Tik Maynard Clinic Write Up

[Ample Prosecco]

Got back last night from a super intense clinic. 3 classroom sessions, 1 groundwork session and 5 ridden sessions over 3 days. Plus learning from watching the other groups as Tik always explained to spectators what he was seeing etc. So be prepared for a novel! Which may take me a while to process and get down. So I'll just start with a brief introduction to the clinic:

Tik went round the world for several years as a working student to get as much knowledge and skill as possible. To start with he focused on working for the best riders in the world across all disciplines: Ingrid Klimke, Johan Hinneman, Anne Kursinsky, Karen and George O'Connor etc. Then he focused on the 'cowboys' and so called natural horsemanship trainers: Parelli, Brannaman, Rashid etc. He is married to Sinead Halpin who came 2nd at Burghley a few years ago. He also competes. So he uses natural horsemanship principles and practices as a means to improving competitive performance, not as an end in itself. Blending the 2 is something I have always struggled with so this was an important piece of the jigsaw for me.

There were 15 participants in 3 groups of 5 which was good. It meant you got to know people and their horses quite well over the 3 days. And during the first classroom session Tik was very keen to get everyone to explain who they were, where they were at with their horses, what they wanted to get out of the clinic. (A very different experience to Buck at Aintree where 60 participants were largely anonymous). There was about a 50:50 split between people who had been back a few times and newcomers.

It was at the Attington Stud which was an amazing facility with a XC schooling arena, XC course, SJ arena, indoor, gallops and nice permanent stabling for the horses. The level of experience varied hugely but was generally high. There was an intermediate eventer and there were pro riders who had their own schooling/training yards/starting yards. 2 were Parelli trainers who were interested more developing their horses for XC/competition but there were also people coming the other way - from a competitive background or people who produce young horses wanting to know more about groundwork and some of the natural horsemanship ideas. A few people had brought young horses or horses with some sort of behavioural issue. Tik seems equally at home in both 'worlds' and all the participants were attending a 'natural' horsemanship clinic focusing on eventing so were also obviously interested in both worlds, so there was none of the tribalism I have experienced in some other clinics.

Tik himself was absolutely lovely. Warm, encouraging, funny, kind. He worked unbelievably hard, gave people lots of extra time outside of the formal sessions, gave really clear feedback that was always constructive and framed in a positive way and with an explanation (eg : I like how you did X, I think it would be even better if you could also try Y so that Z". Even when things were going horribly wrong he found something good to say. He regularly hopped on the horses (including Amber) to identify or work through issues, which was also very useful. I overheard him asking one of the organisers if a particular participant was okay because he had shouted STOP at her when she was turning the wrong way after a run out. He said he felt bad that he had raised his voice but she had not heard him call halt and turn left. The participant was totally fine about it but again there was a huge contrast between that and Brannaman who seems to positively delight in bellowing at people and can be very cutting.

The other participants were also really lovely. Everyone was encouraging, supportive. Whenever someone struggled with something then succeeded, the spectators clapped/cheered! I don't know how that started but I have never seen that reaction in other clinics and it was lovely. All the way through 'success' was defined as improving your horse in some defined way, not just achieving the end goal. I'll talk more about that when I go into the sessions.

So anyway that gives a flavour of the weekend. I am filthy, sunburnt, exhausted, inspired and excited.

More later..... But I am off to Wales now for the last week of the summer holidays!

 

[Wheels]

I was wondering how you got on, sounds like a very interesting clinic and I will look forward to hearing more about it

 

[JFTDWS]

Me too... I hope you plan to update us from Wales and not keep us waiting a whole week!

 

[HashRouge]

Me too... I hope you plan to update us from Wales and not keep us waiting a whole week!

Same, I feel like we've been left with a cliffhanger!

 

[Coblover63]

Ooh yes, looking forward to part two and what you personally got out of it!

 

[milliepops]

Me too... I hope you plan to update us from Wales and not keep us waiting a whole week!

this!! sounds brilliant, look forward to the next installments

 

[Skib]

I spectated for days 1 and 2 (couldnt afford a second night in a hotel) and will leave it tor Amber to report on the equestrian content but I would like to post my respect and admiration for Tik Maynard. He is a really good teacher and such a nice person with both horses and people.
Over two days in searing heat, standing in a shadeless arena (and confessing that at times he had been dehydrated), he taught without visibly faultering for 6 hours each day, with his full attention and all his skills focused on the students and their horses.
This is no prima donna horse trainer. He was as polite and patient and inclusive with us spectators too. I had a long drive and my old car wouldnt start, so I was late which was rude - and on both days. No matter. True to his philosophy, he relaxed us people as well as the horses, setting us all up to learn.
Because she is an aspiring eventer , the clinic was tailor-made for Amber. I watched her progress and saw what she gained.

I am not a jumper but I had already altered my stance around horses after reading Tik's book and watching videos of him working horses. I am so glad to have watched him in person.

I did soak up new knowledge over 6 intense hours each day - lots of it by listening to what he said, by watching him and watching how horses responded to being ridden as he suggested or being given time to absorb new knowledge. And like any learning process, it was exhausting.

A word of praise too for Organized Equestrian. The event was well organised and the venue was a pleasure - The organisers were lovely to us spectators (something I have not seen before) and very concerned we too should be OK in the heat. I am used to watching polo every summer so came suitably prepared. None the less it is worth mentioning for any older riders thinking of attending - my phone shows that each day spectating at this venue, I walked more than the 6.000 paces recommended for old ladies like me. And with no catering on site, I came back fitter and leaner too.

I do not post my notes on clinics on the internet. There are several reasons - A friend of mine wrote up a Mark Rashid clinic, I thought well - but he complained that he had been mis-represented. To be taught by anyone it is better to go to the guy themselves. But I have a word document of my notes.

 

[SEL]

I was wondering how you got on. I don't live far from Attington and it was 31 degrees yesterday! Looking forward to hearing your next instalment when you've rehydrated!!

 

[TPO]

I've been checking back just for this report!

Great to hear/read how wonderful Tik was and how good s clinic it was.

Eagerly awaiting the next installment (hint, hint)

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Over two days in searing heat, standing in a shadeless arena (and confessing that at times he had been dehydrated), he taught without visibly faultering for 6 hours each day, with his full attention and all his skills focused on the students and their horses.

His stamina and commitment were extraordinary. It was actually 7.5 hours on days 2 &3 as XC sessions were longer. Plus he then taught his own working student who was helping him and the riders for an hour every evening after the group lessons finished. And on day 3 I happened to turn up to the 'Tik Talk' half an hour early and he was already there sweeping the classroom! So yes he basically worked from 8 till 8 with about half an hour for lunch. Definitely not a prima donna.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Ok: Tik Talk 1:

First classroom session. Disclaimer: This is what I heard and took away. I may have got bits wrong! As Skib says, 2nd hand feedback is not substitute for the real thing. But this is my take on the talk.

He talked about the importance of groundwork. When he is training/schooling he wants the horse's attention and focus. And he said you can tell much more easily where your horse's attention is from the ground than sat on his back. So being on the ground both lets you see where the attention is and then train the horse that you expect the attention to be on you or to come back to you quickly if the horse gets distracted. So when the horse is quietly attentive there is no pressure. Soon the horse just automatically pays attention to you whenever you make a request. And even though you also want the horse to pay attention to the task at hand, you can get the horses attention quickly. Eg setting up for a jump: half halt (get attention) on or before the turn and the horse's ears flick back to you and they steady/collect, then you leave them alone to figure the jump out and their ears should be forward and focused on the task.

On the ground you can instill this attentiveness. What he called 'The Look' where the horse is basically saying 'Ok what are we doing now'. And this attentiveness needs to be ALL THE TIME. I realised I have it with Amber alone in the school but take her out of her comfort zone and she gets distracted and far too focused on other horses and the environment.

He also talked about what he considers important in training. His order of priorities is:
1) Motivation (find a reason for the horse to do what you want that makes sense to the horse)
2) Communication (make sure your instructions are clear).

Motivators for horse behaviour:
FEAR - only used in training (by him) in situation of risk, eg maybe driving a horse that is running at you away very assertively. But fear will prevent learning too so a prerequisite for training is that the horse is relaxed first. If you try and train an anxious/tense horse he may comply and you may appear to be getting work done but the horse will be coping/surviving rather than learning/improving.
SEEKING COMFORT - or avoidance of discomfort. Generated by pressure/release.
CURIOSITY/ PLAYFULNESS - he uses this in training all the time.
FOOD/TREATS

So how to build confidence? In a schooling session he starts off on the buckle to make sure horse is happy to walk and trot round the arena on the buckle - ie is relaxed. If this is not possible because the horse has too much general nervous energy then he will either do some groundwork till horse relaxes, or do a higher energy task like leg yielding or trotting/cantering circles until horse begins to relax. When horse relaxes he allows him to travel straight and puts him back on a circle or leg yields again if the horse tenses again.

If there is a specific problem he fixes it. We saw this in the first ridden session - there was a horse spooking at the umbrellas the spectators were using for shade. He said horses are scared of predatory behaviour so make the umbrella very un-predator like. He took the umbrella and walked around the arena with it facing the horse who was following it. He said nothing is less predatory than something that is retreating rhythmically. And sure enough almost immediately the horse relaxed and got curious instead and caught the umbrella up and wanted to play with it. He was careful not to allow the horse to touch the umbrella the first time he tried to, because he said horses are so curious that their curiosity can take them past their confidence and they can scare themselves. But he did allow the horse to touch it fairly soon and the whole desensitization took about 5 minutes. The horse paid no attention to any umbrellas after that.

He also ran through the scales of training which I am sure are familiar to most of you so I won't repeat it - but said that before he gets to the scales he needs the horse relaxed and forward. So that has to come first.

Building confidence about specific challenges like a water tray:
He also uses groundwork to introduce young horses to new things because he can see what the horse is looking at. He has a general system: He wants to horse to:
1) Become aware of the obstacle
2) Look at it.
3) Study it
4) Touch/nose/Play with it
5) Look across it to the other side
6) Jump it

And to do all this on the ground first so he can where the horse's attention is.

He will use approach/retreat to move through these stages. So if a horse is aware of an obstacle but won't look at it he maintains the distance until he gets a little glance then he circles away and re-presents. Then he wants a longer glance before circling away. And so on through the stages till the horse is looking across to the other side in which case it usually jumps on its own initiative or can be encouraged over easily.

Sometimes a horse jumps before he is ready - either spontaneously or because a rider/trainer will ask/insist on a horse jumping before he is truly confident in which case you may get the jump done on that day but you have not solved the problem - next time horse comes across a similar obstacle the issue may re-present. In fact if you ask the horse to jump before he is truly confident then he may well stop again at the same jump.

Using this system also helps the horse to learn how to learn. They can gradually go through all those stages faster and faster until the horse can actually do it all in canter on the approach to a jump. He can see the question, look at it, study it then look across to the other side and jump.

Think that's about all for now. That's the first hour of the clinic covered ;-)

Next up Ground work session. In which Tik solves a problem I've been working on for 2 years in - oh - about 10 minutes.....

 

[BunnyDog]

I am delighted to read all of this. Tik is truly a great guy. I will fully admit to doing the Scooby Doo head tilt when he started really doing the natural horsemanship more and posting a lot of videos. I mean I had seen it done before but between the Marketing side of Parelli (MUST buy those Carrot Sticks!) and the overall belief that Buck Brannaman is Godlike, I was more than a bit skeptical. But because Tik and I had both landed at the 2015 Retired Racehorse Program's Makeover in 2015 I finally got to watch him live. Which was where I turned the corner He's so genuine. His horses ADORE him. And I must admit I'm not shocked because his wife and I worked in the same barn a million years ago and she's as genuine as they come. I knew she wouldn't date, then marry, just any old guy. I knew her spouse would likely be amazing as well.

He was kind to help me this year by being one of the first round judges for the scholarship I started for the Makeover. His thoughts on the applicants were crystal clear and he was great with his analysis.

I do hope you all consider buying his book. I am staring at it nightly on my dresser and I am hopeful to read it this fall.

Em

 

[Ample Prosecco]

So tell me more about the Makeover. This is a retired race horse training programme? That is done as a competition over a series of months?? I know he won it but I am not sure what it entails and how it is judged.

Yes everyone should buy his book! It's great.

 

[BunnyDog]

So tell me more about the Makeover. This is a retired race horse training programme? That is done as a competition over a series of months?? I know he won it but I am not sure what it entails and how it is judged.

Yes everyone should buy his book! It's great.

He won his discipline (Freestyle) twice. He has never won the whole thing. And I won my discipline once. (Only competed in it once)

OK I don't want to derail this lovely thread.

Here's the short of it,

You apply to be considered in December
Get approved by Feb
Have from Jan 1 to start the horse, it cannot have 15 retraining rides or more before Jan 1 (Done on honor system. Yes you can buy horse before you're approved)
Competition in October. Has 10 disciplines:
Dressage
Hunters (USA)
Jumpers
Fox Hunting
Trail Horse
Ranch Horse
Freestyle
Polo
Barrel Racing
Eventing

FULL Rules etc are here:
https://www.retiredracehorseproject.org/makeover-disciplines-and-scoring


Em

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Groundwork Session

The arena was full of obstacles and so most people got to work on those. For people with little groundwork experience Tik talked about the phases of pressure which were I think from Parelli - Phase 1 - suggested pressure but no touch, eg a stick pointing to a rope wiggling, or sending body language. Phase 2, a light touch, Phase 3 a firm bump, Phase 4 a decisive/hard bump. All done calmly and always starting with 1. A correct response always leading to the trainer going back to zero pressure by adopting a soft, neutral stance in a green horse or when a horse is learning something new.

This all sounds so simple but this is where I think the magic is: with good trainers horses know what the trainer wants. The horse reliably knows how to relieve the pressure because when the horse gives the correct response - inadvertently at first if they don't know what the pressure means - the timing of the release is perfect. And not just that but the try is noticed by the trainer. Missing tries and mistiming releases will just confuse and frustrate horse and trainer ime!!

Amber had no clue what my flappy ropes meant so Tik took over and I remembered rather too late that Amber is whip and flag shy! At the Brannaman clinic I had bought a flag and then discovered she hated the thing passionately. Flags are not really part of my world so that went filed under 'Things I Should Address One Day'. Whips - ditto. I don't use them to lunge so I just never realised what a problem she had with them. (Good example of HER training ME!). So anyway, Tik used the carrot stick and she over-reacted dramatically and he desensitized her in about 5 minutes using the same sort of approach/retreat method I had failed to use for hours with the flag. It's deceptively simple. Anyway, once she was ok with the carrot stick we went to work on an issue I have had for YEARS - Amber marching after other horses and refusing to be left behind. He managed to use the phases of pressure to teach her to back up from the stick in front of her, to yield her shoulders to a stick pointing at it and to move forward from a stick pointing behind her girth area. Then we walked behind a horse with her 8 feet away on a loose line exactly at my shoulder - using the stick as needed to keep her yielded 8 feet away, not pushing towards me with her shoulder, and keepiing her the right pace with stick in front of her chest or behind the girth. He went to phase 3 the first few times she tried to rush to catch the horse up but after that phase 1 was enough. And just like that the problem was sorted. She led beautifully for the rest of the clinic. I now have to translate that to ridden work but finally I have a workable plan.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

First ridden session - lots of people will have got different things from the sessions but for me the focus was on my connection with Amber through the rein. My hands did not have enough 'life' but were too fixed. Tik got on to feel what was happening and said Amber was very forward AND at the same time was leaning on the bit which made me think she was being 'strong' but when I released completely she did not get more forward so the 2 issues are separate. She needs to learn to listen and slow and she needs not to lean. Plus Tik said she was just not that connected leg to hand.

He taught me 3 ways to halt:

1) Relax into halt - no rein. From walk at first, sit deep, exhale, relax, think halt, slow your own rhythm and halt. Then from trot and canter in an arena and then outside. He wants all his horses to be able to go from a forward canter in open space to halt, smoothly and without rein pressure.
2) Cue halt with the reins. I overuse this halt.
3) Collect into a downward transition - collect the canter till it is trot speed then allow the trot. Collect the trot to walk speed then allow the walk, collect the walk and stop. He'll use this way for dressage tests.

I massively overuse the rein halt, so my homework is to halt using method 1 much more.

Next issue was contact. He said some horses prefer a lighter and some a firmer contact, but what they really want is consistency of contact. He got me to close my eyes and hold his hand and follow his movements, maintaining even pressure. It was surprisingly hard, at least for me. So my focus needs to be on developing more of a following hand.

And that's all for today. It is very useful for me to write this up in detail so apologies if it is getting a bit long winded!

 

[Jeni the dragon]

Wow, sounds a really amazing clinic!

 

[Palindrome]

I need to work on my halt and contact too so this is very useful Ambers Echo. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sam_J]

Very interesting - looking forward to the next instalment!

 

[McFluff]

Very interesting. Thanks for taking the time to share.

 

[Diddleydoo]

This is fascinating. Thank you for taking the time to write it all up.

 

[Lots of Gift Bags]

Sounds like a great clinic, looking forward to the next instalment. Ground work is not something I've ever really done, does his book cover the basics of it?
ETA it looks like a memoir, can anyone recommend a good groundwork book?

 

[Noble]

Really enjoying this, I'm afraid I've never heard of him so off to google. Keep it coming.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Sounds like a great clinic, looking forward to the next instalment. Ground work is not something I've ever really done, does his book cover the basics of it?
ETA it looks like a memoir, can anyone recommend a good groundwork book?

Yes it is a memoir not a 'how to' book. I am not the best person to ask about groundwork - I'd like recommendations too! I liked Maxwell's Birth to Backing which included leading, long lining etc. But the groundwork at this clinic was different to the basic education for a young horse taught in that book.

 

[Wheels]

101 horsemanship exercise is a great starting point, really good book with great tips and shows all the basics.

A good groundwork instructor would also be beneficial

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Tik Talk:

He also talked about jumping. In his view direction or line is the most important thing so he makes sure that is right first. If a horse in not on the right line then adding speed won't really help. If the horse is on the right line the chances are he will jump even if he has slowed down as in most cases stopping right in front of a jump is harder than jumping it. The same is not true of run outs - especially if the line is poor.

He has a system for managing run outs:

HALT as quickly after the run out as possible.
THINK - and take a deep breath. Don't be in a hurry to pull horse round for another go. Even in competition! If you've had a run out then your day is over competition wise so you might as well make the training count.
"UNWIND". By this is means retrace your steps exactly till you get back to the jump. So if there is a run out to the right. Halt. Then turn left and get back onto the line the horse took then follow that. Turn horse towards jump. Halt and let him look at it. Then continue retracing steps to where the run out started and turn to rejoin that line and re-present. Do not add speed. Go slower than first time if anything. Your aim is for the horse to run out less far than the first time. So if you halted 20 feet from the jump, the run out was 20 feet and the aim is for it to be less than that. Success is not just jumping. Success is making progress. So if the next run out is 10 feet, and then 5 feet that is fine.

Tik said don't add speed until your run out is less than a foot - ie the horse stops in front - at that point you can encourage with a tap or a kick to say "come on, let's go". But don't add speed if you are not yet spot on with direction.

In practice I never saw more than 2 run outs using this approach and rarely more than one and this was with green young or troubled horses over pretty spooky stuff. It worked very well.

Stops.

Refusing is usually harder on a horse than jumping so there has to be a reason for it. Top reasons to consider if you have a stopper:

FEAR/ANXIETY/LOSS OF CONFIDENCE
OVERFACED
PAIN/ANTICIPATED PAIN
LOSS OF BALANCE, POOR STRIDE
RIDER ISSUES (not clear about where wants horse to go, anxious, hanging onto mouth, dropping the contact etc)
DISTRACTED
HABIT

And probably a few more I have forgotten. So sorting out stopping means working out why it is happening and then fixing that issue. Lots of issues inter-relate. Eg an anxious rider does not give confidence to the horse. Or a rider lets the contact go and horse gets distracted.

He talked about rushing fences and the difference between Anxiety and Enthusiasm. Rushing fences is more commonly due to anxiety than to enthusiasm. Can also be habit/learned behaviour. Lots of people say 'oh my horse loves to jump' when horse is really tense! So he says look for other clues as to how your horse is feeling.

Next up: Gridwork.....

 

[Skib]

The notes that I took were for Amber. Idiot me did not realise that she wouldnt need them because participants have masses of vids, pics and notes provided to them. Spectators do not.
This is to report back on my hack yesterday. I dont know how other people were taught to ride forward seat. I was taught two different ways by two different instructors. But never felt that safe if the horse spooked or spun. None of my instructors mentioned maintaining leg contact with the horse.
Tik explained the jumping seat - the angles and adjustments which affected control and security and how it differed according to one's country. He then asked the students to ride in walk and trot over poles both standing in their stirrups with one hand out to the side and then in jumping seat.
I kept my stirrups at my normal hacking length but otherwise followed his instructions - toes slightly out and a soft clingy feel between my calves and the horse. Cantering a horse I had not cantered properly out in the open before. And the difference in safety was amazing.
This was a good thing as the girl I was sent out with, cantering ahead, and on a track I have never ridden before, completely ignored my requests to come back to trot.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

The notes that I took were for Amber. Idiot me did not realise that she wouldnt need them because participants have masses of vids, pics and notes provided to them. Spectators do not.

Your notes would be very useful Skib. We did not get vids and notes from Tik - we just got the classroom talks which spectators also attended and then the direct instruction in lessons. I think spectators may take more away then riders sometimes because they can watch more the of the sessions!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Just to add a little detail to jumping lines Tik talked about how to turn to get back onto a line in front of a jump. I am embarrassed to say this was news to me! (HHO gives a collective eye roll?)

But anyway.... Just say you want to jump a jump both ways: So you jump then canter away in a straight line then halt. You are now directly behind the jump facing the wrong way. So angle 45 degrees to the left or right then loop round to rejoin your line facing the right way and without overshooting the line. Same system after a run out. In fact same system anytime you need to turn around to get to a jump. It is just more smooth and organised and keeps you offering clarity to your horse that lines matter.

Anyway, onto Gridwork.

Tik set up a grid that was set assuming horses canter a 12 foot stride. In fact he said courses are generally built assuming 12 foot strides so ideally a horse's natural canter stride is about that. Grids are useful so you can focus on your own position as horse is put into a rhythm by the grid. And are good gymnastic exercises for horses.

Built the grid gradually and trotted in. There are endless variation on grids and he recommended a USEA website called Grid Pro Quo who regularly put up new grid patterns and exercises for people to have a play with. I have found this on Pinteresrt which looks great but can't find grids on the actual sire but here is the link in case others are more internet savvy than me and can find them....

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/srevennaugh/grid-pro-quo/

So the main issue I had with the grids was Amber rushing. So I was asked to trot over the first 2 poles then turn away smoothly on a 20m circle then represent and turn smoothly the other way. And to keep doing that until she did not change rhythm over the 2 poles. Then continue down the grid in the same rhythm again. And for the whole session just use my judgement as to whether to go down the grid or turn off.

I felt quite frustrated and deflated that I struggled so much with the grid because Amber has been fine over grids at home for ages. But then I realised that one of the benefits of a clinic is that you put your horse under pressure and so the issues they still have emerge. Which is useful. Clearly Amber rushing is still her default when under pressure which is not helpful, so this sort of situation reveals the gaps in her foundation.

One exercise he did included food treats - he set up the complete 5 element grid which finished with an Oxer then had a set of parallel poles to ride between, continuing straight and halting smoothly at a barrel which had a treat on it. This was to test which horses were calm enough to find it as anxious horses would not notice the treat on the barrel. And then also to offer an unexpected reward to horses for stopping.

In food treats he generally prefers to treats to just appear 'as if by magic' rather then to be associated with him. Keeps the horses interested and attentive, makes training more playful and means he is not seen as the Giver Of Treats so stops horses mugging him.

 

[milliepops]

are these the articles?
http://useventing.ws/gridproquo