Equestrian Rides, Texas

Located in the heart of the beautiful Texas hill country near Bandera, the Equestrian Lodge offers first-class accommodations and quality riding clinics!
The lodge lies on the northeast boundary of the Hill Country State Natural Area - a 5,400 acre primitive area, which boasts two live streams and 35 plus miles of riding and hiking trails. An ideal place for horseback riders as well as a peaceful retreat for bird-watchers and nature-lovers of all types.
The Equestrian Lodge features specialized instructions in its equestrian facilities, offering private and group instruction to it's guests, in such disciplines as Western Horsemanship, English Equitation, Reining, Cutting, Dressage, and Combined Training.
The purpose of the Whole Horsemanship Clinic is to provide an overall understanding of the effective horsemanship process, thus providing a framework over which the student may continue to develop their skill as horsemen and women.
The riding clinic can be applied to either Western or English disciplines, and include study and practice of the following topics: Psychology of the horse and the rider's place in it. Developing trust and respect between horse and rider. Developing a "Good Seat". Balance, relaxation, posture, and proper biomechanics for the rider. Developing "In Frame" movement in the horse. Balance, flexion, collection, and relaxation. How to use proper cues to accomplish the desired result. Applying the above principles to specific disciplines and events.
Riders of any skill level will benefit from this in-depth study of the fundamentals of effective riding and horsemanship. (Only riders of like skill level are taught together.) A maximum student to teacher ratio of 2 to 1 insures ample personal attention.The clinics typically include 2 hours of instruction and 2 hours of trail riding per full day, and a 2-hour instructional session the morning of guests’ departure. Schedules are modified to meet the needs of the participants and seasonal weather conditions.

+1 604-323-1141

Itinerary / Highlights

Topics of study include:

* Psychology and ground work. The basis for effective communication.
* Developing a non-interfering, balanced seat, effective cueing.
* Developing balanced, athletic movement in the horse.
* Applying the above principals to specific disciplines and events.

Whole Horsemanship Clinics are appropriate for riders of all ages. Clinics are offered in either Western or English style, and the principals taught can be applied to all disciplines. Riders of any skill level will benefit from this in-depth study of the fundamentals of effective riding and horsemanship. (Only riders of like skill level are taught together.) A maximum student to teacher ratio of 2 to 1 insures ample personal attention.

Whole Horsemanship Clinics typically include 2 hours of instruction and 2 hours of trail riding Monday through Thursday, with an optional 2-hour instructional session the morning of guests’ departure, (Friday), available for purchase on site for $120.00. Schedules are modified to meet the needs of the participants and seasonal weather conditions.
The purpose of the Whole Horsemanship Clinic is to provide an overall understanding of the effective horsemanship process, thus providing a framework over which the student may continue to develop their skill as horsemen and women. It may be taught in the following disciplines and skill levels:

Western- Western Horsemanship, Reining, Trail, Bridleless - Beginner through Advanced
Hunt Seat and English Equitation - Beginner through Advanced
Dressage- Training through Level 2
Jumping Disciplines up to 3 feet
Eventing through Novice Level (3 feet, 3 inches)


6-Day Sample Whole Horsemanship Clinic Outline

Day 1 - Sunday evening arrival of participants. Please arrive between 4PM and 9PM, unless special arrangements have been made with the ranch. Guests may relax, hike, enjoy the pool and other ranch amenities. Guests may arrive having already eaten dinner that evening, or may drive to Bandera to enjoy one of the local restaurants.

Day 2 - Monday, 8AM- Guests are encouraged to meet ranch staff members at the barn to assist in feeding and care of the horses, then return to their accommodations to enjoy breakfast at their leisure.
9:30AM- Instructional Session- Barn- Ground Work and Psychology. Topics and exercises include:
• Participants’ prior horsemanship experience. Choice of appropriate horse for each rider.
• Equine psychology, herd dynamics, and the leadership role of the rider/ handler.
• Effective human-to-horse communication via body language, breath, and energy.
• How to recognize and use the language of equus.
• Recognizing balanced, athletic movement in the horse.
• Effective handling of the horse on the ground to provide safety, as well as to promote balanced, athletic movement in the horse.
• Ground exercises to develop the horse's athleticism
12 Noon- Lunch at ranch house
Afternoon Session- Groom, tack-up, and trail ride. Free time for relaxing, swimming at the pool, enjoying the hot tub, tubing or kayaking in the Medina River, or shopping in nearby Bandera. Massages and facials are also available for an additional fee.
7PM- Dinner at ranch house.

Day 3 - Tuesday, 8AM- Feeding and care of horses at the barn, followed by breakfast in guests’ accommodations.
9:30AM- Instructional Session- Barn- The Rider’s Body: Developing a balanced, non-interfering seat. Balance Ball, mirror, imagery, and other exercises incorporating fundamentals of Centered Riding, and other techniques, followed by a mounted lounge line lesson.
12 Noon. Lunch at Ranch House.
Afternoon Session- Groom, tack-up, and trail ride, followed by free time as described on Day 2.
7PM- Dinner at ranch house.

Day 4 - Wednesday, 8AM- Feeding and care of horses at the barn, followed by breakfast in guests’ accommodations.
9:30AM- Instructional Session- Barn. The Rider’s Body review. Establishing a balanced, non-interfering seat first, then adding appropriate aids and cues to properly aid the horse in executing skills and maneuvers in a balanced, athletic way. Introduction of vertical collection, lateral flexion, proper use of rider’s hands. Identifying different types of maneuvers. Planning for, preparing for, and positioning the horse to successfully execute those maneuvers or skills.
12 Noon- Lunch at ranch house.
Afternoon Session- Groom, tack-up, and trail ride, followed by free time as described on Day 2.
6:30PM- Depart for dinner and country-western dancing in Bandera.

Day 5 -Thursday, 8AM- Feeding and care of horses at the barn, followed by breakfast in guests’ accommodations.
9AM- Instructional Session- Barn. Practice of principals learned thus far. Incorporating pieces of information into one image and feeling. Applying Whole Horsemanship to specific disciplines or events. Mapping a plan for the students to continue developing their horsemanship skills.
12 Noon Lunch at Ranch House. Afternoon Trail ride of 2 hours, followed by free time.
7 PM. Dinner at Ranch House.

Day 6 - Friday, 8AM- Feeding and care of horses at the barn, followed by breakfast in guests. accommodations.
9AM- Optional additional 2-hour instructional session, incorporating and practicing techniques studied thus far.
Guests prepare to depart. Lunch may be provided for $12 per person upon request.

When the clinic is extended to more days, more advanced skills or maneuvers are introduced and practiced, and/ or specific disciplines are addressed, depending upon the students’ needs and requests.

Program Director/ Head Instructor Dianne Tobin has over 30 years experience training horses, from starting youngsters under saddle, to working through problems of older mounts. She has competed successfully and won high-point awards in Showmanship at Halter, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Reining, Trail, English Pleasure, and English Equitation. She also spent eight years as a successful Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, and has an extensive knowledge of human biomechanics, kinesiology, and mind/body awareness. This knowledge, coupled with her horsemanship experience, gives her a unique perspective on the horse and rider relationship, and a special ability to communicate concepts and ideas to her students.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

First class accommodations are offered in private cabins or luxury suites. The lodge is located on an authentic working guest ranch. An Early Texas/Ranch architectural theme is carried throughout the newly constructed cabins and barn, while the existing historical ranch house provides an operational and thematic centerpiece. Accommodations are strategically nestled among the oaks and perched among the junipers with just enough distance between them to provide guests a sense of privacy without feeling isolated. All are within walking distance fromthe equestrian area, the private park entrance, the cool pool and jacuzzi, and the ranch headquarters.

The private cabins feature bedroom, sunroom (which can be used as a second bedroom), two bathrooms, and a living/kitchen/dining room with cathedral ceiling and 22 foot tall limestone fireplace in the center of the room.
Kitchen is fully equipped, and living room has a sleeper sofa. Private Cabins sleep up to six people.
Luxury Suites feature bedroom, sunroom, (which can be used as a second bedroom), kitchen, (fully equipped), and bathroom. Luxury Suites sleep up to four people.
For the comfort and safety of the guests, lodge interiors are no smoking and pets are not permitted.

Spa Services available in the privacy of your accommodation. Candle-lit dinners in the dining room are also available by reservation.

Meals
The packages include breakfast foods, stocked in your accommodation. All other meals are served in the dining room of the 100 year old ranch house headquarters. Dinners are served by candlelight in the main ranch house. The kitchen is closed on Sundays - no meals provided that day.