Joe Wolter in So. IL

[Weebonilass]

I just found out today that the May 19th clinic I've been signed up for since the first of March has been cancelled. Apparently, Joe's son was in a car accident and the clinic he was suppose to have the end of April was rescheduled for that date. The clinican I was to ride with is hosting Joe's visit.

My question is... while I've been "natural" for a very long time, it's never been to the level that those who've been following the Dorrance are teaching. The Wolter clinic is expensive and I'm kind of torn about whether to sign up.

I think I could handle the Horsemanship part, but it's the cattle class afterwards that I'm concerned about. I don't want to embarrass my poor horse as he's only been exposed to cattle one time back in April at a clinic with Mark Schwarm, who is the clinican hosting Joe.

Should I ride in both or just the horsemanship part? Suppose since no one knows me or my horse, it's hard to say, but I know Joe is getting up there in years and who knows if I might have another chance...

Those that ridden with Joe... easy or really hard on the mostly uneducated?

Guess, I should go see what Back issues of the Eclectic magazine might have reviews of him and his work :)

[greenbroke]

GO!!!!!

he is one of the coolist people i know.

he'll help people at their level, and he won't get you in trouble.

you can expect to be challenged, but he won't ask you to do anything he feels you can't do.

let us know how it went. he'll be here in wisconsin twice this year as well.

later

[Weebonilass]

Thanks for the vote :) I've decided to definitely attend the horsemanship part and I'll decide on the cattle clinic part when I get there. I'm really excited about attending.

[lmullen]

Horses sort the cattle part out real quick. They understand and use their dominance over the cow naturally. Joe will help you, the person, understand what the horse can do. Don't be distracted by your thoughts. Follow the horse and cow.
It's a lot like allowing or blocking water out in the pasture.
Try to work on turns on the hind. Don't let your horse swing the hind away from the cow. Always try to bend/curve the horses body away from the cow and keep his head sllightly toward the cow. That sets up the turns and keeps the horse focused on the cow. Have a Ball.

[Weebonilass]

Horses sort the cattle part out real quick. They understand and use their dominance over the cow naturally. Joe will help you, the person, understand what the horse can do. Don't be distracted by your thoughts. Follow the horse and cow.
It's a lot like allowing or blocking water out in the pasture.
Try to work on turns on the hind. Don't let your horse swing the hind away from the cow. Always try to bend/curve the horses body away from the cow and keep his head sllightly toward the cow. That sets up the turns and keeps the horse focused on the cow. Have a Ball.

Thank for the advice. I've dragged out Bill D's book again and started re-reading it to refresh my memory and I'll be working on that hindend thing. My guy does tend to be heavy on the forehand.

Ah Men has only seen cows one time and that was at the March clinic. He got complimented by a couple of QH folks. I was pleased that he was as level headed as he was... a good ambassador for his breed.

I decided to go ahead and sign up for both parts of the clinic. I still have a couple of months to finish saving up for that saddle....