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Sherry is certified by:
* AAHS (American Asso. of Horsemanship Safety)
* EAGALA (Equine Asisted Growth and Learning Asso.)
* NEA Nebraska Education Assoc.
She is a member of
*NHC Nebraska Horse Council
*USEF (US Equestrian
Federation)
* AQHA American Quarter Horse Asso.
* PNHSC Parelli Natural Horsemanship Savvy Club
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"Sandhills Horse Sense"
is devoted to promoting
relationships and
choices that lead to
a positive future.
Sherry is now an
EAGALA Certified
Horse Professional
working in conjunction
with Melissa Dearmont &
Mid-West Country Clinic
L.E.A.D.
"Leadership through
Equine Assited
Development"
will help you with
building relationships,
problem solving,
attitudes & behaviors,
conflict & stress,
responsibilities,
positive choices,
and much more.
Individual sessions by appointment!
Classes & Retreats adapted to families or groups are
also offered .
Call 1-866-757-3853
1-402-684-2908
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Our Friendly Warning: There is always some risk involved in horse training for both you and the horse. Horses can cause serious injury.
Be sensible and don’t attempt anything that is outside your comfort level.
Any information on this website or that we present through any of our programs are intended to illustrate how we apply our training techniques with success.
However you are responsible for using this information wisely. If you don’t feel comfortable with your abilities or an exercise, don’t do it!
Seek advice or assistance from a professional before attempting things beyond your skill or confidence level.
Stay on the "high side of trouble".
Keep it natural and above all KEEP IT SAFE!
Warmly,
Sherry
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Items in this months newsletter:
Either scroll down the page or use the Quick Links below.
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MINI CLINIC with FREE TRAIL RIDE
available at Sherry's House starting again next spring on Wednesdays,
or upon special request any open weekend or day Sherry is home.
Tenative 2009 Dates:
April 15, 22, 29;
May 6, 13,20, 27
June 10,
July 1, 15, 29
Aug. 12,19, 26
Sept. 2, 9,16, 23, 30
Make plans to ride in the sandhills in 2009
Individual instruction in the morning followed by a Free Trail Ride in the afternoon (Very easy trails)
Only accepting 4-6 riders. It only takes two to make a day of it, so Call a friend now and join in the FUN!
Call Sherry at 308-730-2150 for more details.
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Sherry & Cisco
Having a great time!
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Dear Horse lovers,
As many of you know I did not make my monthly trip to Omaha and Lincoln this month for lessons. I had the privilege to stay home and start some very nice young horses with my intern Erica. It has been a lot of work but very fun. At the beginning of the month the owners spent three days with me preparing their horses for their beginning. Erica and I developed them into real nice riding horses in less than 30 days. The owners are coming back to get their horses today, and we are real excited to take them trail riding on their new horses. Here is a report written by Julie Williams about her observations from the clinic at the beginning of the month with these young horses.
What a wonderful day everyone had at Sherry's today. The sun kept things warm enough, the wind blew but it was tolerable, and the everyone learned a lot. I took photos all day, and it was fun to see how much progress the young horses and their owners had! Sherry is so good at explaining things!
Thought I'd share my observations from a colt starting clinic I attended on Friday. I was photographer for the event and while I was only there Friday, it did continue through the weekend. I've been very impressed by her communication ability to help people learn to work with their horses.
We are quite unconscious of the importance of our body movements; we intellectualize communication thru language. 92% of our communication between people is body communication, yet we are unconscious of it---it is unconscious. Presently, we are even more focused on words, written or spoken, to convey meaning because of our techni-digital era. Horses are creatures of movement and intention, not words; and most people desensitize their horses to intention through sloppy, inconsistent or ignorant body "language".
Horses don't use words. This morning's CBS Sunday Morning program gave a feature on Helen Keller, showing a scene from the old movie w/Patty Duke where her teacher was using the water pump to teach the girl her first signed word "w-a-t-e-r". The teacher pumped the handle, water gushed out onto Helen's hand holding a pitcher, and the teacher signed the letters into Helen's other hand. It struck me, as I watched the news feature, how like Helen's ah-hah moment was like what I saw at the colt starting clinic. Our communication with horses
is like this movie scene.
When Sherry demos with someone's horse, it usually begins as though they are deaf and blind to her. Then she commences. Sherry uses the lead rope and halter, her body, etc. to get the horse's attention---and she translates her intent with deliberate consistency and simplicity. When the horse give the slightest try it is rewarded with a dramatic withdrawal of her pressure. Eventually the horse has his own Helen Keller "Ah-Hah moment"--as when Helen connects the miraculous connection of moving fingers in the hand to the water gushing over her. W-a-t-e-r mean this liquid wet stuff. Sherry's body position/motion means halt, go, slow, look at me, etc., etc.
Half way thru the first day the horses are truly getting their ah-hah moments with their owners and it shows in the photos I took-- in their eyes, on their faces. At this point the horses have realized that movement means specific things. There are expectations, intentions. They start looking at and to their person for meaning. The face, the eyes are searching for "what is next?". They no longer look bored or anxious, but very interested.
Several weeks ago Linda Parelli was working with a skittish horse on a TV show, and said that for these fearful flighty horses you have to be aware of every movement of your hands. That the slightest hand gesture or wiggle means things to the horse. Sherry teaches this.
90% of owners are clueless about what their undisciplined body language produces. Even when they are fairly experienced around horses they are allowing a constant series of inconsistencies. The horse who steps ahead of you on the lead rope as you slow down or stop is the horse who is going to run thru the bit when you ask for a halt, says Sherry. (Learning these skills would give a horse person invaluable insight when horse shopping. You'd understand that certain ground manner behaviors would translate to specific under saddle problems.)
I could see this quite clearly with the students. There is a photo of the owners standing on tires with the horses on a lead rope facing them. In this scenario, they are teaching the horse to stand at relaxed attention, ears forward, eyes on them, goal being for 30 seconds, working up to minutes. Eventually they are also asking the horse to lower its head in relaxation with head below level of withers; then to the ground. The goal, as we work, is to get the responsiveness of the lead rope transferred to liberty. That requires another serious adjustment to both minds.
Attention span for people is harder than attention span for the horse. Lackadaisical attitudes are tough because it says "I don't want to be bother with crossing my tees and dotting my I's" right now, I'm tired/don't care" etc.
Thru Sherry's instruction, she correlated ground work with your in-the-saddle experiences. She taught to use your body, seat, legs, hands---just as if you were in the saddle. Several times I heard her say to someone "you just got bucked off"; "your horse just ran thru the bit". She emphasized this correlation over and over again. You could not take this clinic w/o having your equitation riding improved too.
Part of the first afternoon included leading the horses out onto a quarter section of pasture land---a tenuous but confidence-building time of learning trail riding. How to keep the horse's attention, how to build the partnership, how to be the leader and not the victim of a runaway. I followed them out onto the windswept prairie and after the first mile,
waited at the gate for them to return, the destination---a windmill in the distance. The horses and owners came back quieter and more confident than when they headed out. An effective trail ride is built from correct ground work. Safe and happy in the saddle starts on the ground---the ground work means everything!
If the weather had remained sunny I would have gone the other two days. I've photographed many of Sherry Jarvis's local retreats and clinics, and I learn more each time. The women who attend are a friendly and non-judgmental group---always there to learn and support one another. What a great time---laughter, good food, camaraderie.
Thanks for such a great report Julie.
Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
PS:
A balanced horseman has the ability to stay poised no matter what situation is thrown at him.
"Horsemen share knowledge. Showmen hide it in a corner and go home." -- AQHA Judge Dale Livingston
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TRAIL RIDE PREPARATION CLINIC
at Elkhorn Equestrian Center was enjoyed by all and at the NE Expo I had some request to do the class again. So if anyone is interested in hosting it, I would be more than happy to do it.
Back by popular demand: YOUNG HORSE HANDLING CLASSES was held at Sherry's place in Burwell April 3-5 followed by the colts staying with Sherry and her intern Erica for 30 days. The owners came back at the end of the month to get their young horses and spend a day under instruction with their horse. They were amazed and very pleased at what their horses could do and how calm and relaxed they were.
We already have people wanting us to offer this class again. So we are looking at Sept. We will only take 4 horses, and are nearly full, so if you want to take advantage of this opportunity let us know right away.
Click above on the information flier to discover more.
NEW CLASSIFIED PAGE ON WEBSITE
Free to Heart in Your Hand Horsemanship Clients
We have added quite a few new horses for sale this month, so check it out.
“WIN YOUR HORSE’S HEART” (And Be a Better Horseman)
Buy your personal signed copy from Sherry Only $18.69 (+tax)
Also available on-line at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble
15-20% OFF SMOOTHSTRIDE RIDING PANTS (Only a few sizes left from 2008 inventory.
RIDE FOR FREE by Hosing a 2-day Clinic
Hosts a 2-day clinic and positively gets 7 other people signed up with deposits and ride for free.
You will also be required to make arena arrangements, plus a few other duties. For more info go to our hostess page.
NEW CLINICS FOR SPRING!
Omaha/Lincoln Area for Private Lessons
May 22-25
Call now to reserve your time.
Nearly full already!
Natural Horsemanship Spring Clinics:
Please sign up for these clinics as soon as possible.
The cost is between $200 and $250 for 2 day clinic depending on the location.
One day clinics are half of the above.
(Arena fees and stalls are not always included in the price)
Auditors are $30/day is you have never attended one of Sherry’s clinics.
And only $20 if you have been a previous student.
Sign Up Now!
(Deposit required to reserve your spot)
May 30-31 Pickerell, NE
Call Stephanie Wallman 402-673-4035
(filling up, so reserve your spot now!)
June 4 4-H clinic Spaulding
June 6-7 Beaver City
4-H clinic on Sat. & Adults on Sun.
June 27-28 Lexington
Aug. 8-13 Lusk, WY
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EVENT SCHEDULE
May-June 2009 Schedule
Call Sherry at 308-346-5663 to set up a special personal time for you and your horse.
Below are the events I currently have scheduled, the dates are subject to change so please confirm by calling or e-mailing us. There are a few events still in the works without dates, so periodically check our schedule page.
I am also starting to get people signing up for 2009 Horsemanship Camps at the Calamus Outfitters Ranch near Burwell, NE. In fact a couple of camps are full.
In order to reserve your spot SIGN UP NOW!
May 2-3 4-H and Adult Clinics in North Platte, NE
May 22-25 Private Lesson in Omaha Area
May 30-31 Natural Horsemanship Clinic,Pickerell, NE
June 4 Spaulding 4-H clinic
June 6-7 Beaver City 4-H clinic Sat. & Adults Sun.
June 27-28 Lexington Horsemanship Clinic for Women
2009 Summer Horsemanship Camp Dates
at Burwell, NE
Women's Confident Leadership Camp Dates:
May 15-18; June 12-15; July 10-13; Aug. 14-17; Sept. 11-14;
4th Annual Alumni Women's Camp
Oct. 2-5
Youth Horsemanship Camps (at least 12 yrs old)
June 16-18; July 7-9; Aug 4-6
Youth/Parent Horsemanship Camps (12 & under)
June 23-25; July 21-23;
Cowboy/Cowgirl Camp for the whole family
May 23-25 (Memorial Day)
Sept. 5-7(Labor Day)
Ride for FREE in 2009
Anyone who hosts a 2 day clinic and gets 7 other people signed up will get to participate in the clinic for free plus get a coupon for $100 off one of our 2009 camps.
Details on website or call Sherry.
**You will also be required to make arena arrangements, collect deposits etc.
Internships
Two years ago I had a very successful time with Erica and she came back again last year and we started two colts. She took them both to the alumni women's camp in Oct. and they both rode great even though it was only their 6th or 7th rides. This year she is spending the month of April with me to start 5 3 year olds.
If anyone is interested in this opportunity, call Sherry for more information at 308-346-5663. There is a new page on our website with details about this great opportunity. (It is not a salaried internship)
Start planning now for a 2009 horse vacation which will give you a new perspective and confidence about your horsemanship which will take you to even more success and fun with your horse.
Horsemanship is a lifetime endeavor. The more we learn and experience the more artistic we can become in our expression of movement with the horse and the happier and more willing the horse will be.
Horse ownership is for fun, recreation and personal growth. Making the right investment to help insure less frustration and more safety will put the joy back into the experience. That is an invaluable gift.
Spending hard earned dollars on riding lesson, a clinic or camp may sound like a self indulgent luxury. But, without coaching on a regular basis, the best professional athletes admit their performances begin to deteriorate. At an amateur level, your investment in riding lessons will create personal joy and yield measurable progress in your goal to become the best rider and horseman you can be. Isn't that what you expect?
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Reviews of New Horse Book
I have read your whole book! I have sat here in my chair with my blanket over me, only interrupted by the occasional break. This book brought me to tears and then to joy. I have dog tagged the pages that I will reread. I loved the stories about Sunshine, Cisco, Dolly, and Slick.
You have written this book well and my congratulations to you for doing such a good job. I’m kinda glad I was sick as it would’ve been VERY difficult to put this one down! I look forward to learning more from you at the clinic in June and many other sessions after that.
Thanks Sherry for being a stabilizing force for me and my wacky thoughts regarding horsemanship. You really get it and it is very apparent-I look forward to the mentor/mentee relationship we can build.
Ok, just read “Trail of Inspiration for the Journey” and I am in tears. I feel like you wrote this for me. My first real trail ride as Cunningham Lake with Michelle was beautiful and without fault. It was magical. Your poem is that day for me.
Michele
I have the last 15 pages to go before finishing your book, but I already know that it's one of the most important ones I've read. AND I'VE READ 'EM ALL!!!!!
I wanted to congratulate you on your enormous, significant contribution to the wealth of equine training/behavioral literature out there. My own personal opinion is that the reason there "needs" to be so many different "how-to" books on empathetic horsemanship is that the most critical first phase to those books is either always missing, or certainly nowhere nearly as well written and cogently presented as you have done in your new book. That missing element is the entire change in THINKING and BEING that is absolutely necessary before all the very best intentioned techniques can have any hope of effectiveness, let alone success.
I'm about to order 10 more copies as (necessary) gifts. I thank and applaud you again,
Corey
Your book arrived on Mar. 11th and I have read it from cover to cover. Also, I have highlighted and underlined throughout its entirety. It brought back a flood of memories for me and I did cry where it really touched me. Presently, I am reading from the beginning again and find it difficult to put down.
Joan
I just finished your book and I loved it!!!!!!!!! I am going to start reading it AGAIN!!
Sharon
Finished your book, I really liked it. It was just like sitting down and having a conversation with you, all of your principals, beliefs and priorities were laid out in a very easy to read fashion. There was no place in the book that I want to lay it down. Actually I kept paging ahead to get sneak peaks. Congrads again! What a wonderful job you did.
Jessica
WIN YOUR HORSE'S HEART (Be a Better Horseman)
is a must-read for those who love horses.
This is a "horse" book, but really it is even more than that. It is about building relationships with trust respect and love. It is about self-acceptance, making choices, problem solving, and allowing for compromise. This is an important book about self-discovery of the need for a makeover for the way we think about and interact with horses. There is a way which is better for the horse, because it is approached from the horse's point of view. This book tells stories of life lessons which horses can teach us, and how a good partnership improves our quality of life. But most of all it is about winning a horse's heart in an unselfish way.
There are only two kinds of people: Those who love horses and those who don't. This book is definitely for those who do love horses, whether you own one or not. Sherry's passion and love for horses has driven her to write a book which will change your way of thinking and acting so you can win any horse's heart. When a horse gives you his whole heart he will jump higher, run faster, stop quicker, slide further, spin better, and be safer. There is nothing you can't do together when a horse becomes a part of you. Dreams are sure to come true to those who follow the common sense principles presented in this book, with real life stories to support the practices.
You will learn what it means to be natural with a horse and how to develop a working partnership. You will gain more knowledge and insight about attitudes which can help eliminate frustrations with horses. You will discover practical ways to overcome fears, build confidence, communicate more effectively and become the kind of leader your horse needs you to be. The personal horse stories will touch your heart as you realize that winning a horse's heart is the ultimate prize in horsemanship
For ages the relationship between man and horse has been both positive and negative mainly because there was a need for horses as a work animal. This is truly an amazing time in horse history where horses are now kept more for their beauty and companionship than out of necessity. There are more horse owners today who have a horse for fun than those who make a living with them. Because of this we live in a time when a very few people can make a very big difference for horses everywhere. Sherry hopes to be one of those people who can make a difference by inspiring and motivating others.
Five years ago Sherry quit her school teaching job to follow her passion for teaching horses and people full time. Heart in Your Hand Horsemanship was born because she is dedicated to understanding how horses and humans tick. The business is driven by her vision to guide people and their equine friends into a true partnership where they are able to work and play in harmony together. Sherry wrote “Win Your Horse’s Heart” in hopes that by reading the book horse lovers everywhere will be united toward improving the quality of life for the horse by becoming even better horsemen. By taking a fresh perspective towards horsemanship where we begin to look at life from the view point of the horse when we are in his world we will earn his respect and trust. In return he will give us his heart and there isn’t anything he won’t do for us when this happens. We hope you will help us make a difference in the lives of horses and horse lovers by ordering a copy and passing the word about this book along to your friends and associates.
To order go to Amazon.com Barns and Noble
Contact Sherry at 308-346-5663,
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In addition to the many camps, clinics and lessons we continue to offer, we have formed some study groups for those interested in getting together to support, inspire, and encourage one another on their horsemanship journey.
There are several women in the Omaha, Lincoln, Broken Bow and Grand Island areas who have already started meeting on a regular basis in order to advance even quicker and stay motivated toward excellence with horses.
We would like to see other groups popping up in other areas. If you are interested in starting or joining a study group call Sherry 308-730-2150.
For now the locations change because sometimes we meet at a person's house to watch DVDs,and other times we will meet at an arena to ride.The study groups are free unless there is an arena charge.
So Please call before coming!
STUDY GROUP GUIDELINES
These study groups are not exclusive, meaning we want to encourage people to come who may not be familiar with "natural horsemanship". We don't want this to be a club where only the "chosen few enlightened ones" can join, however we also don't want this to turn into a place where people bring problem horses expecting free lessons and a quick fix. If you have a problem horse please seek the support of a professional trainer like Sherry.
These groups are meant for students to express and show what they have learned with each other. It is a day of sharing creative ideas and free expression.
In order to encourage people who have never taken a lesson from Sherry to attend we respectfully ask that the first time you attend you do so as an observer only. This way you will have a more objective view of what it is all about by not having to attend to a horse. You will get a better sense of the expression and techniques of natural horsemanship.
Of course if the study group is watching DVDs that day instead of playing with their horses, then anyone is encouraged to attend whether they have taken a lesson from Sherry or not. It doesn't even matter whether you have a horse yet, maybe you are just thinking about getting one, then by all means come and learn.
Please always call before coming 308-730-2150
We now have over 70 members on our Heart in Your Hand Yahoo Chat Group.
This group is dedicated to natural horsemanship students lead by Sherry & Keith Jarvis whose aim is to help both the horse and rider to become even more successful by presenting a balanced foundation from which you can build a confident, trusting, respectful relationship,without sacrificing the spirit of either the horse or the human. This is a place to share natural horsemanship philosophies and how horses change our lives including those little victories/defeats that don’t mean anything to the "normal" crowd, to have a place to celebrate/vent leadership issues, blinding flashes of the obvious, or brainstorm creative ideas! We will be able to organize natural play days, tournaments, and post information and announcements of natural horsemanship happenings.
This group is by invitation only. You are officially invited by receiving this newsletter. If you would like to join Heart in Your Hand Horsemanship's Yahoo group please e-mail Leigh the moderator at freeman@diodecom.net
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Our Vision and Mission Statements
Our aim is to help both the horse and rider become even more successful
by presenting a balanced foundation from which you can build
a confident, trusting, respectful relationship,
without sacrificing the spirit of either the horse or the human.
Our Vision is to offer every horse lover an even better partnership with your horse
so you both enjoy a safe ride with confidence and harmony.
Our programs are more than just riding lessons.
Our mission is to present individualized programs designed
to meet the needs of horse lovers so you become even better horsemen.
These programs include: camps, clinics, private lessons, internships, demonstrations,
videos, and books which provide instruction that leads to self-discovery
about understanding the horse, clear communication and leadership skills
so you have more fun and success with horses.
Who can benefit from our horsemanship instruction?
Anyone who loves horses and has a desire to learn about
interacting with horses from the horses point of view with true feel.
What are the benefits of our programs?
Better:
Communication
Understanding
Leadership
Confidence
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Physcial Health
Skin Care, Diet and Exercise
Sherry has been told over and over that she looks and acts much younger than she is. Those who have taken lessons with her have experienced her energy and passion.
Her secrets are eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, don't drink or smoke, use sunscreen, wear a hat and take really good care of your skin with a dermatology tested and proven skin care system.
If you would like to find out more about the special skin care and dietary aide products that Sherry uses to stay looking young and full of energy call her at 308-730-2150 or 308-346-5663.
Sherry knows that a good horsemanship program will affect every area of your life. Staying in shape is part of it. Call Sherry to visit more about how she stays in shape for her horses. Or maybe, how her horses keep her in shape.
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Mental and Emotional Health
Sherry has been through some stressful and challenging times in her life like the rest of you.
She has bounced back through many life changes by keeping a positive outlook on life even though depression tried to take over at times. It seemed that her horses always kept her on track and so it was only natural that she wanted to share their healing powers with others.
Check out
"Sandhills Horse Sense" a program devoted to promoting relationships and
choices that lead to a positive future.
Sherry is now an EAGALA Certified Horse Professional working in conjunction
with Melissa Dearmont & Mid-West Country Clinic.
L.E.A.D. "Leadership through Equine Assited Development" will help you with building relationships, problem solving, attitudes & behaviors, conflict & stress, responsibilities, positive choices, and much more.
Right now sessions are by appointment!
Classes & Retreats are offered upon request!
Back to Quick Links
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