John Lyons clinics?

[MissAriel]

It looks like John Lyons will be doing a clinic at our boarding barn next year. I don’t know much about him, but would be curious what opinions folks have of his training methods before I decide if I want to shell out $ to attend. I am going to try to get more details on topics he will cover from the BM, but I would also be interested in hearing what others have seen him cover, especially in the last few years.

I’m not sure if it will be an option to use our horses, but mine is a 3 yo, well started under saddle (dressage) and on the ground. I would definitely get my trainer’s input before doing this.

TIA

[Ajierene]

A friend of mine followed him and learned his techniques years ago. As she was paying me, I also used them to train her horses. I found his methods sensible and practical. With young horse training, he does use a round pen so you need one at home to fully replicate his training. This was some 20 years ago or so and I don’t know if he’s changed his teaching at all.

He teaches a lot of “how to teach the young horse” so if you have a young horse or a difficult horse it could be helpful. If you have a steady eddy or advanced horse it may not be worth the money.

For me, it would definitely be cost compared to topics. Right now, I can’t think of anything I would want to go to the clinic for because I don’t have any horses that fit the above criteria but I am also on a tight budget.

[Unfforgettable]

I attended and rode in one about 20 years ago too. We were supposed to bring the most broke horse we had, which I did…and that was a total mistake. The clinic was beneficial for the basic backyard horse owner who trail rides a little and doesn’t know a lot about training, and there was much good information…but bringing a 4th level horse was a total waste of time.

[CFFarm]

I thought his son Josh had taken over?

[Obsidian_Fire]

He was the first NH type trainer I ever read about or tried out. I liked his methodology a lot - it worked very well.

I hated his videos. He talks waaaaayyyyy toooooo much. I saw him in person at an expo once and it was the same thing. Drove me nuts.

So I personally would hesitate at a clinic… how big is it, how many people, etc.?

[walktrot]

John is of the "don’t get me started on ‘natural horsemanship’ " school. He uses conditioned response training and emphasizes repetitions in addition to the ask and release. I’ve liked him for a long time. No flag, just a dressage whip as an extension of your hand. No required rope halter either. He does use a round pen but you can train effectively on a lead line as well. He is one of the older and, I feel, original trainers who created what is now known as NH, and was one of the earliest to start doing clinics with participants and auditors.

I never thought he talked too much, in fact, he has the innate ability to focus on the horses while talking to the people at the same time. The last time he was at Equine Affaire in Mass with his horses he did an amazing clinic that included being mounted on his new mare while 2 of his other horses (names escape me), who worked at liberty, stayed glued to his side when he asked them.

Josh has taken over most of the family business including the certification courses and moved to Tennessee.

I wouldn’t hesitate to see John work. And as he always reminded us, go to whatever you can, you’ll always learn something even if it is what doesn’t work. Also this year at EA there was a trainer named Sean Patrick who was there for trail riding clinics but actually included a lot of basic training information that he gleaned in John’s certification clinics. I hope to see him again in the future.

[walktrot]

John is of the "don’t get me started on ‘natural horsemanship’ " school. He uses conditioned response training and emphasizes repetitions in addition to the ask and release. I’ve liked him for a long time. No flag, just a dressage whip as an extension of your hand. No required rope halter either. He does use a round pen but you can train effectively on a lead line as well. He is one of the older and, I feel, original trainers who created what is now known as NH, and was one of the earliest to start doing clinics with participants and auditors.

I never thought he talked too much, in fact, he has the innate ability to focus on the horses while talking to the people at the same time. The last time he was at Equine Affaire in Mass with his horses he did an amazing clinic that included being mounted on his new mare while 2 of his other horses (names escape me), who worked at liberty, stayed glued to his side when he asked them.

Josh has taken over most of the family business including the certification courses and moved to Tennessee.

I wouldn’t hesitate to see John work. And as he always reminded us, go to whatever you can, you’ll always learn something even if it is what doesn’t work. Also this year at EA there was a trainer named Sean Patrick who was there for trail riding clinics but actually included a lot of basic training information that he gleaned in John’s certification clinics. I hope to see him again in the future.

[RMJacobs]

I attended a symposium he put on several years ago, and got a lot out of it. During the break, I asked him a question, and he spent significant time discussing the pony with which I was having problems. His advice was very useful, and he was friendly and courteous.

Too bad the outside temperature was below zero that night, and the barn wasn’t heated. I brought my fuzzy dog as a footwarmer, and people kept trying to borrow her. Man, it was cold!

Rebecca

[pluvinel]

John Lyons opened the door to concepts of “contact” for me and fundamentally changed my riding. He is really a closet Baurcheriste. I would go see him in a heartbeat.

[Ready_To_Riot]

I personally think his clinics are over priced. But this is coming from some one who pays $15 to haul into his arena that is 5 mins from me to ride and gets to see him “work” for that same $15. I think he is “common sense” type training. Not like he only knows basic things but what he does makes sense and leaves you wondering why you never thought of that because it seems like such a realistic answer to training. He and his son are lovely and nice as can be. I can only assume
His clinics else where cost as much as they do at his facility in my town, in which case my only response is “I’ve ridden with Olympians for cheaper”. I think a first timer would get more out of audtiring rather than riding

[HappyTalk]

I saw JL several times at Equine Affaires in the 90’s. You can get a lot of good info just by auditing. He wrote a very good book on training the youngster that I used as a guide book for my young colt/stallion.

[Chief2]

We attended a five-day clinic of his as auditors many years ago. Totally worth it. Practical tips and advice that worked very well with one of our Appaloosas. I have attended some one-day sessions, as well, and have always come away having learnt something of value.

[Murphy_s_Mom]

As long as it is John Lyons, go for it. Nice man, sensible program, won’t try to sell you stuff. If it’s his son, Josh, run for the hills (he thinks dressage makes a horse worthless). I’ve seen them both.