Dances With Horses Newsletters

We've just completed two very successful clinics in southeastern USA. The first, right on the edge of the Appalachians was held in Blacksburg, VA. Inclement weather forced us to change our location at the last minute. We ended up at Harmony Hills, a magnificent facility with a huge indoor arena that protected us from the first major winter rain and cold.

As in most clinics, several riders really grasp the depth of " the system" and become very interested in not only perfecting the steps, but eventually teaching it. This plays right into our goal of teachers teaching teachers. This has also pushed us in the direction of a more defined certification program. Certification is a work in progress that will be constantly evolving  and improving. Our 7 Step Instructors are highly proficient at teaching " the system" in private and small group settings. Our 7  Step Trainers have become masters at problem solving which includes real experience with the plethora of sticky issues horsemen typically face as well as starting young  horses. Our clinicians not only teach clinics, but do fund raisers and demonstrations as well. Our Premier Clinicians  help certify our beginning instructors. Each slot  is distinct. A great problem solver may never teach a clinic, nor  do private lessons. A clinician may not be a great problem solver. Our goal is to fit the right person into the right position to do the most good for horses and people.

We are overjoyed to announce our new partner who has attained '7 Step Instructor' status as  David Bishop, and Alexandra Danea. These trainers are experts at teaching the 7 Steps which is so critical to establishing a solid foundation for all horse/human communications. So often after the steps have been worked we find the thorny issues that got us in trouble in the first place, simply evaporate.

Two  weeks after Virginia we did another different clinic by sharing the spotlight with another trainer, namely Donna Maye West. Donna and I  have worked side by side at the last two Wild Horse Workshops. Impressed by her precise teaching abilities, we organized this clinic to give our riders the advantage of learning  from two trainers.  The  result was quite interesting. I focused on firmly entrenching our 7 Steps  deep into our  riders' psyches.  By the end of my day with our group of 13, we had the gang riding side by side performing figure 8's flawlessly. Donna then proceeded to finish her day as the group  rode confidently through an amazingly challenging obstacle course that included tarps, water, a bridge,  flapping and blowing gadgets, cavelettis, and much more. I was amazed at what Donna and our group accomplished in such a short time.  Diane DeLano organized this highly successful clinic and donated her house, farm, horses, numerous hours, and life to our great weekend.

The whole idea of bringing together different personalities at the same event is rapidly gaining popularity. We intend to include Donna in future clinics. In January I will be sharing two days as a demonstrator with Clay Harper, Josh Lyons,  Steve Sikora, and Linda Kokonov  in Tucson January 11 & 12. What a forward thinking approach it is to give spectators quality and variety all in one weekend. Check our web schedule for details and upcoming clinics in '03.

Click here to learn more about becoming a Frank Bell certified horse trainer...

Again this winter I am in the heat of saving this valuable and dwindling herd of sixteen. We've recently jumped a huge hurdle and now have a very bright light at the end of the tunnel. Mimi Rehor who has devoted her life to these creatures,  was personally invited by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas to a session of parliament in which the horses were granted a 4000 acre preserve. The paperwork has yet to arrive, but this appears like the real thing and has huge ramifications. Not only will the horses be moved back into their natural state and hopefully begin their reproductive cycles again, but this huge area will become a new " green activity" for visitors. A visitor center, hiking and biking trails, swimming in the unique " blue holes" and perhaps access into the backside of the  ocean paradise in  The Marls, could all become reality as Mimi's dream unfolds. Finally the light has turned on as the government has recognized the value of these sixteen horses.

DNA testing has proved these horses  to be unquestionably the purest strain of Spanish Barb in the world. These are foundation horses upon which millions of our current horse populations were derived. Their  origins  date back to the Barbary Coast of Africa.  Their bloodlines have not been altered in the hundreds of years they have thrived in this tropical paradise. When the herd is stabilized it's likely these pure  genes will be invaluable  in improving  current breeding.

Last week I spent three days working with a team whose goal was to trim hooves, survey and doctor the herd. K.C. LaPierre, a noted natural hoof specialist and his wife Robyn accompanied Mimi, Alex, Anthony Bostwich and myself as we sedated and tended to the individual horses' needs. K.C. did a fabulous job of quickly and efficiently cleaning up the horses' feet under highly stressful conditions. Some of these horses responded to the drugs quite well and were easy to work with some were not so easy and never let down, especially the stallions. Immediately after the trim the horses were standing and moving more comfortably. Our fingers are crossed that we'll be able to push them into their new home in the very near future.

To learn more about this project read the article I've written or access Mimi's: www.arkwild.org.

We're getting great feedback from our new " Problem Solving Video Series." This collection includes: Solving 7 Common Horse Problems, Water & Bridges, Trailer Loading, Problem Foot-handling, Mounting the Difficult Horse, and Spooking & Shying. The savings on this package are substantial.

Every week new horsemen join our ranks as they begin with The " Getting Started" Package. This includes all the information and tools to successfully perform the 7 Steps. Some of our new followers opt for beginning with " The Complete System" which is the entire audio/video library, pro yacht halter, extendable wand, laminated pocket card, and Spirit Tee. There is no substitute for having the proper information and the right  tools to begin your journey with equines.

See current  products lineup

Here's hoping this update finds you  and your horses enjoying the holidays and best wishes for the New Year.

Safe Riding,

Frank Bell and Dances With Horses

Copyright 2003, Dances With Horses Inc.