Centered Riding/Sure Foot Pads Clinic

Clinic Cancelled due to insufficient entries.

Clinician Deborah Murphy explains how your body moves, offers an introduction to Sure Foot Pads and using Centered Riding Techniques. The clinic also includes small group lessons that let clinic participants practice new skills.

Date & Time:

Saturday, June 5, 2021  ::  9:00 am – 4:00 pm (rain date June 13, 2021)

Location:

Westfield Riding Club, 29 Fowler Road, Westfield, MA 01085

Clinic Description/Schedule:

12 Riders Maximum at this clinic.  Auditor slots available.

• Morning Session
  How your body moves, intro to sure foot pads for you and your horse, utilizing centered riding techniques.
• Lunch
  Bring your own (no food vendors will be onsite due to COVID-19)
• Afternoon Session
  Use your skills with a 45 minute to 1 hour, 2 to 3 riding group lesson.  Time slots will be assigned on a first come basis.

Prices:

Westfield Riding Club Members:
$85 full participation/ride  ::  $20 Audit

Nonmembers:
$95 full participation/ride  ::  $25 Audit

Debbie Murphy is a USDF Associate Instructor, Centered Riding Instructor- Level ll, Reiki Practitioner-Master Level, Feldenkrais Practitioner, Sure Foot Equine Stability Program Practitioner-1 Hoof Level

After retiring from the U.S. Government, Deborah became a full-time riding instructor and incorporates Dressage training principles, Centered Riding techniques and principles, and Feldenkrais Method® principles in all the lessons she teaches. The Centered Riding method uses body awareness, centering and imagery to re-educate a rider’s mind and body to achieve greater balance to better communicate and move with the horse. Deborah learned that the Awareness through Movement lessons (Feldenkrais Method®) helped her in all aspects of her life, not just in riding. Normal day to day activities were done with more ease, her body was more even, and balanced, physical movements were done more freely and more efficiently. In addition to Feldenkrais for people, there is a program for horses involving the use of the Sure Foot® pads developed by Wendy Murdoch. The Sure Foot Pads seem to help horses in a similar way that the Feldenkrais Method helps people. The program offers the horse the ability to self-govern while creating awareness in posture, balance, and movement. Standing on the Sure Foot pads allows the horse to “reset” or self-correct habitual patterns. Using the pads seems to help the horse “reprogram” his or her own brain (again like Feldenkrais work). The pads also act like a magnifying glass to the observer. They have a soothing effect, bringing more tranquility to the horse which can last longer than a single session, reducing long term stress. Some of the benefits include better performance, relaxation, and well-being, improved proprioception, support during chronic illness, help with rehabilitation, enhancing training, and Improved learning through novel, interesting experiences.

Links and Downloads:

Use the links below to register for the clinic (NOTE: Both auditors and participants MUST fill out BOTH waiver forms).

• Online Registration Form
• Downloadable Clinic Flyer
• Downloadable Release & Hold Harmless
• Downloadable Liability Waiver

Questions?

Email us at westfieldridingclub@gmail.com.