Texas Equestrian Clinic

Introduction
Texas USA
Located in the heart of the beautiful Texas hill country near Bandera, the Equestrian Lodge offers first-class accommodations and quality riding clinics!
The lodge lies on the northeast boundary of the Hill Country State Natural Area - a 5,400 acre primitive area, which boasts two live streams and 35 plus miles of riding and hiking trails. An ideal place for horseback riders as well as a peaceful retreat for bird-watchers and nature-lovers of all types. The Equestrian Lodge features specialized instructions in its equestrian facilities, offering private and group instruction to it's guests, in such disciplines as Western Horsemanship, English Equitation, Reining, Cutting, Dressage, and Combined Training.

The purpose of the Whole Horsemanship Clinic is to provide an overall understanding of the effective horsemanship process, thus providing a framework over which the student may continue to develop their skill as horsemen and women. The riding clinic can be applied to either Western or English disciplines, and include study and practice of the following topics: Psychology of the horse and the rider's place in it. Developing trust and respect between horse and rider. Developing a "Good Seat". Balance, relaxation, posture, and proper biomechanics for the rider. Developing "In Frame" movement in the horse. Balance, flexion, collection, and relaxation. How to use proper cues to accomplish the desired result. Applying the above principles to specific disciplines and events.

Riders of any skill level will benefit from this in-depth study of the fundamentals of effective riding and horsemanship. (Only riders of like skill level are taught together.) A maximum student to teacher ratio of 2 to 1 insures ample personal attention. The clinics typically include 2 hours of instruction and 2 hours of trail riding per full day, and a 2-hour instructional session the morning of guests’ departure. Schedules are modified to meet the needs of the participants and seasonal weather conditions.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a stationary ride where all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
You will sleep in authentic pioneer-style cabins, built of limestone and cedar, which provide guests with comfort and sanctuary from the rigors of modern-day life. Strategically nestled among the oaks in the valley, and perched among the junipers along the hillsides, each accommodation welcomes guests with oak floors, central air and heat, and abundant wood-sash windows and spacious porches from which to take in views of the surrounding countryside and wildlife.
When you're ready to take it easy, slip off to the Cowboy Cool Pool, or the Jacuzzi Under the Stars, or schedule yourself a massage, facial, or other spa service in the privacy of your accommodation. Or simply sit and watch the horses graze from the porch of your very own cabin or suite, read by your fireplace, or count the stars as you sit by a glowing campfire.
All accommodations have a fire ring and outdoor seating area, with firewood provided for evening campfires. All accommodations are non-smoking, except for the exterior front porches.
Pets are permitted only with the prior permission of the owners, and in accordance with the rules of the ranch's pet policy, available upon request.
WIFI is available at the office and dining room. Laundry is available at no extra cost.

Room Options



Suites (1 pax)
Our suites consist of a bedroom with queen bed, sunroom, kitchenette, and bathroom with tub/ shower combination.  A spacious front porch is shared with the suite next door. No interior space is shared (bathrooms are private).

Cabins (2+ pax)
Each of our private cabins has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living/ kitchen/ dining area with floor to ceiling limestone fireplace, and a spacious front porch. The entire cabin is reserved for a single party.

Room Occupancy
No single supplement fee.



Meals
All meals are included from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on the last day.

Please have dinner on your way in as the kitchen is closed on Sundays. The packages include breakfast foods, stocked in your accommodation.
Breakfast is in-room, with breakfast foods amply stocked in the fully equipped kitchen of each accommodation, for guests to enjoy at their leisure.
All other meals are served in the dining room of the ranch house headquarters. Meals feature fresh, home-cooked dishes mixing the casual gourmet and traditional Texas style of cuisine.

Beer and/ or wine are included with dinner but guests are also welcome to bring their own alcohol if they want.

Dietary Restrictions
If you have special dietary requests, please let us know in advance, and we will make every effort to accommodate you.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Riding Level
Whole Horsemanship Clinics are appropriate for riders of all ages. Clinics are offered in either Western or English style, and the principals taught can be applied to all disciplines. Riders of any skill level will benefit from this in-depth study of the fundamentals of effective riding and horsemanship. (Only riders of like skill level are taught together.) A maximum student to teacher ratio of 2 to 1 insures ample personal attention.
* weight limit for jumping lessons is 180 lbs

Pace
Whole Horsemanship Clinics typically include 2 hours of instruction and 2 hours of trail riding Monday through Thursday, with an optional 2-hour instructional session the morning of guests’ departure (Friday), available for purchase on site. Schedules are modified to meet the needs of the participants and seasonal weather conditions. The purpose of the Whole Horsemanship Clinic is to provide an overall understanding of the effective horsemanship process, thus providing a framework over which the student may continue to develop their skill as horsemen and women. It may be taught in the following disciplines and skill levels:

- Western- Western Horsemanship, Reining, Trail, Bridleless - Beginner through Advanced
- Hunt Seat and English Equitation - Beginner through Advanced
- Dressage- Training through Level 2
- Jumping Disciplines up to 3 feet
- Eventing through Novice Level (3 feet, 3 inches)

Topics of study include
- Psychology and ground work. The basis for effective communication.
- Developing a non-interfering, balanced seat, effective cueing.
- Developing balanced, athletic movement in the horse.
- Applying the above principals to specific disciplines and events.

Horses
We’re proud of our horses! And no wonder! Every individual in our herd has been selected for his or her beauty, athleticism, training, and disposition. And that makes your riding experience here one you will find no place else. From show records to pedigrees, to exceptional versatility, every one of them has something very special to offer its lucky rider. And you needn’t worry that this is a “bait and switch” routine. These are the actual horses on whom our guests take their lessons or clinics and enjoy their rides. 

Non Riders
Non-riders are welcome on this trip and can take part in many non-riding activities such as fossil hunting, hiking or birding. In addition, many activities can be done in the area nearby such as cycling, golfing and fishing.

 

Itinerary

Whole Horsemanship Clinics are appropriate for riders of all ages. Clinics are offered in either Western or English style, and the principals taught can be applied to all disciplines. Riders of any skill level will benefit from this in-depth study of the fundamentals of effective riding and horsemanship. (Only riders of like skill level are taught together.) A maximum student to teacher ratio of 2 to 1 insures ample personal attention.

Whole Horsemanship Clinics typically include 2 hours of instruction and 2 hours of trail riding Monday through Thursday, with an optional 2-hour instructional session the morning of guests’ departure (Friday), available for purchase on site. Schedules are modified to meet the needs of the participants and seasonal weather conditions. The purpose of the Whole Horsemanship Clinic is to provide an overall understanding of the effective horsemanship process, thus providing a framework over which the student may continue to develop their skill as horsemen and women. It may be taught in the following disciplines and skill levels:
- Western- Western Horsemanship, Reining, Trail, Bridleless - Beginner through Advanced
- Hunt Seat and English Equitation - Beginner through Advanced
- Dressage- Training through Level 2
- Jumping Disciplines up to 3 feet
- Eventing through Novice Level (3 feet, 3 inches)

Topics of study include
- Psychology and ground work. The basis for effective communication.
- Developing a non-interfering, balanced seat, effective cueing.
- Developing balanced, athletic movement in the horse.
- Applying the above principals to specific disciplines and events.



Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Evening arrival for participants. Please arrive between 4:00pm and 9:00pm, unless special arrangements have been made with the ranch. Guests may relax, hike, enjoy the pool and other ranch amenities. Please arrive having already eaten dinner that evening, or drive to Bandera to enjoy one of the local restaurants, since our kitchen will be closed.

Day 2 (Monday):
8:00am:                     Guests are encouraged to meet ranch staff members at the barn to assist in feeding and care of the horses, then return to their accommodations to enjoy breakfast at their leisure.
9:30am:                     Instructional Session- Barn- Ground Work and Psychology. Topics and exercises include:
                                - Participants’ prior horsemanship experience. Choice of appropriate horse for each rider.
                                - Equine psychology, herd dynamics, and the leadership role of the rider/ handler.
                                - Effective human-to-horse communication via body language, breath, and energy.
                                - How to recognize and use the language of equus.
                                - Recognizing balanced, athletic movement in the horse.
                                - Effective handling of the horse on the ground to provide safety, as well as to promote balanced, athletic movement in the horse.
                                - Ground exercises to develop the horse's athleticism
12:00pm:                    Lunch at ranch house
Afternoon Session:    Groom, tack-up, and 2-hour trail ride. Followed by free time for relaxing, swimming at the pool, enjoying the hot tub, tubing or kayaking in the Medina River, or shopping in nearby Bandera. Massages and facials are also available for an additional fee.
7:00pm:                      Dinner at ranch house.

Day 3 (Tuesday):
8:00am:                     Feeding and care of horses at the barn, followed by breakfast in guests’ accommodations.
9:30am:                     Instructional Session- Barn- The Rider’s Body: Developing a balanced, non-interfering seat. Balance Ball, mirror, imagery, and other exercises incorporating fundamentals of Centered Riding, and other techniques, followed by a mounted lounge line lesson.
12:00pm:                   Lunch at ranch house.
Afternoon Session:   Groom, tack-up, and 2-hour trail ride, followed by free time as described on Day 2.
7:00pm:                     Dinner at ranch house.

Day 4 (Wednesday):
8:00am:                    Feeding and care of horses at the barn, followed by breakfast in guests’ accommodations.
9:30am:                    Instructional Session- Barn. The Rider’s Body review. Establishing a balanced, non-interfering seat first, then adding appropriate aids and cues to properly aid the horse in executing skills and maneuvers in a balanced, athletic way. Introduction of vertical collection, lateral flexion, proper use of rider’s hands. Identifying different types of maneuvers. Planning for, preparing for, and positioning the horse to successfully execute those maneuvers or skills.
12:00pm:                  Lunch at ranch house.
Afternoon Session:  Groom, tack-up, and trail ride, followed by free time as described on Day 2.
6:30pm:                    Depart for dinner and country-western dancing in Bandera.

Day 5 (Thursday):
8:00am:                     Feeding and care of horses at the barn, followed by breakfast in guests’ accommodations.
9:00am:                     Instructional Session- Barn. Practice of principals learned thus far. Incorporating pieces of information into one image and feeling. Applying Whole Horsemanship to specific disciplines or events. Mapping a plan for the students to continue developing their horsemanship skills.
12:00pm:                   Lunch at ranch house.
Afternoon Session:   Groom, tack-up, and 2-hour trail ride, followed by free time as described on Day 2.
7:00pm:                    Dinner at ranch house.

Day 6 (Friday):
8:00am: Feeding and care of horses at the barn, followed by breakfast in guests’ accommodations.
9:00am: Optional additional 2-hour instructional session, incorporating and practicing techniques studied thus far.
Guests prepare to depart. Lunch may be provided for additional fee upon request.

When the clinic is extended to more days, more advanced skills or maneuvers are introduced and practiced, and/ or specific disciplines are addressed, depending upon the students’ needs and requests.

Program Director/ Head Instructor Dianne Tobin has over 30 years experience training horses, from starting youngsters under saddle, to working through problems of older mounts. She has competed successfully and won high-point awards in Showmanship at Halter, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Reining, Trail, English Pleasure, and English Equitation. She also spent eight years as a successful Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, and has an extensive knowledge of human biomechanics, kinesiology, and mind/body awareness. This knowledge, coupled with her horsemanship experience, gives her a unique perspective on the horse and rider relationship.




Cattle Sorting and Team Penning Clinic

This 4-day clinic is the perfect way to "get your feet wet", or to hone your cattle working skill, as you learn the exciting sports of Cattle Sorting and Team Penning!  Appropriate for all skill levels, and limited to 12 participants, it provides ample opportunity for individual instruction, and offers 11 hours of riding and instruction, including a real penning and sorting contest with prizes, on the final morning.  Enjoy the camaraderie and encouragement of your fellow teammates while learning to "read" each cow, cut, drive, sort, and pen the cattle on one of the ranch's seasoned, well-trained quarter horses! Super-fun!
4 day program includes:
- 3 nights lodging, in a Private Cabin for parties of 2 or more, or in a Suite for Single guests.
- All meals starting Friday morning, through light lunch on Sunday, except for dinner Saturday, when we all go out for dinner together. (Breakfasts are stocked in the guests’ accommodations for them to enjoy at their leisure.)
- Use of an Equestrian Lodge horse for the following instructional sessions: A 1-hour lesson on Friday morning, a 2-hour session on Friday evening, a 3-hour session on Saturday morning, a 2-hour session on Saturday.
- Arrive Thursday evening, depart Sunday early afternoon



Non-riding activities included in the package:
- Swimming in the non-heated pool and use of the hot tub
- Fossil hunting
- Hiking
- Birding
- Star-gazing

Non-riding activities with extra charges:
- Bike rentals
- Fishing (seasonal) for $50 per day.
- Tubing and/ or kayaking (seasonal) for about $25 per person for a 2 to 3 hours.
- Golfing for $36 weekdays or $45 weekends including a cart. Clubs are available to lend.

We recommend non-riders to rent a car so that they can go explore the area. There is a second beautiful state park 25 miles from the ranch which also has ample hiking, in addition to the one next door to the ranch.

Rates and Dates for Texas Equestrian Clinic

Dates Note: ** additional days possible, please inquire

Other Info
Meeting: Ranch near Bandera
Airport: San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
Transfer: --

Climate:
                                            Bandera area