Take Heart Counseling & Equine Assisted Therapy
Each clinic in our Connected Horsemanship series is designed to strengthen the bond between you and your horse — no force, just honest communication and connection. All skill levels are welcome unless otherwise noted. Bring your horse or work with one of ours.
Instructors Kody Kerkeslager and Brooke Merritt tailor the clinic experience for each student, so that no matter your skill level, you will receive individualized attention and get something that you can take with you for continued practice!
Clinics are a great way to either “dip your toes” into a new topic – or continue your practice with your horse companions. For an even “deeper dive” into these topics, check out our seasonal Connected Horsemanship focus groups!
Connection Basics in Groundwork teaches you many ways to connect with your equine partner in a mutual way — no force, just conversation. We start by finding ways to be more connected during grooming, then move to groundwork online and off.
You’ll learn how to stay connected with your horse so you can do things with each other instead of to each other — communicating clearly, building your relationship, and sharing the leadership role. Whether your goals include riding or not, a mutually rewarding relationship with your horse has both physical and emotional benefits for both!
Dates:
All skill levels welcome.
Connection Basics in Riding takes the principles of connection into the saddle. This clinic focuses on maintaining mutual conversation under saddle — staying present, communicating clearly, and building a partnership one stride at a time.
Ideal for riders who want their time in the saddle to feel like a true partnership, not just direction-giving. This clinic builds off skills learned in Connection Basics in Groundwork, although that is not a prerequisite.
Dates:
All skill levels welcome.
Liberty 1: Introduction to Liberty Work
Have you seen Liberty performances and thought, “Wow, I wish I could do that!” Well — now is your chance! Join our Liberty Clinic, learn the basics, and discover the value of play with your horse.
Liberty work increases your attunement and connection with each other. It allows you to see what your horse is actually uncomfortable with, what they’ll willingly offer, and where the real opportunities to grow your relationship are. Liberty can be so much more than a performance — it can allow you to connect on a deeper level.
Dates:
All skill levels welcome.
Liberty 2: Liberty with Obstacles
Building on Liberty 1, this clinic adds obstacles and games. This will allow you and your equine partner to communicate on a deeper level — and it looks pretty incredible too!
Helping your horse find comfort through obstacles will grow your relationship and deepen connection.
Prerequisite: Must have completed Liberty 1 to attend Level 2.
Dates:
All skill levels welcome.
Level 1: Overcoming Obstacles Through Groundwork Connection
For beginners through more advanced horsemen, this clinic includes a wide, creative, and silly variety of obstacles designed to develop trust, understanding, and communication between you and your horse. Great for young horses, desensitizing the right way, building confidence, or just practicing your communication!
You will learn:
Dates:
All skill levels welcome.
Level 2: Overcoming Obstacles Through Ridden Connection
Take everything from Level 1 into the saddle. When your horse encounters something challenging under saddle, your ability to stay connected and guide them back to their thinking brain is everything. Great for riders looking to practice new things to prepare their horse for anything they may face at a show or on the trail, or for those who just want a fun evening playing with their horse!
This clinic builds the ridden version of that same trust and communication — so you and your horse can face anything together, confidently and calmly. We strongly recommend completing Level 1 before attending.
Dates:
All skill levels welcome.
Horse Psychology 1: Care, Groundwork & Relationship-Building
Horse Psychology 1 gives you a foundational understanding of your equine partner’s way of looking at the world. Get a glimpse into how horses think so you can better communicate during both groundwork and riding.
This clinic is focused on understanding the equine nervous system and how horses perceive, process, and respond to the world around them. You’ll learn to interpret behavior, body language, and emotional states to communicate more clearly and compassionately — building skills that feel intuitive, respectful, and grounded in how horses naturally think and learn.
Dates:
All skill levels welcome.
Horse Psychology 2: Under Saddle
Apply the principles of horse psychology to your ridden work. Understanding how your horse thinks and responds doesn’t stop when you get in the saddle — in many ways, it matters most there.
This clinic helps riders learn to read their horse’s emotional state in motion, adjust their approach in real time, and build a ridden partnership that feels collaborative rather than corrective. Horse Psychology 2 builds off learning from Horse Psychology 1, so attending both are suggested but not required.
Dates:
All skill levels welcome.
Wherever you are at on your journey, we are here for you. Our human and equine team will walk alongside you so you can find hope, healing, and wholeness in your life. You are worth it. Reach out to us today.
