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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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Sherry is a member of
*NE Horse Council
*USEF (US Equestrian
Federation)
*EAGALA (Equine Assisted
Growth & Learning Assoc.
*Parelli Savvy Club
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For this months newsletter scroll down the page.
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Sherry & Cisco
Having a great time!
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Trail Ride Preparation Mini clinic with FREE TRAIL RIDE
available at Sherry's House most every Tuesday all summer long. Also upon special request any open weekend.
Only accepting 4-6 riders.
Call 308-730-2150 for more details.
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MAY NEWSLETTER "Three Kinds of Horse Handlers"
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Dear Horse lovers,
After teaching the young horse handling class at Chance Ridge this month I realized that there are three basic kinds of horse handlers. There are those who are “too strict ”, those who are “too lenient”, and those with “proper balance”, who read horses well.
The two extremes of “too strict or rough” and “too lenient or easy” are both "horse spoilers". They both get in the way of successful communication with the horse because they are reactive, always playing catch-up. Poor communication is one of the main reasons so many horses today develop bad habits. Spoiling your horse with sugary love won’t make him love you more. And treating him in an unfair manner with harsh punishments won’t make him respect you more.
To be able to handle a horse well, you must first be able to understand his language so you can listen to him and then provide the appropriate response. Everyone can learn to "read a horse", and should if they are serious about becoming a good horseman. With the ability to "read" the horse you will become a proactive horse handler, only then will your aids be timely and effective. A proactive horseman stays alert in order to head the horse off before problems get out of hand. They give the proper aids at the proper time, therefore they get the proper response and then reinforce the horse with the proper reward. This is good communication which can prevent bad habits from developing.
I think we can narrow the kind of horsemen into two catagories, because we can put the "too strict" and the "too lenient" horse handlers into one catagory and call it the "reactive" horse handlers. Then we will call the second catagory the "proactive" horse handlers.
The "reactive" handlers often end up scolding the horse, which means they missed the opportunity to praise him for doing something well. The horse always ends up feeling wrong. Then both the horse and the handler get upset or even resentful, because there is a lot of "No, don't do that" type of communication instead of "Yes, that is what I asked". Even worse they often wind up in high risk situations for both the horse and the human because they simply wait to long to interrupt bad habits or make fair corrections.
Remember it is easier to do less sooner instead of more later. Letting the problem grow and then trying to outmuscle the horse doesn't work no matter what kind of gadgetry you use. If you can learn to recognize the early symptoms of a problem you can save yourself and your horse a lot of misery.
In order to cure a horse's problems one has to back up and retrain him the way it should have been done in the first place. It is a matter of replacing bad habits with good ones for both the horse and the horse handler. The trouble is that retraining a horse and a person is four or five times harder than doing it right the first time. It isn't just a case of finding more ways of forcing or loving the horse into obedience, it's a case of retraining the handler so his horse can respond better.
If a horse does not respond properly, the handler is doing something wrong, unless there are physical problems that prevent the horse from performing the desired task. If a horse is capable of doing what you ask, it is up to you to ask in such a way that he will do it without resistance.
There is a solution to every problem and it is up to the rider to find a solution that works. Once you discover that most of the answers to your horse's problems is in finding your own mistakes, you are on your way to finding the solutions that will work for you and your horse.
One of the biggest reasons people end up with problem horses is pride of ownership and lack of knowledge. "When pride rideth in the saddle, destruction rideth on the crupper."(authour unknown) Most horses don't want to be upset, unruly, or unmanageable.
A ""proactive" horseman emphasizes awareness at all times of the environment, the horse, and their own mental, emotional and physical fitness. They encourage the horse to do what they want before he does something they don't want. They are in the habit of staying alert in order to keep the horse doing the "right thing" instead of waiting to correct mistakes after the fact. In other words you get the horse over the notion of doing the wrong things. This makes it possible to reward him and get good results.
A "proactive" handler also has become the "boss hoss" by staying in control of the horse's basic movments. Without a herd structure, horses are insecure. Control doesn't mean winning physical confrontations. It means knowing how to time our signals in order to avoid them. Respect and trust are a byproduct of this kind of judicial control. By controlling the horse without hurting or bribing him we prove ourselves worthy of trust and respect.
Mutual trust and respect between horse and rider is very important. It is very difficult to establish if you are "too strict" or "too lenient". By developing a "balanced approach" the habit of obedience becomes natural.
Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
"INTRODUCING SHERRY'S BLOG" To read Sherry's Blog
I will be journaling about my adventure of becoming a more natural and savvy horsewoman. The mistakes I have made and the lessons I have learned from those mistakes.
SPRING AND SUMMER NEWS!
INTRODUCTION TO EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY May 31 at Chance Ridge, Elkhorn, NE
This is for horse enthusiasts, health care providers, social workers, or anyone interested in experiential learning.
Go to the Helping Hooves Page of this website and click on the pdf file "Intro to Equine Psychotherapy"
WOMEN'S CONFIDENT LEADERSHIP CAMPS EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS
The next date to take advantage of the Discount is June 1st for the Aug. 31- Sept. 3rd. Women's Camp.
You can still register after this date, you will have to pay the full tuition fee.
There is still time to sign up for the June 19-22 Camp!
Go to the schedule page for more information. Registration forms are available on the registration page.
NEW YOUTH CAMPS at Chance Ridge this summer
May 29-31; June 26-28; July 17-19; Aug 14-16
These camps will be devided into 1/2 day sessions from 9:00-12:00 and 1:00--4:00 according to age and experience.
Ages from 7-17; bring your own horse or lease a horse.
PRIVATE LESSONS are also available these weekends.
Discover more information on the Youth Camp Page, or you can call me at 308-730-2150 for a brochure.
MINI CLINICS WITH A THEME
In conjunction with the private lesson weekends, we have a 2 hour mini clinic with a theme, maximum number of participants is 6, so be sure to register in advance by e-mailing or calling Sherry 308-730-2150
They will usually be on Saturday or Sunday afternoon from 1:00-3:00.
The next one is May 14, 15, 16 at my place near Burwell, NE.
The theme will be trail ride preparation. Then in the afternoon there will be a FREE TRAIL RIDE!
REGULAR PRIVATE LESSONS from the TRAVELING TRAINER at these HOMEBASE Locations:
Chance Ridge, Elkhorn, NE: May 29-30, June 26-28
The Tumbling T Arena, Lincoln, NE: May 26-28 with Clinic
Susan Hadobas Arena near Grand Island, NE
(Check the schedule page for more dates.)
CALL 308-730-2150 NOW TO RESERVE YOUR PERSONAL TIME!
(First come first serve basis, time slots always fill.)
I will try to remain as flexible as possible with scheduling.
You will need to make arrangements in advance for your time slot and keep your lesson time or trade with someone once you have reserved a certain time.
Please try to sign up at least 2 weeks prior.
Cancellations will be charged.
PRIVATE -$80 (2 hour)
SEMI-PRIVATE
(2-people $130 - $65 ea.)
(3 people $165 -$55 ea.)
Extra hours negotiable.
Horses for lease $25/lesson or bring your own horse.
NEW PACKAGE DEALS ON PRIVATE LESSONS
Starting in February: Buy four consecutive montly lessons and get the fifth one FREE.
Total cost is $330. Pay 1/2 ($165)upon first lesson. The other half ($165) at the 4th lesson. Fifth lesson is FREE.
**This does not include semi-private lessons, but check with me personally and we will see what we can work out. It also does not include a lease horse, arena or stall fees. Only the instruction is FREE
If there are at least three people in your area wanting private lessons and
you are only a 2 hour drive from me I will come for a day.
If it is a 3-4 hour drive I need at least 6 people.
If you are further than 4 hours we can still talk.
I have stick and will travel!
OTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THIS SUMMER!
Host an EQUINE PSYCHOLOGY CLASS this summer in the air-conditioning of your own home:
Host a LEARNING DEMONSTRATION for a 4-h group, saddle club, or group of friends:
I will bring my horses or use a problem horse from the group to give you an evening or afternoon of learning by watching. Interactions with questions and answers will be a big part of the learning environment. So for those who are always wanting to audit or are just curious about what we do in natural horsemanship this is a perfect opportunity. I promise you will learn a lot. It costs less per person than a clinic or private lesson.
NEED YOUR YOUNG HORSE STARTED WE CAN HELP!
We will have two more young horse handling clininc this summer. The first one was a hit on April 20th. All of the horses were ridden for their first time bareback and in a halter without resistance.
The next ones will be at Chance Ridge on July 20 and Aug 17th from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
The reason for the long day is we will be dividing the class up so we don't over work the young horses by making them learn for long periods. Instead we will take turns and give the horses frequent short learning periods.
Sessions will be from:
9:00-10:00 Introductions/classroom learning
10:00-12:00 First session
12:00-1:00 Lunch Break
1:00-3:00 Second Session
3:00-5:00 Third Session
5:00-6:00 Supper Break
6:00-8:00 Fourth Session
8:00-9:00 Reflections/Question Answers/ Evaluations
We will focus on reading the horse, helping the young horse gain confidence in the environment, the handler and in himself, trust and respect on the ground, sensitizing and desensitizing exercises, cues we will use when riding, flexion, saddling, and possibly mounting bareback if the horse and rider are ready.
Another way we can help you with your young horse is take your horse for 30, 60 or 90 days:
We are now teaming with Sarah Sortum from Calamus Outfitters Ranch near Burwell, NE.
Sarah is nearly through her PNH level 3. She has been training mules and horses for years. Mules are her first love, but she is also very good with horses.
A lot of you have asked me to take your horses home with me, or to start your young ones. However because my traveling schedule is so hectic, I just don't have time to devote to this, my students, and all the other responsibilities I have making sure Heart in Your Hand Horsemanship is always growing and progressing in a positive direction.
I am pleased to announce that I can finally meet this need through Sarah. I know that Sarah will develop your horse in a natural and safe manner. Please call or e-mail Sherry for more information about Sarah.
After Sarah has helped your horse, I will be glad to help you understand how to continue developing your partnership. This will help insure that you get your money's worth and all the hard work Sarah has put into your horse will remain and keep progressing positively.
Because this is a partnership, it is important that both the horse and the owner have equal training, otherwise you may be disappointed with the money spent on training the horse alone.
We already have 66 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
2007 Spring/Summer Camp & Clinic Schedule
SIGN UP NOW AND GET YOUR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!
May 4-7: Women’s Confident Leadership Camp (EBD March 1, 2007)
May 14, 15,16 Mini Clinic and Free Trail Ride at Sherry's place near Burwell, NE
May 19-20: Clinic at JM4 Ranch at Crescent IA,
May 26-28:Clinic Tumbling T Arena, Seward(EBD April 1)
May 29-31: Youth Camp, Chance Ridge, Elkhorn, NE (EDB March 1, 2007)
June 5-7: Youth Leadership/Horsemanship Camp (EBD April 1, 2007)
June 9-10: Clinic at Grand Island, Sue Hanabus Arena (EBD May 1, 2007)
June 12-14: Youth/Parent Leadership/Horsemanship Camp (EBD April 1, 2007)
June 19-22: Women’s Confident Leadership Camp (EBD April 1, 2007)
June 26-28: Youth Camp, Chance Ridge, Elkhorn, NE (EBD May 1, 2007)
July 10-12: Youth Leadership/Horsemanship Camp (EBD May 1, 2007)
July 17-19: Youth Leadership/Horsemanship Camp (EBD May 1, 2007)
July 20:Young Horse Handling Class, Chance Ridge, Elkhorn
Aug 7-9: Youth/Parent Leadership/Horsemanship Camp (EBD June 1, 2007)
Aug. 14-16: Youth Leadership/Horsemanship Camp (EBD May 1, 2007)
Aug. 17:Young Horse Handling Class, Chance Ridge, Elkhorn
Aug. 31- Sept. 3: Women’s Confident Leadership Camp (EBD June 1, 2007)
Oct 5-8: 2nd Annual Alumni/Women’s Confident Leadership Camp (EBD July 1, 2007)
Cattle Drive and Trail Ride 2007
Our next cattle drive at Calamus Outfitters will be in the spring. The exact date is still to be announced.
We are also planning a 16 mile trail ride in conjunction with the Burwell Rodeo in July! Look for details soon!
FAMILY VACATION AT CALAMUS OUTFITTERS RANCH
Rent a cabin $75/night for two people $100/night for 4 people. Sleeps six maximum.
Includes a kitchen (microwave & frig), bathroom (shower only, no tub), air-conditioning, picnic table, and grill. Two bunk beds (one double, one single)
Stall is $10 a night. Bring your own hay.
Exciting new pens, arena, and round pens were built this month!
Horses must be current on all vaccinations.
Private Instruction is $25/hour at the ranch.
Lower group rates per hour, or a package deal per day.
Call to arrange your special package deal for a small group.
Lease one of my horses $25 a day.
Miles of trail riding, fishing, boating, canoeing, tanking, swimming, etc.
Lodge is available to lease for larger groups. 10-20 people $350 a night.
There are also camper RV hookups close to the Calamus Lake.
There is a small house in Burwell available to rent for only $65 per day. It has two bedrooms a bath, kitchen and living room. However it is about 15 miles from the ranch, but only 2 miles from me.
Don't forget the fall cattle Drive, Oct. 15-17th only $75 plus room
If you are interested in any of the above ideas please let me know, as the cabins do book up quickly especially during hunting season.
This opportunity is available all year because I also have access to an indoor arena; however, it is about 20 miles to the facility.
There is a rental fee of $12 per hour for the indoor arena.
BOOK INTERVIEWS
If you have a story about a horse dream that was nearly destroyed or you just want to share your success with the world, let me know. I will be interviewing people this fall for my book.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you on the trail soon!
Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
PS: Look for the monthly training tip soon if you are on my mailing list. If you are not join the mailing list today for more tips and inspiring student success stories.
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