2-Day Horsemanship Clinic
An accessible introduction to the healing power of working with Branded Brothers program horses. Required before applying to the 6-Week Academy and free for qualified veterans and public-safety personnel.
Program Overview
The 2-Day Horsemanship Clinic (Saturday & Sunday, 8 AM – 4 PM) provides an experiential introduction to the healing power of horsemanship. It is required before applying to the 6-Week Academy and is free for qualified veterans and public-safety personnel. Limited to 6 participants per session for a personalized equine experience.
Through hands-on work with these intuitive rescued animals, participants learn trust, observation and body awareness while experiencing the calming, grounding effects of meaningful outdoor work.
Our equine programs currently operate at Shelley Arena in Shelley, Idaho.
Duration
2 Days (Sat & Sun)
Eligibility
Veterans & public-safety personnel
Time Commitment
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost
Free for qualified veterans and public-safety personnel
Who It's For
This clinic is perfect for:
- Veterans exploring animal-assisted therapy
- Public-safety personnel (law enforcement, fire, EMS, corrections)
- Those considering applying to our 6-Week Academy
What You'll Learn
Basic Horsemanship
Fundamental horse-handling skills, safety protocols, and basic grooming techniques.
Trust Building
How to establish trust with horses through calm, consistent interaction.
Non-Verbal Communication
Reading and responding to horse body language and energy.
Groundwork Skills
Leading, haltering, and essential round pen exercises.
Responsibility
Daily care routines and understanding the importance of animal stewardship.
Mindfulness
Being present in the moment and developing focus through focused exercises.
Meet Our Horses
Kat, Rita, Cinch, Jax, and Ellie are owned by Branded Brothers and designated for program use. Spanky is our miniature ambassador horse, and our program mustang is designated for the 6-Week Academy.
Kat
Donated to Branded Brothers from Sheila Brogna, trained by Joe Redig at Redig Equine. Kat is one of our clinic horses — a very friendly, sweet mare.
Cinch
Donated to Branded Brothers. Cinch is a been-there-done-that lady. She is good to take an easy day on a mountain trail or cut cows in the branding pen. Great mare.
Rita
Donated to Branded Brothers. Rita is the definition of a babysitter horse — our go-to for beginners. In her past career she was specifically trained for autistic kids and understands how to be patient and take care of her riders.
Jax
Donated to Branded Brothers. Jax is our go-to for pulling wagons and packing. He is a half-draft, half-quarter horse standing at 17 hands. Jax is currently in training and we hope for great things from him.
Ellie
Donated to Branded Brothers. Ellie is our long-ear girl. She is great for those interested in mules and has a sweet personality. Ellie is also in training.
Spanky
Spanky is our miniature ambassador horse. He loves people and thrives on being the center of attention. Spanky represents Branded Brothers at events, education, and fundraising — he is not used for riding, clinics, or the Academy. Make sure to come see him at events!
Program Mustang
Our program mustang is designated for the 6-Week Academy, not the introductory clinic. She is currently in training and will be available in spring of next year. She doesn't have a name yet — come meet her at an upcoming event and see her progress.
Typical Schedule
Day 1 (Saturday): Introduction & Connection
8-12: Instruction and presentations. Morning session focused on introductory horsemanship skills, trust-building exercises, and group introductions. 12-1: Lunch break. 1-4: Afternoon session with deeper work on communication, groundwork exercises, and reflection on the day's learnings. tack, saddling, and ground work.
Day 2 (Sunday): Integration & Next Steps
8-12: Morning session focused on deeper work with horses, application of skills from day 1, and group reflections. 12-1: Lunch break. 1-4: Afternoon session focused on riding with guidance on next steps in the journey.
Expected Outcomes
Upon completing the 2-Day Introduction Clinic, participants will:
- Have introductory knowledge of horse care and handling
- Understand the therapeutic potential of animal-assisted work
- Be prepared to make informed decisions about continuing to the Academy
- Experience the calming, grounding effects of working with horses
- Connect with others who share similar interests and experiences
Ready to Experience Horsemanship?
Contact us about the next clinic and take the first step toward healing through horsemanship. Limited to 6 participants per session, and free for qualified veterans and public-safety personnel.