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You are here: Home / horse training / Horsemanship Camps

Horsemanship Camps

April 21, 2010 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ 8 Comments

Zach picking up a soft feel on Gump.

If you’ve ever wanted to develop a stronger bond with your horse, learn how he thinks, how he operates, get him more broke, feel safer on the trails, or refine the things you already do with your horse, you should absolutely come visit us for either a clinic or a camp!

Zach and I have tossed this idea around for a couple years now and we’ve kinda decided it’s best to just jump in feet first, and see how it all comes out. Both of us strongly believe that horses make the world a better place. There’s a reason that boy’s ranches and many forms of therapies for troubled kids, or autistic, mentally and physically challenged kids’ programs surround themselves with horses. Same with some prisons that use horses as a rehabilitative method. They’re good for the soul. They’re good for you mentally (and physically- they say you can burn 700 calories an hour just grooming a horse), and if you learn to apply correct horsemanship to your life, your life will be better, and you’ll have less knots in your back. At least that is true for me.

All of the principles I learned/reviewed and got better at, while at the Buck Brannaman clinic, work with people as well. In fact one of Buck’s sayings is “Horses and life- it’s all the same to me”. The basic premise is this: make the right thing easy, and the wrong thing difficult. You treat the horse how you want it to be. NOT how it is at that moment. It’s about shaping the situations to get the desired outcomes, not punishing the horse (or kid) when they screw up. That’s not to say there aren’t consequences. Because undoubtedly there are- but for a horse, at least, you shouldn’t ever punish them. They’re not a human. We apply anthropomorphic traits to them, when what we should do is learn how a horse reacts, behaves and responds in any given situation. We need to think like a horse thinks. Help him search for the answer and release the pressure when he finds it. Simple, right?

Ty on Chachi

In theory, yes. But not so much in application. People often get mad at the horse when he doesn’t do what they want. Or assume he doesn’t want to do what they want him to do- which isn’t the case. EVER. What we should do is be mad at ourselves for not really communicating with him the best we can. And that’s what we’re going to endeavor to teach some budding horsemen in the coming months, and hopefully years. That the horse’s shortcomings, are simply our shortcomings. Between myself and Zach we have something like 45+ years of combined experience along with 20+ years riding/training/coaching the public.

At this time, the camps/clinics are all going to be set up on a first come, first serve basis and they’ll be custom designed for each individual or group.

Have a group of friends and you want to come learn something? We can do that!

Want to learn how to solve buddy sour or barn sourness? We can do that!

Want to learn to rope, run barrels, tie goats, or simply ride better? We can do that!

Want to learn to start a colt? We can do that!

Need us to come to your facility to do a couple day clinic? We can do that!

Here’s more details:

We are not taking any kids under the age of 8 for anything under a half day (4 hours) of riding.
The only facilities we have for camping, are either you bring your own camper/trailer/tent/ or you stay in our guest bedroom. However, we are located 15 minutes west from Bob’s Resort where they have a motel.
We are happy to keep your horses here.
Rates for individuals are as follows: $35/hour; $175/day (for as long as you can handle); $300 for two full days. If you have a group or want a week-long rate, please contact us here and we’ll see what we can set up. We ranch for a living, so riding horses is what we do on a daily basis. Can’t get free on a weekend? We can see you during the week!

We hope to hear from you soon! We look forward to helping you on your horsemanship journey!

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Filed Under: horse training, Horsemanship, horses Tagged With: Horsemanship, horses, life

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

Give your horse or dog, or cat the gift of mobility.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mandie says

    April 21, 2010 at 9:41 am

    WOW what a great endevor for y’all. I will pray it all works out great for ya:) Can’t wait to see posts about how it goes. I am sure it will be great!!!!

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    • ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ says

      April 21, 2010 at 9:25 pm

      Thanks, Mandie!

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  2. Weekend Cowgirl says

    April 21, 2010 at 9:55 am

    How much fun is that? I think it is a great idea!

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  3. April says

    April 21, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    Your blogs are nothing short of amazing. I not only enjoy reading them, but I enjoy learing some new things from them. Thanks for taking the time to share your life with the world. You may, or may not know, what kind of an impact you have on other people. Your clinics sound like they would really help people. I wish you all the best 🙂

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    • ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ says

      April 21, 2010 at 9:26 pm

      Thanks, April! That really means a lot! If you’re ever up this way, come visit! And I hope I’ll make it to another Cobra Barrel race next time in Texas!

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      • April says

        April 22, 2010 at 8:04 am

        If I’m up that way, I’d sure love to! The ranch sounds phenomenal, and the horses sound even better! So many people have Studs that you can’t even stand being around. I love that the Studs there are Working Studs as well as Producing Studs. I can’t wait for the posts when you start working Dolce!

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  4. Heather says

    April 22, 2010 at 12:21 am

    I really hopes it works out for yall, that would really help with the finances.

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