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GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!
Purchase by clicking on PayPal link below.
Make a horse lovers dreams come true!
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Sherry is a member of
*NE Horse Council
*USEF (US Equestrian
Federation)
*EAGALA (Equine Assisted
Growth & Learning Assoc.
*Parelli Savvy Club
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"Sandhills Horse Sense"
is devoted to promoting
relationships and
choices that lead to
a positive future.
Sherry is now an
EAGALA Certified
Horse Professional
working in conjunction
with Melissa Dearmont &
Mid-West Country Clinic
L.E.A.D.
"Leadership through
Equine Assited
Development"
will help you with
building relationships,
problem solving,
attitudes & behaviors,
conflict & stress,
responsibilities,
positive choices,
and much more.
Individual sessions by appointment!
Classes & Retreats adapted to families or groups are
also offered .
Call 1-866-757-3853
1-402-684-2908
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MINI CLINIC with FREE TRAIL RIDE
available at Sherry's House starting again this spring on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.
Also upon special request any open weekend or day Sherry is home.
Tenative Dates:
March 26; April 9&23; May 7&21; June 18; July 2,3,4, or 5th, & 30th; August 27; Sept. 10&24; Oct. 8&22; Nov. 5&19;
Make plans to ride in the sandhills this year
Individual instruction in the morning then a Free Trail Ride in the afternoon (Very easy trails)
Only accepting 4-6 riders. It only takes two to make a day of it, so Call a friend now and join in the FUN!
Call Sherry at 308-730-2150 for more details.
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Sherry & Cisco
Having a great time!
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Dear Horse lovers,
I recently attended a five day workshop sponsored by the American Asoociation for Horsemanship Safety, Inc. They teach a defensible, systematic approach to teaching horsemanship safety. I am happy to report I passed all the tests and they will be sending me my full Safety Instructor Certificate as soon as I send them proof of my first aide training.
It was both fun and challenging to be in the learning seat instead of the teaching one. Although every time I teach I also learn. I'll tell you what, we did so much reading, late night studying, and testing that by the fifth day my eyes were seeing double letters as I read the questions on the final test. But it was worth the effort because it gives me another credential of credibility as a professional instructor, not just somebody who hung a shingle out hoping to get some business.
As a result of the training I was once again reminded of the things people should be able to do before going on a trail ride. And since it is summer time and a lot of people will be hitting the trails I thought I would share with you some ideas to consider as an evaluation to determine if you and your horse are ready to hit the trail or not. These standards are not set in stone but should be a guide for good horsemanship practices and skills so you can have a safer and more enjoyable trail ride.
Trainers, and instructors have many different standards or skill sets which should be mastered before hitting the wide open spaces. I have found that all of them agree on a couple of things.
1. You need to have a secure or independent seat before going.
2. You need to have quite a bit of confidence in your horse and in your own horsemanship abilitites in an arena first.
This is can be determined in several ways. Ask yourself these questions:
Can I do an emergency stop?
Can I do an emergency dismount?
Can I at least walk, trot and most say canter well in a large arena without bouncing all over the place, causing pain to my horses back?
Will my horse walk, trot and canter on a loose rein in a large arena?
Can I post, sit and stand at the trot?
Can I ride without balancing on my reins?
Do I have confidence in my own abilities in a crisis situation?
Do I have confidence in my horse to listen to my cues or aides, even when distracted, or scared?
Do I have good communication with my horse?
Will my horse cross logs, water, bridges etc.?
(Don't wait until a trail ride to find out, prepare yourself and the horse ahead of time)
Can I ride a jump or leap?
(I would practice at least a small jump over something before going, chances of a horse jumping or leaping over something are greater on a trail than in an arena.)
Am I willing to humble myself in front of others and get off if I need to?
Am I willing to go back rather than put my horse or myself in harms way?
Do I have supportive people to help me if I get in a bind on the trail?
Some trainers or instructors have other things to add to this list. I think the most important factor is to have some kind of standard to go by before we go trail riding in order to protect our confidence. Confidence is a very fragile thing and once it is lost it is very hard to regain. Just ask some of my students whom I have been helping for several years to do this. They have made tremendous strides, but the bottom line is if they had set some guidelines to master before going out their chances of a safe and enjoyable ride would have been greater.
Trail riding isn't for the unconfident rider who can't stop his horse well, can't do an emergency dismount and doesn't have a secure seat, because without these things you will not be able to build confidence on a trail and you may even damage what little you already have.
Ultimately it is each individuals call as to when they are ready for trail rides, but you should have some kind of standards to protect yourself, your horse and your confidence.
Our Women's Confident Leadership Camps can help you through this process. I have helped many women get back on the trail after terrible accidents. They worked hard and did a lot of preparation before going back out, and it paid off. We still have room in the July, and Aug. women camps, so sign up now.
Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
"Horsemen share knowledge. Showmen hide it in a corner and go home." -- AQHA Judge Dale Livingston
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Because I know the importance of furthering ones education as a horsewoman I am going to attend several clinics this year to continue the development of my own savvy. The better I get and the more I know the more people I will be able to teach, inspire and encourage and thus the more horses' lives I will touch.
Here are the clinics that Sherry will be attending?
AAHS Riding Instructor Certification
May 13-17 at Carol Joy Holling Camp, Ashland, NE
AAHS is the American Association of Horsemanship Safety. They conduct group and individual safety certification clinics for riding instructors, camp personnel and others interested in horsemanship safety. The clinics are 40 hours long and usually taught over a four-day or five-day period. They are taught by a AAHS Clinician from a standardized curriculum. Emphasis is upon legal liabilities, horsemanship skills, safety and emergency procedures, and assuring safety of riders quickly by teaching a balanced seat to beginners through use of the Secure Seat(sm) method.
I feel that by attending this clinic and getting certification my credentials will be even more credible, plus it will be an asset towards liability issues.
Sherry passed all the tests and recieved her full horsemanship safety instructor certification with AAHA by attending this clinic.
However she is awaiting her official certificate in the mail after renewing her first aide certification.
Advancing Horsemanship Clinic - Richard Winters
June 10-11 Grass Creek, WY
(Keith is going with me we'll be leaving on the 9th and not returning until the 12th)
This advancing clinic will revolve around the body control and maneuvers necessary for upper levels of performance. Through Richard's "4 Part Harmony" exercises, you will establish communication and suppleness of your horses head and neck, shoulders, rib cage and hind quarters. You'll gain greater understanding of stops, spins, lead changes, collection and refinement. This clinic will prepare you to perform at a higher level, regardless of your particular riding discipline.
I've known Richard Winters for over 25 years. He represents the principles of natural horsemanship for both the horse and the human as well as anyone I know.
—Pat Parelli, Founder of Natural Horse*man*ship
I chose this clinic for three reasons, it is an advancing clinic, he is highly recommended by Pat Parelli, and Keith and I are excited to take a vacation together back to WY near where we used to live and do a clinic at the same time.
Richard competed last year at Paso Robles CA in the arena along side Craig Cameron and Ken McNabb who dazzled the audience with an "Extreme Equine Experience." Each contestant drew for their own 3 year old un-started colt. They then introduced; ground work, saddling, riding, trotting, and loping to their colts. This contest culminated with negotiating an obstacle course during the end of the second day's 90 minute session.
It was a close contest and each contestant did an outstanding job, using his own tried and true techniques. When the dust setteled and the scores were tabulated, the five judge panel voted Richard Winters the 2007 Champion!
Sept. 20-21 I am going to the PNH tour stop in Kansas City
STUDENT TESTIMONIES
I just wanted to drop a note to thank you again. I wrote a bunch of stuff down then I think of something else 10 minutes later and have to go add it to the list :)
I had a blast today and always learn so much.
Jes
I just wanted to send you a quick email and thank you SO very much for all the information you shared with the girls and me yesterday. As we drove home, I asked the girls if they learned lots and the resounding answer was, "YES!!". But now here's proof that Alfie learned alot, too. This morning I got a call from the former directress of the school, who lives across from the school. Last evening, Emily had been helping me feed the horses at school and she had forgotten to latch one of the gates. Alfie and two other horses got out and our directress found them out on the lawn and in the garden. The other two horses couldn't be caught but Alfie followed our former directress right into the barn!!! Pretty amazing because he NEVER would have done that prior to your class yesterday. Even she was amazed!! We have lots of work to do with this pony, but I really think yesterday gave us an excellent foundation to build upon.
Many, many thanks!!
Ann
Thank you soo much for a day of learning and really "grounding"our horsemanship skills. Your patience in loading our horse under a time pressure and with her very high fear and energy level was invaluable. My daughter's confidence was noticeably higher and it was nice to have some reassurance that we are working in a direction that builds this confidence in everyone involved.
Thanks again,
Annie
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SUMMER SCHEDULE
If you are interested in a camp or clinic this summer, please check the schedule of events on the website often as the dates are flexible.
Once I have people signed up then the date is set.
May 30-June 3 FULL
Cowboy/Cowgirl Horsemanship and Cattle Drive Camp
at Calamus OUtfitters, Burwell, NE
June 7Private Lessons at Sherry's place in Burwell
June 9-12 GrassCreek Wy (Sherry attending Richard Winter Clinic)
June 15-17Youth/Parent Horsemanship Camp at Calamus Outfitters, Burwell (FULL)
June 18 Mini clinic with Free Trail Ride at Sherry's place in Burwell
June 20-22Clinic by Sherry (Lusk, WY) with FREE demo on Fri. night (almost full)
June 24-26 Youth/Parent Horsemanship Camp at Calamus Outfitters, Burwell (FULL)
June 28-29 Bareback Riding/Liberty Clinic Lincoln, NE (still room)
July 2, 3, 4, or 5 Mini clinic with Free Trail Ride at Sherry's place in Burwell
July 6-9 Women's Confident Leadership Camp Calamus Outfitters, (still room)
July 15-17 Youth Horsemanship Camp at Calamus Outfitters (only 2 spots left)
July 22-24 Youth/Parent Horsemanship Camp at Calamus Outfitters, (FULL)
July 28-30 Youth Horsemanship Camp at Calamus Outfitters (only 2 spots left)
Aug 4-7 Women's Confident Leadership Camp Calamus Outfitters, (still room)
Aug 12-14 Youth Horsemanship Camp at Calamus Outfitters (still room)
Aug 20 & 27 Mini clinic with Trail Ride at Sherry's place in Burwell
Aug 30-31 Clinic in Lincoln at BKT arena with private lessons and mini clinic
Some of our Camps are already full for this summer so be sure to sign up now so you don't miss an opportunity to have a life changing experience with your horse.
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Question:
I have an 11-year-old mare. At 4 years old when I started riding her she was the nicest, calmest horse you would want. She never bucked not even the first time I mounted her. She learned very fast to stand to be saddled without tying and willingly taking the bit and bridle. She would willingly come and stick her nose in the halter and keep her head down to have it buckled. Having too many horses to ride and not taking as much time to ride her as I used to, she has been standing and ridden only occasionally the last few years and has gotten buddy and barn sour.
Answer:
First of all she is "buddy and barn sweet", because she would rather be at the barn with her buddies than with you. She is sour on leaving alone with you because she doesn't trust you as the leader of a herd of two. She doesn't feel safe or confident with you.
Second, it sounds to me like you still have a very green horse even though she is 11 years old. It takes about a thousand hours of riding before you end up with a really dependable horse, one that most people would consider "dead broke" or a "kids horse". I don't think you have given the horse a fair shake and are expecting too much from her considering she has had very little attention in the past seven years. A few rides on a horse as a 4 year old and then a few more sporadically over 7 years leaves a lot of holes in the foundation training which is critical to build confidence in a horse so they don't get worried when they leave the herd. I am not surprised you are having difficulties with her.
You need to develop a relationship with this horse. If you and I were to develop a relationship with each other we would not be very close if after seven years we only had a few encounters, especially if any of them involved unpleasant events or situations. This horse does not perceive you as a partner. Her perception of you is much different than the way you believe you are coming across to her.
PREPARATION AND DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP IS THE KEY TO HELPING A HORSE BECOME "SWEET ON YOU" RATHER THAN ON THE BARN AND HIS BUDDIES!
Here is a list of activities to do with your horse that will help get her better trained. They will also help build a trusting relationship with her. When this happens she will turn "sweet on you" instead of on the barn and her buddies. Then and only then will your horse go willingly alone with you anywhere. There will be no subsitute for time. The more time you put into her the quicker the cure will be. If you do this sporadically for the next seven years you will have an 18 year old horse who is still "buddy and barn sweet" and "sour" on you.
1. Do lots of ground games to build respect and develop more mental and emotional balance.
Prove you are a self-worthy and confident leader.
Horses naturally get attached to the dominant one. So you must become the dominant one, yet fair.
Think about how you can become as important as another horse to your horse.
Think about how you can become more interesting.
2. Get your horse used to being tied for long periods of time.This teaches patience and soon they start to stand quietly.
Start with short amounts of time and build up.
But don't leave them unattended, hungry or thirsty.
Tie where they can see their buddies all day.
3. Next begin short separations. Cold turkey is not the way to go. Approach and retreat will lessen her anxiety and build her confidence
Take her away for just a moment & then return.
Do it again and again until the horse sees that the other horses are not really gone.
Be prepared for many repetitions.
Once she is calmer increase the time out of sight.
Each time push the distance a little further, but always start short and slowly increase the distance.
4. Teach your horse to value a loose rein.
The more you hold them back the more effort they put into keeping up with the herd, and the more they panic and become uncontrollable. They are fighting to get free and run as fast as they can back to their safe place in the herd.
Unfortunately holding back only adds fuel to the fire. It causes the horse to feel even more claustrophobic and empowers the hindquarter.
Understand the horse is acting this way because he is scared and feels vulnerable, and he is running on high amounts of adrenaline.
5. Help your horse learn to stay in the gait you ask for so she becomes more emotionally fit about it.
Teach yourself to stay relaxed from the head down to your seat!
Learn to use one rein for control not two!
It really isn’t about curing the "buddy barn sour" problem because this is just one symptom of a much bigger problem: a break in the relationship, holes in the foundation, and a misunderstanding between partners. When the relationship is developed the holes in the foundation are built and you become communicating partners the "buddy barn sour" problem will take care of itself.
Learn more about the above training activities by attending one of our Horsemanship Camps this summer at a beautiful working cattle ranch in the sandhills of central NE. A great horse vacation awaits you and your horse.
Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
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Coming Soon!
Video Evaluations and
Sherry's Book "Win Your Horse's Heart"
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VIDEO EVALUATIONS:
I have been supporting my students through many avenues to ensure their continued success as savvy horseman. I care about your progress so I have worked hard at remaining very accessible to those who desire to become excellent in a natural way with their horses.
One of the ways I have done this is through phone calls and videos. I have had some students who call me on a regular basis and also send videos from time to time for me to evaluate.
After the Expo I am going to offer this as a service for those dedicated students who can't always make it to my regular lessons at various locations.
There will be a charge for this service and a one year committment will be required. More details will follow after the Expo.
"WIN YOUR HORSE'S HEART"
Sherry's book will be out sometime this year. There are only two kinds of people, those who love horses and those who don't. This book is definitely for those who do love horses, whether you own one or not. Sherry's passion and love for horses has driven her to write a book which presents a way of being with horses which will enable us to win any horse's heart. When a horse gives us his whole heart he will jump higher, run faster, stop quicker, slide further, spin better, and be safer. Dreams are sure to come true to those who follow the common sense principles presented in this book with real life stories to support the practices.
Call for more information: (308-730 2150)
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In addition to the many camps, clinics and lessons we continue to offer, we have formed some study groups for those interested in getting together to support, inspire, and encourage one another on their horsemanship journey.
There are several women in the Omaha, Lincoln, Broken Bow and Grand Island areas who have already started meeting on a regular basis in order to advance even quicker and stay motivated toward excellence with horses.
We would like to see other groups popping up in other areas. If you are interested in starting or joining a study group call Sherry 308-730-2150.
For now the locations change because sometimes we meet at a person's house to watch DVDs,and other times we will meet at an arena to ride.The study groups are free unless there is an arena charge.
So Please call before coming!
The next one is a DVD watching March 15 at Shelley Troys house near Valley, NE at 7:00; Call 402-359-5844
More dates are availabe in 2008 go to the schedule page.
STUDY GROUP GUIDELINES
These study groups are not exclusive, meaning we want to encourage people to come who may not be familiar with "natural horsemanship". We don't want this to be a club where only the "chosen few enlightened ones" can join, however we also don't want this to turn into a place where people bring problem horses expecting free lessons and a quick fix. If you have a problem horse please seek the support of a professional trainer like Sherry.
These groups are meant for students to express and show what they have learned with each other. It is a day of sharing creative ideas and free expression.
In order to encourage people who have never taken a lesson from Sherry to attend we respectfully ask that the first time you attend you do so as an observer only. This way you will have a more objective view of what it is all about by not having to attend to a horse. You will get a better sense of the expression and techniques of natural horsemanship.
Of course if the study group is watching DVDs that day instead of playing with their horses, then anyone is encouraged to attend whether they have taken a lesson from Sherry or not. It doesn't even matter whether you have a horse yet, maybe you are just thinking about getting one, then by all means come and learn.
Please always call before coming 308-730-2150
We now have over 70 members on our Heart in Your Hand Yahoo Chat Group.
This group is dedicated to natural horsemanship students lead by Sherry & Keith Jarvis whose aim is to help both the horse and rider to become even more successful by presenting a balanced foundation from which you can build a confident, trusting, respectful relationship,without sacrificing the spirit of either the horse or the human. This is a place to share natural horsemanship philosophies and how horses change our lives including those little victories/defeats that don’t mean anything to the "normal" crowd, to have a place to celebrate/vent leadership issues, blinding flashes of the obvious, or brainstorm creative ideas! We will be able to organize natural play days, tournaments, and post information and announcements of natural horsemanship happenings.
This group is by invitation only. You are officially invited by receiving this newsletter. If you would like to join Heart in Your Hand Horsemanship's Yahoo group please e-mail Leigh the moderator at freeman@diodecom.net
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Physcial Health
Skin Care, Diet and Exercise
Sherry has been told over and over that she looks and acts much younger than she is. Those who have taken lessons with her have experienced her energy and passion.
Her secrets are eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, don't drink or smoke, use sunscreen, wear a hat and take really good care of your skin with a dermatology tested and proven skin care system.
If you would like to find out more about the special skin care and dietary aide products that Sherry uses to stay looking young and full of energy call her at 308-730-2150 or 308-346-5663.
Sherry knows that a good horsemanship program will affect every area of your life. Staying in shape is part of it. Call Sherry to visit more about how she stays in shape for her horses. Or maybe, how her horses keep her in shape.
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Mental and Emotional Health
Sherry has been through some stressful and challenging times in her life like the rest of you.
She has bounced back through many life changes by keeping a positive outlook on life even though depression tried to take over at times. It seemed that her horses always kept her on track and so it was only natural that she wanted to share their healing powers with others.
Check out
"Sandhills Horse Sense" a program devoted to promoting relationships and
choices that lead to a positive future.
Sherry is now an EAGALA Certified Horse Professional working in conjunction
with Melissa Dearmont & Mid-West Country Clinic.
L.E.A.D. "Leadership through Equine Assited Development" will help you with building relationships, problem solving, attitudes & behaviors, conflict & stress, responsibilities, positive choices, and much more.
Right now sessions are by appointment!
Classes & Retreats are offered upon request!
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Click to join heartinyourhand
