Hello, from Sandy and Barb,

Have you ever thought, "I'm not exactly sure how to use my hands right now, " - or - "I don't know how this bit works," - or - "I want to have more feel with my hands."

It's true! 'soft hands,' understanding how bits work, what bit to use (and when) can be elusive. And often, we learn these foundation pieces of horsemanship in fragments.

This past year, we worked on a new program to address these topics (that sometimes seem mysterious!)

Initially, we were only going to talk about bits. But we soon realized that everyone also wants to know how to communicate well with their horse, how to use their hands, what bridle to choose (and why and what to do if it's not working.)

So here we are, months later, with a two-part series that shares our perspectives on feel, using your hands effectively, how a horse experiences pressure, the parts of a bit, how they work, and when they are traditionally used in the training process.

Our mission is to deepen your knowledge of the foundation elements of both using your hands effectively and bits. We'll also have lots of tips and exercises along the way to do just that.

Warm regards,

Sandy and Barb

Barb & Sandy, thank you so much for this course. The most I’m walking away w/so far is pre-signal to ur horse is so very important! Loved the analogy of of teaching ur teenager how to drive. U don’t want to give them whiplash! So, give them enough warning when u want the response. For my horses I have been totally using my breath to pre warn them on everything I ask of them & it’s made a considerable difference on their reaction. As soon as I can ride again, I will always remember to breathe, have my intention, feel my seat w/their body’s & move together. I can’t wait to be able to try this w/a whole different understanding. Im now doing this as I walk them & exercise them. Im being more aware of this in all I do w/them. I have noticed that they have noticed my approach/feel towards them. It’s amazing! ~ M.S.

During Part One:

Finding the Feel of Communicating with Soft Hands

Discover Four Elements that Cultivate Soft Hands While Building Confidence in a Horse

"This was incredibly helpful; thank you! Though I tend to have soft hands, my and my horses' greatest challenge is that I react too quickly. My trainer and I have been working on this, and I can tell you they will both thank you!"

~ Deborah W

During Part Two:

Bits of Wisdom for Understanding and Choosing Bits

Learn Types of Bits by Leverage, How They Function, When to Use Them, and Best-Practices Hand Positions

Each Session Includes:

• Pre-Event Preparation Exercise to get you thinking and ready!
• Note-Taking Sheets to easily follow along and jot down your ideas
• Live Webinar with two parts - initial presentation by Sandy and Barb and then a Q&A time for you to ask your questions
• Session Video Replay with time markers to find topics of interest quickly
• Session Audio Replay and Download with time markers to find topics of interest quickly
• Both Sessions are Hosted in perpetuity on a website with easy access for future reference

This Short Course is for...

• Riders of all riding levels and types of riding
• Any rider wanting to deepen their knowledge about using their hands and choosing bits
• Professionals who want to gain ideas for how to support their students on these topics

Transform Your Feel and Communication with Your Horse

• Use your hands harmoniously with other cues, such as seat, legs, or feet.
• Walk into the barn and understand how the bits hanging in your tack room work and for what training stage they are typically used.
• More readily identify challenges with your horse related to communication through your hands. Is it the bit I've chosen? Is it how I use my hands? Is the bit adjusted incorrectly? Is it how I hold the reins? Is my timing for the release correct?
• Have a flexible and systematic approach for cultivating soft, quiet hands and choosing the best bits for your horse.
• Notice bits hanging in tack stores, arenas, or others' tack rooms and understand how they work and when they might be best to use.
• Discover how using your hands works in harmony with other cues you give your horse.
• Practice new exercises to help improve your current hand challenges.
  

TWO BIG BONUSES

Bonus 3rd Webinar Session:

Q&A Session and Interview with Special Guest Bobby Ingersoll

We are excited to host an additional Q&A session, AND we will have a special guest with us at the start - Mr. Bobby Ingersoll.

Barb has known Bobby since she began her cutting career, and Sandy has ridden, shown, and judged with Bobby for most of her esteemed reined cow horse career. Here's what Sandy has to say about Bobby: "Bobby Ingersoll is a legend and an icon in the NRCHA. He's one of the most knowledgeable people and finest horsemen I have ever known. He enjoys sharing his wisdom gleaned from a lifetime in the saddle, and I wouldn't miss this opportunity to learn from him for anything!"

Bobby's philosophy deals with the heart and mind of the horse. He believes that only through feel can a rider truly communicate with a horse.

The Vaquero Tradition

of Horsemanship Explained

"The Vaquero method of training is a beautiful song, sung with the softness and beauty of the rhythms of the horse. It's about the total harmony and togetherness of horse and rider." ~ Sheila Varian

"The Vaquero Tradition of Horsemanship is based on centuries-old traditions. It's a method that takes a horse from hackamore through the two rein and finally into the spade bit, producing a finely tuned working horse and partner. Its emphasis has always been on the resulting equine athlete's quality rather than on how quickly the goal is reached." ~ Horse Illustrated

We're excited to bring you two videos describing the Vaquero Tradition, the foundation of Reined Cow Horse classes today, and Stock Horse of Texas and AQHA Cow Horse classes. Sandy is the expert here!

In the first video, Sandy covers some Vaquero history and discusses the hackamore. During the second video, she discusses romal reins, the two rein, and the bridle.

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