News • updated
September 2011
A
look back at last year
2010
was an exciting and interesting first year for the Centre
in which we tried to find our feet, devising various
events and workshops.
Some
of you also had a chance to
meet us when we were the focus of much attention
at this year’s Quest.
trimming
class We
ran several successful clinics and workshops at the Centre
on Communication with Horses, including a lovely
Healing
and Horses Day that the Horses just lapped up.
(We
couldn’t
get rid of them afterwards as they all, without exception,
had a lot of fun with us humans.)
Barefoot
Training
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We
also ran Barefoot Education Days that were extremely
thought provoking and hosted a 3-day Institute
of Applied Equine Podiatry practical workshop–taught
by Siobhan Dillon, a UK,
K.C La Pierre licensed
instructor.
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Lots of sweating,
a bit of blood (the guy who wore no gloves: “ouch!”) but fortunately
no tears spilled–to
give us an extremely instructive and amazing three days
of knowledge of how to have sound Barefoot Horses through
Sound Reasoning.
Guest Horses
We also offer short
holidays and retreats for a peaceful break in idyllic surroundings with
or without
your own horse.
Last year we played host
to some lovely guests, who arrived with their own
horses whom we escorted on the trails, and we are looking forward to offering
the same option again this year.
Conscious
Horsemanship
| The
Centre continues to operate on the principles of Conscious
Horsemanship, that is horsemanship, free from force
and coercion, based on equal and willing communication. |
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This
is not to be confused with Natural Horsemanship as–although
we share some common grounds–we are interested
only in horsemanship that recognises horses as an angelic
gift to the universe, as precious and noble creatures
that
exist
for their own sakes and not to serve human beings as
robots or slaves.
We continue
to explore concepts of the horse’s usefulness
and do not subscribe to the general thinking that if
an animal has no use it is not worthy.
This
means that the Centre is
currently home to 3 “useless” but extremely
loveable creatures, Opal, Tom and Maverick–our “rescues”,
as well as 3 very “useful” horses that
earn their keep with giving lessons and rides to our
clients
and guests.
Economics
Economics
dictates with animals and it shouldn’t. Luckily
for us, and with thanks to Tom’s owner who
continues to support him even though he is no “use” to
her family, things are not so desperate that these
delightful beings have to end up as dog food or
feed for zoo animals–unlike
the 700 unfortunate Dartmoor ponies that did this
year.
We completely
applaud the work of the animal rescue societies who labour
on tirelessly against
a sea
of suffering.
But it
isn’t just about hay or grazing; we’d
really welcome volunteers to work with our rescue
horses to walk
them out or groom them or even just come and give
them some TLC.
• Please
call or email if you like to dedicate some time to this.
• Sign
up for our Newsletter to
receive immediate news of 2011 dates as soon as they
are finalised. All
past issues are available to download HERE.
• Click HERE to
read last Summer's News page.
2011
programme
We
are excitedly finalising details of our Autumn 2011 programme
of workshops, clinics and classes which include offering
camping, stay in a caravan onsite, with B&B
or accommodation in local Guesthouses for non-locals.
Come
for a day, a weekend or longer – with or without
a horse.
So
far 2011has been a verydynamic year of growth for the
Natural Equestrian Centre based on prayer, meditation
and healing.
Contact
us for details of any activities, including:
Horse
Agility Training Days / Sessions
Natural
Equestrian Lessons (hour)
Natural
Equestrian Clinics (a day)
Clinics in Natural Equestrian and Barefoot
Bring your own Horse on Holiday, Guided Trail Rides
Short (2 hours) and longer (day) Trail Rides and Trail Riding Holidays, on
our Horses
Yoga
and Horses days, weekends (Kundalini Yoga and Natural
Equestrian)
Pamper
Days (Kundalini Yoga, Hawaiian Massage and Natural
Equestrian Session / Ride)
Kundalini
Yoga Healing Workshops
See Events
Diary for more details as they become
available.
Yoga & Horses
Yoga
and Massage are available for your complete Health
and Well-being. The Natural Equestrian Centre offers
Kundalini Yoga sessions and Hawaiian and Polynesian
massage for your complete relaxation and health.
This
takes two forms...
• a Yoga & Horses
Healing Day–half-day of Kundalini Yoga
followed by delicious vegan lunch and a further half-day
of horsemanship or riding.
This
may extend in 2011 to a whole weekend of Yoga & Horses,
during which you will be allocated a horse with whom
you will meditate and communicate over the weekend. Your
horse becomes your teacher and will help you overcome
subconscious worries and fears, as well as any fear of
horses you might have.
• or
why not try a Pamper Day for your complete
experience of all that is good in life. Come to the Centre
for a day of personal healing that is tailored to your
needs and will include a yoga session, a massage, a delicious
organic, vegan lunch and quality time with the horses.
As
you'll read throughout this website, we have an exciting
year ahead – we hope you will be part of it!
Ruth
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NEW
& UPCOMING events
2011
Saturday
12 November 10am
Knocking
on Heaven's Door
at Sahai Yoga and Horses – near Buckfastleigh
An
Ecstatic Chant Day with Ruth Levy-So (Sahai)
The
workshop will include the optional opportunity to learn and
practice Conscious Communication with the horses at the Centre.
Bring boots and warm clothes.
Main event cost £40 to include delicious vegetarian / vegan lunch.
Followed
by fire and food outdoors (if dry) and Kirtan 7.30–9pm
Cost: £10 including food or £6 Kirtan only.
Bring an instrument or percussion.
• telephone: 01364 642098 / 07540 832837
• email: ruth@yogaandhorses.com
• follow us on facebook
Help
promote Sahai's events:
click HERE to download a pdf poster.
PAST
events 2011
(Let
us know if you'd like to attend when these events are
repeated.)
Saturday
2 July all day
Heavy
Horses Working Day – near Buckfastleigh
(event
subject to weather conditions)
Come
and watch Heavy Horses harrowing pasture land and have
a go if you want. Admission £5 includes either morning tea / coffee or afternoon
tea / coffee and cake. Lunchtime BBQ 12.30–2pm (small extra cost)
•
telephone: 01364 642098 / 07540 832837
• email: info@naturalequestrian.com
• follow Natural Equestrian on facebook
19,
20 & 21 August
Holistic
Footcare:
Sound
Reasoning • Sound Horses
Develop
your understanding of the functional anatomy of the
horse’s
foot.
Understand
how to manage the environment to promote effective foot
health. Interactive
theory and practical hands-on sessions.
Instructor:
Siobhan Dillon MIIAEP, DAEP, Licensed Instructor
www.siobhandillon.net
www.appliedequinepodiatry.org/iaep
• telephone Ruth (host): 01364 642098
/ 07540 832837
• email: info@naturalequestrian.com
Introducing
Western-style Trail Riding
Our
first love is Trail Riding, out on the range with the wind
blowing in your hair
(metaphorically as you have to wear a stupid riding
helmet in this country), where you can experience
the beauty and healing energy of nature combined with harmony
with your horse.
There
are many moments of grace when all comes together–the
weather us and the horses on the moor or at the
beach. These are the defining moments of our lives and
this
is why we want to share them with you.
Therefore
in 2011, we are offering Western-style trail riding at
the Centre for the first time.
Trail
riding is not trekking. The horses are individuals that
don’t
follow nose to tail and aren’t ground down
with taking people who don’t love them
or ride them well out.
 This
has been a dream for a long time that’s
had every limitation possible applied to it–the
short season, the work and cost of keeping
horses through the winter, keeping their
feet good enough to be ridden barefoot
all summer,
the flies, rain, objections, fears, insurance,
responsibilities of taking people out etc,
etc.
But a
dream must finally become reality or it will fade away
and it is NOW or NEVER,
so
it is Now. As my Spiritual teacher Yogi Bhajan
said, as one of the five principles of the
Aquarian Age: "When the time is upon you, start and
the pressure will be off.“
So let’s get
off the ground metaphorically and literally. We look forward
to welcoming
you to ride with us. From next Spring,
we will offer Natural Equestrian riding lessons,
as
well as Communication and Ground Work in
the round pen on an hourly basis.
Trail
rides for experienced riders will be available for two
hours, half-days or
whole
day rides with picnic or pub
lunch, depending on route. Then you can come
back to the Centre and warm up with
a hot drink by
the log stove in our tack room.
There
may also be opportunity to do rides over two or three
days covering larger
trails and staying overnight at horse-friendly
B&B’s
or inns en route.
All
rides are led by experienced trail
ride leaders through
lovely countryside. Where possible
the horses are barefoot as this makes
them sure-footed
and less likely to slip than shod
horses.
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