Free demo—open to all—on Friday night at 7pm featuring the gentle and effective methods pioneered by John Lyons. Two full days of riding then follow on Saturday and Sunday! Observers welcome!
This clinic also features a "mini clinic" for green horses on Saturday evening—more info below ...)
Would you like to learn to make big changes in your horse? Invest one weekend to get the horse you've always wanted. Make plans to ride in this clinic now!
What if it rains?
We are covered, so to speak, if it rains. We will plan on using the outdoor arena—but we'll use the covered arena in case of bad weather.
Featuring:
John Lyons Clinicians Keith Hosman and Patrick Benson. (This is not a John or Josh Lyons clinic.)
Where: Mystic Marsh Farm
11840 Sprague Road, Delton, MI 49046—about 45 miles SW of Lansing, 40 miles S of Grand Rapids and 13 miles N of Kalamazoo. See directions below.
Mystic Marsh Farms is owned by Bill and Darla Maybee. It's a small Equestrian Facility in SW Michigan that's been in business for over 20 years. Horse Shows and Clinics are held there year round.
You can contact Mystic Marsh Farms by: • calling 269-623-3878, fax: 888-321-3163 • by emailing
or • visting their website: http://www.mysticmarshfarm.com
When: Friday, June 15 - Sunday, June 17, 2007
Free demo Friday night at 7pm Riding Clinic: Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm
Is this clinic for you?
• Are you starting a horse? • Are you having trouble with a Lyons exercise you read about? • Are you stuck in a training slump?
It's one thing to read about training—it's completely different to see it for yourself, in person. (And waay different to actually do it for yourself.) How do you learn best?
Our Friday night demo features "The Three Most Important Training Concepts You're Ever Ever Gonna Need To Know." Learn how to simplify your training, how to "get your horse's attention" and how the release of your reins can make or break your training.
Our Friday-night program includes one full hour of Q&A. It's your chance to get answers specific to your situation with your horse. Have you got a horse that won't go, won't stop, can't turn or jigs on the trail? Come on out, Friday night at 7!
Our riding clinic begins Saturday and Sunday at 10am. We ride until 4pm, with 1.5 hours for lunch. By breaking down your training procedure into simple steps, we will teach you safe and humane ways to gain your horse's respect and take your riding to the next level. Observers welcome!
Eventers and Dressage riders note: Patrick is an accomplished "English" instructor and can help you find a more natural collection, self-carriage, softness—and more!
To see a description of our riding clinics, click here or follow the button above, "Clinic Description."
Is your horse ready for this clinic?
Horses must be able to "walk and trot in the presence of other horses" - in other words, you don't want to bring a green horse. (Though if that's you, we do offer a mini-clinic for green or bratty horses - read on.) See our "Rider Info" page for more info.
Is your horse too green to ride, but still needs training?
We will be conducting a "mini-clinic" for green horses on Saturday evening (after the riding clinic ends at around 4pm). The program will last 2 hours and will focus on bridle work from the ground. Our goal will be to soften the horses (teaching them to give to the bit), and to gain control over their hips and shoulders. It's an excellent start for any horse (and a vital step that should not be skipped.) The charge is $100 per horse if four people sign up. If three or fewer participate, the charge is $175 per horse. (Clinic observers are encouraged to stay for this at no additional charge—call it a bonus.) You can call Keith directly (213-923-1215) to make arrangments.
Private sessions
Private sessions are available while we're in town. The cost is $175 for the first two hours (which is our minimum) and $75 for each additional hour or "fraction thereof." Please call Keith directly (213-923-1215) to make arrangements.
Boarding fee: Riders are responsible for the cost of boarding their horse during the event. You do not have to board your horse at the facility; you can trailer out each night if you'd like. If you do trailer out each night, there might be a grounds fee—check with the owners regarding this possible charge.
Boarding arrangements must be made directly with the owner of the facility. Please see above for contact info.
All horses entering property MUST have proof of current negative Coggins. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that your horse be current on all shots, including West Niles and Potomac.
Space in this clinic will be limited. Riders, to hold your slot, we must receive a deposit of $100. Please mail your check to: Keith Hosman, PO Box 31, Utopia, TX 78884. The balance is due Saturday morning, during the clinic.
Riders, Please Note
HELMETS WILL BE REQUIRED
Directions
Mystic Marsh Farm is easy traveling distance from Lansing, Holland, Grand Rapids, and Battle Creek, MI at 11840 Sprague Road, Delton, MI 49046.
From Lansing: I-69 south to Charlotte exit (M-79). Turn west on M-79 to M-66, turn south on M-66 and travel around 5 miles to Lacey Road, turning west and traveling Lacey until it T's into M-43. Turn south on M-43, go one mile to Sprague Road, turn west on Sprague one mile to the farm.
For directions from US 131, I-94, or I-96, call Mystic Marsh Farm at 269-623-3878.
For personalized directions from Google click here.
First, read our "Rider Info" page—then let us know you're interested by to drop us an email. You'll need to get a deposit in to hold your place.
Observers
If you'd like to attend this clinic, visit our "Observer Info" page.
Flyers
To view a copy of the flyer (not of print quality) in your browser, click here. For a B&W version that you can print, click here. If you have a slower internet connection, this will take a moment. (You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF document. It's free and if you don't have the program you can get it at adobe.com.)
Space in this clinic is limited. To hold your riding slot, we must receive a non-refundable deposit of $100. The balance is due before we begin riding the first day.
Our mini-clinics book up fast (because they're limited to just 7). There is a $50 deposit to hold your slot in a mini-clinic.
If you would like to guarantee your riding spot with a deposit, (clinics in Florida and California, for instance, tend to fill up), you can either mail a check today or pay online (safely and immediately) through PayPal.
Via snail mail: please make your check payable to Keith Hosman and mail it to PO Box 31, Utopia, TX 78884.
To pay online via PayPal: safe, easy and instant. Simply select the clinic location (below) for either a rider slot or the mini-clinic (or both) then click "Add to Cart."
before
after
It took just two hours for the Lyons methods to really change this horse! For a clinic near you, click here.
Clinic Itinerary
Here's a look at the flow of a typical clinic, with a description of exercises:
Riders meeting: discuss training principles, establish goals
Steering the Tail: connect the rein to the hip
Serpentines: giving to pressure, softening the neck, controlling head elevation
Hip-Shoulder-Shoulder: developing straight, collected stops and backing up
Clockwork: gaining hip & shoulder control for diagonals, side passes, half passes, & full passes
The 1-Off Serpentine: connecting the rein to the shoulders
The Calm Down Cue (aka "The Rear-Ending Lesson")
The Three Step Stop: give to the bit better; get faster, more energetic stops; improve the backup.
Power Steering through reverse-arc circles: perfecting shoulder control, begin the spin (turn on the haunches), neck reining
Power Brakes: getting solid stops on a loose rein
Cruise Control: get emotional control with speed control
Understanding leads and lead changes
*This itinerary serves as an example only. Exercises will be tailored to suit the individual group and needs of the horses.
Will this work for me?
Yes! Consider that 150,000 people read John's "Perfect Horse" magazine every month! That's 150,000 people saying "yes, this works!"
How much will it cost? How do I sign up?
To see prices, check out our "Where & When" page, or click here.
For a listing of commonly asked questions, follow the tab above to our "Rider Info" page or click here.
Get the performance and relationship with your horse you desire. We'll automatically let you know when a clinic's coming to your area when you sign up for our free training newsletter, (upper-left sidebar, this page).
Lyons Fact #843:
If you start with your goal, you start with a wreck.
Lyons Fact #87: Training a horse is about taking control of his body, one body part at a time.
Lyons Fact #19:
Our expectations are exactly what we get.
