If you want your horse to be a trustworthy and safe partner, he needs long rides, wet saddle pads and concentrated training. A huge part of that formula is getting your horse outside the arena. “Riding outside the confines of an arena just makes a horse an all-around better mount. It challenges everything you’ve taught him in the arena – how to soften and trust you as a leader. When you’re riding on the trail and he gets spooked, will he still listen to you and rely on your leadership abilities? Or does he use the reactive side of his brain and take matters into his own hands?” Clinton says. “I’m a firm believer that regardless of how much a horse has won in the arena, if he can’t pack a 95-year-old lady down the trail safely, he’s not very valuable. And quite honestly, in my opinion, training a horse on the trail is more fun than being stuck in the arena.”
This November, Clinton is teaching a three-day Training on the Trail Clinic at the ranch in which he’ll step participants through the process of training their horses to be confident partners outside the arena. During the November 3rd – 5th clinic, Clinton will work with participants on the ranch’s dirt trails, on the obstacle course and through the miles of creek beds that cut through the ranch.
A handful of participant spots are available for the clinic. Detailed information about the clinic as well as the application can be found on our website.
Spectators are welcome to attend all three days of the event. One-day, two-day and three-day tickets are available online or by calling 888-287-7432.
