Here is the
latest testimonial we have that will warm your
heart:
Sumerel Rescues Horse Rescue Pony
The fundraiser for the
Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue held at Catawba
Equestrian Center on March 22, 2008 was a
rousing success on two fronts:
For ONE, through the generosity of the many attendees,
a goodly amount of money was raised....every
single penny of which went to the Horse Rescue,
to help feed the horses.
Secondly, through the generosity of Dan Sumerel, who donated
his time and skills, a HORSE RESCUE pony,
considered as too dangerous for adoption and
whose very fate was questionable, got a new
lease on life as a result of Dan's good work.
The attendees watched as Dan patiently turned
this "Dangerous" Pony ( who was led into the
round pen by TWO people, one on each side,
walking about FIVE feet from the pony ) into a
TRUSTING, WILLING COMPANION, WHO WALKED
QUIETLY OUT OF THE ROUND PEN ON A LOOSE LEAD,
HAPPILY FOLLOWING HER NEW LEADER.
Thanks again to Dan
and Jocelyn, the volunteers form the Botetourt
County Horseman's Association, and all the
attendees for their contributions to such a
worthy cause. Horse Rescue, which provides
such a valuable service to our equine friends in
need, receives NO government support and relies
entirely upon contributions and volunteers.
Debbie Caldwell-Bono
Owner of Catawba Equestrian Center
Gosh, we LOVE our job! D & J
Dan's newest buddy
wants to know just how close
Dan wants him to get...
Horse Course Objectives:
To get and keep your horse's attention.
To control the movement of your horse's
body, WITHOUT the use of FORCE or
UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT! YES, THIS CAN BE
DONE!
To do these things while keeping the horse
CALM. It is NOT important what Dan can do
with your horse, it is much more important
that he can show YOU how to become a
complete partner with your horse!
COME
SPEND A WEEKEND WITH DAN AND THE HORSES,
WHERE YOU WILL LAUGH AND LEARN MORE THAN YOU
EVER THOUGHT WAS POSSIBLE!
You will do ALL of the above WITHOUT THE
USE OF FORCE, and WITHOUT THE USE OF
UNNECESSARY TACK! Your horse will not do endless
laps around the round pen.
Your horse will choose how many laps to go, if
he chooses to go at all! That's right, sometimes
the horses DON'T WANT to MOVE! If that happens,
don't worry, we will teach you how to get
through it.
And, yes, ALL of this work is done AT
LIBERTY! OK, we do use a 60 ft. round pen.
But, that is just to provide you and your horse
a safe, contained place in which to work
together. But, NO ROPES, NO CHAINS AND NO
LUNGE LINES ARE ALLOWED, and you will quickly
see why you won't need them.
YOU and YOUR HORSE will do all the
work, together. How could this clinic possibly
benefit you and your horses if Dan did all the
work......and then, he went home? That would not
be beneficial at all! YOU need to have the tools
in your toolbox to know how to deal with any
given situation that may arise between you and
your horse.
Don't worry, you won't be doing
all of this alone! Dan will be coaching you, in
a very precise and easily understood way,
throughout the entire process. You will know
when to make a move, and when to be still.
Better yet, you will know why!
WE DO NOT USE THE ROUND PEN AS AN INSTRUMENT
WHICH CAUSES YOUR HORSE EXHAUSTION BY RUNNING
HIM AROUND IN CIRCLES UNTIL HE JUST GIVES IN!
WHAT GOOD WOULD THAT DO, EXCEPT TO TEACH THE
HORSE THAT YOU CAN "MAKE" HIM DO
SOMETHING.... WHICH THEN, AT SOME POINT IN TIME,
MIGHT BACKFIRE ON YOU. ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU MAY
BE FACED WITH A HORSE WHO IS SULLEN, STUBBORN
AND UNCOOPERATIVE, & PERHAPS EVEN DANGEROUS!
The format of this workshop is very different
from ANY clinic that you may have attended
before. You are given a LOT of information as to
how to understand your horse, and any horse that
you will come in contact with. We talk about
many things that affect horses, such as feeding
and housing them, bits and shoes, barefoot
horses, saddle fit and more!
Dan's past background as a corporate trainer
and motivational speaker, gives him the ability
to communicate concepts to people in ways that
help them to understand his methods. He is also
superbly skilled at explaining, and showing, how
to adapt these methods to fit the personality
and character of each horse.
With only 10 participants bringing horses and
another 20 or so participants without horses, this workshop
is very intense and focused. Are you INTRIGUED?
We invite you to come and join us for the most
informative horse clinic you will ever attend.
You will learn how to influence the behavior of
every horse who may enter your life, in a safer
and positive way. Every twitch of a muscle, each
movement of the horse's feet, each sigh and body
shake mean SOMETHING to the horse. It is
our responsibility to UNDERSTAND WHAT THE
HORSE IS TELLING US. Dan teaches you how to
understand exactly what the horse is telling
you.
The sheer quantity of information presented in
this three-day class is unbelievable. This is a
very quiet class, where every participant is
totally focused on the relationship that is
building between each owner and their
horse. Each owner will enter the round pen, with
their horse, one at a time. Note taking is encouraged,
so bring a pen and a pad, along with a comfy
chair!
When each horse and their owner have
completed the Round Pen work, we will then
progress on to Arena Work. All of the horses
will be brought into the arena, at the same
time. Simple and complex ground exercises will
be performed. This will help you measure just
how connected you and your horse are becoming!
It is important for you to realize that becoming
connected with your horse is a Process,
and it does not happen overnight. YOU
must remain Patient, Persistent and
Consistent with your horse ALL the
time. This is the only way that your horse will
begin to see you as Worthy of being his
leader, or his Alpha. What an awesomely
wonderful moment it is when you realize that you
no longer have to struggle with your horse in
order to get him to do what it is YOU want him
to; whether it be crossing a creek, or executing
a complex dressage movement!
Each participant with a horse, does
the work under Dan's careful and
precise instruction.
You learn so much more when you
actually do the work yourself.
You learn so much more when you actually do the
work yourself.
Some horses change a lot, and some gradually,
but you will understand the differences and why
they are important to those horses. This process
always works, and it always works with every
horse, regardless of breed, gender, or any other
human judgment. Some horses take a little longer
to come around, but we'll work with you till
they do!
We have expanded our Horse Course* to a three
day format, due to popular demand. On the third
day, Monday, we offer each participant the
opportunity
to CHOOSE WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE HELP WITH. This
can be groundwork, or riding. Any issues you
might want to address! If your horse is afraid
of bicycles,
Dan will work with you and your horse to help
YOU help your horse get over that fear. Perhaps
you would like to learn to ride in a Dr. Cook's
Bitless Bridle. Dan is
a certified Bitless Bridle Instructor, and will
be delighted to show you HOW to Control Your
Horse WITHOUT a BIT!
Participants without a horse are also welcomed to
join us for Monday's session. We
often learn best by watching. And, often the
most amazing things happen that day!
Here is a horse who was previously
out of control, before his round pen
session. You now see this
horse calm and willing.
If you would like to attend or host a Sumerel
Horse Course* in your area, please contact Dan or
Jocelyn at 540-384-6220. We would love to help a
Charity in your area raise funds with our Friday
night Charity Benefit, and we would love to give
you and your horse the opportunity to forge a
bond that will last a lifetime!
