As part of the CT Horse Symposium, there will be a clinic by Ben Wallace on Body Control, Softness and Lateral Movement from 9-12 on Saturday. To sign up, please go to http://animalscience.uconn.edu/horseSymp/index.php
Ben will show the elements of a good foundation, including body control and softness. He will review a few basic exercises designed to build and improve softness and control of the shoulders and hindquarters. Ben will then go on to show how to use this foundation to work towards lateral movements like side-passing, two-tracking, and counter-bending. He also hopes to perform a bridleless ride.
9-10 Beyond Basic Groundwork - 7 Spots Available
Does your horse already know the basics on the ground? Get started with intermediate groundwork exercises designed to build your horse's focus and balance, while you build more control over his feet.
10-11 Riding Patterns - 7 Spots Avialable
Different riding patterns will be set up with barrels, poles and cones that will test your horse's softness, steering and body control. At each pattern we will go over how to prepare for the pattern, riding the pattern, and how it can advance our horses.
11-12 Group Riding Exercises - 7 Spots Available
Many riders experience problems in a group that they do not when riding solo. Through a variety of group exercises we will work on keeping a horse focused on the rider, and solving problems like racing to the front of the line, refusing to stop, refusing to stand still, etc.
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Mark your calendars for UConn's Annual Horse Symposium! This year it will be on March 5th and 6th from 9am to 4pm.
This year, on Saturday, Ben Wallace will be giving a clinic focusing on Beyond Basic Groundwork from 9 am- 12 pm, and Meg Brauch, who is a UConn graduate, will be giving a demo/clinic on Straightness Training for all levels of riders. Susan Bartfay will also be giving a clinic on animal communication. There will also be demonstrations from the UConn Morgan Drill Team and a UConn Polo match on Sunday at 1 pm.
Sunday will include Hands on Horse Science day conducted by UConn students and Tufts veterinarians and students. This is a great opportunity to work with those in the Animal Science industry and gain more knowledge of the Equine Science field.
If you would like to participate in one of the clinics with your own horse or a UConn horse, please pre-register by March 1st, by sending your forms (available on http://animalscience.uconn.edu/horseSymp/index.php) to the UConn Department of Animal Science (address on forms).
The cost is as follows, as always, a great value!
Saturday -
$50 ($70 to use a UConn horse) Active Participation in Clinic
$20/Adults All Day Auditor* Pass
$10/One clinic for Auditor*
$10/day Age 9-18/4-H leaders/UConn students/4-H members
9 & under free!
Sunday -
$20/Adults All Day Auditor* Pass
$10/day Age 9-18/4-H leaders/UConn students/4-H members
9 & under free!
*an auditor is also known as a spectator
Money raised is used to directly support equine research and extension programs at the University of Connecticut! No pre-registration needed for spectators!
The event takes place on Horsebarn Hill, and the link below will provide directions.
http://animalscience.uconn.edu/horseSymp/index.php
Hope to see you there!
For more information, contact: Dr. Jenifer Nadeau at jenifer.nadeau@uconn.edu