Announcement number 1

Announcing some changes around the barn!

Announcement  1


Liz is working part time at her friend Kerry's barn, Ballyclare II, in Potomac, on Saturdays.  She is teaching here on Sundays and is Captain of the 20/20 Horsemanship Show Team.

Please speak to me or Liz if you wish to be on the Show Team.  We will be having clinics, special Show Team group lessons and more. Stay tuned for more info!


Sarah Frizzell is working at 20/20 on Saturdays and will be here some weekdays.  She is an extremely qualified teacher with a love for children and always an eye on safety.  She is a preschool teacher and a Sunday school teacher.  She owns a 4 yr old rescued PMU foal named Simba whom she boards in Great Falls.



















Loretta
 the natural horseman
 clear communication/visible results

Random quotes that made my weekend

"Wow! What a difference! I can't believe how much more I can feel!"


    -adult student wearing breeches for the first time.




"You're a good teacher.  You make sure I have the basics down first."


    -7yr old student




"You're the best instructor I've ever had.  I have never had a relationship like this with a teacher before.  It's kind of cool."


   -10yr old student




Loretta
 the natural horseman
 clear communication/visible results

Why the trainer has a trainer

The other day I met with a family for the first time.  We were discussing my set up and their desires for their child. While talking, it came up that I use a trainer.  They  were quite surprised by that and expressed concern about my abilities if I use a trainer myself.


I am sharing this because as I've thought about it over the past few days I realize how important a topic it really is.  My learning will never be complete.  I am constantly reading books about teaching about training, horsemanship, styles, theories, breeds, you name it.  I love watching you tube videos and reading blogs.  I like to think I have been doing this long enough so that when I receive new information I am able to decide whether or not it is relevant to me and my work.  There is a lot of info out there and we need to be able to decipher between what is good and what is not so good.  A lot of well meaning folks get caught here because they really don't know the difference.  The internet has such an abundance of information and it is an amazing tool.  However, having someone you know and trust to run things by is always best. To know that you need to ask is honorable and respectable.


In this case I was saying a trainer was working with me and one of my ponies.  He is very young and green.  I am capable of finishing him, however that is not my specialty and I realize that.  I am not afraid or embarrassed to say 'Hey, I'm not the best one suited for this.  Can you help me out?'


I was pleased explain this to my potential clients and they quickly understood and agreed.


By the way, we really connected and they are beginning their horsemanship experience as a family.  I am honored they have chosen me.  Just another example of how we attract the  perfect partners into our lives.






Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Fun for kids

http://www.juniormasterhorseman.com


I set up a FREE group for my students (kids) here.  It seems like some fun, so please feel free to allow them to enter.  There are games and things you can do with them.


You can find the group by searching 22066,  or the name Piero10.


Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Giving

I had a new student come out today.  She was very happy just to be around horses again.  It gives me much joy to be able to offer these services and to help others become more enriched horseman.  I have to remind myself sometimes of what it felt like when I had to rely on other people's horses in order to spend time with an equine.


Yesterday a teenager from my Tae Kwon Do class came by.  She had her first pony ride.  Not only that, she had never even been up close to a horse, never patted a pony.  I was honored to be the one to give her that first experience.


Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Welcome

Welcome new students!


So far in March we have:


Ashley
Izzie
William
Anna
Laurie
Meg
Alex
Alissa
Sheila


Wow.  They sure are keeping me busy!

Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Welcome new students

Sammy, Arianna & Anna

I look forward to working with each of you!  :)





Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Lessons on as scheduled

The bluestone paddock is clear and dry, yeah! For those of you who are more advanced, i.e. trotting on your own, we will most likely be meeting at the ring behind my house. I will give you directions before our next lesson is scheduled.

I also have a little news. A dear friend of mine will be boarding her large pony here for a while. This mare used to be Piero's herd mate. I will be using her in lessons with some you. She is a very well seasonal pony, did pony club for a few years and has shown a lot. For those of you who were riding Stryker, if Duster is not an option, then I will have you ride Gus, who lives at the barn where the ring is located. Gus is a Belgian Draft / Quarter horse cross. He is wide and large enough to hold a man.

Lots of fun things will be happening around here with the onset of spring. Some tree branches in the front ring area will be cut down to make for more riding space. A new gate/door will be put up on the open run-in area. I will be scheduling an open house/fun on the farm day, along with a spring show for students. I will also be holding a week or two of summer camp.

With this in mind, please schedule your regular lessons now. The phone calls from new clients are spilling in already and we still have snow on the ground! Surprisingly I have a few Sunday openings, which are hard to come by, and also one or two after school time slots available. I'd like to give my current students the chance to pick their lesson times first.

Don't forget to check the website for details on the referral policy and the packaged lessons discounts.

Thanks for stopping by, hope to see you soon!

Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

The Natural Horseman New Students!

Welcome to our new students!

In the last 2 weeks:

Erica, Mary Glen, Ashley, Julia & Maggie


Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Piero's training

I can not say enough about this little guy. Don't let his size fool you, he is the COMPLETE package!

He takes the beginner children around on the lead rope, then makes them feel really great when I take them off the lead. He simply follows me everywhere I go. They all get a kick out of that. The older, more experienced riders really enjoy how easily maneuverable he is. Just turn your head and look where you want to go, and he's off. Just a push with your seat and he walks on. Simply stop riding, and he halts. The students that are trotting are also having a blast with him. He is extremely reliable and hard working. He just loves his job!

He's been out on the trails now several times. I took him out for a long trail ride myself and was very impressed, as were my trail riding buddies. He crossed every creek, drank from the river, went in the water, carried himself downhill wonderfully, and seems to pick his footing very carefully and wisely.

My 12 yr old daughter has ridden him a few times out on the trails now, and I led a student (for the first time) on a short trail loop.

Let me know if you are interested in learning how to trail ride and we can set up a time to get you out there!




Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results