Some impressions from the first intro clinic Carla facilitated at Emily’s family ranch in Montana in 2022. Thank you to Emily for hosting, and for the participants and their horses for their trust and openness!

Willa (paint mare) - Willa is a very clear, sensitive mare, who had been traumatized through her early training and experiences, and was quite stressed at first. It was Melissa’s task to be her person to lean on by offering a calm presence and clear communication. Over the course of the clinic their bond deepened, and Willa was able to relax and trust Melissa more and more.

Madiba (chestnut quarter horse gelding) - Madiba is a friendly, clear horse, who has had some initial training for ranch work. His owner Louise had to show him that she could be clear and trustworthy, and knew where she was going. Then he started to look to her for guidance, and was able to settle more and more.

Magic Joe (white quarter horse gelding) - Magic Joe is a high ranking, clear, and very kind horse, who also had a traditional training history as a ranch horse. Him and Allie already had a connection, and it was Allie’s task to help him break out of old survival patterns of functioning and submission, in order to learn that he was allowed to communicate and express himself freely and authentically again!

Arya (red roan quarter horse mare) - Arya had very few negative experiences growing up with Emily, and her and Emily got to explore more creative activities like playful groundwork, spanish step, and the mounting block game, which naturally and in a fun way prepares horses for being ridden.

Soldier (dark bay quarter horse gelding) - Soldier and Emily’s relationship had developed quite a bit since their first clinic, and so they too were allowed to explore more creative and energetic groundwork. For horses that have been forced into submission and learned to simply function, it is imperative for healing that they are allowed to fully and authentically express themselves again - in all their power, energy, and beauty!