Natural Horsemanship Clinic at Free Horse Farm
June 17, 2002 Islands Weekly
A chilly fall wind on Nov. 7 was of no concern for the group of homeschool students who spent the day learning Natural Horsemanship on San Juan Island.
Participants were Lindsey Cummins, Lopez Island; Alice Haefele, Lopez Island; Katrina Wakeman, San Juan Island; and Rachel Wilber, Lopez Island.
The dedicated young horsewomen learned how to think, feel and communicate like a horse. Approaching the horse with an understanding of his or her nature, participants explored how to develop a relationship with horses that leads to a willing partnership and harmony between horse and human.
The clinic took place at Free Horse Farm on San Juan Island and was offered by San Juan Island resident Susanna Kellogg, a lifelong horsewoman who practices and teaches natural horsemanship.
Features: A new way to approach your horse
September 23 2002 Islands Weekly
Can you imagine riding a horse without a saddle and a bridle? Well, Susana Kellogg of Free Horse Farm showed horse enthusiasts on Lopez Island that it can be done.
On Sept. 20, Kellogg, who lives on San Juan Island and offers lessons, clinics, and training at her farm there, conducted a clinic on the south end of Lopez.
Kellogg uses what she calls the “Essential Horsemanship” approach, which focuses on developing a natural partnership, harmony and unity with horses. Essential Horsemanship is “like communicating with a horse in their language,” Kellogg said. Horses are herd animals, which means that there is always a leader that the other horses give way to, as well as respect. According to Kellogg, it is important that equestrians communicate to their horses that they are good leaders.
It is also important to put energy into understanding your horse as well as understanding yourself. “You need to be willing to see the whole horse, mind, body and spirit,” Kellogg said.
Once the lines of communication are open, the horse and rider can create a willing partnership. Kellogg demonstrated to the audience what a willing partnership creates between a horse and rider. She rode Drum, her 12-year-old, 17.3 hand thoroughbred without a saddle or a bridle, yet was still able to move him through his gaits, perform flying lead changes and even jump him.
Kellogg then brought out a chainsaw (without the blade) and started it up next to Drum. While the machinery was smoking and loudly running, she meandered around the front and back of her thoroughly unconcerned horse. Kellogg then explained to the audience that her horse has enough trust in her to know he was safe, despite the frightening sounds. She then jumped on bareback and started the saw again. Drum was still unfazed by the machinery.
Kellogg also worked with horses brought to the clinic by the audience. Tina and Helen O’Brien brought their horse, Punkin. Helen was having problems getting her horse to move forward and to stop rearing. “(The problem) starts with the person,” Kellogg said. Punkin was diagnosed with two problems: she doesn’t respect her rider and she has been desensitized. Rather than moving away from pressure, Punkin pushes into it.
Kellogg used what she calls conscious levels of communication and levels of pressure to get the horse to move forward. Once the horse moves forward it is rewarded for responding by having the pressure released.
According to Tina, she and Helen are at their wit’s end; if they can’t get through to Punkin they may have to sell her. However, they have hope she will turn around. “We’re going to try the natural horsemanship way,” Tina said.
If you missed this clinic, Kellogg and Drum will demonstrate at the San Juan County Fairgrounds on Oct. 11. Visit www.freehorsefarm.com for more information.
Understanding the nature of your horse
posted 10/14/03
Over 40 horse lovers braved the blustery weather at the San Juan County Fairgrounds Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003 to learn about developing a willing and exceptional partnership with their horse. The horsemanship demonstration and workshop was offered by lifelong horsewoman Susanna Kellogg (and thoroughbred partner, Drum) whose approach with horses focuses on understanding and honoring the essential nature of the horse, and communicating with horses in their own language.
For more information, visit www.freehorsefarm.com or call 378.2968
Sus and Drum
Horse lovers learn partnership potential
posted 09/30/03
PRESS RELEASE: Would you ride your horse bridleless? Could you operate a chainsaw from its back? Susanna Kellogg, San Juan resident and lifelong horsewoman and trainer, and her thoroughbred Drum, demonstrated these and other examples of horse/human trust and cooperation recently at the Essential Horsemanship Demonstration and Workshop on Lopez Island. Over 30 horse enthusiasts from San Juan County and beyond gathered at Steinbruek's arena to learn what's possible when they learn how to "talk" in their horses' language.
Three of Kellogg's local students demonstrated working with their horses from the ground, challenging them with jumps, a bridge and plastic bags. These horse/human relationships showed that ordinary horses are capable of extraordinary trust and willingness to please.
Kellogg stressed the functional importance of trust and cooperation-safety for horse and rider in any situation. She selected three demonstration horses and interviewed their owners about specific problems, such as rearing, pulling back, and running away. She then worked with each horse at its level of understanding to show the owner ways to address the problem. Her approach is based on recognizing the whole self of the horse-- mind, body, and spirit-and understanding their natural ways of communicating. The rider learns to become "as good as another horse" and engage their horse in a willing partnership.
By the end of the day Kellogg had observers ready to rush home to their horses with new appreciation. She plans future workshops in San Juan County and the Puget Sound region. For information call 378-2968 or visit www.freehorsefarm.com
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