Equine Behavoir and Avalanches

What a day! 41 people attended the first ever Dr Andrew McLean clinic in Fernie.

Fernie isn't really known as a horsey area and everyone was blown away with how many people showed up to learn more about horses. We were very lucky to have Andrew out this way, yes it would have been better if it was summer but, when the chance to get someone like this out is rare, regardless of time of year, you jump on it.

The crowd was a good mix, young kids pulled out of school for the day for a science lesson not seen in the class room. Barrel racers, reiners, dressage riders, show jumpers, ropers and heavy horse drivers all at the same clinic. How often do you see a mix like that? Young, Old and middle aged all to learn more about the horse mentally. I was lucky enough to have some great  demonstrations with the edge of excitement. Part way though the demonstration of a couple of horses, the roof of the arena Avalanched. What a better way on showing how to reduce fear in a horse and introduce habituation of the noise. The draft horse with farrier kicking issues was the first to go and the first to have her nerves tested. The roof avalanched for a good 20 seconds.

Second horse was the ever so cute Icelandic Pony with fear issues, lucky for this pony the gods where on his side and no loud noise came from the roof. Number three was a young filly un broken and ended up being the one that showed the most learning experience. The roof again avalanched freaking the poor little girl out. I seriously could not have hoped for a better handler then Andrew at the end of the lead. Towards the end of the avalanching the horse was not as scared as before.

The first horse under saddle was my guy. Cat Herder. being his first time in an indoor arena and a crowd he put on quite the show. Andrew gave me some great tools to use to bring him back to earth, calm and relaxed. This will come in handy when he go's to his first show this spring. Under saddle number two was Karena horse with some issues with spooking and shoulder in, again Karena went home with a new set tools and I look forward to see them in action this spring and summer.

All in all I think it was a great success. To everyone that thanked me for organizing the clinic, it was my pleasure. I am so happy that so many people came out and enjoyed it. So many people have emailed me and ask me last night (before the clinic was even over) when will Andrew being coming out again. Rest assured that when Andrew comes out to Canada again, I will be organizing another clinic. From the reviews he received at the Equine Education Conference, I'm sure we won't be waiting too long.

Thank once again to everyone that came out and a HUGE thank you to Jen at Trit Trot Farms for such a great arena and class room.

Now back to reality, working on those quirks and counting the sleeps to the next clinic.