HARRY WHITNEY Clinic Report

by Elayne

First I want to say, I am sorry it has taken me almost 3 weeks to write this report. As I was the sponsor of the clinic, many hours spent in preparation, and many more hours spent after it was all over just letting go and trying to pick up the busy pieces of my work and farm duties. Plus I feel just a bit inadequate at writing, especially when reading some of the eloquent clinic reports posted here.

This was Harry's third visit to the Wenatchee area. (WenatcheeWashington)

I can say by far it was, not only the best Harry clinic I have attended (5 total), but it was the best clinic I have ever been to. This was not only voiced by me, but many others who attended. Many participates were repeat students, but there were several new faces. Most were pleasure riders, some were new into horses, and one was a cowgirl from Idaho who brought a horse that had never been touched and basically was not even halter broke. Although we came from different geographical locations and professions, we all had one thing in common and that was "how to have a better, more communicative relationship with our horses."

The clinic was held out doors at the Chelan County Fairgrounds, with the Cascade Mountains as the back drop. Many riders and auditors camped right at the grounds, and most evenings we all stayed and ate dinner together. Harry even spent an evening delighting us with rope tricks, and demonstrating a special rein called the "Joanna rein". The man never stops giving. I cannot believe his stamina, he teaches all day and than wants to spend the next couple of hours chatting it up with everyone. He truly is a gift to all of us.

Onward to clinic events. During the 5 day clinic, riders and horses worked on herd bound issues, rider & horse confidence, straightness, ground driving, stopping and backing with a soft feel, round pen work, flagging, groundwork. transitions, self preservation in the horses and humans end the list goes on.

What I would like to talk about, is my experience, with my horse. I know others had equally satisfying and earth moving experiences, but I can only best relate mine.

I have a 2 year old filly that I have raised from a baby. This is not my first foal to raise, but I must say, she is my first real BIG challenge. She was my motivation in buying a round pen, as there were times she would kick and charge me on the end of a lead line. (Now, please try not to make a judgment, as I know it would be easy to say "wow it's so obvious this horse does not respect her''). My filly "Freckles" could be so light and so responsive one minute and the next be charging in at full speed ready to strike or kick. Yes, there was disrespect there, but what was so confusing was other times there appeared to be tremendous respect and lightness. Many have said I am a very brave person, but probably more than that I am blonde!!! :-)

Prior to the clinic I had spoke with Harry several times regarding her behavior and my dilemma as to what to do with her. Of course describing over the phone what was happening is rather lacking in making a good diagnosis of the situation. Harry really needed to see what was happening. Although I believe he had a good idea as to what was going on.

Harry showed me I was not doing enough, and I was late. Meaning, I was not moving her feet enough, and with her outbursts I had resorted to punishing after the outburst (This is hard for me to admit but that is what was happening. Basically I was seeing some progress, but was totally frustrated with trying to follow his advice from over the phone and ignore the kicking at me, so I began taking the opposite approach. I knew this was wrong but was at my wits end, as to what to do with her).

It was decided that initially my boyfriend "John" would work with her under Harry's guidance, as Freckles really had John's number and he was afraid of her. Several months prior to the clinic John and I were taking Freckles and one of our other two years olds out and doing hand walking through the orchards. This helped John's confidence a lot toward Freckles, but there were still those really sticky spots that I was at a loss to help him and myself with.

When Harry turned Freckles into the round pen loose, he got her feet moving, and really gave her no time to even think about coming in to kick or strike. He was decisive and assertive but not aggressive. If she even flicked an ear as to mischieviousness, he was right there asking her to change directions, change speed or both. Soon she was looking to him for the leadership. Note: I would get this look on occasion and when it was there it was wonderful, but it would come and go and there was not a solid base from which to build on. Harry began to build that solid base. I saw a filly transform before my eyes, needless to say it was quite moving, She came into the round pen looking like a baby, she left looking like a soft full smooth grown up horse

Harry explained the challenge, he said, she was so smart, that she thought for the most part she was the director in the production. She really believed that she was directing about 80% of the play. He said she is the kind of horse that boundaries need to be very very clear. Because if I were to give an inch she would be right there to take over. He also said that if we were to get all the try this little girl had working in the right direction, she would do anything for you. This brought tears to my eyes and still does as I type these words on this page. I feel as if I have a diamond in the rough, a jewel that I so much do not want to ruin. It is scary to think of the responsibility I have toward this little girl.

To some who were watching it may have seemed like no big deal, and thinking back on what we worked on, it also seemed like really no big deal. Kinda like thinking "why could I have not figured that out myself" There were no big deals, but it was all the really small things that counted that added up to a big deal. It was the timing and the feel, that needed to be there, it was those really small things that I was missing. As Harry puts it: "There is so much we miss between the rail and where we stand in the middle of the round pen". That is where all the really important stuff lies.

Freckles and I had our second ride during that clinic, and even went on a short trail ride the day after the clinic. She has now been turned out, and I am currently doing just ground work with her, as I wait for her to grow and develop for another year.

John and I learned so much on handling this little girl. I came home after 5 days with a different horse, and I have a different attitude in working with her. Before she was a frustration and a dilemma, now I see her as a jewel. A beautiful baby with so much potential and so much to teach me.

There is probably so much more I could say, but I am not near as good typing as I am flapping my lips, so will close for now Thanks all who read my story.

Elayne

PS Yes, Harry will be returning next year to Wenatchee, and I am hoping we will have him here for 2 weeks!!!