The Len Judd Effect

by Kathy Price - Aberystwyth, Wales UK

Our first encounter with Len Judd here in Wales was last July (2003) when he was invited over to hold a clinic at the magical place called Hermon's Hook owned by Steve and Tanya Young. Steve had met and worked with Len in San Diego where Len and his family are based, and was so taken with his ideas on training horses that he invited him over to Wales.

Last July, a well-attended demo in Haverfordwest gave us an insight into Len's thoughts and teachings. Our first reaction was that he went much deeper into the relationship between horse and rider than any other trainer ­ 'natural' or otherwise - we had encountered.

The first concept of gaining control of the feet through the reins made so much sense but it was then a challenge to see how to do it. We all realized by listening to Len that we had inadvertently built up resistances in our horses by the way we led them, fed them and acted around them. Thankfully all was not lost, as we were shown exercises and movements to release the horses' feet and give them back the freedom of movement that we have so often restricted.

Next there was a two-day clinic. Summertime in Wales the sun comes up at 4:00 am and goes down at 11:00 pm. The sun shone throughout making Len feel right at home. We saw our horses worked in the round pen before we hit the arena for groundwork and ridden exercises. Slowly but surely we saw horses, that had started the clinic with unresolved issues, relax and do some fantastic work. People who had only ever ridden with a tight rein and strong bit were cantering freely, in harmony with their horses in only a halter and single line. Everyone on that clinic experienced a breakthrough of some kind with his or her horse. This ranged from simply trusting their horse to do something without holding onto their horse's mouth for dear life, to achieving the perfect flying lead change seemingly by thought alone! We all left truly inspired and desperately wanting more.

Thankfully we did not have to wait too long as we managed to get Len and his lovely wife Nina to return to Wales in September. The venue this time was further north in Aberystwyth at a college indoor school and on farm at Troedrhiwcastell.

Len again held a demo and introduced another hundred plus audience to his experiences with horses. The reception for Len was great, with a lively question and answer session in the second half. Many people went away deep in thought at the different viewpoint and methods that he advocated.

It is testament to Len's teachings that over half the people on his second three-day clinic had already been on his first. We knew we had only scratched the surface of his techniques at the first and we were all hungry for more.

We were not to be disappointed. Two days in the indoor school saw us advancing our groundwork complete with on floor T'ai Chi exercises for us which were very patiently taught by Len ­ I am sure he despaired of some of us ever knowing our right from left. These exercises were then transferred to the horse under saddle ­ and suddenly we were starting to dance with our horses.

Day three saw us on a Trail Clinic on farm at Troedrhiwcastell. Again the sun shone like mid summer. We were taught how to go safely and with feel, up and down hill, how to cross water safely and just how to 'be' with our horses whatever we were doing.

An enthusiastic band of spectators came to each day of the clinic, many attending all three days and they were made to feel as much a part of the clinic as the riders.

Everyone enjoyed the experience and we are all eagerly awaiting Len and Nina's return in summer 2004.

The difference with Len Judd compared to some other horsemen is that he has so much feel and understanding for the horse. Others can get the moves but there appears to be a barrier preventing true connection between horse and rider. As Len says,

"The connection can come from the inside of the horse, or the outside. The inside is the heart and desire, the outside is just the outside. You choose."

With Len there is no barrier, only a true feel for the horse that leads to total understanding and connection between horse and rider.

Len told us that the horse knows all the moves and they wait patiently for us humans to gain the insight and knowledge to be able to move with the horse instead of us continually getting in their way. When this insight is reached the horse says "Aha! My human has finally got it! They understand!"

On the clinics there were various 'Aha' moments for us humans as well. The way to move your horse's feet or lighten the movements would suddenly make sense ­ it was so exciting and rewarding (hopefully for horse as well!) when this happened.

Len also spoke of 'getting good at the physical, which leads you to the mental where you think the move and the horse does it. Get good at this and your horse will give you access to the spiritual!'

For many this was much too deep, but there were those amongst us who were privileged to get an insight into what he meant. Without doubt, if you go to a Len Judd clinic with an open mind and open heart, your whole world can be altered for the better. Your understanding and connection with not only your horse but also all the people within your world, can increase to a point that defies description. It is a phenomenon I have christened 'The Len Judd Effect' and I count myself extremely fortunate to have been given access to it.

All this is there for everyone. If you see Len Judd's in town go take a look ­ it could just be the best thing you ever do for you and your horse!

Visit Len Judd Horsepower

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