It is with great anticipation that we again
offer the equestrian public this new and
innovative concept and format in the teaching
of horsemanship for the second year. As
all of us have traveled around the country
teaching at clinics and equine expositions
we hear the same comments. “Ok, you have
showed us how to start a young horse, now
what?” or “This is great to see such an
advanced horse but how do we get there?”
Always listening to the needs of our horse
public the four of us decided to form a
group of horseman in a clinic setting that
will take you from “Birth to the Advanced
Horse.”
Each of these clinicians are unique and
committed to their particular field of teaching
and training. One of the things that they
all have in common and will stress in their
presentations, is the use and development
of “LIGHTNESS.”
“LIGHTNESS” is their cornerstone, it is
what all four clinicians strive for from
their “first touch thru advanced training”.
You will see “lightness” from the hand held
touch of a lead line to the hand and rein
communication of the advanced horse and
rider.
How do you create the “lightness?”. Join
us May 30-June 1, 2008 in the beautiful
Santa Ynez Valley. These four horsemen are
“MASTERS OF LIGHTNESS.” They will teach
you, share their knowledge and create a
desire in you to know more, to learn more.
It promises to be a weekend not easily forgotten.
Welcome back to LHH II from Dr. Robert
M. Miller
The success of our 2007 Adventure in
Lightness at Intrepid Farms in California’s
beautiful Santa Ynez Valley has encouraged
us to do it again.
The enthusiastic
comments from our international
audience, representing so many different
breeds and disciplines is hard to ignore.
The social aspects of the event seemed
to please people as much as the
education in horsemanship.
So, May 30-June
1, 2008 we are going to do it
again. The theme will be the same: LIGHTNESS.
What is “LIGHTNESS ?” By
definition it is an immediate and full
response to an absolutely minimum amount
of stimulus (signal). In all disciplines,
lightness in the use of the reins,
the hands, the seat, and the legs is
too often overlooked. LIGHTNESS
and how to achieve it will again be
the heart of this event.
The Revolution
in Horsemanship has produced no finer
teachers than the three gentlemen returning
to California’s Santa Ynez Valley May
30-June 1, 2008. Masters of subtlety,
soft hands & quiet methods of Western,
English, and Classical Horsemanship,
they will demonstrate, on elegant horses,
how to achieve complete respect and
compliance without producing fear in
the horse. This event will continue
to inspire you and help you to achieve
oneness with the horse.
In 2008
I will again concentrate on foal training,
this time explaining how very young
foals can be taught to respond to
the lightest of signals, and why they
never forget this. We will also explore
the science of reinforcement, and how
it can teach horses
to perform spectacularly to the faintest
and gentlest of stimuli. I will
discuss in depth the use of negative
reinforcement and how it works,
it’s power, how swiftly it works, and
how easy it is to use.
Last year
Jon Ensign
worked a gelding he had trained over
the previous winter. This year he will
work an unstarted colt for the first
time. Jon will cover ground work and
preparation for the first ride. He will
show how to avoid common problems and
mistakes. Jon says by the end of the
weekend he would like to accomplish
the “first ride.”
Lester
Buckley
will ride both English and Western and use the basics of cross training in his demonstrations. The main emphasis will be upon understanding the mind of the horse as well as the links between muscular function and the construction of the skeleton working in combination as the horse develops over time. Lester will lay the foundations of lightness by combining the science of natural horsemanship with an understanding of equine anatomy and movement. Lester's goal is for people to come away with a sound understanding of life from the horses point of view.
Eitan Beth-Halachmy
on Indigo Gold and Santa Fe Renegade
will teach the basics of “control”.
He will show how to control the
3 parts of the horses body: head - neck
and shoulders, rib cage and hindquarters.
He will teach the early training methods
he uses for the development of
“Self Carriage” and the importance of
the use of “Lightness.”
Eitan will also discuss the “art” of
transitions and showmanship strategies.
You can bet he will discuss the need
for roundness, suppling, balance
and cadence as well.
2008’s Featured Guest Clinician
Anne Judd
On day one Ann will be discussing and demonstrating the two meanings of balance, (1) "natural balance" and obtaining the proper position on any saddle for a correct or (2)"balanced seat". She will cover exercises on and off the horse to strengthen parts of the body to insure this seat as well as exercises on the ground to help maintain your natural balance.
On day two she will discuss the use of the 5 natural aids. Voice, Seat, Legs, Brain (if it isn't educated you won't know what to ask for!) and "Light" Hands.
This event will emphasize the training
of the horse from birth to advanced
levels. I have met few people in my
life who were born with the qualities
of patience, persistence, empathy, dedication
and gentleness that are necessary in
a great horseman. These three gentlemen
and Anne have those gifts and they will
share them with you.
~ROBERT M. MILLER DVM
That is our theme: “LIGHTNESS, The Training
of the horse, from birth to finish.”
We all look forward to sharing our knowledge
and love for the horse with each and every
one of you once again.
Robert M. Miller DVM
NEW THIS FOR 2008. SUNDAY AFTERNOON AFTER
THE LAST PRESENTATION THERE WILL BE
A QUESTIONS AND ANSWER SESSION WITH ALL
THE CLINICIANS.
Please stay tuned and check
back often as the site will be continually
updated...much, much more to follow!!
Photos by Mary Buckley and Shery Jespersen and Debbie Beth-Halachmy
Light
Hands Horsemanship™ 
