Beginning Level 1 -- July 19-20, 2008  Bowlus, Minnesota      

By:  Cindy G.

I went down to the barn this morning to check on my horse. We had a long weekend at a clinic and I wanted to be sure he was OK. I found a different horse! Oh sure, he was physically the same- still my beautiful palomino Morgan - but he was eager to see me and be with me. This was something that he had never done, in the eight years I have owned him.

A two day level one groundplay clinic with Nita Jo Rush has changed both of us. We are learning to communicate in a meaningful way. We are beginning to understand one another. I am learning "how to ask" and how to receive a "yes ma'am" answer from my horse. We are both learning and gaining confidence in ourselves and each other. Spending time with my horse is no longer playing a game of "catch me if you can" and "what can we be afraid of today".

We have a lot of practice and playing to do. I have to make this new knowledge a habit - something that will be a part of me, not just something I've read or learned. My horse and I will have a trustworthy partnership that will give us the best we have to offer each other.