Welcome to our home page!
The intent of this site is to promote a mindful approach to working with horses of all breeds and disciplines - for work, pleasure, and competition. Those of us who opt for partnership over dominance demonstrate a willingness to look within and take responsibility for the consequences of our actions rather than blaming the horse for "disobedience." Working with horses mindfully means that while there are principles and guidelines to school by, there are no formulas for making the most appropriate decision at any moment. This requires us to become more compassionate (toward ourselves as well as toward the horse), better educated and skilled in our craft, and to learn to think creatively or outside the box.
For us dressage enthusiasts and competitors, the dressage we practice is the same dressage that is ridden anywhere else, but the way we go about achieving a response from our horses often looks different than traditional methods employed at a typical training facility. As a result, many of us feel isolated within our equestrian communities and find little support in rejecting a cookie-cutter approach to training. Yet we know that only horses that are free of tension can perform according to their unique potential and, like people, enjoy their work.
This site hopes to provide a way for interested horsemen and women to network with other like-minded individuals, both in your back yards and around the world. It offers free and cost-effective resources to help answer your questions and assist you in problem-solving particular issues. There are no membership fees or special requirements. Those connected with this site consist of trainers, amateurs, instructors, clinicians, riders, handlers, and every-day horse owners with a sincere interest in building harmonious and in-depth relationships with horses of all breeds and disciplines.
To help you on your journey and/or to stay connected and engaged with other like-minded horsemen, we have some exciting features and invite you to participate:
~ Terry's BLOG! Observations, insights and problem solving with our equine partners and how our relationships improve when we better understand the nature of the horse, our own inherent qualities, and the functions of the natural world in which we live. Sign up to receive notices whenever a new article is posted, and request a topic for a featured article! Pictures and videos (eventually) included!
~ The Collaborative Clinic was an online discussion forum open to everyone, free of charge. As of early September, 2014, the host website went down. Research into what happened has not yet produced answers, and emails of all of you who signed up were not collected to enable you to be contacted individually about the current dilemma. There is still hope that things will be rectified, but if not, a new site may be created. Thank you for your patience while these issues are being worked out. Meanwhile, you are welcome to post comments on the BLOG, and hopefully that will fill in temporarily for the loss of the forum.
~ In-Depth Articles that provide you with creative ideas and help to answer your questions. Pictures included!
~ Terry Church Clinic Schedule in California and around the United States. A detailed explanation of events with lots of photos gives you a good idea of what happens at each clinic and is included for your information and enjoyment!
~ Clinicians, Trainers and Experienced Horsemen in your state or area.
~ Educational Materials and Games: Some NEW BOOKS are listed this year and games just for fun! to exercise your mind and provide resource tips, including Crossword Puzzles!
~ Place My Horse is an online service that helps you find the appropriate buyer or home for your oftentimes difficult-to-place equine partner, nationwide.
~ Phone Consultations with optional feedback on video: Terry offers phone consultations with the option of receiving comments and feedback on uploaded videos of you and your horse as well. Hour and half-hour time slots available.
~ Online Lessons ~ LIVE! via webcam: Now, in addition to phone consultations and feedback on uploaded riding videos, there is the opportunity to receive live lessons via Skype or other free, two-way live webcam services for students at a distance. For details, please select the red link.
Or browse through the leaf-links in the left side column.
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