"EASY RIDER"

TRAINING FOR TRAIL RIDING

PASO & NATURALLY GAITED HORSE

WEEKEND WORKSHOP 

2008

Two fun filled days

of learning and riding 

“Horse Handling-Horse Sense”

“Sit-Down Equitation” &

“Synergistic-Synchronistic Riding”

 

with

DON WEST

"America’s Original Trail Riding Clinician"

Your Learning Leader for Equine Adventure

specializing in paso and naturally gaited horses

“the candle of life burns brightest in the winds of adventure” D.W.

"Saddle Up —Let’s Ride!" Don West

Dear website browser,

As an equine speaker/clinician, performing at horse fairs and expos all around the country, I've been regularly afforded the opportunity to talk with many paso and naturally gaited horse enthusiasts. I've been told, over and over again, that they like what they hear me saying and see me demonstrating, and are anxious to learn the basics of paso and gaited horse  horsemanship...what I call: "Horse Handling-Horse Sense", "Sit Down Equitation", and "Synergistic- Synchronistic Riding".  I've been a full time professional horseman; breeder, trainer, teacher, clinician, and equine product designer for over thirty years. For the past twenty seven years I've specialized in paso and naturally gaited horses. I believe that I'm not being immodest when I say that I have acquired the knowledge (through the seat of my pants, in the school of hard knocks) that many folks, new to gaited trail horses, are looking for. And, I'm willing and able to share that knowledge with my fellow horsemen and horsewomen, when given the opportunity to do so.  

However, to "make it happen", in the form of a Weekend Workshop, I do need the help of a contact person at each location to act as a workshop organizer and host. Once again this year I'm reminding the various gaited horse breed organization administrators about my services. If you're interested in what I have to offer, and haven't heard about me through your breed registry or gaited horse club, perhaps you should ask them why?  Even though the majority of gaited horse owners are "just pleasure-trail riders", the breed organizations tend to spend most of their energy on matters that make them the most money...namely "the show". However, what people want, and what keeps them interested and involved in "their breed" is education!

So, let's work together to educate new (and some not so new) gaited horse riders to the wonderful world of paso and naturally gaited horses. Using my straight forward, no nonsense, easy to understand "Horse Handling- Horse Sense" training for trail riding methods, they'll be safer, and better able to relax and enjoy their horses. And, their horses will enjoy being ridden better.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Why don't you, or someone you know host an Easy-Rider Weekend Workshop in your area?                    Saddle up-- Let's ride! Don West

Old Chinese proverb says: 

"When the students are ready, 

the master appears.      

When the master is ready, 

the students appear."

Well, I'm ready!

 

Here's a letter I've sent to all the paso & naturally gaited horse organizations. If you don't hear about me from them, please let them hear from you.

 Dear paso or naturally gaited horse breed administrator,

My name is Don West. I am a professional horseman; breeder, trainer, clinician, teacher, writer, promoter, and equine product designer. I own and operate West Gait Equine Learning Center, near Fruita, in far Western Colorado, where I teach people how to handle, ride, and train paso and naturally gaited horses. I've been breeding horses for over thirty years. Most of that time I bred pure blooded Peruvian Paso Horses, but for the past eight years I've been producing an outcross, my own breed I call Paso Pleasure Horses (Mt. Pleasure Horse top/ Peruvian Paso bottom), a horse that is: “Beautiful to behold, smooth to ride, and easy to handle”. I am also the co-owner, product designer, and field tester for Have Saddle-Will Travel, Inc., Innovative Outfitter for people who were “Born to Ride”. Please check out my web site.   

Over the past fifteen years I’ve been a speaker/clinician at every major horse fair and horse expo in this country (and Canada), many of them numerous times. After giving my presentations, people usually gather at my booth to ask me questions and/or get autographed copies of my books. One of the most often asked question is: “When are you going to do a workshop in my area?” These people are hungry for straight forward, no nonsense, easy to understand, training for trail riding information. They want hands-on, in the saddle instruction from someone who can show them, as well as tell them. My challenge has been to find a way to accommodate them.  

As I'm sure you already know, pleasure-trail riding is the fastest growing segment of the equine industry today. More and more people are coming to horses, or coming back to horses, later in life. They're motivated by the desire to connect with things that they find missing in our man made, sterile, mass produced society. They’re serious students! And, they want to become proficient pleasure-trail rides. Many of them are (wisely) selecting paso or naturally gaited horses…my specialty. At the same time, many of them are apprehensive, even fearful of "doing it wrong", or getting hurt. In me they recognize someone who has both the age and the experience to be able to understand their concerns and help them overcome their fears, as well as gain the knowledge and develop the skills they need to achieve their goals.

I can help these people! But, to do this, I really need your help! First, check out my web site and see the programs I offer. If your organization can find a person to host a Don West Weekend Workshop, or if you can get three members to sign up for a Five Day Training for Trail Riding Intensive, I will donate a Don West “Signature Series” Training-Trail Saddle (retail $1,399) to your organization, to be given away as an award. Interested?  Call me, or have someone call me to discuss the details (970-858-7739). Happy trails, Don West

Here's a sample outline for a

Don West

Easy-Rider

Training For Trail Riding

Paso and Naturally Gaited Horse

Weekend Workshop!

öööööööööööö

Paso and naturally gaited horses are “just horses”, that’s true. But ours are very special horses, with a special way of going, a four-beat (paca paca) gait that sets them apart from the more common walk, trot, canter horses. Understanding how to handle and ride these four-beat gaited horses in a way that maximizes their natural ability will bring extra pleasure and pride to their rider-owners, and I believe, to the horses as well.

Our wonderful paso and naturally gaited horses are bred to be willing, and able to please. But they are also sensitive (and often frightened and/or confused) partners. To achieve the relationship we desire, a working partnership in which we are the benevolent master, and they are our willing servant, we must recognize that we are (supposed to be) the brains... they are the brawn. If both parties do their job right, with one gently leading and the other gracefully following, the result can be like a beautiful dance!

A little knowledge, practice, patience, and perseverance on the part of the rider can go a long way toward achieving this satisfying (spiritual?) partnership. I welcome you to my world of; "Horse Handling-Horse Sense", “Sit-Down Equitation”, and  "Synergistic-Synchronistic Riding"...an Easy-Rider Weekend Workshop.  

“SADDLE UP — LET’S RIDE!”

Happy trails, Don West

 

Weekend Workshop Agenda

öööööööööööö

Session #1: Howdy Pard'ners!           Introductions and Expectations.

Introductions: Who are we? Where do we come from?

Expectations: Why are we here? What do we want to learn?

Schedule for the day: What are we going to do?

Safety: First, Last, and Foremost!

Don’s 3 most important rules for a successful seminar.

1) We don't get hurt. 2) Our horses don't get hurt. 3) We have fun!

What makes Naturally Gaited Horses so special? Gait! Gait! Gait!

What is gait? 4-beat  gait: lateral and diagonal.

“Gaited horses go paca, paca, a sure cure for the trots!” Don West

PASO (Substitute your breed) TERMINOLOGY

Paso llano, Overreach, Sobreandando, Lift, Huachano, Termino, Paso Trote, Paso Fino, Trocha, Paso Largo, Pisos, Paso Corto, Thread

Session #2   Horse Handling-Horse Sense™ -- The Basic Building Blocks of Horsemanship.

Setting Training Goals and Objectives:

“Don’t play "not to lose" — play to win; know your outcome before you begin!” Don West

1. Create a vision. 2. Formulate a plan. 3.Take it step by step, one step at a time.

Start with first things first. Evaluate your progress as you go. If something isn't working — back up a few steps and try something else.

"It’s better to do too little than too much! Always quit while you are ahead. End each session on a good note. Celebrate your successes. Contemplate your failures.” Don West

Don’s Seven C's of Horsemanship:

1.Comfort, 2.Capitulation, 3.Confidence, 4.Cooperation, 5.Coordination, 6.Conditioning, 7.Collection

A comfortable horse is a happy horse, and a happy horse makes for a happy rider!” Don West

Session #3:  Catching, haltering, and grooming

“Every time you touch your horse — you teach your horse.” Don West

Catching and haltering

Tying up your horse.

Grooming: "No hoof...no horse! Start from the ground up!

Hoof handling and examination: Cleaning, Trimming, Shoeing

Daily grooming

Clipper work

Back Palpation and Evaluation

Horse Health Basics: things every horse owner should know how to do

Pulse and respiration, Taking Temperature, Giving shots, Worming,

Record keeping

Session #4 Halter work and Ground training: learners get your horses!

"Learn to use finesse — instead of force... patience and perseverance — instead of pain and punishment.” Don West

Learning the technique of "take, tug, and release" on the lead line.

Getting started with young horses

Working along the rail: (Putting a WHOA! on your horse). Have them work at your shoulder

Lounging and working on the pole

Respect and presentation

Conformation

Session #5: Handling the Reins — Hands On Learning

"If your a rider, your a trainer. Every time you rein your horse — you train your horse." Don West

Using the "take, tug, and release" technique in bosal, four reins, and "straight up" in the bit.

Session #6   Saddle Fit Clinic

“At the heart of every good saddle is a good fitting saddle tree. A comfortable saddle makes for a comfortable horse. A comfortable horse is a happy horse, and a happy horse makes for a happy rider" D.W.

How should a saddle fit?

How does saddle fit effect equitation?

How about: South American saddles?

McClellan, Western, English, Australian?

What’s the right saddle for today’s naturally gaited pleasure-trail horse and rider?

Tack:                                                                            "To ride a horse well you have to have good tack (and tact)". D.W.

Halters and lead ropes

Bosal: What kind? Why? How long do I use it?

Head stalls (or bridles) and reins

Cinches and breast collars

Cruppers

Four reins: How? Why? For how long?

In the bit: Is all this stuff really necessary? You bet!

Session #7: "Horse Handling-Horse Sense"™— and "Synergistic, Synchronistic Riding".

Saddle Up! Let’s Ride!

Saddling your horse

Have your horse stand still as you mount.

Whole body riding:

How to: Stop, Go, Speedup, Slowdown, Backup, Turn on forehand

Turn on hindquarters, Side pass, Lock in gait, Control speed

Develop thread, Changing speed at walk and at gait, Changing leads

Achieve collection

"Your job isn't to make each horse the best,... it's to make the best of each horse." Don West

Riding in balance and harmony, with touch and timing.

"A horse is always getting heavier or lighter. The light horse is the right horse. Light hands make a light/right horse" Don West

Reins (fingers, hands, shoulders, elbows), Seat, Balance, Weight change

Leg aids, Setting the gait (GO SLOW...it's time well spent!)

Bosal horses: (Starting young horses under saddle)

“Reward good behavior — ignore bad behavior!”      Don West

Riding precise patterns to improve the natural gait and collection

Four reins: (An easy transition)

In the bit: (Developing the fine-tuned horse)

Remember a horse is always getting lighter or  heavier.

The light horse is the right horse! Go Right - Go Light

“Luxury-Pleasure” riding (The Rolls Royce of Riding Horses).

An Easy-Rider on an Easy-Riding Horse; one that's

“beautiful to behold, smooth to ride, & easy to handle.” Don West

Individual riding evaluations

Follow me! Games on Horseback.

Grand finale: “The Champagne Class" followed by a

Champagne Party!!!

 

 Books autographed by Don West

Adios amigos and Happy Trails!

 

How To Host A Weekend Workshop

Most people interested in being a workshop host are asking me:

  1. How does it work?

  2.  What does it cost?

First, the workshop host lines up eight to twelve rider/learners, and arranges for a facility. I usually fly in on a Thursday, and spend Friday getting acquainted with the facility. Sometimes I do a Friday evening demonstration/clinic called An Evening With Don West, Training For Trail Riding, the Basic Building Blocks of "Horse Handling- Horse Sense". This is a one and a half to two hour performance, open to the general public.

We start each day's workshop around 9:00 am. We take about an hour and a half off for lunch, and end up around 4:30. We sometimes do a trail ride on Sunday morning, instead of a workshop session, to accommodate those who want to attend church.  Unless I'm booked for private or semi-private sessions on Monday, I usually fly home on Sunday night. I make the arrangements privately with the host for my fee payment, plus room, board, and transportation. The host secures and pays for the facility, and collects the amount being charged to the participants and the auditors. I require a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 to book a date. I'll bring some samples of my Have Saddle-Will Travel products (see my web site www.havesaddlewilltravel.com). The host gets 10% commission on everything that sells during the Weekend Workshop.

If you are interested in being a sponsor/organizer/ host for one of my Evening With Don West seminars and/or an Easy Rider Paso and Gaited Horse Weekend Workshop, e-mail donwest@wic.net or maria@wic.net or call me personally at 970-858-7739.

Happy trails, Don West

 

Dear Weekend Workshop participants,

A heart felt “howdy” from wild and wonderful Western Colorado. First and foremost let me thank you once again for attending one of my Training for Trail Riding, Paso and Naturally Gaited Horse, Easy Rider Weekend Workshops. I also want to give a tip of my big black sombrero to my hosts and hostess', for having the get-up and gumption to pull the clinics (and you) all together. I sincerely hope that as you look back on the time we spent together you’ll find that you took away a few key concepts and training tips that will help you build a synergistic-synchronistic relationship with your horse; one in which you and your horse are working in balance and harmony, and where you are the benevolent master, and your horse is your willing servant. May you dance down the trail to the syncopated rhythm of those paca paca hoof beats… totally tuned in, together!

Remember, a comfortable horse is a happy horse, and a happy horse makes for a happy rider.  Knowing its place in the pecking order makes a horse comfortable.  Not knowing who is in charge makes a horse uncomfortable. Therefore, you must establish, and maintain, a relationship in which the horse recognizes you as above it on the pecking order…in other words, in charge.  Still, you want the horse to be your friend, so, whenever possible, use finesse instead of force and patience and perseverance instead of pain and punishment while working your Horse Handling- Horse Sense magic.

Remember, if you’re a rider, you’re a trainer. Every time you touch your horse – you teach your horse. Every time you rein your horse – you train your horse.  With horses, repetition is the mother of skill, but only if it is right repetition. You are (supposed to be) the brains.  Your horse is the brawn. You can learn to think like a horse, but a horse can’t learn to think like you. Your job (as a rider-trainer) isn’t to make your horse the best – it’s to make the best of your horse.

The right horse is the light horse. Light hands make a light horse. Start with whatever force it takes to get the horse to give to your aids: your hands, seat, legs, balance (weight), and voice. Then, as the horse responds, back off, and use less and less pressure. That is the horse's reward for good behavior! Neither you nor your horse can learn when you are scared, nervous, or angry. So, keep your horse comfortable. As much as possible, reward good behavior – ignore “bad” behavior. Keep your training sessions short. It’s better to do too little than too much. Never get into a fight with your horse that you can’t win. And always end each session on a good note!

If you will follow these few simple rules you will become a "horseman". Remember my definition of success: " You don’t get hurt, your horse doesn’t get hurt, and you’re having fun!" The real joy of riding comes when your having fun, and your horse is having fun too! So, don’t forget that. Be careful out there, but don’t be too serious.   May you always ride a good horse – and may you always ride him (or her) well. Saddle Up – Let’s Ride!

Happy trails, Don West 

 Last Updated: March, 2008

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