Natural Remuda Equine Learning Center 
NEWSLETTER JULY, 2009

CATHY’S CORNER

The pictures above show how high the Sabinal River was in October of last year and how low it was a week ago. We are in a serious drought here in Central Texas. Of course, we are usually in some kind of drought in the summer, but this year we have not had much rain at all, even during the spring or summer. I guess we will all just keep praying for rain!!

Things have been slow in the Clinic business this summer, as they always are. No one wants to get out in the hot weather. And I don’t blame them. But this has been a good thing this year. Jere and I have started a new Ranch Management and Consulting Business and already have two clients. Read about it on page three.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 1, 2009
Intermediate Clinic Natural Remuda Equine Learning Center Utopia, TX
Some ground work and for riders who have intermediate skills. Must be able to trot and canter.
jdmcjohnson@swtexas.net

August 15, 2009
Ground Clinic Natural Remuda Equine Learning Center Utopia, TX
Ground skills only. This is for beginning Natural Horseman
jdmcjohnson@swtexas.net

August 29, 2009
Problem Solving Clinic Natural Remuda Equine Learning Center Utopia, TX
If you are having a problem with your horse, whether riding or on the ground, bring him to this clinic and Jere will give you one on one help.
jdmcjohnson@swtexas.net

September 12 thru November 15, 2009
Apprentice Program, Short Course Natural Remuda Equine Learning Center Utopia, TX
This is the apprentice course that is held on Sat and Sunday, from September thru November. You will learn about behavior and understanding the horse's point of view. You will work with many horses, colts through problem horses.
jdmcjohnson@swtexas.net

October 10, 2009
Booth at the Bluebonnet Horse Expo at Travis County Expo Center in Austin, TX Come and see us at our booth!! Travis County Expo Center, Austin, TX
jdmcjohnson@swtexas.net

November 14, 2009
Natural Horsemanship Association of Texas, show in Starfire Equestrian Center, Celina, TX
Jere will be judging and giving a short demonstration on Natural Horsemanship. This show is well run and a lot of fun. Come on out and watch or show!
jdmcjohnson@swtexas.net

January 5, 2010
Starting a new Apprentice Program Natural Remuda Equine Learning Center Utopia, TX
12 weeks of intensive horse behavior and handling.
jdmcjohnson@swtexas.net 830-966-6119

NEW NEWS

Judging the Starfire Equestrian Center Natural Show at Celina, TX

    All of us folks that do Natural Horsemanship are always complaining that we have no shows to go to. Now, however, there is an organization in Texas that has a series of Natural Horse Shows. Their name is the Natural Horsemanship Association of Texas, NHAT for short. They are based in North Texas and growing every day. Their web site is http://www.nhatx.org/
    Jere judged one of their shows on June 20, 2009 at the Starfire Equestrian Center at Celina, TX, and we were really impressed with what they are doing. The people that came to show were nice and the show was well organized and fun. They had a lot of entries and three judges!
    They have three more shows listed on their web site for the fall, and we encourage you to go show!! In order to show, you have to join their organization and their membership fee is very reasonable. We feel that when something good like this comes along, we all need to support it as much as we can.

Trudy & Kathie

    For all of you who have been wondering what happened to Trudy, our wild horse and our Apprentice Kathie, who owns her. Trudy has had a saddle on twice and seems to be accepting it very well. Kathie is still working with a lot of approach and retreat. Trudy trusts Kathie now, but there is still that thing of when anything new comes along, Trudy thinks something is going to eat her. We think she has probably been saddled before, because she accepted that pretty well. What she doesn’t like is her right stirrup flopping around. Kathie has the patience of Job, which is what you have to have with a horse like this. We feel so glad to have Trudy with Kathie, because heaven only knows what would have happened to that horse with someone else.

Frosti, the Wonder Pony

    We still haven’t found a home for Frost, left, i the Wonder Pony. Maybe someone out there would like to adopt her for a project. She is a red roan pony with white sox and black mane and tail. She is a very nice pony, but she needs a strong leader to start her on her Natural Horsemanship road. If anyone knows anyone who is interested in a project for an older kid who has had some experience, or an older person who is a strong leader, please e-mail me. We will send you pictures and tell you all about her.

Reverse N Diamond Ranch Management Company

    Jere and I have started another business. We call what we are doing Ranch Management . We consult with absentee owners on where to put their barns, buildings, wells and electricity on their new property. We also will arrange for projects to be done and provide on site supervision, so that the owner can go about his daily business life and not have to worry about the projects he is doing. We do security and weather checks periodically. We can also do landscape and livestock work.
    The reason we started this new business, is because we kept having people ask for us to do this for them. There are a lot of absentee owners who just can’t take the time from their business life to do supervision and maintenance of their property.
    So far we have had two ranches sign up with us for some work. This fits very well with our Clinic business, because we can work it during the week.

JERE’S CORNER - WHERE YOUR HORSE IS

This is Bingo at our gate, the welcoming committee!

Do you realize what side of the pen your horse woke up on? How many of you play with your horse where he is? He may have forgotten everything you showed him the day before. Or he may remember it perfectly. So many people don’t realize this, and become frustrated with how their horse is learning.

As horseman, we need to learn to deal with the horse that shows up. Yesterday your horse may have been a confident and willing student, and today he may be unconfident and think he is going to die if he tries what you want him to do. This is where you need to stop and think and adjust your teaching accordingly.

Maybe today we need to slow down and give him comfort and safety. Or maybe he needs approach and retreat at that moment. Or maybe just the opposite. Maybe we need to challenge him as a student or get his feet busy.

As horseman, we need to realize these are living breathing creatures, and that they have feelings too. And we need to remember that they need a strong consistent leader to feel safe and to insure that they can learn.

If you deal with the horse that shows up, you will be teaching the mind, body and spirit of the horse. When we go to where our horse is, we actually are coming UP to his level.

Happy Trails Jere