Join others for a great start at Black River Ranch in Oakville, WA this summer!
Susan is a 1994 John Lyons graduate and has years of experience in many fields of horsemanship with most breeds of horses. If you and your horse are ready to get started or ready to make a change, come join experienced, knowledgeable, horsemanship in a friendly, understanding atmosphere.
The clinic environment is set on the middle tier of the property surrounded by the view of the hills and trees. A natural clay based arena and pens for your horses are set up here.
Clinic Photos
Young Horse - Ground School - Three Day
This is your clean slate! Create the kind of relationship you want for a lifetime.
Halter training, leading, handling feet, grooming, tying, crossing obstacles and more.
Mares with foals - 4 mo. and up, weanlings and yearlings.
If you own a two-year-old with little to no training, you are welcome to start here too.
*Please note that the very young horses can only withstand short periods of work/interaction at a time.
Unbroke Horse - Five Day
This clinic is for horses that have never been saddled, bridled or ridden in any way.
Not halter broke, halter broke or ground work complete... we'll start where you are,
help fill in any holes in your horses current training and get you ready for your first rides!
Somewhat Started - Five Day
This is my most commonly encountered horse scenario.
The owner, a friend or trainer has done some work with the horse,
but no one wants to ride it... usually for good reasons!
I will evaluate each horse and start you on the appropriate exercises
to complete your horses start and give you the tools to have the confidence to ride your horse safely.
Problem Behavior - Five Day
I would not have enough room on a page to list all of the behaviors with our horses that get us into trouble!
If you're looking at this clinic, you know why you’re here. I truly enjoy this type of work, it's very rewarding getting
problems resolved for both the horse and the owner. This is a very in depth process that you will enter with your horse.
I will evaluate physical, emotional and mental aspects of your horse in relation to their behavior.
I will evaluate your saddle and tack. I will categorize your horse into Passive, Aggressive or Passive Aggressive traits.
I am not a veterinarian, farrier or nutritionist, but have the experience and ability to recognize some common problems that
may necessitate the use of other equine professionals in these areas. After a thorough evaluation, we will proceed with teaching
you how to work with and through the behavioral issues you are having with your horse.
**If you have an extremely dangerous horse you need to make arrangements through our office for private consultation and work.
**If you have a highly visible stallion or athlete please call the office.
Susan has worked with several high profile horses and the work was kept very private and discreet.
Trailer Loading Training - Four Day
If you have a horse this is probably the most important thing it should know how to do and do safely.
Some of the most dangerous horse/human situations I have witnessed have happened in or around the horse trailer.
I have been involved in many emergency situations where the owners wished they had made trailer training
a priority, for their horses sake. This is another aspect of horse training I really enjoy.
This was one of the reasons that I met John Lyons. Bring your truck, trailer and horse for four intense days
of horse training. Most loading issues are connected to leading issues. Our work will begin in the round pen
and progress to the trailer.
**You need to be able to get your horse here uninjured so that you are able to participate in the clinic.
You can contact our office for availability for Susan to load your horse to participate in the clinic for an additional charge.
Stallion Management - Three Day
Susan with "Jack" a five-year-old Clydesdale Stallion that she trained to lead without a halter and chain in Utah
Since 1991 I have owned, shown and had as my clinic partner, a quarter horse stallion.
Over the years I have had and managed three to four quarter horse stallions at our ranch
along with the stallions that came in for training and showing.
I appreciate and respect the power and magnificence of stallions and have good understanding
and knowledge of their behavior. With appreciation, respect and understanding I have enjoyed
and been successful in working with and handling them. This is your chance to get some clinic
experience for your stallion. This clinic is designed for those who are having "normal"
behavioral issues with their stallions - calling, pushing, biting, etc. Most stallion owners
need assistance with the "attention" issue when out in public with their stallions.
This clinic is limited to five stallions for safety issues. You will receive lots of personal
attention and our end goal will be some safe group riding or ground work.
**If you have a stallion with dangerous behaviors, you need to make arrangements through our
office for private consultation and training.
Performance Horse Help! - 5 Day
This clinic is designed to help performance horses and their owners with the sometimes stressful environment
of the performance horse world. This is for any performance discipline. Nervousness, spooky, high - headed,
rushing/rating speed etc. You will learn specific exercises to deal with these behaviors as well as the
importance of consistency & routine for a more relaxed and productive performance.
For clinic dates please check our clinic schedule.
Specialized clinics fill fast, reserve your spot today!