New Editor, Sarah O'Brien, posted her new issue of "Between the Reins". Note that if this link does not bring up the newsletter in full screen, you can scroll to the toolbar at the bottom of the newsletter and click on the FULL SCREEN icon.

We have the dates for 2012 and are working on the schedule now. If you are interested in riding or auditing, please contact me.

The weeks are:
5/21
5/28
6/11
6/18 (pending)

Hope you'll join us!!!

You can read the latest issue of “Between the Reins” here.

This class is now closed for registration. Stay tuned for dates this Spring.

Another great group of students and horses. The progress made seemed even bigger this year. Maybe it's just that we are fortunate to have so many returning students that we get to see and watch the differences in skills and responsiveness!!! As usual, Harry was extremely helpful in the hands-on and during the discussions. Truly unique!!

Vic did his short orientation about survival skills and folks seemed to really enjoy that! Well, maybe it was the information and maybe it was that special firestarter!

We already have deposits coming in for next year. Please go to this page to read about the process for scheduling next year's clinics.

Thanks, everyone, for being such wonderful respectful and enthusiatic "guests".

Our first survival class went extremely well. Great group of students! Hank was a relaxed and incredibly informative instructor. Thanks to all who participated and, yes, we will have more classes. See pics here.

The latest issue of Harry's "Between the Reins" newsletter has been added. You can view it here.

As many of you know, Vic has had a special interest in all things related to emergency planning. Last Fall, I went to a Wilderness Class that was fun and very informative. Vic wanted to pursue having classes like that at Mendin' Fences and he came across Hank Fannin of Green Earth Survival School. So ... we will be hosting a weekend course with him April 16th and 17th. We expect our usual good time and lots of great information. Click here for more information.

• Due to a family situation, we have just had an opening in Week One which starts 5/23. Please let me know if you are interested.
• We have an incentive plan we are trying out this year: any Rider who brings a NEW weekly auditor receives 5% discount off registration and the new auditor receives 10% off their registration.
• Contact info: please note that as of Feb 6th, we will no longer have our landline. Please use cell phone number 423.327.0008
• The latest Whitney Newsletter has been added to the site. You can view it here.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE YOU THIS SUMMER!

The dates for 2011 with Harry have been moved ahead by ONE week.

Week One: 5/23
Week Two: 5/30
Week Three: 6/6
(OFF week of 6/13)
Week Four: 6/20
Week Five: 6/27

Some of you have asked if we have any hay left from this year's cuttings ... yes. We got some great new equipment that has made haying much more efficient!! (Pictures below.)

Square bales are $3.50 a bale, in volume, and we can load (easily) onto a trailer. Round bales are $25.00 each.

This is the Accumulator and it picks up bales and runs them through the channels and puts into cubes of eight.



Then, someone comes along and picks up the cubes with the Grabber and stacks them in the barn.



AMAZING!!!

The scheduling process has begun! Wheeeee!! So far, going fairly smoothly with just a few adjustments.

One new item of interest: so many of you have often talked about wishing a certain person would come ride with Harry. We have felt this way, too, so we got to thinking about how we could help this happen. Sooooo … here’s what we came up with --- any Rider or Weekly Auditor who brings a NEW Weekly Auditor will receive a 5% discount off their registration AND the new Weekly Auditor will receive a 10% discount off their registration. Seems like a win-win so hope this encourages some folks to come on and join us for the ………… adventure. ;-)

Stay tuned and happy riding!!

I just added the 2011 Registration Forms. We were able to keep the same rates as last year. Yippee.

Count on deposits going into the bank first week of November.

We have now crept up into a solid five weeks for next year with several of you mentioning wanting to attend in 2011 which means we will likely go to six weeks again. So that we can firm up the dates, deposits will be going in very soon -- mid-October. Thank you, everyone, for making it possible to keep learning from this remarkable horseman and teacher.

What a GREAT six weeks we had this year!! Vic and I truly feel fortunate to be a part of this experience and are grateful for the care and consideration everyone always shows to our property. Harry just gets better and better!!

We already have 24 deposits in for next year so, if you are interested in riding next summer, please send us a deposit. We do not deposit these in the bank until the schedule is agreed upon with Harry AND with you. This usually happens about September or October. If you have any questions, please contact me by email at lbertani868@gmail.com.

Thanks again, everyone!!!

The first three weeks were great. We always enjoy catching up with "veterans" and meeting new folks. We had a wide range of horses and horse situations so ... lots of learning. And, as usual, more laughter than ever. An exorbitant number of photos were taken but I made sure to get the group shots captured on my own camera so will get those up shortly.

We've been "off" this week and managed a couple of naps between the many errands and chores to gear up for the next three weeks. We're looking forward to it ... right after another nap. ;-)

And, for those of you asking, yes, we are taking deposits for 2011. Dates to be determined.

If you've been to a clinic with Harry, you KNOW how much he likes photography. You have also probably seen some of his beautiful work. I was able to get Harry to send me a few examples of photos from his vast collection. I've added these to a page and you can view them HERE. Hope you enjoy them.

We've been very busy getting ready for the arrival of all our horse-crazy camp friends. Some of the prep included a visit to the laundromat to use the commercial machines to wash the blankets. Why are those places so creepy and why do they seem to spawn the oddest dude wandering by? Aiiieee.

Anyhow, weeks are full, auditors have asking for bunk space, the first Sam's run has been done ... we're off!!!

See you soooon!

Due to a few other cancellations, we are moving Waiting List people into those open slots so, as of now, it is unlikely that we will have that seventh week after all. The six weeks are a definite. It doesn't look like all the waiting list people will be able to get a slot so if new folks come along, we'll revisit the week seven option.

It's hard to believe that the dates were so far away and now we are only about seven weeks out! Let's hope Spring will really be sprung by then. It sure is taking its sweet time committing to the seasonal relationship.

Two rider spots have opened. Please contact me if you are interested.

We've finally had a few sunny days here and it sure highlights that the clinics are not too far away. Yippeee!

We are now filled for SEVEN weeks!! Yowza. The last week came about with folks on the waiting list so they will have first shot at any cancellations that may occur. Anyone interested in riding should go ahead and send in a deposit to hold a possible spot. We do not deposit these waiting list or new week checks until we agree on a date/slot for you so this is just to keep you in the line-up by priority. Seven weeks or more .............. wow.

WELL ... you did it again!!! Thanks to your hard work and enthusiasm, we all keep finding the many ways that Harry's guidance has been helping with our horses and we want more!

As of the end of September, we have SIX weeks of Harry Camps scheduled. There are several folks on the Waiting List or hoping that a seventh week will open up. We'll start the clinics again in mid-May. For the complete list of weeks, go to the Schedule page.

If you haven't gotten a deposit in and would like to ride, please contact me and we'll make sure you get on the Waiting List. (Remember, we do not deposit checks until we agree on a riding week for you.)

The 2010 Registration Forms have been updated and are available from the Registrations Forms page.

THANKS for keeping Harry "this side of the Mississippi"!!

We have FILLED five weeks with Harry!

We have started a Waiting List. If you would like to be on the Waiting List, please contact us at clinics@mendinfencesfarm.com We do not deposit checks sent in for those on the Waiting List until a spot is confirmed but those with deposits are given FIRST option when a spot comes open.

THANKS!!

We have had a flood of interest and that affects how Harry determines his schedule so ... thanks for your patience!

These weeks continue to fill quickly so please check with us for current availability.

Week One -- 5/17 -- Full
Week Two -- 5/24 -- Full
Week Three -- 5/31 -- Full
Week Four -- 6/14 -- Full
Week Five -- 6/21 -- Full
Week Six -- 6/28 -- Filling

What "filling" means is that, at this time, we have most of the slots filled but are working on accommodating schedules and traveling needs.
DEPOSITS are the only way we can place riders into a schedule.

Harry is deinitely coming back in 2009!! Our exact dates are not set but I can tell you that we liked this year's schedule which started mid-May. At the moment, Memorial Week is already full and we do have other deposits. If you are interested in participating, please let me know. We are taking deposits (see 09 Registration form here).

We're glad so many of you had such a good time this year and are telling your friends!! As usual, deposits are already coming in and slots are being filled quickly. Yowza!

Harry is definitely coming back and it will be about the same time. About. We have not finalized the dates or the number of weeks yet. I'll post that information as soon as we all decide what works best with the schedules.

We'll post the dates as soon as we have them.

Thanks!

It never fails that I have a mild "depression" at the end of the clinics/camps. You'd think I'd be used to it by now but ... the truth is that I feel a bit like my friends have gone after a great visit. That includes Harry who is truly a treasure to have as a guest and as the clinician. Though I tease him about being an "old lady", he is actually an easy keeper and willing to pitch in wherever and whenever he can. Delightful!

As usual, the folks who come here to the camps are serious about learning and serious about having fun. Some wonderful changes came through for the horses and for the understanding of the students. I am absolutely sincere when I tell you that it is not likely Vic and I would do this were it not for the eagerness and willingness on the part of the riders who come here. It is an honor and our personal joy to watch this experience unfold time and time again.

I've often told folks, "It ain't about the horses.". Well, of course it is but, at a deeper level, it is about us digging around inside to find the courage to expose ourselves to the very vulnerable process of learning something new. That always amazes me. That we keep doing this. We can be so capable in other parts of our lives yet we put ourselves in the position of not knowing and wanting to know and all that space in between is awkward and frustrating and mind-boggling and challenging and ............sheesh ..... we really are nuts or stubborn. I stick myself in that category, too, since I jump into the round pen of "How Many Things Can Harry Find that I Miss/Missed/Will Continue to Miss?!". (Answer: an infinite number.)

I know, I know -- it IS because we want to know better so we can do better. And ........ we do! As I tell Harry each time: "I'm less bad this year." Pfffttt. A wonderful benefit of folks coming back year after year is that we get to see and share in the improvements in each of us. Sometimes, it's improvement in the mechanics of flappin' that flag or hangin' onto the lead rope in one hand and the halter in the other as we wobble our feet around in some facsimile of a circle. Other times, it's the overlay of how one concept really does apply to another. I saw SO many examples of people making mental shifts. I did, too! Phew! Being here for a week really, really, REALLY makes a difference, doesn't it?

Several of us discussed how to explain what the weeks are like ...what to expect. I have tried my best to offer some semblance of a decent explanation but the truth is that you just have to experience it. Not that it's all that mysterious or anything. I think it is just because we don't often have the chance to BE horse people as much or as intently as we would like. Nor do we ever have the opportunity to SHARE the experiences (joys and challenges) in quite this way. And, to top it all off, it is a rare, rare thing to have someone of Harry's experience, dedication, and patience who is AVAILABLE in the ways he makes himself available during these "week-long deals", as he calls them. How many 10 and 12 hour days did he put in ... answering every single question ... letting us ramble on as we tried to sort out issues, big and small? Wow, wow, wow. And, come on ....... how HARD did we LAUGH??!!!

To each and every one of you ....... Vic and I thank you for being a part of this special learning place. Your help with all the little jobs, your deer-in-the-headlights looks at breakfast (How do you want your eggs?), your thoughtfulness in caring for our place ...... your enthusiasm .......... for all of it. Thank you. Thank you for being a part of ...... mendin' fences. ;-)

~linda and Vic