per hour.
REVISITING MANY ARENAS LATE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL.
As requested we will be returning to many favorite arenas. These are all quality facilities with friendly owners who are excited to have us back for repeated clinics.
The sooner you sign up the better. I will give a discount to anyone who signs up with a deposit by the early bird deadline. (EBD)
July 22-23 at American Legacy in Omaha (EBD June 22)
Aug. 5-6 Sioux City Iowa (EBD July 7)
Sept. 2-4 Mason City, NE (EBD Aug. 4)
Sept. 9-10 Curtis College in Curtis (EBD August 9)
Sept. 16-17 Grand Island(EBD August 16)
Sept. 23-24 Still Waters Ranch in Hickman (EBD August 23)
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Cottonwood Creek Stable near Hastings (EBD August 30)
Oct 14-15 BKT Arena Lincoln, NE (EDB Sept. 15)
FURTHERING MY EDUCATION
I will be attending Ray Hunt, Dennis Reis and EAGALA seminars this summer to further my education, so there will be some weekends that I am not available. I will be gone July 8-10, August 15-19 & 26-27.
OTHER IDEAS FOR LEARNING
Check out the many classes we teach on the “class descriptions” page. It could even be an equine psychology class in an air-conditioned home with interesting and fun simulations, videos, and role-play activities. We will have one in Hickman on July 15th.
A teaching demonstration is another good idea for a 4-H group or saddle club that is very cost effective. I did one for a saddle club in Syracuse on June 12th. which was appreciated by all who attended.
Here’s another idea, come and spend the weekend with me at my place for two or more full days of private instruction. Bring a horse or use one or more of mine.
I have a spare bedroom, or for more privacy you could stay in my parents basement or rent a nearby cabin. Call to make individual arrangements.
It would be fun and a great learning experience. I seem to do things much slower at home than in a clinic situation. It is a more realistic environment.
CLINIC REPORTS and BOOK INTERVIEWS
Be sure to check the website regularly as I will be adding clinic reports, new pictures and testimonials that students share with me.
If you have a story about a horse dream that was nearly destroyed or you just want to share your success with the world, let me know. I will be interviewing people this summer for my book.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you on the trail soon!
Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
PS: Look for the monthly training tip soon if you are on my mailing list. If you are not join the mailing list today for more tips and inspiring reading.
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DEMONSTRATION LOCATIONS!
We are looking for demonstration locations such as county fairs, equine related events, stables, horseclubs etc.
These demonstrations are a cost effective way to introduce horselovers to natural horsemanship ideas which can lead to a safer and more enjoyable relationship with your horse.
They are also inspirational and educational.
Please contact us, if you know of an excellent location for such an event.
Thanks,
Sherry
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