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Clinic Natural horsemanship
On Saturday 7th June 2008, the ICAMH hosted a Monty Roberts clinic, perhaps better known as the horse whisperer, which was to be conducted by Annemarie van de Toorn. The clinic was held in Zevenbergen, the Netherlands, at the home of Claudia Vermeulen of The Surprise Stables.
Everybody was expected to arrive between half past 8 and 9 o'clock, with or without horse. After a warmhearted reception and getting to know the fellow participants (a very close group of 7), we were waiting with a cup of coffee/tea for the clinic to start at half past 9. We were very unpleasantly surprised when Claudia got a call at just after 9 o'clock that Annemarie was not going to come. There we were, some of use had travelled from far, even from Germany. It is understandable that a persons gets ill, but to be that late informing a group?
Luckily, one of the participants knew somebody who could help us out, so the day would not be lost after all. Everybody decided to stay, if only for the attractive lunch that was waiting for us. This way, we met Paula (www.danceswithhorses.nl). She has had training in the USA and has lots of experience with horses in all sorts of areas.
After a round to get to know each other, we were educated theoretically during the remainder of the morning. We learned all kinds of things, the ultimate goal being to understand your horse better and deepen your bonding. Some examples of what briefly came to the table this day:
- join-up (especially meant in case of problems with the horse),
- groundwork (working on a long lead with your horse),
- reiki with horses,
- massage,
- very important: your own body language (self assured and standing straight),
- recognizing the horse's behaviour,
- T-touch: the pythonlift to make the horse aware of his own legs.
The last subject lead to much laughter, because we had to practise that on each other first. Paula appeared to be knowledgable about all this, and that combined with her ability to speak so interestingly made us listen to her very attentively.
After the tasteful lunch, which had been prepared by Claudia's mother (should she ever conduct a cooking clinic, I will participate), Paula first demonstrated what we had just learned in theory. After that, we were invited to practice all we had learned ourselves, with your own horse or a loaned one, with assistance and directions of Paula.
Time really flew that afternoon, I think we all were willing to go on even longer. But another lovely, hot meal and wine was waiting for us. Again, the food was so good that several of us ate even two plates. After a nice dessert, there was a prizedraw and some of us were able to take a nice prize home.
Given the enthusiastic reactions of my fellow participants, I think I can say for all of us that we had a truly great day, even with the disappointing start. And we hope that a follow-up clinic by Paula will be held. Perhaps we have learned even more this way, as Paula is familiar with several theories. I for me have already benefited of this day with our horses.
With many thanks to the Vermeulen family for taking such good care of us, and of course to Paula.
Sandra
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