WIHS Top Turnout Clinic with Ruthann

Washington International Horse Show 2023's Barn Night Winner was Great Escape Stables in Bowie, Maryland.  Their prize was a Top Turnout Clinic and Hands-on Braiding Workshops with me, Ruthann Smith.

Here's a look at the weekend of learning and fun...

Right out of the gate I knew these were special girls.  They were SO eager to learn and proud of winning the Washington International Horse Show Barn Night competition.  When I arrived, there was no adult to be found.  These girls were fired-up, cleaning EVERYTHING, to host 50 people at the next day's clinic.

The first order of business was to get clear on everyone's needs.  Getting horses to stand proved a common issue.  This is one of my favorite things to teach.  Quieting the horse's mind and establishing one's space is fundamental to being able to enjoy a healthy relationship and a willing partner in your horse.

So I began helping build awareness around thinking ahead of the horse.  If we keep one eye on the horse and one on the surroundings, we can help anticipate a reaction and keep horses feeling safe. This is how we start to build quiet confidence.

The best time to make a correction is as the horse thinks about moving.  If he is out of position, he's already onto other concerns and you've lost the effective correction.  Timing is key.  The best correction is as he thinks about moving, before he has done so.  This requires awareness.

One also needs to be aware of the energy they bring to the situation. 

If a horse is to listen, you need to be present and hold your space

energetically.  Horses are herd animals.  They will follow a confident leader, not one who is meek.  Standing up tall help communicate you are the leader. 

So we had the opportunity to practice position for leading, holding one's own space and timing corrections.  Once our lovely model understood what was expected, he was happy to oblige. Though, walking required another round of reviewing what was expected.  After all, the needed to change habits.

Opening the stall door ALL the way and half halting before entering the stall are key to proper handling.  If you are not adamant about this, one day a horse will hit his hip. 

Then, he'll want to rush through doors forevermore.  One day, someone will get hurt. 

If everyone is not consistent about this, it needs to be practiced.  Fortunately I had the opportunity to coach this simple and very important act, which is often taken for granted.

I braided manes and tails, demonstrating my formula for consistency laying down

gorgeous braid jobs quickly and comfortably.  When braiding tails, I leave the ladder between me and the horse. 

Most of the time, if they lift a foot and feel the ladder, they simply put their foot back down.  My knees always appreciate that.

The girls had so many questions all day, which was super fun.  I was delighted to feed their hunger for being better horsemen.

 The second day, I was able to offer on-on-one coaching to the girls that won the award.  We started by practicing the finger form, without the moving targets. 

With a little practice, everyone's braids got tight, flat and straight.

Then, the horses got to join the fun, and some ponies, too.

Braiding is intricate and involved muscle memory.  So it takes some practice, but everyone got it! 

Of course, no one goes from up-down lessons to flying changes in a day.  So, we learned what they'll need to practice. 

All-in-all, we had a blast.  The girls threw themselves at the material and pulled everything they could out of me.  I was so impressed by their fortitude.  Clearly, the horses were giving them a platform to learn to be independent and successful.  I hope our experience together gave them some tools they'll use for the rest of their lives, with and without horses.

-Ruthann Smith