I thought it was an outstanding experience.
I audited the first two days of Horsemanship I and Horsemanship II (which are held each morning and afternoon, respectively, of the clinic days).
It’s hard for me to say what I learned. Not because I didn’t learn much! But because I learned such big concepts, not just a set of little exercises like one usually learns at clinics.
Like “feel.” I don’t really even understand what that means yet, but I believe it means the horse is an active participant in a partnership of horse and rider (as opposed to a passive recipient and executor of cues from the rider). Buck explained a feel as occurring when you reach for the horse and he reaches for you.
And “the sacred rectangle.” I was somewhat familiar with this concept from my instructor, who always insists the horse be “in the middle.” Of whatever. Of the washrack, of the obstacle, and most especially, of the rider. The rider gets to move “the middle” and the horse’s job is to get back “in the middle” again. But the “sacred rectangle” concept adds the idea that the rider also has a responsibility - to make the rectangle a peaceful and safe place for the horse. So again, it’s the paradigm shift of a give-and-take partnership.
I am at the stage with my instructor where I am just beginning to understand the importance and the timing of pressure and release - so it was wonderful to watch Buck illustrate those concepts and apply them to situations I haven’t run across yet. Like curing a buddy-sour horse, for example.
I liked how the exercises all seem to build on one another - the “progressions” of the exercises, which start with a basic form and add movements.
And Buck did show us a couple of handy little tricks - like how, if you’re going to lean out of the saddle, you need to push with your foot against the stirrup on the side you’re leaning towards and wrap your opposite forearm around the saddle horn. So you don’t get dumped on your head if the horse spooks.
I liked the mecate reins.:yes: I can see how it would be beneficial to be able to go right directly from a groundwork exercise to a mounted exercise without the break of switching from halter to bridle. I think I’m going to get me some of those. And go back to my snaffle bit for awhile.
Finally, I thought Buck was the soul of tact. Why he even complimented our horseflies! At least, I think calling them “Boone and Crockett horseflies” was a compliment.:lol:
