Are you inspired by the harmonious partnership between Jonathan Field and his horses? Jonathan thrives on helping individuals deepen their connection and understanding with their equine companions. His horsemanship clinics offer an unforgettable and invaluable opportunity to elevate your journey in horsemanship, fostering a stronger bond and achieving new levels of progress with your horse. These immersive events are designed to be both fun and safe, providing a unique setting for you and your horse to learn and grow.
The Jonathan Field Horsemanship Clinic Experience
Participation in a Jonathan Field Horsemanship Clinic is more than just a lesson; it’s a transformative experience. In a supportive and engaging environment, Jonathan provides personal attention and expert advice tailored to you and your horse’s specific needs. This focused guidance helps you improve your skills and build confidence, enabling you to maintain and continue that progression long after the clinic concludes. Beyond individual instruction, immersing your horse in a new environment with other horses around serves as a powerful teaching tool, exposing them to different stimuli and scenarios. Observing the advancements and experiences of fellow riders also offers a fresh perspective, enriching your own learning process.
Jonathan Field Horsemanship Clinics are typically offered in 3 or 4-day formats, with varying focuses to cater to different learning objectives. These clinics run from morning until late afternoon each day. A range of courses are available, from foundational levels designed for beginners to advanced courses for experienced riders. Whether you’re looking to learn, laugh, make new friends, or develop a truly great partnership with your horse, these clinics are designed for you.
For those interested in observing, clinics offer an educational and inspiring experience. As a spectator, you gain a unique perspective by watching various riders and their horses navigate different exercises. This allows you to learn from up to 12 examples of situations you might encounter with your own horse, providing valuable insights and inspiration for your horsemanship journey.
You can find the Clinic Schedule and Clinic Hosts for the current year HERE. For further information, feel free to call us at 1-888-533-4353. We eagerly anticipate seeing you at an upcoming clinic!
Preparing for Your Clinic
To ensure a productive and safe experience for all participants, Jonathan Field Horsemanship Clinics have specific prerequisites for both riders and horses.
Horse Requirements:
- Age: Horses must be at least 3 years old.
- Temperament: No stallions are permitted. These clinics are not designed for starting young or unbroke horses; your horse must be comfortable with handling and riding in a group setting.
- Experience: For Course 1, horses should have at least 40 rides and be capable of being ridden at the walk, trot, and some canter. For Course 2, the horse must be a solid, safe riding horse competent in the exercises from Course 1 and comfortable in a group environment.
Rider Requirements:
- Course 1: Participants should have some introductory knowledge of the Jonathan Field Horsemanship program and principles. This can be achieved by reading “The Art of Liberty Training for Horses” and/or watching Ground DVD 1 from the Natural Foundation Home Study Program. Riders should be comfortable at the walk, trot, and some canter.
- Course 2: Riders should have completed Course 1 knowledge and ideally have progressed through Ground DVD 2 and Riding DVD 1 from the Natural Foundation Home Study Program. An “Welcome to Course 2” assessment from Jonathan is recommended. Proficiency at the walk, trot, and canter is expected.
Please contact your clinic host if you have any questions regarding these prerequisites.
Essential Equipment for Your Clinic
The equipment you’ll need will vary slightly depending on the course you are attending.
Course 1 Clinic:
- Rope halter
- 12′ lead rope
- Horseman’s stick and string (or equivalent)
- Bridle and/or rope hackamore
- Saddle
- Saddle pad
- Riding helmets are strongly recommended; however, they are mandatory for riders under 18 years old.
Course 2 Clinic:
- All equipment from Course 1 Clinic.
- An additional 22′ line.
A full line of Jonathan Field Horsemanship equipment will be available for purchase during the clinic. To minimize disruptions, please plan to make any purchases in the morning before the clinic begins or during lunch breaks.
Clinic Policies and Guidelines
To ensure a smooth and respectful experience for all, please be aware of the following policies:
Photography and Recording:
- Photos: All photos taken during the clinic are for personal use only. Any photograph featuring another rider or horse besides your own, or of Jonathan or his team, requires prior written consent before being posted or published. Photos of Jonathan’s teaching materials are strictly prohibited.
- Video/Audio Recording: Absolutely no video or audio recording of the clinic is permitted. Anyone found recording will be asked to stop. Repeat offenses will result in the individual being asked to leave the premises without a refund.
Payment and Cancellation Policy:
- Clinic Deposit: A non-refundable, non-creditable, and non-transferable deposit of $400.00 is required to secure your spot.
- Clinic Balance: The remaining balance is due 60 days before the clinic. If paying by cheque, please include a credit card number or a post-dated cheque for the balance. Clinic balance payments are non-refundable and non-transferable but can be applied as a credit towards future DVDs or equipment.
- Cancellation: If you cancel at any time, the $400 deposit is forfeited. If the balance has been paid, an additional $50 administration fee will be charged, and the remaining amount will be issued as a Jonathan Field Horsemanship Credit. These credits are valid for one calendar year and can be used for DVDs, equipment, or applied to another clinic or camp if space is available.
Food and Feed:
- Food: Please contact the clinic host directly to confirm the availability of food and beverages onsite.
- Horse Feed: You are responsible for providing your horse’s feed and grain during the clinic. Your host can direct you to the nearest feed store if needed.
Clinic Size and Instruction
The maximum number of riders per clinic is 12-13, depending on arena size. This ensures Jonathan can dedicate one-on-one time to each horse and rider. Jonathan himself teaches all clinics; while he may have an assistant for momentary support, all instruction is under his direct guidance and supervision.
We look forward to helping you and your horse achieve new heights in your horsemanship journey!
