I am likewise so happy for you 
I know exactly how you feel. Those eyes…you can’t resist those eyes. Susan
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So so so happy for you, and for her. I’m glad you are finding the joy we all seek with our horses!!!
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Oh, she is beautiful! So happy for you! I am a former gray owner, so do I get half-points for that? I honestly didn’t sell him because he was gray.
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Eyeliner plus that “smoky eye” effect. 
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Love to see the happy update! Nothing quite compares to a grey mare 
Don’t be a stranger!
My two grey girls wish you and Rissy happy trails
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Oof. Stop my heart. Top 5 prettiest faces I’ve ever seen!
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Your horse is gorgeous!
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Love these faces!! So sweet 
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SO handsome! What breed is he?
Gorgeous 
Thanks! He’s an Arab/Appy x.
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OP, great to see you here and the horse is lovely.
Tell us about the horsemanship clinic - who was the clinician and what cool thing did you get out of it?
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Thanks for asking about the clinic. The clinician is Harry Whitney - https://www.harrywhitney.com/
Like this forum that came into my life when I needed it most, I received a chance invite to attend Harry’s Texas clinic about 18 months ago. I had no idea that my decision to attend would be life changing to my horse ownership journey. Remember that I don’t life long experience horses. It was all in my dreams until about 6-7 years ago. I audited that first clinic and what I saw was for me, mind blowing. Harry seemed to do so little, but got so much change in the horses he worked with because he was able to change their thought. I watched him work with a very anxious horse and the change in that horse was incredible. It is really hard to put into words. His owner is a very experienced horse person and upper level dressage rider. But how she worked with the horse just made him more anxious. Harry’s approach different and it changed that horse.
Fast forward to last month. Rissy and I attended Harry’s 5 day clinic. It was the first time for me to participate in a clinic and haul my horse to a clinic. I was having some trouble with communicating clearly with Rissy. Her mind would leave me when we rode and I would have trouble getting her focus back. I hadn’t been working with a trainer, just doing some onlinec courses and watching videos. This clinic came at the best time for us. Here are a few of my big take aways:
- Keep at it, don’t give in. I was letting her intimidate me, but when I kept at it (such as asking her to move off onto a circle) it worked.
- Be clear. Rissy is smart, she likes clear, concise, confident communication. I would too.
- Give her a minute. Let her be when she gets it and praise her.
Each day of the clinic we got better. As my communication and timing improved, she relaxed. Prior to the clinic I had trouble just walking around the arena on the rail. Her mind would leave me and her feet would follow. Her head was high and she was bracing. She is now learning to walk with her head in a better position and if I apply a little pressure with my legs I am not asking her to take off. We can walk all around the arena and she goes were I ask. It’s now perfect, but it is 100% better. The more we work at it, the better we get. I couldn’t be more pleased. I had a follow up lesson with woman who originally invited me to Harry’s clinic (she trained with him for 15+ years) and it was very helpful.
It was the best investment I could have made in both of us. Looking forward to the next one.
If anyone of you are near one of Harry’s clinic locations, I highly recommend that you check it out.
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This is SO wonderful.
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Happy holidays! Great update!
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Thank you…don’t you agree. Those lovely almond eyes.
I keep coming back to this thread, just to see the lovely picture of you and her. What a journey you’ve been on … and I am so happy you came here for support, and that that support turned into another gorgeous horse, which you so rightly deserve.
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