This message is from: Cynthia Madden <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have been busy with aftermath of clinic and earning a living and have had not had time to comment on the Jeff Morse Clinic our new driving club, the Zia Carriage Driving Club, put on last weekend. After a week of cloudy and windy weather and some good rain, it cleared up for the weekend though it got a little windy and cold in the late afternoon.
Jeff Morse of Green Meads Farm in Richmond, MA agreed to come for his first visit to southern New Mexico and he was really glad to escape the northeast for a few days. I have to say that I don't think I have ever received so much information in so short a time and so helpful at any other clinic I've attended. Both Steve and I took a lesson with Tank and between the two sessions, I gained so much information. Jeff says that driving is a process of a thousand tweaks and that is what he proceeded to do with horses, harness, vehicle, and driver for everyone. I thought it very useful that he pointed out that Tank's conformation and his current breast collar might be incompatible and he suggested trying a collar. He made some temporarly adjustments and long range suggestions for the cart to bring the driver higher. He also made some bitting suggestions to encourage Tank to soften his jaw. Jeff emphasizes comfort of the horse and the appropriate roles of horse and driver. Jeff has real expertise, kindness and a sense of humor. I have been very frustrated and discouraged with my inability to get Tank more forward. He showed us both how to to do it effectively and told me to give Tank more praise for correctness. I feel much encouraged and have several tools now with which to work on both Tank and myself. Jeff thought Tank "talented" and this has always been my belief but I was beginning to think otherwise. It is great to feel good again about both of us working together. This is what these kind of clinics are all about. Everyone who participated in the clinic went away feeling better about themselves and their horse (and vice versa). We had a good crowd of auditors who were hanging on every word. Jeff was excellent at telling the audiences what he was doing and why. A couple of "old timers" were so impressed they came both days and told me to make sure and let them know about our next clinic. All in all it was a very successful first effort for our club and brought us some new members. Those of you who are on CD-L will know Barbara Burr who makes ultralite whips. She and her husband Cal are considering moving to this area and visited our clinic. They are great people and we hope they decided on our fair city as their new home. They would be a real asset to our fledging driving community. ===== Cynthia Madden Las Cruces, NM [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/
