Alternative Horsemanship
Alternative Horsemanship

Full Immersion  Alternative Horsemanship Clinics

Horse Coach Samantha Harvey

Equine Partnership, Human and Horse Behavior 

Altenative Horsemanship™ quote

What is a Full Immersion Horsemanship Clinic?

Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey's "Full Immersion Clinic"

Developed to create various learning opportunities to help equine enthusiasts refine their understanding of equine behavior and communication. Sam includes numerous topics with participants learning while unmounted and mounted, and in individual and group sessions. These safe, fun, and supportive learning scenarios offer an in-depth, full-immersion experience.

 

Learn to recognize behavioral patterns sabotaging you and your horse's interactions, address "holes" you and your horse's understanding of one another, raise awareness of your mental presence and energy, refine the specificity of your communication, and improve the overall quality of the equine partnership while building trust with the horse.  The clinic offers a safe, non-critical environment where you are encouraged to take the time to recognize how, why, and what you're communicating with your horse.  These horsemanship clinics can be a great way to offer perspective and offer participants both short and long-term realistic approaches.  The structure and focus of the clinic will adapt to the participants' and their horses' abilities. Whether a trail rider, jumper, pleasure rider, competitive trail participant, endurance rider, work cattle, Dressage enthusiast, or have other equine interests, participants will be building and refining the quality foundation necessary to be successful in all horse activities!

 

These typically Friday through Sunday clinics focus on Equine Behavior Assessment, Clear Communication & Effective Aids, Ground Work, and Riding. We also cover topics such as anatomical lectures, tack fit and appropriate usage, "finding a feel" exercises, group discussions, and more.


Who may participate?
From novice to advanced riders, I encourage participants of all ages, disciplines, and experience levels. Horses may range from un-started colts to experienced competitive horses, and everything in between.  This is not a "discipline-specific" clinic. There is a maximum of eight participants.

Can I bring more than one horse?
Yes.  One horse is included in the participant fee, if you would like to bring an extra horse to "split" sessions with, there is a $10/day fee.

Can I participate if I don't have my own horse?
At this time, one lesson horse is available that is offered on a first-come basis (depending on the order registration is received.)

 

How long is a session?
A clinic day begins at 8 a.m., with about an hour lunch break midday, and ends around 5 p.m.  The sessions are not by the clock, but individual time is roughly 45 min to 1 1/2 hours several times a day and group ride time is longer.  There are group discussions in-between rides discussing things that arose in each person's session.

Is the instruction individual or group?
Both.  Initially, everyone gets one-on-one coaching, and then depending on the student and their horse's needs, they will continue to have individual time and/or group instruction.
 

What tack do I need?
The only requirement is that all riders must wear an ASTM-approved riding helmet.  There are helmets available to borrow for the clinic for a $10 fee.  Otherwise, tack is often assessed, adjusted for proper fit, etc. throughout the clinic.

How do I register?
If you would like to participate, as of January 1, a non-refundable 50% deposit to guarantee participant slots.

Visit the Registration.
 

What does the clinic cost?

The Idaho location cost to participate in the three-day clinic is $600. For other clinics please see prices next to clinic locations listed at the bottom of the page.

May I audit?
Auditors may pay a daily or a discounted three-day fee.  They are encouraged to participate in all relevant group discussions.  The auditor fee is $50/day or a discount of $115/3 days. To pay online click HERE to get registered
 

What is included in the price?
Daily unmounted theory discussions, tack/equipment fitting & usage, individual and group instruction and activities, and pasture board (grass hay) for your horse.  There are four 12x12 uncovered stalls available on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be reserved at the time of your registration submission.  (You are responsible for cleaning your own stall.)

When may I arrive/depart?
Horse arrivals are to be on the Thursday before the first day of the clinic. Local folks typically head home Sunday evening.  Those traveling long distances stay through Sunday night, (extra $10/night board charge) and depart Monday morning.
 

Accommodation options
Free dry camping (sorry, no hook-ups) is available on the property whether you're in a tent, motor home, camper, or horse trailer.  There are many options via AirBnB, and plenty of name-brand hotels and motels in Sandpoint (about a 15 min drive south of the facility.)

Food/Grocery Options
Participants must provide their own food and lodging. A fantastic mom-and-pop store is just a few miles away, The Pack River General Store, offers basic groceries to a full dining menu that changes daily.
 

Property Rules
There is NO SMOKING policy on the TEC property.
All cell phones must be on vibrate for the ENTIRE clinic.  If you must take a call, please do so not to interrupt the other participant's experience.
You may not ride your horse outside of clinic activities unless otherwise given permission.
Dogs must be well-behaved (no barking) and remain on leashes at all times, and owners must pick up after them.

Private Facility

Coconut Creek, FL
February 24-25, 2024

$500/participant
 

Private Facility

Alpine, CA

February 10-11, 2024
$400/participant

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The Equestrian Center

Sandpoint, ID

August 23-25, 2024
$600/participant

 

Participant Sign Up
Auditor
 

Client Testimonials:

 

"I think of Sam as a gifted translator between horses and humans. She’s able to show you what your horse is thinking through its carriage, breathing, and behavior. What I have learned from Sam is that the physical follows the mental which is very eye-opening coming from a traditional riding experience. This is so different from the conventional trainer who is ONLY focused on the physical." Vanessa, FL

 

"I was there to see Samantha help with this troubled Belgian horse. It was truly amazing to see the change in the horse as she offered him a peaceful place to be. I will be a fan forever." Expo auditor Joy C 2021

 

"I enjoyed the day so much. Thank you for allowing me to audit. I look forward to coming back to continue my learning journey with Sam's knowledge and guidance. Truly she has been give a gift and what a gift to all of us that she has chosen to share it. I will be there as much as I can to listen and learn. It was a privelege to watch her work!" Kathy 2022

 

"I'm glad I went to audit. The whole session reminded me of how important to build the foundation of communication skills with my horse in the way that Sam teaches. Thank you for an amazing time!:

Kana 2022

 

"I feel like I learned so much simply from auditing some of the sessions and look forward to learning more. In the past few days, I have been practicing some of the new methods (especially ‘slowing down’ in new ways and learning to observe the small emotional signals) with my two sweet mustang girls, and both mother and daughter are really responding well! It is so fun and rewarding to see."

DB 2022