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PRIVATE CLINIC HELD AT FOX LAKE FARMS
On Saturday December 8th 2010 we were invited to hold a private clinic at Fox Lake Farms in Mims, Florida. Fox Lake Farms is owned and operated by Gloria Moye. Gloria and her son, Doug offer their farm to host volunteer based classes for those who are physically, mentally or emotionally disabled. The program uses therapeutic riding to help these individuals improve balance, strength, coordination and general well being.
Several months ago Gloria saw the need to get training for the horses she uses for therapeutic riding. She has been bringing at least three horses to Ronnie each time she comes to our facility.
Gloria and Doug are very dedicated and passionate about the work they are doing with these disabled individuals, many of whom are children. It is important work and Gloria determined it was important to include training for herself, the horses and her son as a tool for making the therapy sessions safer and smoother for everyone.
As Gloria and Doug began working with Ronnie they saw the benefits right away. The horses became more focused and easier to work with. As time went by, Gloria became aware that some of her volunteers were having some issues in working with the horses and realized her volunteers needed training as well.
One of Ronnie’s best traits in teaching is his easy sense of humor in explaining how the horse thinks and the truth about how "we" think about them. The crowd enjoys a belly laugh with Ronnie as they realize how very true it is!
We were so pleased she invited us. The clinic went very well and the volunteers did a great job! It is so important to be consistent with these wonderful creatures. They rely on consistency for stability and reassurance. As Ronnie has been heard to say many times, "Horses like living in a specific world, and it’s our obligation to this creature to create and maintain that world".
Here, Ronnie teaches the volunteers about reins. The young man used in the demonstration is Boomer. Boomer is one of the youth volunteers at Fox Lake Farms. He, along with the rest of the volunteers are being taught that even though the bridle is worn on the horses head and the bit is held in his mouth, the truth is, the reins are actually connected to the horse’s feet.
Ronnie is teaching the volunteers his definition of a trained horse. He does this in four words, "He Waits On You". Ronnie teaches that horses are entitled to their thoughts and they have those thoughts, but it is important to train the horse to operate on the handlers thoughts and not his own. Ronnie trains his horses to move only when he asks them to and teaches them that by his side is the safest place in the world for them to be!
Ronnie has the volunteers working on leading the horse at varying speeds. Horses will "rate" the speed of your movements and will match that speed. They are also working on teaching the horse to stay at the handler’s shoulder rather than walking ahead of the handler or behind.
Some horses are "mouthy" with people. Ronnie discourages this in his horses. Here, he is demonstrating to Gail with his hand how a horse may start off with just lipping your arm but later can become biting or nipping. It isn’t necessarily that the horse is being mean. It’s more of a way of saying, "Pay attention to me". But either way, a horse bite can be very uncomfortable. It’s best just to train the horse not to put his mouth on you. All you need do is poke the horse in the muzzle or nose with
your index finger a few times and eventually the horse will get the idea that nibbling on your shoulder or shirt sleeve is not so pleasant to do.
Boomer is a young man who handles "Misty". They made some real progress just as all the volunteers did. Good job, Boomer in handling Misty!
To Gloria and Doug and all the volunteers who participated in the clinic, THANK YOU for inviting us and we hope you will continue to be blessed in this important work that you do!
Ronnie Ford Training Center counts it an honor to have played a role in this important work!
Anyone interested in this therapeutic program may call owner/ farm operator Gloria Moye @ (321) 302-3377. Fox Lake Farms
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