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.