Holly Heidemann Performance Horses

09/27/2023

Sunday, Oct 29, 12-2pm

Fun Fall Obstacle Work Course to benefit Western Dressage trainer, Catherine Campbell, of Cedar Creek Saddle Club.

Catherine is in long recovery from a spill on a horse who was very solid. It was a freak thing that has created some big challenges for the next couple months, at least. She could use our financial bolstering to get her and her many horses through this time to when she is able to work again.

There is a suggested donation of $40/person. When you sign up by text at 512-308-2129, I will provide Catherine’s venmo information and I will have you pay her directly.
I will be organizing and putting on the class at my place.
You are welcome to do the class with your horse either in hand, ridden, or a combination of both.

Costumes are encouraged but not mandatory.

The theme will be Fall inspired with lots of fun decorations, photo ops, and candy. 😬

Please let me know asap if you plan to come: I will cap at some point mostly due to trailer space. If people can group up and travel together, we can have more folks come.

This will be so much fun, and a way to help a dear lady get through a tough time.

Thanks, everyone!
I am planning the obstacles and will post a list soon. We will have everything from simple to challenging.

Here are some of the fun obstacles we have planned:
1. Faux campfire with logs around it, made into a coop. Use as coop, weave, cross, sidepass logs
2. Spider beside her- pull on rope to raise spider in the air at the other end of it
3. Halloween Flag “race”, can walk, trot or canter
4. Pumpkinhead pickup- pick up the pumpkin pail with the garrocha
5. Jack-o-lantern coop and stop box
6. Spider web crossing
7. Pile of leaves- box to walk in with loose items including leaves
8. Candy corn weave pattern
9. Wrap the mummy
10. Trick or treat on horseback
11. Corn maze, back through
12. Fishing carnival game
13. Bean bag toss
14. Ring toss w cow head on raised bale of hay
15. Mats around the arena-musical mats- cookie walk

07/28/2023

The class scheduled for Sunday, July 30, is canceled.
We will be holding off on Sunday classes until the heat subsides.
Stay cool, and see y’all when we are sub 100! ❤️

07/19/2023

Sunday Class
Sunday July 23, 2023, 8-10:00
$40/rider
Must RSVP by text, 512-308-2129

Class plan:
1. Sidepass to turn on haunches, sidepass to turn on forehand, depending on what end is sticky
2. Rope on the fence-riding a half circle, while holding rope attached to fence, turn under it, ride half circle other direction
3. Half circle, stop, angled at 45 with fence, turn on haunches toward fence, half circle, repeat on other end. Sets horse up for correct lead in canter departures.
4. Four pole exercises: over, serpentine, lateral movement between, stop and back after crossing each, then trot, repeat
5. Scattered tires: serpentine in a scattered pattern
6. Three point back up with barrels
7. Drag a log…start w smaller stick, then move up to heavier. Drag from both sides and backing up if horse is able.. We won’t dally, just rider holding, or one wrap if you have a rope saddle.
8. Using counterarc to free up a horse that’s sticky on a circle or is heavy on the forehand

07/12/2023

Sunday Class
Sunday July 16, 2023, 8-10:00
$40/rider
Must RSVP by text, 512-308-2129

Class Plan:
1. Line box exercises…Circle between to straight through…Leg yield out every other pole set- encourage inside leg to outside hand
2. Side pass exercise side pass to turn on haunches
3. Windshield wipers…L shape, poles for moving fronts and hinds
4. Backing a circle around tires
5. Weaving…how to keep a horse’s body straight and pushing from the hind instead of getting disconnected
6. Using counterarc on a circle to help with horses who fall in….strengthening and helping them learn to engage their hind end on a circle
7. Stopping straight…and on the hind end first, working in the line box for this
8. Stop in the box…timing correctly at the walk and trot
9. Donuts for relaxation and calming-perfect small circles at the walk

07/08/2023

Class for this Sunday, 7/9, is canceled due to several people canceling.
We will try again next week.
It’s hot, and I totally understand not wanting to haul in the heat. Stay safe out there!

07/03/2023

One of my trimming clients introduced me to the counted walk.
I found this video. I can see how this could be so helpful for posture and rehab.

"The Collected Counted Walk" This is an exercise used in French Classical Dressage to show horses how to set the posture for Collected Movements and learn to...

06/11/2023

Next Sunday, June 18, was originally scheduled for 10-12. Because of the increase in heat, I’m backing that up to 9-11. Gates will be open at 8.

Sunday Class
Sunday June 18, 2023, 9-11am
$40/rider
Must RSVP by text, 512-308-2129

Class plan:
Check in with our horses. Tune in to them and share a moment of gratitude. Mount when ready.

1. Ten minute walk warmup, focusing on tuning in to the quality of the walk, finding any place your horse feels stuck and finding ways to free that up.
2. Poles with a blank space (creating self reliance)
3. Yielding the hind while walking front feet as much in place as possible- a la giravolta- releases tension in the extensor muscle chain
4. Two part turn- ride a small circle, then ask horse to step hindquarters out and away from the inside of circle…back on circle, then ask horse to step hindquarters toward the inside of the circle, repeat. Do not counterbend. Maintain the same arc.
5. Canter departures- trot corners on a big square, canter the sides. Very few canter strides at a time.
6. Turns and straights-oval with half circles at intervals-canter or trot
7. Serpentine with turn on haunches every other straight line in the direction of the last serpentine bend.
8. Back up while yielding hind weaving a series of cones
9. Spiral walk
10. Ten minute walk for cool down, noticing changes from our first walk.
11. Check in/tune in/moment of gratitude

06/09/2023

Midsummer dates and times!

Sunday July 9, 9-11 (This class canceled)
Sunday, July 16, 8-10
Sunday, July 23, 8-10
Sunday, July 30, 8-10

Upcoming Sunday Classes!
This bank of classes will be dedicated to rehab, correction, and strengthening. If you have a horse you have put on the back burner, and need inspiration to get them going again, then these classes will be great for that purpose.

06/04/2023

Sunday Class
Sunday June 11, 2023, 10-12:00
$40/rider
Must RSVP by text, 512-308-2129

Class plan:
Check in with our horses. Tune in to them and share a moment of gratitude. Mount when ready.

1. Ten minute walk warmup, focusing on tuning in to the quality of the walk, finding any place your horse feels stuck and finding ways to free that up.
2. Walk/trot transition square, trotting sides and walking the corners. Make the corners of the square bending lines and vary the number of walking strides in the corners to engage core, loosen brace of neck and jaw.
3. Trot poles with one end (outside edge) raised, arranged on a curve-helps correct uneven reach w the forelimbs, one side of circle has poles, the other side is open, one trot step between each pole.
4. Repeat of number three. But instead of raising outside edge, raise the inside edge. This helps with a horse who likes to fall in on a circle.
5. Figure 8 the two above circles, first one way, then another.
6. The labyrinth-improves proprioception, helps focus. Go through the maze, then walk up through the center
7. Hourglass poles- 3 poles set two horse lengths apart, cross in an hour glass shape with half circles on the end-great for the SI
8. Zig zag poles, in w shape, go over one end, then all at the middle, then all at the other end
9. Walking over high, uneven poles-stabilizes the pelvis-one end of poles high, alternate.
10. Balancing on an unstable surface- using sure foot pads! Challenges the stability of small stabilizing muscles.
11. Ten minute walk for cool down, noticing changes from our first walk.
12. Check in/tune in/moment of gratitude.

05/28/2023

Sunday Class
Sunday June 4, 2023, 10-12:00
$40/rider
Must RSVP by text, 512-308-2129

Class plan:
Check in with our horses. Tune in to them and share a moment of gratitude. Mount when ready.

Ten minute walk warmup, focusing on tuning in to the quality of the walk, finding any place your horse feels stuck and finding ways to free that up.

1. Snake over poles-strengthens the small pelvis stabilizing muscles- at a walk, small tight serpentine over several poles set end to end at same angle-not perpendicular-keep the loops as close as possible to the pole
2. Double pole, snake over poles- broadens chest and loosens muscles- only do this one if horse is doing the single snake over easily
3. Snake over poles with space between- alternates bending around the poles with crossing over them- first ride across the poles in a serpentine, then ride the gaps in a serpentine.
4. Work on straddling a single pole-horses will need to work on this at home too, to become proficient and comfortable with it. Start slow and reward all progress.
5. Stretch and climb- walking over poles increases side to side swinging motion in sacrum and relieves tension in the low back. 5 poles, slightly less than 3 ft apart, then another set of 5 poles 20 ft after that, spaced 2 1/2 feet apart.
6. Figure 8 bars- place 2, 12 ft poles spaced 5 ft apart, figure 8 over the top at a walk
7. Zig zag poles for jogging- first walk through, then jog through- uses the stabilizing muscles- helps horses who stiffen necks and backs.
8. Ten minute walk for cool down, noticing changes from our first walk.
9. Check in/tune in/moment of gratitude.

05/25/2023

HH Sunday Class
Sunday, May 28, 10-12
Must RSVP by text 512-308-2129
$40/person

Class plan:
1. Check in with our horses. Tune in to them and share a moment of gratitude. Mount when ready.
2. Ten minute walk warmup, focusing on tuning in to the quality of the walk, finding any place your horse feels stuck and finding ways to free that up.
3. Walking over a line of raised ground poles- working on core stability, joint flexion, intervertebral spacing-increase range of motion
4. Trot over the same line of raised poles- strengthening for the larger back muscles, helps release the tension in the chain of extensor muscles- help with topline
5. Raised poles on a fan- alternating strides- one end of poles a foot apart(raised end) other end 4.5 ft apart) start w bend and single steps between the poles on the narrow end, then circle around and go to the wide end and work on getting two steps between each set of poles. Alternate between one step at narrow end and two steps at wider end- go both directions. This both highlights and then strengthens any instability in the pelvis.
6. Serpentine the ditch- stand in the ditch, then start a shallow serpentine that keeps crossing the ditch. The loops should be tight. Keep the same rhythm throughout the exercise. This engages the stabilizing muscles.
7. Hop off and do some in hand backing. Rhythmic, steady, smooth, do not rush. Straight, hips and shoulders aligned, back round and head neutral and down- no brace. Work up to several steps at a time. Walk forward between back ups. This works the flexor muscle chain, unlocks the horse’s back, allows hind legs to swing more freely- Can hop back on and back under saddle if all is well in hand.
8. Walk/trot transitions- Ten strides at a trot, ten at a walk. Transition in the hind first. This is stabilizing for the spine.
9. 45 and 90 degree leg yields. 45 with the fence, leg yield a few strides, then 90 the fence and leg yield a few strides, alternate. Allow horse to walk forward between sets. Improves posture and promotes relaxation
10. Walk to cool down and notice any differences in your horse’s movement.
11. Check in with our horses. Tune in to them and share a moment of gratitude.