Equine Clinics   

Learn the training essentials required for communication, trust, respect and leadership between trainer and horse through foundational exercises. Beginning with an introduction to the principles of groundwork, emphasizing the importance of communication, trust, and respect between horse and handler. Participants will be guided through various groundwork exercises that enhance the horse's responsiveness and obedience. These exercises can include leading, longeing, and desensitization techniques, aimed at teaching horses to move away from pressure, follow cues, and develop a balanced movement.

Clinician, Damian Ficca, will demonstrate techniques and provide hands-on guidance, allowing participants to practice the activities while receiving feedback. The clinic will cover the significance of body language, positioning, and the use of consistent cues to establish effective communication.

Throughout the clinic, there will be opportunities for participants to ask questions, share experiences, and address specific training challenges they face with their horses. The overall goal is to equip handlers with the skills and knowledge to implement effective groundwork techniques, leading to safer and more enjoyable interactions with their horses.

Saddle Fitting Clinic participants will learn:

• History of the Saddle
• Types of Saddle - Both English and Western
• Saddle Parts and Construction
• Saddle Tree Variations
• The Role of Horse Conformation in Fitting
• Saddle Tracing
• Rigging, Stirrups, Blankets and Pads

All books and materials for the clinic are included in the registration. Each participant completing the clinic will receive a certificate and be a certified saddle fitter.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own saddles if they wish. Time will be spent evaluating the suitability and fit of each saddle.

The Spanish California/Nevada horse training method teaches to the mind of the horse.  The tradition is over 2,000 years old and was learned by the elders who watched the horses in the wild and brought the way the horses communicated to each other into a training method.  Come to the clinic to see how this foundation is still used today to train the horse.  Damian Ficca, lead instructor in the ACC Equine program will demonstrate the method and be on hand to answer questions.