Desmond - Van Riper

There’s a hint of gold upon the hills, but the aspen at Moon Run Ranch, Aspen, CO are silver with dew as we gather for the first day of Leslie Desmond’s Clinic.

Jack, the gray tabby, is greeter for this clinic. He’s willing to stay near me as long as I will pet him. Then he hitches a ride on my shoulder to the auditor’s stand—a flatbed trailer with bales of hay for seats and an umbrella spread against the high mountain sun—a blessing as the day progresses.

Leslie grew up in New England and learned first learned about horsemanship from a neighbor who was trained in the “old school.” She rode in regional jumping competitions and gymkhana events. She went on to coach children and work with new horse owners. As her skills became known she was called to help troubled horses.

In 1990 Leslie moved her riding school to California and founded Diamond Lu Productions. Her three-volume video series American Horsemanship for Young and Old was inspired by her mentor Ivan Taylor, a retired cavalry man from World War I. His guidance prepared Leslie to fully enjoy working with people and horses. She was also able to recognize the treasure that Bill Dorrance had for all.

Leslie now conducts horse seminars and clinics for those who want to advance their skills. She is a regular contributor to several horse magazines. You can read articles by Leslie and check her clinic schedule at her website www.lesliedesmond.com.

Twelve participants—six riders and six horses—gather in the arena at Moon Run Ranch for the first day of the clinic. I will be able to stay only one day, and I am anxious to see in action what I have only read about in True Horsemanship Through Feel.

Mindy has brought Bristol. Bristol is not her horse, but Bristol’s owner, Nancy, cannot be at the clinic. She has sent a friend with her horse. Deborah has brought her pinto Tonto who has filled out since I saw him at a Mark Rashid Clinic in 1999. Both seem more confident and in tune with each other. Leslie has come with Kola, a sorrel Quarter Horse retired from the track, now used in Hunter-Jumper classes. Sheryl has brought Nightmare, a four-year-old who has had two owners, and two trainers in the last year. Tracey is with Buddy. They are a remarkable pair because Tracey has only been riding since June 15 and riding Buddy since July 15. Holly Fuller McLain has brought her four-year-old, Spencer.

Holly owns and operates Moon Run Ranch and is an avid student as well as teacher. Spencer is a quiet four-year-old she discovered stashed away in a back pen somewhat forgotten. Holly has been training Spencer and has brought him for further work here.

Lessons begin even before formal start of the clinic. One of the horses has been tied to the arena fence and is gnawing steadily. Leslie talks about setting a horse up for success. This horse is known to crib. Setting him up for success means not tying him to anything he can crib. It means taking him in hand and setting him up in a space where he will not be tempted to crib.

The night before each of her clinics Leslie does a demonstration with a local participant to show what will be covered in the clinic. At the demonstration Leslie had asked the participant how well her horse led. The woman responded that she had no problems leading the horse, but as Leslie watched them she found that the horse was too close to the woman all the time. There were other space issues with the horse.

A rider/trainer needs to increase space so that she does not encroach on the horse’s space. Boundaries must be set and maintained. Leslie stood three feet from the horse and focused on the foot she wanted the horse to move. She was looking where she did not want the foot to be. This negative attention caused the horse to move back from that spot.

There was nothing personal about what Leslie did. “It is personal when you’re looking the horse in the eye. They take it personal if you’re looking in the eye.”

Leslie had then worked with learning cadence. As the woman led her horse Leslie called the footfalls. Gradually the woman began to feel the footfalls through the rope and could stop the horse on a particular footfall.

When a horse rears or bucks it is often because his feet are stuck. The horse does not know how to move his feet out of the way to make room for what needs to be done. A young horse may have insecurity with footfalls and be worried and tense. He may have an inability to place his feet.

Holly relates that Pennylane, her 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood, didn’t know how to place her feet when Holly got her. Holly worked her all winter over cavalettis and around obstacles.

The first lessons will be about foot placement and space. You don’t teach a horse how to put the bridle on until the horse can spit the bit out. You don’t load a horse until the horse can unload.

Many people do not see the connection between groundwork and saddle work. Leslie has a 22-year-old mare she reclaimed from competition. By the time the horse was eleven she couldn’t stand Leslie. It was very painful because Leslie loved the mare. Leslie gave care of her horses to a trusted friend and went to the West Coast to search out alternatives. Leslie has been rehabilitated. The mare now travels with Leslie and aids in her clinics. She was injured recently and is not helping Leslie at this clinic.

Deborah has trouble with Tonto when trail riding. He has no boundaries and runs up the tail of the horse ahead of him. Leslie notes that space is an issue with Tonto and Deborah also. She explains that what we do on the ground translates to work in the saddle. What we do on the left on the ground translates to the left rein, the right to the right rein.

The wild geese wheel over head honking and come in for a landing on the pond. Tonto lifts his head and watches. Leslie notes that a relaxed horse will have his head lower than his shoulder. She stands next to Tonto at his shoulders and asks him to bring his head around to the side with float in the rope. Standing in this position she can work from the tip of his nose to his withers. Leslie leaves Deborah working with Tonto on relaxation.