Clinics Held at Brandreth Farms

Under one roof – arena floor 250′ x 125′ plus 22 stalls & elevated viewing room.  The viewing room is climate controlled with a full kitchen and arena view seating for your convenience. Ladies and men’s restrooms with a shower in each area, and full trailer hook-ups available. Be sure to visit our Photo pages for arena and obstacle garden photos as well as additional property details.

Please contact us for more information on how to book your clinic at Brandreth Farms.

Brandreth Farms requires current Official Veterinary Health Certificates for horses coming in from out of state for all clinics, along with current negative Coggins for all horses.

*Print Liability Waiver Form

Scheduled Clinics at Brandreth Farms

 

 

November 9 – 10 2024

Comprehensive Horsemanship Clinic with Bill Richey – click here for Bill’s photo gallery

National Mounted Police Services, Inc.

Clinic Overview

This combined clinic is divided into five sections
1. Horse Physiology and Psychology
2. Equitation Techniques
3. Mounted Drill
4. Mounted Obstacles
5. Mounted Sensory

  1. Horse Physiology and Psychology

The first lesson “Horse Physiology and Psychology” covers the physical attributes of the horse relating to equine vision. The thought process is also examined. The horse’s “eye” and how it relates to “fight or flight” is one of the least understood aspects of training. This, along with the role played by the horses “instinctual vision”, is used in developing the proper authority by the rider/handler. The herd instinct that naturally occurred in equine evolution is used as a tool in aiding, instead of hindering, the rider. This lesson enables the human to clearly understand his or her role in developing the horse’s confidence in the rider and\or handler. Further, the psychological aspects relating to the horse’s brain and how it (the brain) functions and why its understanding is paramount to solving the “spooking issues” that all horses have undergone.

  1. Equitation Techniques

Civilians are trained using the same methods employed by successful mounted police officers throughout the world. This style of riding is called the “Military Seat”. Every rider understands that to get the horse to perform any “duty” the rider must give one or more signals for the horse to comprehend the “task at hand”. The task(s) in this area of the course are designed to not only instill confidence in the horse and the rider, it is also used when introducing the horse to sensory and obstacle training. Basically, there must be a clear and concise methodology in communicating the riders’ instructions. The equitation techniques used to teach in this section of the course are proven to work using a combination of weight, balance, light hands and body position.

  1. Mounted Drill

Mounted Drill is used in the training of horses and riders to put to practical use the knowledge gained by the riders in the “equitation” component of the course. Combining equitation and mounted drill teaches the horse to work more freely with the horses around them. This working knowledge, along with the use of the horses instinct to interact with the herd, reinforces the horses ability to negotiate obstacles and sensory training that comes later in the course.

  1. Mounted Obstacles

Riders and mounts will learn to negotiate obstacles such as barricades, vehicles, bridges, teeter-totters and hanging tarps. As in the training of the police mount, these obstacles are not only used, they are combined as the course progresses. This means, for instance, walking over a wooden bridge while walking under a hanging tarp. It is imperative that the rider be able to control every movement his or her horse makes in order to effectively instruct the mount. This is accomplished by using the dill training, horse psychology and the equitation techniques taught in the previous lessons.

  1. Mounted Sensory

Sensory obstacle training differs from physical obstacle training in that this training is the use of perceived obstructions as opposed to physical obstructions. The use of tactile obstacles, different noises, smoke, flares that produce smoke and fumes are used to present new visual, auditory, and smell challenges for the horse to overcome. Like all obstacles, they are introduced slowly, and, after proper training, are combined with the physical obstacles to improve both the rider and mounts confidence and understanding of each other.

Combination of Training

Finally, as all the above tasks are completed, they are combined. Before the course is through, horses and riders will ride over teeter-totter bridges, walk through smoke and toward police lights and sirens while maintaining their place in the drill. All of this will happen simultaneously by the end of the two-day clinic.

Come and experience a Mounted Police Training School, you will be amazed at what you can do!

$500 Includes:  1 horse stall, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, morning coffee and pastries.

Contact John Brandreth; 770-596-6256  john@brandrethfarms.com to reserve your spot.

 

March 13 – 15, 2025

Chris Cox Horsemanship Clinic

Chris’s horsemanship clinics will cover the fundamentals of his horsemanship techniques that he uses and teaches in the Instructional Programs. Clinic participants will have Chris personally instruct, oversee, evaluate and teach to ensure your progress through his training program. Sharing his vast knowledge and experience, Chris will make it possible for you, your horse and auditors watching, to learn the most effective ways to communicate with your horse and enjoy your Ride on the Journey.

The Horsemanship Clinics are progressive. The knowledge and skills learned will build each day and the techniques and methods taught are fundamentals of Chris Cox’s program. These are practical and effective techniques that you can use every day to communicate with your horse.

Come prepared and ready to learn with an open mind. Please inform us of any physical problems or disabilities that will hinder you and your horses’ ability, prior to attending the clinic.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Rope Halter & 13-foot Lead Rope these are available for sale at the clinic.

  • Riding Boots with flat leather soles and proper riding heels are best.

  • NO videotaping is permitted during any part of the clinic. This includes the use of any type of recording device, including cell phones.

  • Still photos are allowed.

  • NO SMOKING is permitted on the ranch! This includes no smoking in your vehicle, barns, porches, etc. If you need a smoke break, please leave the ranch to smoke. We appreciate your cooperation!

  • NO DOGS are permitted on the ranch.

  • The course requires a horse that you are comfortable riding at a walk, trot and lope on a loose rein with a good foundation.

  • At times, you will be riding outside the arena, so you need to be comfortable riding in these situations.

Green Broke horses or Studs are not suitable for this type of clinic.

  • This is a group clinic and your horse needs to be reasonable and manageable. Individual assistance will be given as needed and up to a certain amount without interfering with the progression of the group session.

  • The number of participant spots are limited so each rider can expect to get individual feedback throughout the clinic, as well as benefit from the feedback Chris will give others. You are expected to be a secure and confident rider and you are also expected to be able to enjoy riding for several hours at a time. If you are not at this level then we recommend auditing the clinic.

  • You will need to schedule your arrival at the host facility prior to arrival.

Clinic hours: 9 am to 5 pm each day

Spectators/Auditors are welcome at a cost of $35 a day and may not bring horses to the clinic. Bring a folding camp chair.

For more information, rider application and reservations, please click on the link above or visit: https://www.chris-cox.com/talkingrock

The week's events

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
November 10, 2024
November 11, 2024
November 12, 2024
November 13, 2024
November 14, 2024
November 15, 2024
November 16, 2024

Past Clinics