Horse training is not just about horsemanship,  it’s about a way of life.

Over the last thirty years and more I have been working with horses.  I’ve explored the methods of other horsemen and their words and techniques have penetrated and broadened my own relationship with horses.  I don’t mind standing in the shade of these inspiring people: Buck Branneman, Emmett Brislawn, Leslie Desmond, Bill Dorrance, Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Pat Parelli, and others. The practice of mindfulness is paying close attention to the present experience, intention and purpose and the awareness and clear comprehension that arises from it.  When I work with mustangs my experience is often spiritual.  I can compare my connection to Spanish Mustangs to Buddhist Vipassana meditation practices. 

For the full course notes a pdf is available here.

Rhiannon working with Red Feather

Tovah working with Nagi

The Little Cayuse Ranch in conjunction with the Spanish Mustang Foundation is hosting Youth Clinics with Robin Doughman.  The Foundation is reaching out to children, the next generation, so they can understand the history and the nature of Spanish Mustang horses.  The clinics focus on five ground work maneuvers with a rope that build communication skills and provide a safe environment for the child and horse.  Leadership capabilities are developed when the child achieves mastery of these core skills:

• Leading
• Backing
• Turning the front end
• Disengaging the hind quarters
• Moving the shoulders

The  clinic held at the Little Cayuse Ranch where the children had the opportunity to ride brought about a deeper connection and partnership between rider and horse.  The connection between the horse and its partner reveals the healing power of horses.  Horsemanship based on natural partnerships is a technique with many rewards, building confidence and patience that leads to self worth. 

Quotes from students: Lillawah Andes  age 11

I love the horses and people at the Spanish Mustang Foundation.  All my experiences with them have been wonderful.  I worked with a mare named Nahpi and she is a bay Spanish Mustang.  She is sweet, willing to work, and well-tempered.  Robin is a very nice and gifted man and all the horses love him. I am grateful that the Foundation let me work with their great horses and people and appreciate it very much.

Rhiannon Doughman age 15

I love the Spanish Mustang Foundation because it gives me an opportunity to work with horses more often. It also gives me a chance to practice what I already know, but still learn new techniques with the horses and the rope.  It’s a wonderful, fun, and educating program for all ages.  Another reason I love it so much is that I get a chance to work with my grandfather (Papa as I call him) on something we both enjoy very much. 

SO A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH THE SPANISH MUSTANG FOUNDATION

We will be holding clinics with Robin Doughman in the fall of 2010, for more information about Robin’s clinics at the Little Cayuse ranch please contact us.

E-mail for more information: donnamitchell