Part 2 of 2 part lecture and demo series for the winter of 2020. This event will consist of both lecture and demo that addresses work in hand and transitioning to early work under saddle for the young horse or restarting the older horse. Topics included are development and when to begin as well as what expectations we can have of our horses based on conformation, breed and mental state. We will look at the importance of developing balance and correct bend as well as teaching the horse to search towards the hand in a forward, down, and out posture to develop a healthy and strong back that is able to support the weight of the rider. Registration for this event will open in December of 2019. Stay tuned.

Part 1 of 2 part lecture and demo series for the Winter of 2020. This event will consist of both theory and a demo that will address basic foundational work for the young horse. Restarting the older horse will also be addressed. Topics included are development and when to begin as well as what expectations we can have of our horses based on conformation, breed and mental state. Basic foundational work and exercises and how to start. The demo will consist of basic gymnastic groundwork, lunging, and liberty work. Registration for this event will open in December, 2019. It will be capped at 25 people.

Energy is one of those elusive terms that can have multiple meanings. You may have heard instructors refer to energy flow through the horse, our space or energy bubble, energy in the form of emotions, breath energy or life energy often called qi in Chinese philosophy, or other references to energy. Many master horsemen and women recognize how energy plays a critical role in horsemanship, but it can be a difficult topic to grasp. Whether working in hand, at liberty or under saddle recognizing how our energy influences our horses or feeling when energy flow is blocked within a horse allows you to take your relationship with your horse to a new level. In this lecture and demo Meg will dive into concepts of energy and how it influences our horses. Learning how to master our own energy opens the door for dialogue with our equine partners. Format will include a 1 - 1 1/2 hour lecture on theory followed by a demo with one or two of Meg’s horses or training horses in the arena. Coffee/tea, and breakfast snacks will be provided. Registration for this event is required. Please register online HERE.

This will be a small private workshop open to 5 participants who want to explore liberty work with their horses. The format will include 1.5 hour lecture and discussion with coffee/tea and snacks in the morning and then each participant will have an hour session with their horse. There will be a break for lunch and Meg will also do a liberty demo with one of her horses. Cost is $225 for the day including access to a stall. This is open to students both who have a background in liberty work and those that are just getting started. Come explore how this work can improve your relationship with your horse, make you more in tune with your body language and aids, and take you on a path towards self-mastery.

Please note this is same class that is being offered on 3/17/19. A 2nd section was opened because the first class was filled.

Work in hand is a beautiful way to help gymnasticize our horses from the ground. This work can ultimately be done in all gaits and in either a cavesson, snaffle, or cavesson/curb combination. Meg will explain how to get started with this work, common pitfalls, and how to incorporate work in hand into your training program. The format will include an hour lecture in the heated lounge of the barn followed by a demo with Meg's horses in the indoor arena. This event will be capped at 20 people.

You can only register for this event online with PayPal. We do not accept credit cards at this time. If you would like to pay by check, please email narniastablesevents@gmail.com secure your spot. Please click HERE to visit our events registration page to register online.

Work in hand is a beautiful way to help gymnastize our horses from the ground. This work can ultimately be done in all gaits and in either a cavesson, snaffle, or cavesson/curb combination. Meg will explain how to get started with this work, common pitfalls, and how to incorporate work in hand into your training program. The format will include an hour lecture in the heated lounge of the barn followed by a demo with Meg's horses in the indoor arena. This event will be capped at 20 people. Cost is $40.

Please note this is the same event that was offered on February 17, 2019. A second session has been opened since the first one filled up.

In the past, horse training has been primarily based off of pressure and release training and although this may result in an obedient horse, it does not bring your horse into a higher mental state as it simply creates an animal that is avoiding pressure. Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, learned helplessness, scan and capture, desensitization, bridge . . . The list goes on. There are so many terms involved in the science of training and it can get a bit overwhelming. In this 3 hour lecture and demo, Meg will break down some of these terms into easy to understand concepts and the explain how there can be so much more to horse training than simply using the old methods of pressure and release. The format will include a lecture in the heated lounge of the barn with coffee/tea and snacks provided followed by a demo in the indoor arena with Meg’s horses. The demo will consist primarily of groundwork and liberty work. This event will be capped at 20 people. In the event of a cancellation because of snow or extreme weather conditions you will be given the option to attend the reschedule date or receive a full refund.

You can only register for this event online with PayPal. We do not accept credit cards at this time. If you would like to pay by check, please email narniastablesevents@gmail.com secure your spot. Please click HERE to visit our events registration page to register online.

In the past, horse training has been primarily based off of pressure and release training and although this may result in an obedient horse, it does not bring your horse into a higher mental state as it simply creates an animal that is avoiding pressure. Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, learned helplessness, scan and capture, desensitization, bridge . . . The list goes on. There are so many terms involved in the science of training and it can get a bit overwhelming. In this 3 hour lecture and demo, Meg will break down some of these terms into easy to understand concepts and the explain how there can be so much more to horse training than simply using the old methods of pressure and release. The format will include a lecture in the heated lounge of the barn with coffee/tea and snacks provided followed by a demo in the indoor arena with Meg’s horses. The demo will consist primarily of groundwork and liberty work. This event will be capped at 20 people. In the event of a cancellation because of snow or extreme weather conditions you will be given the option to attend the reschedule date or receive a full refund.

This is the first of the 2019 Winter Lecture Series and it will be focused on understanding the lateral exercises including leg-yield, shoulder-in, travers, renvers, half pass, and pirouette. Meg will break down the training of these exercises, the aids, and how to introduce them both on the ground and in riding. She will then help you to train your eye for what to look for to make sure the exercises are being performed correctly and in a gymnastic way that is biomechanically healthy for the horse. You will learn how these exercises can be used to create a supple and balanced equine partner. The format will include a lecture in the heated lounge of the barn (coffee/tea and snacks provided) followed by a demo with Meg’s horses in the indoor arena. This event will be capped at 20 people. If it needs to be postponed because of snow or extreme weather conditions, you will be given the option to attend on the rescheduled date or receive a full refund. PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS THE SAME LECTURE AND DEMO BEING GIVEN ON 1/20/19. A SECOND LECTURE WAS OPENED DUE TO OVERWHELMING INTEREST.

This is the first of the 2019 Winter Lecture Series and it will be focused on understanding the lateral exercises including leg-yield, shoulder-in, travers, renvers, half pass, and pirouette. Meg will break down the training of these exercises, the aids, and how to introduce them both on the ground and in riding. She will then help you to train your eye for what to look for to make sure the exercises are being performed correctly and in a gymnastic way that is biomechanically healthy for the horse. You will learn how these exercises can be used to create a supple and balanced equine partner. The format will include a lecture in the heated lounge of the barn (coffee/tea and snacks provided) followed by a demo with Meg’s horses in the indoor arena. This event will be capped at 20 people. If it needs to be postponed because of snow or extreme weather conditions, you will be given the option to attend on the rescheduled date or receive a full refund.

Come join Meg for a fall morning in Narnia. This will be an interactive demo and lecture where she will share with you some of her insights in the Liberty pillar of Straightness Training®. Topics included are: how to get started in Liberty work, developing connection with your horse, building their confidence and yours, and how to intertwine liberty into all the the pillars of ST. There will be plenty of opportunities for Q&A. Coffee, tea, and snacks provided. 

Patrick King of PK Horsemanship will be returning to Narnia for a day of private lessons. Passionate about dressage and classical equestrian ideals, Patrick King seeks the wisdom of the great riding masters- both past and present- and shares this knowledge with his students. Patrick has devoted his life to learning and teaching great horsemanship. With a focus on the classical principles of both dressage and western horsemanship, Patrick’s clinics are popular among riders that are wanting to add refinement and precision to their horsemanship – regardless of their current level of development or their horse’s breed.  With his unique blend of insight, humor, and support, Patrick set’s the tone for his clinics and workshops such that every rider feels at ease and ready to work.

Whether your play time is spent on a horse or a bike and anything in between, learn to address these problem areas so you can perform at your very best! 
Join Angie Jacques owner of Take Shape with Angie, LLC at Narnia stables in beautiful Ashford Connecticut for an easy-to-do yoga sequence targeting the very areas that hold you back. Bring a mat, blanket, water and a friend!
4:30-6pm
$20
 

This will be a unique workshop open to a small group of Straightness Training® Mastery students (maximum 6 people). The morning will be led by Angie Jacques and will include yoga, mediation, reiki and a focus on self-mastery. Energy control and focus are key components of good liberty work so after working on our own relaxation, grounding, and well-being, Meg will lead the afternoon session which will involve working with Meg's horses in guided lessons to explore the nuances of liberty work at a deeper level. Full schedule and registration will be available during the winter.

Groundwork is the foundation for Straightness Training® work. In groundwork, the horse learns proper bending, lengthening of the topline, and how to step under with the inside hind leg to support the weight of the body so he/she equipped to carry a rider. As we transition to longeing, we remove the 'sidewheels' of being close to the horse to shape him/her and he/she must learn to maintain the bend and posture on his/her own without the use of any side reins. Exercises in both groundwork and how to transition to longeing will be covered in this lecture/demo. One hour of theory in the heated lounge followed by a 2 hour demo/Q&A where Meg will demonstrate the exercises with several horses at different stages of training. Cost is $50/person. This event will be capped at 20 people and preregistration is required.

Work in Hand is one of the five pillars of Straightness Training®. In work in hand, we prepare the horse for work under saddle by teaching them the nuances of the rein aids, developing proper bend, and gymnastically preparing them through the education of all the lateral work. In this lecture/demo, an hour of theory in the heated lounge, followed by a 2 hour demo/Q&A session in the indoor where Meg will demonstrate the work with 2 or 3 of her horses showing the progression of work in both a cavesson and cavesson/curb combination. $50/person. This event will be capped at 20 people and preregistration is required.