Horsemanship

~ Balance ~ Rhythm ~ Relaxation ~ Timing ~ Softness ~ Responsiveness ~ Lightness ~

~ Collection ~ Bonding ~ Trusting ~

We use Larry Whitesell Gaited Horsemanship which works on any breed of horse and any discipline,

not just with gaited horses.

This form of dressage originating from the Spanish Riding School, first began with trotting horses to get them to soften, relax their jaw, and lower their head and neck. Suppling exercises came next, along with lateral flexion and then verticle flexion to get them soft and supple.

Attend one of Larry's clinics at Wellgreen Farm in July 2012 and see for yourself how these relaxation exercises help round your horses back, getting them on the bit and working underneath themselves which in turn causes them to want to bond with you!

Our goal at Wellgreen Farm is to move away from the all too common use of harsh bits and spurs to force them into position, causing a false movement, which in turn causes the horse to tense up, placing the horse in a painful or inverted position, which makes them fearful and anxious.

- How to improve gait without devices
- Lightness
- How to develop the horse gymnastically to facilitate relaxation, create
flexibility and balance
- How to school the horse in hand and under saddle
- How to build engagement to improve gait without building resistance
- How you ride affects your horse's balance and gait
- Balanced, light stops
- Collection

With sensitive horses, you really need a lighter touch.....to fine tune their movements and this is where Larry's methods come into play. We are not accepting horses for fine tuning training.

We will still perform Clinton Anderson's Natural Horsemanship techniques to put a foundation on the horse (both gaited and trotting horses alike) but then we fine tune it with Larry Whitesell's and Mark Russell's techniques come into play for

that soft touch responsiveness everyone wants in a horse.

This is truly the icing on the cake so to speak.

All three methods can be used on any horse and we can even teach you how to do these exercises with your horse as well. We have traveled around the world to learn from these great clinicians!

For further information, contact Marj. Gilmore at 309+530-0670 or email us at:

wellgreenfarm@frontier.com

~ Wellgreen Farm ~

In September of 2010, in an effort to increase our knowledge base towards fine tuning our horses, Marj. & Richard invited world reknown clinician, Larry Whitesell, to come to Wellgreen Farm and put on a clinic which he did. We were all SO very impressed with the classical dressage teachings of Larry and the lightness methods, we invited him back in July of 2012 and every year after that. In the meantime, I ordered approximately 100 books (that Larry recommended......written by Mark Russell) for all of our clients and gave them out so they could start learning as well.

On February 19th, Marj. drove to Kentucky to audit a 3-day clinic given by Mark Russell who wrote the book, "Lessons in Lightness". This was very informative as both gentlemen compliment each other with their unique but similar style of teachings! We held very successful workshops in our home, educating everyone to their methods over the winter months, and ultimately performing these in hand exercises with the horses in our indoor arena!

Subsequently Marj. & Richard then rode and audited Larry Whitesell's clinic at this year's Illinois Horse Fair in early March which subsequently sold out all of our spots to his July Clinic here at the farm. On August 25th through the 28th, we both audited and rode in a clinic in Rossville, Illinois with Mark Russell and learned even more. With more to learn, in order to continue to teach others these methods, Marj., then signed up for a clinic at Larry Whitesell's ranch in Tennessee the 18th throught the 23rd of this month and will be riding one of his well trained horses at that location.

We have seen a huge need in this area to help people advance in their horsemanship skills themselves with their own horse. If we can educate the riders on how to ride the horse correctly, this will help the horse with fine tuning training as well. Whether or not your horse is gaited and/or a trotting variety of horse, we can help you out as we have already applied these methods to our own horses with much success!

As we unfold this new chapter in our lifes, our focus, now, is to help people work with and train their own horse(s) with these methods so they can obtain the desired results of lightness and collection. The horse ends up being very balanced, working underneath itself, rounding their back and light in the bridle. Horses are softening and lowering their head in a relaxed frame and on the bit.

They go forward willingly in a "collected" frame with natural forward impulsion!

In addition, gaited horses that once fell out of gait are gaiting once again!

Trotting horses are soft and on the bit with natural forward impulsion!

In summary, optimum equestrian skills, take education, time, and consistent practice. As we progress and advance our skills, to become better and better horsemen and women, one thing is blatently clear, "None of us are ever done learning!"

For further informaiton, please don't hesitate to contact by calling 309+530-0670 or emailing me at marj.gilmore@frontier.com.

Thank you! Marjorie

Marjorie Gilmore, Owner/Manager

NARHA Certified Riding Instructor

Rather than provide you with a bunch of certification titles, we thought we would share with you exactly what we have done under these professional horsemen:

Richard Shrake Resistance Free Training

(Studied under Richard Shrake 5-Day Hands-on Clinic)

Clinton Anderson Natural Horsemanship Training

(Studied under Clinton Anderson 10-Day Hands-On Clinic)

Larry Whitesell Horsemanship Training

(Studied under Larry Whitesell 3-Day Hands-On Clinic &

5-Day Hands-On Clinic in Tennessee)

Mark Russell's Lessons in Lightness Book

(Currently studying under Mark Russell through our workshops and an upcoming clinic in 2011)

Visitors always welcome....

Please call first.......

309+530-0670 or 309+532-1558

Thank you!

Our training is based on consistency which leads to rapid progression, without resistance, which then leads to a bond and trusting relationship between the rider and the horse.

We encourage our clients to stay and watch our training sessions at any time. We want you to know how to handle your horse, once you get home, so you may continue on with any needed training, going forward, that may arise. We offer training session lessons so you will know how to handle your horse once you get him home.

It doesn't matter if we are training your young filly or colt or if your horse just needs a little fine-tuning done.

We can help you get and keep the desired results you want in your horse without inflicting fear or pain.

It is all done naturally, using the psychology of the horse and breaking it down so the horse understands what we are asking of it and then rewarding the horse for every small step it does right......

Time is precious......don't delay putting off the training necessary for your horse, so you can make the most of your riding pleasure in a safe, fun, and enjoyable way!

Larry's Philosophy and History

Does your horse run off with you, buddy sour, barn sour, or spooking instead of allowing you to guide him in the bridle?

Does your horse throw his head up when asking to back or when wanting a release of the reins?

Is your horse's frame collected or is your horse front end heavy and not using his back end to work underneath himself?

Do you know that your left and right reins talk to your horse's left and right front legs?

Is your horse hallowing out his back, with his head up, and his legs trailing out behind him in an uncollected frame?

If your horse has any of these problems, we can help you fine tune your horse to be light to your hands, seat, and legs; to respect the aids;

to get in balance, collected, and soften his head and neck; and work underneath himself.