Clinics

April 27th 2008. My husband and I just finished our second Saturday clinic at Bobcat Farm with our two Rocky Mountain horses. And I could not write enough good things about what we took home with us. Not only do our horses seem so much more relaxed and safe, I feel like I came home with a wealth of knowledge I never got spending 3 days at Equine Affaire. Whatever issues we had with each of the horses Cathie did a phenomenal job of helping out. We just love her horsology! Everything she does seems so easy and makes so much sense. She has a wonderful way with dealing with horses. I think she may have some 'horse' blood in her somewhere. But even more importantly, she has a great way of helping the owners to understand what she is doing so we can take it home with us and use it everyday to maintain the beautiful relationship we horse owners dream of achieving with our horses - and human companions. Bob and Cathie host a clinic that is truly worth your money and time. They were also so helpful in accommodating our horses since we brought two at once. Thanks Cathie and Bob!

Doris and Scott Hills

New Hampshire Clinic April 2009

Hi Cathie! Just want to let everyone know you are the best! I was at a standstill training my 3 year old Tennuvian, Paqo. You were fantastic and patient with him and ME! Now we are out of our rut and on the road to hit the trails.. Looking forward to your coming and giving him his first real ride.. Your compassion for horses is endless..(and their owners that have spoiled them!) Also, you were wonderful with my rescued MFT Rhythm, you fully understood her fears and anxieties, and was still able to get on her and ride her without her getting all upset, as I was told she needed to be headed to keep her quiet.. Obviously NOT! Your the best.. cant wait till we see you again.. Renate, Paqo, Rhythm Mont Vernon NH

Update. The second real ride went great. We were able to ride around the indoor, halt nicely and remount to ride some more. Paqo will soon be hitting the trails. Cathie

Bitless clinic at Breezy Hill Farm 2006

Hi Everyone, this is the worlds worst skeptic. I went to a clinic Cathie had on May 18th. I'm now convinced regarding the bitless bridle. I have a 8 year old TB how is a very well behaved guy but he has started to become very heavy in my hands. He also refuses to bend to the right. After just minutes in the bridle I was seeing and feeling incredible results. He was immediately relaxed and forward going. I was even getting a much better bend to the right. I can only imagine how well he is going to go after more time with the bridle. I'll keep you posted.
Cathie, I just had to update you on my experience with the BB. As you know, I participated in your clinic with my gelding. My initial opinion of the BB was good but I still had my doubts in regards to going home and using one outside of an enclosed and controlled environment. After your clinic on the 18th I went ahead and purchased my own BB. Well, I'm so happy to report I went ahead and decided to take the plunge and go riding with the BB out on the trails. I honestly couldn't believe how WONDERFUL my gelding went. EVERYTHING about him was better. He wasn't as spooky, he was so much more relaxed, he was listening, and most importantly he and I had the most wonderful ride together. I can't wait for the next one. One of the things I noticed with the bridle is I'm using my voice and body much more to communicate with him. He is so responsive it is just amazing. I HIGHLY recommend everyone get this bridle. The results will amaze you....

Rhonda Hyson

I attended Cathie Anderson’s bitless bridle clinic this past weekend with my 16 yr old Arabian mare. She has always been ridden in a hackamore and does well without a bit. I was looking for a kinder method to control her, as I feel the hackamore can be harsh across her nose or under her chin. I understand that the bitless bridle exerts control by distributing gentle pressure over a wide, less sensitive area. I hoped to try the bridle in a controlled environment under experienced supervision. I couldn’t have been happier with the results! I didn’t feel a difference between the hackamore and the bitless bridle as far as control went, and was thrilled to know I could get the same responses from my mare without hurting her. I’m sending in my order for a bitless bridle this week and look forward to seeing how well she does out on the trails. Three other horses attended the clinic too, two Thoroughbreds and a Morgan. They were three very spirited horses who pranced and danced while waiting to participate. I wish everyone reading this could have seen the difference in these horses after using the bitless bridle. After Cathie worked with them for a little while and put the bitless bridle on, each was like a different horse. One horse that could barely stop moving while bitted, walked docile beside her owner after her session. One of the thoroughbreds needed three people to take his bridle off, but stood still to be mounted and was quietly ridden once he had the bitless bridle on. I saw each of the three horses (that went from bit to bitless) completely stop chewing, tossing their heads, actually relax, and act more controlled then when they were being ridden/handled with a bit. Honestly, I expected to go from hackamore to bitless bridle fairly easily. I was extremely surprised to see the horses go so easily from a bit to bitless. All horses were trotting, and some cantering in the ring while using the bitless bridle. It seemed effortless and I can’t say enough about the experience or the bridle!

I finally got my bitless bridle in the mail and used it on the trail for the first time on Saturday. I totally love it. When I asked Lacey to slow down a little at the trot (instead of going as fast as she possibly could), she didn't fight me and toss her head and get all irritated. I think it's a big start. It's nice to know that a 17 year old can change. This was a 2 hr lazy trail ride that I did by myself. The challenge will be when there are others around us to get her worked up. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Kathy Mercurio

Thank you, CHA , You came to the rescue again. It was a very informative clinic on the 18th. Lots of in the saddle practice and real results. It gave us a clear plan. We've now got 3 in the bitless, yea. My guy is the 8 yr old OTTB that "needed three people to take his bridle off". He's so much more relaxed with the bb and even drops his head for me to put it on. That's such a welcome change as with the big guy's (17+hands) head held high I'd need a step ladder to bridle him myself. He's improving daily with our ground work practice, even in the wind this week. The big goof I brought to the clinic actually dropped his head yesterday for me to put on his BB. Now he'll toss a jolly ball around and use his nibbling on that =0) No more nervous chewing and teeth grinding while bridled, yea! Muchos gracias,again and again, Cathie. MaryEllen memom48@verizon.net

Hello Cathie, I wanted to thank you for a great clinic on Saturday. I am convinced that a bitless bridle is the way to go. Anybody who really wanted to see the difference between bit and bitless would have seen it that day. Even my teenage daughter saw the change in demeanor of the horses that you worked. So just to let you know, I will be switching over to bitless. Again, it was amazing to see the difference. Thanks for inviting me. I really got a lot out of it. Helene Chadwick

I was the first rider at the clinic. My little mare has improved 100%. I could barely get her to walk when riding never mind just have her stop or stand still in a relaxed manner when bitted. (She used to always go right into a trot with her head held up high as soon as I got on her.) She was so much more relaxed when she was in the bitless bridle. She actually walked and stopped calmly in the BB, she never did this when bitted. I am so glad I went to the clinic, I will never put a bit in her mouth again.
Thanks Cathie!

Hey everyone !!

Just wanted to add that we were also at the clinic and WOW...
it's amazing to watch a horse, even with a kind knowledgeable riders with soft hands, soften up in the BB. I now notice the opening of the mouth and body language while in the bit and then the difference without it.

the BB inspired my daughter so much that she wrote a school paper on it and then was asked to compete for her school in the state FFA finals and she took 2nd place!! she will now be taking it to the national FFA convention and competing. we are very excited!! I hope some of you got to see her display with the home made horse head that looked like it had tumors on the left side :o)

I can also attest that it took 2 people, a tall step ladders or a crane, glass of wine for him as well as for us and a prayer to tack up as BW (Big Willie ) playfully tried to eat us :o) Just kidding memom :o) although BW was a challenge to tack up he is one of the sweetest guys I have met and give Mary Ellen credit for her dedication to him.

Ann Marie Allaire