Clinton knows his Downunder Horsemanship television show that airs on RFD-TV is only as good as the satisfaction of our customers. That's why we're asking you for your feedback. What makes you tune into Downunder Horsemanship? How does the instruction Clinton offers in each episode help your horsemanship? What do you love about Clinton's personality? As a horseman, what do you appreciate about RFD-TV? Tell us what you think by going to www.downunderhorsemanship.com/feedbackcontest.

When you finish filling out the comment box and your information, click "submit." Your feedback will then be entered into a monthly drawing for a Professional or Method kit of the winner's choice. That means if you send us your thoughts, you could have a Colt Starting, Foal Training, Fundamentals, Intermediate or Advanced kit to further your horsemanship! But it gets better. At the end of the year, one submission out of all the entries we've collected throughout the year will be drawn to win a Clinton Anderson Saddle. You may submit as many feedback entries as you'd like, so long as each entry is unique, in order to increase your chance of winning.

Submissions for the monthly drawing will close on the last day of the month. The winner's name will be announced in the first newsletter of the following month and at the Feedback Contest website. Yearly winner will be announced in the first newsletter of the new year.

The gates to the Downunder Horsemanship Ranch are opening to the general public during two of Clinton's three-day Fundamentals clinics held October 25th - 27th and November 15th - 17th. With 30 horses and riders enrolled in the clinic, it's sure to be a great learning opportunity with insights on how to refine your technique of the Method with a variety of horses.

Spectators can purchase a three-day pass to watch the entire clinic for $60. Single-day tickets are not available. The ranch is located just outside of Stephenville, Texas and has many hotels and restaurants for spectators coming out of town. Tickets can be purchased online. 

A note to spectators: Be sure to bring lawn chairs and sunscreen as there is no covered seating or bleachers. You will however get to experience the full effect of the clinic facility, including its state-of-the-art classroom, 350-foot round arena, 300' by 150'covered arena and breathtaking obstacle course.

The Downunder Horsemanship office will be closed on Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day. We hope you take time to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to grant us the freedom we enjoy today and get to spend the weekend with family, friends and horses! If you find yourself needing a shot of Clinton and Downunder Horsemanship inspiration this weekend, log on to the No Worries Club website and view shows 267 "A Little Therapy" and 276 "Old Guard. New Method." In each of these episodes of Clinton's highly acclaimed TV series, the clinician works with American veterans and active duty soldiers to improve their horsemanship.

The team at the Downunder Horsemanship Ranch will be weaning this year's foals in the next several weeks. While weaning can be stressful for the young horses and their mothers, because team members work with the foals on a daily basis, teaching them the Fundamentals level of the Method, the youngsters are fairly independent by the time they're taken away from their dams, which makes weaning almost a nonevent at the ranch. If you'll be weaning a foal this year, check out Clinton's success tips. (You can view a full article on weaning in the Summer 2010 No Worries Journal).  

Teach your foal the Fundamentals groundwork exercises.
The more time you spend working with your foal teaching him how to move his feet and not fear you, the more independent he will become. The more confident he is in being away from his mother and looking to you for guidance, the easier the weaning process will be. Refer to the Foal Training Series for explanations and demonstrations of each exercise.

Plan ahead.
Start making plans for weaning a month or two in advance. Things to keep in mind are how you plan on weaning the foal and where you'll keep both the mare and the foal when you start the process. If your property isn't big enough to completely separate the mare and foal, you'll have to find a boarding facility to board the mare. Think about what you're going to do before you actually do it. The more prepared you are, the smoother the process will be.

Use a safe enclosure.
Be sure that the space you keep your foal in is a safe, small enclosure with solid walls. You don't want the foal running frantically around a 10-acre field or trying to climb over a short stall wall. Before putting the foal in the stall, do a quick safety check - make sure there isn't anything in the stall that will injure him.

Try to make the mare and foal as comfortable as you can.
When I wean my foals, it is summertime and usually hot, so I always make sure I have some fans set up for them and that I turn the mares out in a pasture with shade. It's important to make sure they all have access to water as well. Your main objective when weaning is to minimize stress as best as you can.

Some horsemen sign up for Fundamentals clinics because they're at a loss with their horse and don't have the knowledge. Others participate because they've been studying the Method at home and want hands-on help to ensure they're doing the exercises correctly. And others attend Fundamentals clinics to refine their skills and challenge themselves. No matter the reasons the participants are arriving with to Professional Clinician Shana Terry's 10-day Fundamentals clinic, they will all leave with more knowledge, have more confidence in their ability and will have developed a safer and more enjoyable partnership with their horses. Shana will welcome the participants to the clinic on the 15th and take them through the 27 groundwork and riding exercises that make up the Fundamentals level of the Method. The participants will be encouraged and challenged each day and will learn to up their expectations of themselves and their horses. Learn more about Downunder Horsemanship clinics on our website.

Riding season is just getting into full swing and Clinton wants to ensure you have the tools, knowledge and inspiration to chase down your horsemanship dreams. In that spirit, we're holding a mid-year blowout sale on our bestselling products that will rival our Black Friday Sale! Why? Because Clinton said so! Training tools and equipment like our Handy Sticks, leadropes and halters will be drastically marked down. Even our Professional and Method kits will be 33% off! Mark your calendar now - the sale starts May 28th at 8 am CST and will run through May 30th. Watch your inbox for email updates and reminders.

What do 18 Quarter Horses, five Paints, two Mustangs, two Morgans, a Tennessee Walker and a Welsh/Thoroughbred cross have in common? They just completed a 10-day Fundamentals clinic with Clinton at the Downunder Horsemanship Ranch. Check out the instruction the participants in the April 23rd - May 3rd clinic received and the fun that was had in our slideshow.  



Interested in attending a Downunder Horsemanship clinic with your horse? Learn more on our website http://www.downunderhorsemanship.com/events.aspx.

Nothing makes a stronger statement about a horseman than the hat he wears, and no one knows that better than Clinton. His hat is the first thing he puts on in the morning and the last thing he takes off after a day's work. To Clinton, a hat reflects a horseman's style and his attention to detail and lets those around him know he takes pride in his work. Wanting to provide a versatile hat for his customers that is crafted with the care, quality and innovation he's best known for, Clinton worked with artisans at Capital Hatters in Stephenville, Texas to fashion a hat unique to Downunder Horsemanship. Built to an individual's measurement specifications and handcrafted with detail, the Clinton Anderson Signature Series Felt Hat is made with 100% beaver fur - the quintessential Mercedes-Benz of hat material. Offered in ebony black or rich chocolate brown, the hat features a 4 3/8" crown height and 4" brim width. From the Roo logo hat band clasp to the 2" premium roan leather sweatband, this hat exemplifies the look, fit and quality that is necessary to be the best. It's perfect for casual everyday use and can complement a business look or even top off formal Western attire. Each hat is handmade and shaped to Clinton's specifications and available only through Downunder Horsemanship. Protective hat carriers with the Clinton Anderson logo are also available in black or brown. Learn more about the Clinton Anderson Signature Series Felt Hat on our online store.

It's all about learning and refining the Fundamentals this week for participants in Professional Clinician Shana Terry's clinic. The five-day clinic started yesterday and will wrap-up Friday afternoon. Groundwork exercises like Desensitizing to the Stick and String, Backing Up and Circle Driving will be covered in-depth as well as riding exercises like Yield to a Stop, Bending Transitions and Vertical Flexion. Of course, later this week, participants will get the opportunity to test their knowledge and leadership skills on the obstacle course. Shana will be instructing another five-day Fundamentals clinic in October at the ranch. Learn how you too can join in the fun and accelerate your horsemanship at a Downunder Horsemanship clinic.

It's said that when a group of Pilgrims led by William Bradford sailed the Mayflower across the Atlantic Ocean in 1620 they used a boulder as a steppingstone to the New World. That boulder, better known as Plymouth Rock, has since become America's most famous piece of granite, and last week, Clinton visited the storied historical spot while on a video shoot with our sponsor SmartPak. The Plymouth, Massachusetts based company is just miles from the American symbol, so when the shoot wrapped up, Clinton and his crew made a detour to the site.

Clinton spent four days with SmartPak, learning about their manufacturing process and its number one rated customer service team. SmartPak has been awarded several accolades for its customer service, including having received an "Excellent" rating from STELLAService, a leading independent reviewer. The patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system has simplified the process of feeding horse supplements and medications, making it easier for thousands of riders to keep their horses healthier by ensuring their supplements are being fed correctly. Clinton's visit with SmartPak will be turned into an episode of Downunder Horsemanship, which airs on RFD-TV Tuesdays at 11 AM and 9PM and Sundays at 2PM CST.