After three days of intensive training at the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic in Murchison, Texas, Dani Horton and Wayne Elkins are ready to renew their efforts with the Hope Equine Rescue training program.
“I don’t care who you are, you’re doing something wrong if you’re not learning,” Elkins said regarding the importance of attending clinics such as this one. Horton hopes that the additional training the clinic provided will help to alleviate some of the burden she has experienced thus far in training the rescued horses.
“I’m hoping this will give us the tools to help train our volunteers to handle horses safely and assist with the training program as a whole,” Horton said. “Training can help our horses find homes faster and stay in that home once it’s found.”
The clinic, which took place November 20-22, 2014, at Doris Day Equine Center, was made possible through a partnership between The Humane Society of the United States and Carter Ranch Horse, and included representatives from 10 rescue organizations spread throughout the United States. Training was provided by Trevor Carter of Carter Ranch Horse.
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- Dani Horton and Wayne Elkins make their way up to the meeting spot at Doris Day Adoption Center on the first day of the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic in Murchison, Texas. The clinic took place November 20-22, 2014. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- The Doris Day Adoption Center site was host to the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic, November 20-22, 2014, in Murchison, Texas. Doris Day is a Humane Society of the United States facility. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- Trevor Carter demonstrates what he’s looking for with the use of a training flag at the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic in Murchison, Texas. Carter trained horse rescue personnel from various organizations, in proper equine training techniques. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- Trevor Carter, of Carter Ranch Horse, kicks off the start of the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic in Murchison, Texas by itemizing what he’s looking for attendees to accomplish for the day. Carter led a three-day clinic sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, at Doris Day Adoption Center in Murchison, Texas. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- Dani Horton works to get a halter on Oliver, a rescued mule at Doris Day Equine Center in Murchison, Texas. Horton, Wayne Elkins and Stacey Pierce, all of Hope Equine Rescue, attended the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic, November 20-22, 2014. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- Using the clothes off her back, Dani Horton works on getting Oliver the mule familiar with foreign objects. Getting horses familiar with varied objects can result in safer interactions due to there being less likelihood of spooking. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- Trevor Carter, of Carter Ranch Horse, attempts to load a yearling into a trailer while attendees watch. Carter was the trainer of record at the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic, held at Doris Day Equine Center, in Texas. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- While being assisted by Dani Horton, of Hope Equine Rescue, Trevor Carter demonstrates how the use of a 22′ rope can aid in training techniques. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- On the first day of training, November 20, 2014, participants at the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic in Murchison, Texas, get situated with their respective rescue horses. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- After getting a halter on Oliver, Dani Horton gets him familiar with the training stick that will be used to pressure him later. Horton is President of Hope Equine Rescue of Auburndale, Fl. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- In the morning on day two of the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic, Trevor Carter works with Peeping Tom to address some of the previous trainer’s concerns from the day before. Carter showed how to work through sticky feet with Peeping Tom. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- Applying the appropriate amount of pressure while attempting to get Oliver, the mule, to come off of a lead was just one task on the first day of training at the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic in Murchison, Texas in November. Participants each got to work with a variety of horses throughout the clinic. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- Trevor Carter takes a moment to explain the importance of patience when dealing with feral horses, after spending 30 minutes haltering a recent rescue at Doris Day Equine Center. Carter is from Carter Ranch Horse in New Mexico. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- Prior to having training clinic participants practice applying appropriate pressure, Trevor Carter demonstrates what he’s looking for. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- Participants watch as trainer Trevor Carter reinforces what he wants during a pressure exercise in the covered arena at Doris Day Equine Center, on the third day of the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic, in Texas. Carter will compete at Road to the Horse in Kentucky in late March 2015. photo by Stacey Pierce
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- Stacey Pierce works with Friday, a rescued horse at Doris Day Equine Center, on changing directions on feel. The flag is used to apply pressure when necessary. photo by Dani Horton
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- A horse being able to stand still is an important skill. Dani Horton waits to see what Oliver will do next with slack in the lead rope, during the Plan 4 Progress Forever Foundation Clinic in Murchison, Texas. photo by Stacey Pierce
Melissa Rubin, Vice President of Animal Care Centers and Veterinary Services for HSUS, said, “Trevor is a very talented trainer and instructor of natural horsemanship. He understands and can offer special techniques for trainers on how to deal with horses who for no fault of their own have been subjected to abusive and cruel situations.
Carter said he has a passion for training others while continuing to develop his own skills along the way as well.
“I’m constantly learning and observing from other people and their experiences, as well as through my own trial and error,” Carter said. Carter is an experienced horseman who will compete in the Road to the Horse, a prestigious equine competition, this March in Kentucky.
This was a ground-only clinic in which participants learned a variety of skills to assist them in training the horses they rescue at their respective organizations. Prior to attending, most participants had already participated in the Plan 4 Progress program through virtual training videos and quizzes that were provided by Carter Ranch Horse. Training topics included equine safety, catching, leading, backing, yielding quarters, proper halter techniques, knots and tying, trailer loading and applying appropriate pressure.
Participant Kaycie McCarthy, Livestock Specialist with the SPCA of Texas, said clinics such as this one serve an important purpose in the equine community. “It was inspiring to hear everyone’s successes and struggles and to learn from them,” she said. “I feel like my skills improved immensely as well as my understanding of horse behavior. This clinic will help us all make our rescue horses more adoptable and more successful in new homes.”
Carter reinforced with the participants that there are four levels of pressure: none, steady, rhythmic and emotion.
“If I have a halter and a lead rope, I can help [a horse] through those moments of confusion without them panicking,” Carter said of applying pressure. “You never want to get to the fourth level – emotion.”
Rubin said the plan is to continue the Plan 4 Progress program in 2015, with “one regional and one main clinic at our Doris Day Equine Center.” Plan 4 Progress started as a year-long virtual training course intended to help increase adoption success rates through better training.
Those who attended the clinic this year can qualify for next year’s clinic by sending a training video of themselves to Carter Ranch Horse for evaluation.
Participants also took a private tour of the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, which is home to nearly 1,000 animals made up of more than 40 species. Many are former research testing animals. Residents include a herd of approximately 500 horses and donkeys, who are free to roam nearly 700 acres.
Editor’s note: Photos and video used with permission of Carter Ranch Horse. Not available for reuse.
