 
From the Heart of Our Horseman, LHH Defined
 LHH
by Eitan
'Light Hands' represents the highest
achievement between horse and rider. There are no
short cuts on the road to its success. It is a pure
partnership built on trust and reward. Light hands
are accomplished when full use of the riders correct
aids have maintained the horse in balance, cadence
and carriage. When a horse is taught to “balance
himself” and not rely on the riders hands to hold
him in frame, “lightness” occurs.
 For
me, Light hands represents my own journey in
horsemanship. It is what I wish to accomplish with
each horse I train. For me, the principles of
dressage are the foundation to 'Light Hands
Horsemanship'. This is true for every breed and
every discipline. I am a western horseman by trade
but my 'light hands' were built from the school of
dressage.
Light hands begin with the lead
rope. From there to the advanced horse, it is a
long, exciting and rewarding journey. The feel of
“lightness” is like no other. It, in itself is the
reward.
www.CowboyDressage.com
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 LHH
by Lester
"What I see in the "Light Hands
Horsemanship" venue is unique in a very diversified
group of horsemen sharing their combined and
different experiences and knowledge to help people
see a tremendous large scale approach
to understanding the horse and getting the best out
of them by working on ourselves and our horses.
 To
my knowledge this is the only clinic or seminar that
is this diverse and everyone can come away with
something for them and their horse. " LJB
www.BuckleySporthorses.com
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 LHH
by Dr. Miller
Lightness in horsemanship has always
been a goal for serious horseman.
Everybody appreciates the horse that responds to
gentle and subtle signals from our hands, our
legs , or our seat. The great horseman
in history who bothered to write down their methods,
failed to explain the success of those methods
scientifically. That's because science
had not yet come to understand the technology.
 Today we do understand. At the
2009 Light Hands Horsemanship Clinic I will
explain, HOW lightness is achieved. Then four
great trainers will demonstrate that concept
on horses ranging from the unstarted horse to
the highly advanced horse.
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 LHH
by Jon
The Light Hands
Horsemanship Extravaganza is a meeting of
individuals that have over two hundred combined
years of experience. No where will you find a
group of such diverse horseman so willing to share
their real world experience.
Light Hands gives the ability to
reach the horses body through his mind; a greeting
of sorts, a hand shake of the Heart. I hope to see
you all there for this truly amazing event.
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 LLH
by Art
Light Hands Horsemanship is an
opportunity to engender a learning experience with
natural horsemanship, unparalleled anywhere in the
world.
I am honored to be able to provide
my farm for this venue and to be part of a
revelation that will change forever, man's
association with the horse.
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 LHH
by Jack
Light Hands Horsemanship.... a Fabulous
opportunity for all horsemen to observe the
complete training of the horse from A-Z.
From the colts first ride to the finished
horse. Horses will be schooled in the
beginning work, then on to the introductory
stages, then on to the advanced work
followed by the finishing work. Good
horsemen will work with the horses through
the various stages of training and viewers
will receive in-depth instruction on proper
training of the performance horse.
 Light
Hands Horsemanship...the ultimate in "how
to" horsemanship. Excellent horsemen
demonstrate training techniques, and
training exercises to use on the horse at
all stages of their ability. Probably the
most comprehensive two day clinic in
America. A fabulous learning
experience.
Jack Brainard
Legendary Texas Horseman and Author
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 LHH
by Anne
It has been a privilege to work with and along side
of the wonderful clinicians of Light Hands
Horsemanship. I was truly THE example of the
tolerance and open-mindedness that this group brings
to the world of educating the horseman. Their ONLY
goal is to make the life of each horse a bit easier
by promotion of kind and intelligent training
methods. My initial part in this clinic was as a
volunteer. It was at this time that I realized that
these men truly wished to promote methods that could
help all disciplines and breeds. Their comfort level
with their own methods became so evident as they
truly opened their "bag of tricks" up for all to
share....noting that this was only one of many ways
to help educate a horse. Their openness in sharing
with one another and with their audiences was life
changing for me. Coming from a breed that is often
misrepresented or misunderstood as well as a
discipline also perceived in that manner, the
clinicians were not only open with their ideas but
were genuinely interested in what my breed group had
accomplished and how we had achieved those goals.
This free exchange of ideas and methods, their
willingness to suggest that I try this or that
method on a colt to teach him something new was
nothing short of enthralling.
Now that is a big word, but it is
very appropriate when you come from a background of
training where "secrets" used to be kept only by the
trainers and not shared with the owners and general
public. It is clinics like this that are good not
only for our horses but also for our own souls.
Reinforcement for what you are working on by another
is great, and a different avenue to get there can be
a real life-saver. The days spent at this clinic
with the wonderful clinicians involved allow each
participant to get to know the clinicians, and
discuss their personal issues with horses they have
or have had. It is a one of a kind experience. I was
honored to be 2008's guest clinician discussing what
I have become most noted for,....the rider. To have
light hands one has to have a correct independent
seat. The topic which did not really accentuate any
one seat, but discussed the general similarities
they all have, helped fill in our attendees on their
responsibilities as a rider not just as a trainer.
To spend 2 days with clinicians of
this type in the splendor of Art Perry's beautiful
Intrepid Farm is a treat for anyone who loves a
horse and wants to meet some of our horse world's
true greats. What an experience for me to call these
4 men my friends as well as my mentors. Hope to see
you there in 2009.
Anne D Judd
AnneJudd@aol.com
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 LHH
by Richard
I’ve watched the Light Hands
Horsemanship event from afar and now I’m honored to
be a guest clinician for 2010. This event has become
the “gold standard” for those who are serious and
passionate about horse/human relationships on a
higher level. I’m excited about participating and
learning from the extraordinary line-up of clinician
presenters.
 I’ll be sharing my own insights and
philosophy of horsemanship as well. I think people
will see varied techniques and styles in each of our
presentations. However, I believe the consistency of
philosophy and attitude will bring harmony to the
weekend and inspire all of us to reach for the next
level of horsemanship. Light Hands Horsemanship has
become a 5-star event in the horse world and I’m
thrilled to be a part of their 2010 event!
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 LHH
by Rick
One
of the highlights of my year is emceeing the Light
Hands Horsemanship Clinic each May in Santa Ynez,
California. It’s always a learning experience for me
and it renews my dedication to being light with my
horse. Now, I’ll admit right up front that I’m just
a pup in all this compared to the great horsemen who
teach at Light Hands. But I’m learning, and I can
tell my horse is grateful for the effort.
What is so good about being light in how you cue
your horse? Well, it’s more humane, for one thing
and that means it’s more worthy of a human being.
It’s also more just in the sense of being fairer to
the horse, allowing him to respond to the smallest
amount of pressure possible. But here’s the real
kicker: it works better! I’ve been experimenting
with this, being as light as I can with the reins
and legs. It means being really tuned in to the
horse because the response may be just as light as
the cue. But when you feel that and reward it and
are able to build on it, well that’s one of life’s
really special moments.
The other thing about getting light in the hands is
that it requires you to be light throughout your
whole body, even your mind. For us humans, the hands
are so special. I mean, think of what is done with
the hands. Everything from a piano concerto to brain
surgery. The eyes may be windows to the soul but the
hands are hardwired to the heart. You can’t be
impatient or angry or aggressive and still have
light hands. Conversely, when you consciously and
deliberately lighten your hands, your heart, your
entire being must follow. It has no choice.
Exquisite prey animals that they are, horses respond
to that.
So here’s my parting suggestion, which can be
applied with horses and with people: the next time
you are inclined to turn up the pressure, first try
turning it down. You just might be surprised at the
result.
Rick Lamb
www.TheHorseShow.com |
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