Written by: Marie Demeulenaere, Equine Trainer
“If you can’t send your horse through an obstacle, then you probably shouldn’t ride him on it.” Jessica Dabkowski’s advice brought laughter and smiles all around. Many trainers know the surprise of riding a horse over a bridge or water crossing for the first time, only to face an unexpected reaction. To help horses and riders overcome these challenges, Two Spruce Farm organized an obstacle clinic led by Jody Marken, barn operator and longtime trainer, and Jessica Dabkowski, a mustang trainer and horsemanship instructor.
The arena was transformed into an obstacle course with over twenty challenges, including ground tires, colorful pool noodles, curtains, tarps, and noisy carpets. Each obstacle offered a different level of difficulty, designed to improve horses’ training and comfort with various situations.
Kylo and Equine Trainer, Marie
At Colorado Horse Rescue (CHR), our horses come from diverse backgrounds, with varying degrees of groundwork and exposure to new environments. Some, like former trail horses from dude ranches, are familiar with outdoor settings, while others have had little experience with obstacles. For this clinic, CHR trainers brought two horses: Kylo and Patrick, both in our riding program and available for adoption. Kylo, a young Thoroughbred with big emotions, needs to build confidence, while Patrick, a 4-year-old draft cross, is in training and still gaining experience.
Patrick and Equine Trainer, Caleigh
“Leading” vs. “Sending”
The clinic began with groundwork, introducing horses to obstacles in hand. Leading them allowed the horses to understand what their handlers were asking while building trust and a strong foundation. This wasn’t just about tackling obstacles; it was about strengthening the horse-handler relationship. We started by walking in front of the horse to “lead” them to the obstacles. If the horse was comfortable, we “sent” them over on their own on a lunge line. Being able to send your horse is important and gives an idea of the behavior under saddle. The handler must focus on energy, patience, and repetition, which are essential for horses with strong emotions. Jody Marken and Jessica Dabkowski were very helpful and provided advice to the participants.
Next, we saddled up and navigated the obstacles from the saddle. Kylo and Patrick approached this part of the clinic very differently. Kylo struggled to overcome his fear of unfamiliar colors, shapes, and noises, reacting with visible anxiety at each new challenge. Patrick, in contrast, remained calm, curious, and confident, tackling each obstacle with ease. This difference doesn’t mean Kylo won’t make a good trail horse; it simply means he needs more time, training, and patience compared to Patrick.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and we’re looking forward to the next obstacle clinic at Two Spruce Farm!
Check out our video of the obstacle clinic!