The TTPA Spook Clinic was a resounding success. Horse and riders had a great time. The clinic was focused on making your horse safer by de-sensitizing the horse to items that the horse might encounter on the trail.

Hank Copeland introduced the riders to common sense safety rules for trail riding. He talked about the proper way to pass other riders and trail etiquette. For example, if riders are passing you, you move out of the way and face the passing riders – don’t put your horse’s rear pointing to where another horse will pass. While this seems logical, most riders don’t think about it unless they have been taught.

Many horse trails share the path with hikers. Sometimes large packs can look frightening to a horse. As part of the Spook Clinic horses were acquainted with back packers with large packs.

Riding in hot weather in Texas means your horse needs to drink from different water sources. An unfamiliar water trough can appear frightening to a horse on the trail. Here a horse reacts to a simple water trough. Once the horse processed what it was, this horse was happy to take a sip from the trough.

On the trail bikes can look like strange monsters to a horse. In the clinic, Hank and a volunteer introduced a bike to a participant’s horse.

One of the fun articles horses were introduced to was Hank and an umbrella. Umbrellas are just not things horses learn about in the wild. So, horse must learn not to fear umbrellas and flapping ponchos through conditioning.

In addition to the Spook Clinic, the TTPA ran a silent auction to help raise funds. Volunteers from the Trinity Trail Preservation Association ran the auction. Donations were from local businesses and from TTPA members. Items included saddles, artwork, as well as horse themed lawn ornaments.

There was a good number of people who turned out to audit (watch) the clinic. Since there was only room for eight participants with horses, auditing is a great way to learn the techniques and then you can work with your horse at home. Apparently people weren’t the only ones who enjoyed the clinic. This gorgeous paint stood at the far end of the arena captivated by all the goings on. He watched most of the clinic.

My favorite obstacle the horses were introduced to was the flying plastic bags. Selena Copeland with the help of an oversized fan, blew a series of plastic garbage bags into the arena. Garbage bags are an unfortunate, but frequent item we encounter on the trail. Getting the horses to not over-react to moving bags makes a horse safer and more fun to ride.

Since the Spook Clinic lasted about four hours, a hotdog lunch was offered. Here Trail Steward Charlie Gaines enjoys a delicious hot dog cooked by Tom Eberhart. Gotcha Charlie. 🙂

Other pictures of the clinic are shown below.

Berdine will have more pictures in the upcoming Trinity Trails Preservation Newsletter due out in early July.

Our sincere thanks to Hank and Selena Copeland for hosting and running the event. Also want to thank all the hardworking souls behind the scenes who made it happen. Thanks Berdine and Tom Eberhart, Pat Martin, Charlie Gaines, Tracy Matern, Duke and Pat Monson and everyone else who pitched in to help out. I apologize in advance to anyone I didn’t mention. Please let me know who I accidently left off so I can add them. Everyone who volunteered their time should get the credit they deserve. The event was a huge success thanks to the volunteers.