Host an Adventure Trail Clinic in your area and
Mark and Dusty will visit the charity of your choice with you.
All you need are 12 people and a place to trail ride, then call to schedule!
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO TRUST A HORSE WITH YOUR LIFE?
Mark Peterson will show you. He calls it “horse leadership”. When you meet Mark and Dusty, you will see it for real.
“Horse Leadership” with Mark Peterson, owner of Dusty, the amazing horse, is a practicum in horse communication and confidence building for horse and rider. Mark's easy teaching style provides gaited horse riders with practical, "I can use this today" instruction. Mark’s principles can be applied in any riding situation. Unlike some clinicians, Mark Peterson emphasizes methods that will truly make you your horse’s leader and keep you safe on the trail. The two day Trail Horse Leadership program is for equestrians involved in:
• Trail riding for pleasure
• Adventure horse riding
• Endurance competitions
• The Three Phase Event for gaited horses
• Backcountry horsemen
Mark, a wildlife behaviorist, tracker, and cameraman, has over 30 years of experience working with animals and nature. He personally took up gaited riding several years ago to traverse the long distances in the wilderness more easily. Relying on his knowledge of animal behavior, Mark taught Dusty, a Rocky Mountain horse, to communicate with him, moving their interaction to a remarkable new and higher level. Dusty learned to trust Mark with his life, and Mark trusts Dusty with his.
Dusty is physically tough and superbly conditioned. He responds eagerly to verbal commands as well as leg, seat, and hand aids. Dusty does not refuse new obstacles or fear wild animals. He gaits, canters, jumps, and even tracks dangerous game, as requested. As tough as Dusty is, his demeanor is calm, gentle and responsive, especially when he travels to a venue where he interacts with children. Rob Parker, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Corporate says: "Dusty and Mark are an amazing team. Together they created an experience for our children and families that they will never, ever forget. Everyone wants to know when Dusty can come back for another visit."
Mark Peterson’s Adventure Clinic training will succeed where others have failed. This curriculum will teach you how to be your horse’s leader and to safely traverse difficult terrain and challenging situations:
• “Breaking the language barrier” - making you the true leader through a softer, gentler control
• Principles and psychology of saddling/equipment - keeping your horse calm before the ride
• Balance in the saddle - to keep centered for your horses balance and footing
• Flexibility, conditioning, and calming on the trail - to improve the ride for you and your horse
• Collection and head carriage - and the importance of leg, seat, and hand aids
• Controlling the gaits – alone and with other horses (walking)
• Traversing various terrains - safely under varying conditions
• Emergency techniques - to control your horse’s feet in bad situations
• Accepting and completing natural and man-made obstacles - on cue (side-passing, turns, etc.)
• Jumping your horse - on the trail, correctly and only on cue
• Cantering - without sacrificing the gait
• Trailering and traveling - tips for transporting your horse safely and comfortably no matter the distance
"With increased communication
and trail skills, we hope to educate the horse owner so that all
horses have less stress and enjoy their time spent with their human
friends." Mark Peterson
