Play Dates

   We believe that it is important for horse people who believe in the same type of interaction and communication to come together.  It's nice for like-minds to meet to share their experiences, successes and challenges.  Many practicing natural horsemanship work from what they have read in books or from a "program", and although this is a great start in the right direction, it is helpful to have the oversight and insight of an accomplished natural horseman.   

We offer monthly Play Dates where those interested in & or practicng natural horsemanship can spend the day learning & playing, working on their communication skills, offering new experiences for their horse and just plain having fun!  It allows for the social aspect that is an important part of horsemanship as well as a learning experience for horse & human.  Play Dates may also include a little bit of fun competition, where you can show off what you've learned & how well partnered you & your horse are.

Depending on the levels & interests of attendees, Play Dates usually begin with an overview of equipment, nature of the equine (the basis of natural horsemanship) &  demonstration of The Games. Then we get to work! 

Attendees can work at all the Stations, on learning & perfecting The Games or focus on any particular area. 

Dana & Dazzle see.  Dana do.  Dazzle do.

OK, OK, it looks silly (probably why I took so many shots of this station!), but trusting you and being comfortable enough to allow what looks to a horse like a really scary thing, to be rubbed all over & stuck on his head is a great excersice for both horse & human. 

Dale's horse is attentive and ready for whatever is next.....

And then there was Molly..... We all fell hopelessly in love with her sweet eye & ears that told you exactly what she was thinking.  She is a pretty, young mule with lots of ideas of her own, such as in the photo above.  That old saying about leading a horse to water - well, it takes on a whole new twist when there is a mule involved. 

We had such a good time even some of the humans had to get in on the fun!

We offer Play Dates for various reasons; education, social interaction, new experiences for horse & human & as an alternative to traditional horse showing.  

We at Roush Equine have gravitated more and more towards the Parelli philosophy on showing. 

Although we think that competition can be healthy - the way of thinking that promotes exhibiting as the main indicator (the color of your ribbon) of one's success with a horse or that you show when it's time to show; not when you are ready to exhibit excellence is not reflective of or in keeping with our beliefs.  We also find it quite honestly difficult (sometimes painful) and not very productive to exhibit with (or against as-it-were), others that don't believe in or practice the type of horsemanship we do.  It's like having a match where one team is playing soccer & the other team that is playing rugby - both teams are using a ball & some of the objectives are the same but, well.... you get the idea.  Just does not make much sense!

The mind determines what's possible.