MARK RASHID CLINIC - Corrales, NM

By Teddie

My friends and I hosted a 2-day Mark Rashid Clinic in Corrales, NM, in March. I decided to take a mare ("Lady") that every time I rode her, it turned out to be a nightmare. The mare had been to a professional trainer about eight years ago. The first time I rode her after I took her home from the trainer, I ended up on my head on a ditch bank with an ambulance ride to the emergency room. The next time I rode her was on an organized trail ride; she became very frightened; squatted so low I thought she was going to blast me to the moon - but she took off instead - I believe she was so frightened that she didn't know or see where she was going - just going - that time we weren't hurt - but I certainly walked home. The trainer told me the best thing I could do with her was to take her to the mesa and turn her loose; she would never be good for anything. So I took her home and started riding an older mare that could take care of both of us. Obviously I did not have the emotional fitness or the riding ability to handle Lady.

Since then Lady hasn't been ridden a great deal. A friend rode lady off and on over a 2-3 year period, but my friend mostly had negative things to say, "Lady is lame in one of her hind legs," "her back is to long - she is prone to back problems," "she spaces out and you can't trust her when she is like that," etc., etc. Along with all Lady's "problems", I lacked confidence. It was not helped by my friends or by instructors of clinics that I attended. I was always told what I was doing wrong - I received very little - if any - positive feedback about me or my horse. Even though I told myself I didn't believe these people, there was always the thought in the back of my mind that I didn't measure up - that I could never get it right - that they were right. Maybe I should find good homes for my horses and sell them.

So after a trailer loading incident with my older mare, and I couldn't ride her because of an injury, I was really coming to the conclusion that I just wasn't fit to own a horse - nor should I have the privilege of owning one. BUT - I love the horses dearly - they certainly couldn't find a better more loving home than they had.

Well, I decided the Rashid Clinic would be a 'new start' for me. I had ridden a friend's mare that was a "confidence builder" about 3 times several months before the clinic - but

Other than that, I hadn't ridden for a year, and Lady hadn't been ridden for close to a year, not even a saddle on her back. GULP! Should I take her to the Clinic???!!!

When it was my turn with Mark, I was so scared, I could hardly talk!!! He was soooo kind and patient. He took Lady so I could have a chance to breath - but he did it in such a way that I didn't feel like he made an issue out of the fact that I was scared beyond all belief. He realized that Lady and I couldn't do anything as long as I was so tense. He still didn't make an issue, force, or even ask me to do anything. He let Lady run, buck, fart, kick. He just stood and watched herÖ.very calm, very quiet. This got her attention - what in the world is this guy doing??? She had to check this outÖbefore we knew what had happened, she 'joined up' with Mark, and was just so happy to find a friend. Nothing more was asked/required of me that day. (Thank God!! I actually began to breath!) Mark did suggest that I might cut back on special grain and feed all grass hay (rather than the part grass-part alfalfa I was feeding) because the grain and alfalfa gave her energy she didn't need. (I made a mental note of how much money I would save by taking her off the grain!)

After the clinic that afternoon, Mark very gently began telling me that he saw nothing in Lady that should make me concerned - what a nice horse she was, etc., etc. Then he asked me if I was going to be OK the next dayÖthat he thought everything would be fine - I would do fine - Very politely and gently he encouraged meÖI could have hugged him!!! (But didn't.) I was so encouraged and EXCITED!!! I had so much respect for his ability that I resolved that if he suggested that I do a tango on Lady's back, I was sure going to give it a whirl!

On the first day of the clinic the schedule had been set up so that my turn was close to the end of the day - I had all day to dread what might happenÖ.

But on Sunday, just out of the blue, he asked to switch the schedule - I was third!!! Not much time for apprehension to build up. He asked if I was OK - continued to encourage me telling me what a nice horse Lady was - that there was nothing there to be concerned about. He pointed out all the 'positive' things Lady and I had going for usÖnever dwelled on anything that might be construed to be negative. My confidence was returning!!! I ACTUALLY RODE Lady!!! Friends at the Clinic cheered for meÖ they were almost as happy to see me riding Lady, as I was to be riding her!

While I was riding, Mark continued to encourage me. He told me that Lady was trying to do everything I was asking her to doÖsometimes she just didn't understand what I was askingÖI rode Lady at a walk and a trot (which to some of you may not seem like much - but to me - it was WONDERFUL!!!) I just wanted to give Mark a big SQUEEZE (but I didn't). I asked Lady to canter - but I was pretty worried about that - and Lady feeling and sensing my hesitation - also hesitated. So we didn't canter - but we will!!!

Mark had be do some trots to a stop, roll backs, forehand turns, and sidepasses. Lady did them like she had been doing them all her life!! Again, everyone sheered for us! Mark told me how to ask and when I tried, Lady knew what to do, so all I had to do was

sit there. She wasn't an idiot horse!!!

All the time I was in the arena, Mark, in his very quiet, low energy, respectful manner, was reinforcing Lady that she was OK, and was reinforcing me that I was doing just fin and that Lady was trying to do everything I asked of her. He kept assuring me that Lade was a good horse; he could see nothing wrong with her.

So to sum it all up, Mark's quiet, almost laid-back, dirt scuffing, respectful demeanor was just what I needed. He pointed out all the positive things about Lady and me - I wasn't told all the things I was doing wrong. He just very quietly - respectfully - suggested I try doing some things in a different way (Should I hug him now??!! - I wanted to - but didn't!)

After participating in the clinic and after having watched the other riders. I still remember how he emphasized the importance of "how does the horse feel about things" and the importance of considering things from the horse's point of view. Also, he gently nudged us into looking at all the positive things about ourselves and our horses - and when we do that, the things we had pictured, as "negative" would disappear - we wouldn't even remember what they were!

Even a month after the clinic, as I am grooming, riding, playing with Lady, I try to emulate Mark - how he stood, what he did - I want to 'copy' that. And sometimes out of the blue, I will remember something Mark said - that at the time I didn't give a second thought, and I realize the importance of what he said and why he said itÖI have not yet come to a full realization of al he made availableÖto those who had an open heart, open mind, and ears to hear.

Mark could have told me all the things I was doing wrong; any perceived 'bad' things about Lady - but he didn't. I realize that there is nothing wrong with my horse - I just had/have a lot to learn. Some of the things he said I had 'heard' before, but Mark was able to put it into words so that my heart understood. Priceless!!

The clinic was truly a "new beginning" for me - and for Lady. Words just can't express my gratitude to Mark. I was just so excited and grateful, but never did give him a "bear hug"!