Pony Club Clinics
Norfolk Hunt Pony Club - April 11, 2009
Cathie came out to work with our younger members on April
11. We used one well-behaved pony with relatively good
ground manners for Cathie to show the members what is (and
is NOT) allowed. The primary purpose of the clinic was safe
trailering of their mounts – an area that can be extremely
dangerous if not approached carefully. Cathie also worked
with them on the jog out required in pony club. She was
especially meticulous in showing them how to get a safe
right hand turn and why it adds control and respect to their
relationship with their beloved ponies. Then, Cathie worked
her magic by showing how to handle the less respectful
mount. She gave a clear demonstration of how to approach
ground manners issues – and how small issues in leading can
add up to bigger issues with trailer loading. Both our kids
and the attending parents learned a lot even while working
with our relatively polite pony club mounts. We are all
looking forward to another chance to see Cathie in action.
Thank you, Cathie, for helping our kids to continue to learn
the importance of all-around horsemanship!
Gail Schmieder, DC Norfolk Hunt Pony Club
Upon arrival to the clinic in Sherborn I was told that one
of my demo horses had not arrived as it decided it had other
plans than attending my clinic. One of the parents commented
"What a great opportunity for a field trip" so off we went
to Trish's house....
Cathie worked with my Percheron/TB cross Robin this weekend.
Robin had recently begun to have issues loading on the
trailer, which had never been a problem before. In very
short order Cathie helped re-establish the appropriate
boundaries and who was in charge, he was clearly responsive
to her methods. It is work all horses need, she presents
exceptionally well to audiences of all ages and does
phenomenal work with horses of all types.
Trish Twining
"Ground Manners For Great Ponies" at North Star Farm on
2-09-03
At the time of the clinic we had around 12 members and
everyone attended on a cold February evening along with
parents to see you quietly work your magic with ponies that
took advantage of their riders. Our group came away learning
that ground manners are very important. The partnership
begins on the ground. Ponies are notorious for taking
advantage of situations (they see grass they would like to
eat forgetting that this 40 lbs of child is trying to get
them to do something else) and this clinic provided ways for
children to handle ponies without the use of chains or other
bully methods that our kids were not interested in
using. Our pony clubbers are asked at a very young age to
be able to handle a variety of situations, one being the jog
out at all mounted rallies. Our own pony in particular
thought this would be a good area to let everyone know that
he preferred to move when he wanted (as in not at all) or at
his pace( very slow or at light speed). Needless to say my
kids were a bit frustrated. Cathie worked with our pony and
with my kids successfully mastering a jog out. The kids grew
more confident and the pony happily did his job. I know all
kids just want to love their ponies and it is hard to set up
parameters for their equine partner. Cathie taught them that
having parameters is good. The horse likes to know what is
allowed and what isn't. It was a wonderful experience for
all that attended and I know the kids have used your methods
with great success. Many thanks, Betsy Maling, Norfolk Hunt
Pony Club
Paddock Pals Pony Club at Marlborough Equestrian Center "
2005"
Cathie did a clinic for our Pony Club last year; she helped
the kids (and the horses) teaching the importance and the
techniques for obtaining proper ground manners. We have a
few members with their own horses and Cathie worked with the
kids to help them deal with each of their horse's issues.
She was patient with both the kids and the horses. I
continue to use Cathie to help me with my horse who is a
very difficult loader!! He is getting closer to being able
to go to a horse show and get home thanks to Cathie. Kim (DC
Paddock Pals Pony Club SNER)
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