Horse Seminars To Benefit RSU Bit By Bit Program

A nationally known horse expert will hold a series of clinics in Claremore to benefit the Bit By Bit therapeutic riding program.

Curt Pate, a lifelong horseman who served as a technical adviser for The Horse Whisperer, will hold two seminars on Sept. 12 and 13.

Pate travels extensively presenting his expertise on horsemanship to audiences worldwide. His philosophy emphasizes helping the horse by helping people with techniques that are relatively simple for the horse owner to teach and easy for the horse to learn. He teaches the basics that are often overlooked or assumed that the horse already knows.

The seminars are sponsored by Stillwater Milling Co. and Priefert Ranch Equipment with proceeds directed to the Bit By Bit program.

The first seminar will be at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12 at the covered outdoor arena at the Claremore Expo Center. During this seminar, Pate will demonstrate techniques to saddle-break a two- or three-year-old horse that previously has only been halter-broken. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased in advance at Stillwater Milling, 721 W. 6th St.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, Pate will hold two three-hour workshops at the horse center on RSU’s Claremore campus. Participants will work one-on-one with Pate on any issues regarding their horses. The morning session will be 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., while the afternoon session will be 1 to 4 p.m. Each session will be limited to six participants at a cost of $150 per person. Others can attend the clinic at a cost of $50 per person. Advance registration and payment of tuition fee is required to attend.

Bit By Bit, sponsored by RSU and Oologah-Talala Public Schools, promotes physical and mental health for those with special needs through horseback riding. The riding sessions help improve balance, walking, language and cognitive skills for participating clients.