The value of clinics

carthorse

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Jan 6, 2006
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I have been to various clinics and demonstrations over the years. I held my own demo with my then RI which was great fun to do.
I have been on courses, have done online horsemanship stuff, watched dvds, videos, read the books etc etc.

I get the value of doing all of the above, but, as I said on the other thread, its not wise imo to base all your knowledge on these clinics, over actual experience and day to day handling.

For example years ago I did a Trec training day, I then went to a competition to watch and learn about it before I competed. That was well over ten years ago. Things will have changed, been updated, I am older, have a different horse.
What I learnt at the time will be outdated. I know something, but there is a gap.
 
I certainly wouldn't look to pass on advice based on what I'd seen at clinics etc, there's too much scope for misunderstanding or having missed finer points such as timing or the horse's small responses. I also think clinics are often used by trainers to market themselves and promote their way of doing things - hopefully not as the only way, but sometimes I wonder. Now I don't blame them as it's their living, but it does mean I'm looking carefully at what they say and promote. First hand experience is different because I've been in the position to get feedback from the person who counts, ie the horse, and have seen and felt how something works and feels. Even then I'm wary of giving "do this" advice because I can't see the horse or the person and so have no way of telling if my approach would be suitable, hence I'll tend to say I did this in this situation but will often advise getting in a good professional with plenty of experience in dealing with the problem.
 
I think ridden clinics are a great way to learn, but the clinicians don’t necessarily speak for the majority of average horse owners. I know loads of people who have had young horses, and I don’t think I can name one that’s had someone come to ride their horse regularly to bring it on, the odd one who’s got someone in to deal with a specific issue but not to just generally ride them.

I do think pros or those competing at high levels are more likely to get someone else to bring on young horses for a year or two but it’s more because they are focusing on their more advanced horses. If you make a living from riding and don’t have to risk your income on less predictable horses, why would you!
 
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I like them, on the whole.

I join in with two-three quite regularly and it's nice to do something sociable and if Trec, polework or jumping based not to have to put everything out and clear away yourself!

Plus, if part of a group then they are almost always cheaper by the time you take into account arena or gallop hire etc then solo lessons and/or you get access to people you wouldn't do otherwise.

I've tested out a few people in a clinic session too before deciding whether to approach them for 1 to 1.

Educational for young or inexperienced horses or just a nice day out, sociable environment and good prep for competitions, I usually find.

I've had a few dissapointments from them but that's life!
 
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I went to see Tim Stockdale. I have no idea now what I took home from that apart from the fact he was great to watch.
We can all take home something, but I like to then put that into practice.
Recently I watched the Falconry display, my thinking then was to actually have a go, put a feel to the other senses.

I have met Mary King and she was talking about the importance of hacking out the competition horses. That's there downtime. It's nice to hear a pro rider telling everyone what she does. If hacking out is go enough for the cI**** horses. Its good enough for me 😂
 
Oh, are we talking clinics run that we take part in or demonstrations by professional riders? Two different ball games there for me.
 
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The original references were to spectator clinics @PePo , I agree they're two very different things and probably should have specified that rather than just linking to the other thread.
 
I just typed out a long reply and couldn't post it because new rider wanted me to create a new account 🙈

Basically, I found the one clinic I spectated at a bit boring and confusing - I didn't really understand what the trainer was trying to achieve with the participants as I don't think any of the horses had particular issues.

I think using clinics to showcase your skills and market yourself is a great idea - as @PePo says it gives spectators the opportunity to decide whether they would like to work with that particular trainer.

And finally, I wondered whether clinics and demos were the same thing? I'd quite like to attend a demo by Mark Rashid or Warwick Schiller (but only if it didn't impact too much on my own horsey activities - I've always preferred doing to watching!)
 
I just typed out a long reply and couldn't post it because new rider wanted me to create a new account 🙈

Basically, I found the one clinic I spectated at a bit boring and confusing - I didn't really understand what the trainer was trying to achieve with the participants as I don't think any of the horses had particular issues.

I think using clinics to showcase your skills and market yourself is a great idea - as @PePo says it gives spectators the opportunity to decide whether they would like to work with that particular trainer.

And finally, I wondered whether clinics and demos were the same thing? I'd quite like to attend a demo by Mark Rashid or Warwick Schiller (but only if it didn't impact too much on my own horsey activities - I've always preferred doing to watching!)
You can spectate at a clinic I did with Ken Faulkner.
To me a demo is likely to mean just one day, a clinic over a few or a week.
We have an annual Equine Fair that would be offering demonstrations.
 
Ive only been to one in person demo. That was Monty Roberts. Did i agree with or like everything, no, but it did open my eyes to trying new things with my horses.

Id like to see Warwick in action. His videos have also given me insight. I just couldn't put into practice one that i watched. Ive always been slow to pick up on the cues the horse gives.
I believe hes coming over here in a few months.
 
I’ve never found masses to be gained from demos (or spectating at clinics where others are riding), there’s the odd one that’s been worthwhile, but for the most part I just don’t find there’s enough information from just watching, I want the feel and physical feedback to make it all click.

I’ve done lots of one day clinics, to me it’s just an extended group lesson where you do several lessons back to back in a day, so it’s pretty intense learning. Normally around here multi day ones are called camps.
 
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And finally, I wondered whether clinics and demos were the same thing? I'd quite like to attend a demo by Mark Rashid or Warwick Schiller (but only if it didn't impact too much on my own horsey activities - I've always preferred doing to watching!)
I think they are the same thing, to be honest! I'd certainly use the phrases interchangeably.

For me, one of the most life changing things I've seen was a one off demonstration. It put me on a totally different horse journey. I didn't learn the skills but I saw enough to know I wanted to.

I've been to some multiple days, but like you said, I'd rather spend the time with my own horse!

I think for me, if I see a behaviourist or trainer type clinic or demo I expect to be educated more than entertained.

If I see a 'top' rider I go thinking it'll be fun & I might pick up a hint of two along the way. I've seen some great riders.

I will say, on a complete tangent, having spent a year organising a few with demo/clinics with various different riders - from local stars to top riders and it was fascinating! One rider that has been mentioned on this was vile. Yet, another I thought would be hideous, was super nice and I still follow their career with some interest now
 
I went to see Steve Young at a clinic last year, I thought he was fantastic. He showed some really useful exercises and explained them so well.
 
I went to see Mark Rashid (@Skib was at the same clinic) and Buck Brannaman several years ago. They were very interesting to watch, I reported on them on here (this one for example) and I have remembered useful things from them, for example Mark Rashid's physical aura, perfect timing and clarity of cues and Buck Brannaman's mammoth patience.

I enjoy ridden clinics very much and so does Sid, who is always on his toes.
 
I have not been to many clinics/demos as a spectator - just Monty Roberts, Carl Hester and Linda Tellington-Jones, I think. I’ve not been to many as a participant either - dressage clinics at my yard and T-Team. However, I have learnt a lot through watching in other settings, eg writing for a dressage judge. I was also fortunate that I was at one of the UK’s leading training yards, so was able to observe student training and lessons featuring issues way above my riding skill level.
I did do practical training as well (Stage 1 Riding and up to Stage 3 level care), but all those years of observation mean that I understand more than I can actually do myself. One of the best lessons learnt was/is that there is often not just one way of doing things, and the best way will always be determined by the horse.
 
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You can pick things up from watching.
When I booked a ride at the local school I was able to watch two lessons because I was stupidly early 😂
However it was useful in as much as the cob I rode I had watched jump and decided based on that she wouldn't be for me.
I also watched a beginner and I got just as much from that because it reminded me that I really should do more without stirrups.
I also rode out with someone who hadn't ridden and shared that first moment of joy and excitement with them.
We've all been beginners once.
 
Ive been to a few over the years and have found them of various use.

The first one was Tristan Tucker for a huge demo at Bury farm. I could understand what he was talking about, but I didnt think his demo horses were perhaps the best and on trying some follow up with my own horse he was bored to tears! Would not go back.

I went to the 2 day BD convention just before covid. They had some very interesting speakers/trainers (and one who really wasnt!), a wide selection of horses at all levels and I enjoyed it and took a few exercises home that helped my low level horse. Good value for money and was very well presented and organised. Would have got more out of it if I were a better rider but still very informative.

I went to an 'inhand to ridden' demo with the Thurman-Baker's. This was inspriring, they had all types of horses and really broke it down well. Off the back of this I went to their yard for a 2 day stay away with 4 lessons. Still do the work I learned there today so huge benefit in my mind for this one. It was skills I just didnt have with a view to developing ridden work with dressage in mind.

I live very close to a big venue that's often got evening things with big named riders, CDJ, Carl, Pippa Funnel level. Ive never felt any need to go to these as not sure what Id get from watching them ride horses potentially worth more than my house and chatting about their careers, which Ive no desire to emulate!
 
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I recall watching Pippa go up the ranks,back in the days when things were on tv and I took more interest. I did go to watch her ride for the social and entertainment side of things.

These days I sometimes say who, when people mention names.
I just had to think twice who CDJ was. She's fairly local to me.
 
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