Mustangs & Music: A Day with Dan McCarthy at Rosemary Farm Sanctuary

Learn from ‘Catskill Natural Horse’ trainer Daniel McCarthy, as he demonstrates his particular blending of music and horses. Dan focuses on his own version of ‘release training’ which emphasizes equine trust and cooperation as a solid foundation for a partnership, either on the ground or in the saddle. In his own training, Dan uses music on a regular basis, and has been evolving his own system that he will be sharing! This is a 'listen and learn' clinic, being held at the campus of Rosemary Farm, and incorporating several of the wild mustangs that live at the non-profit. Dan has been working with Rosemary Farm for over 15 years, and training in the area for nearly two decades, following a successful career as a jazz musician on Long Island. This clinic shares the merging of these two talents, into a unique way of connecting to horses using rhythm, music, breathing and beat, to synchronize horse and human.

This event is a fundraiser for Rosemary Farm Sanctuary! With over 100 equines in residence, we value your support, and welcome this opportunity to share our training philosophy with you.

The first, from 10:00 am -12 noon, will involve live music being performed in conjunction with horse handling, and lots of explanations as to how to identify when the horse is relaxed, how to ‘release’ their fears and their energy, and how to guide them, in time to a rhythmic beat. Dan will be working with various horses, in a central barn, protected from inclement weather. If the weather is good, the classroom may expand outside! (Guests will be seated on the other side of a half wall, so taller portable chairs may be preferable to lower designs. There will also be a ‘hay seating riser’ set up for elevated sitting!)

12:00 -1:30 pm is lunch break, and guests may bring something or opt in to our provided lunch. Bathroom on premises! RF Founder Dawn Robyn will be present for any informal conversation over lunch. Complementary water, coffee and tea provided.

1:30- 3:30 pm is the second session; Dan will focus on how you may apply this work to you own horse, or other animals. Continuing to use his musical equipment, he will expand to also include basic tools that one may include at home. If weather permits there will be a riding demo, helping explain how this work can translate to a partnership under saddle. Also, there will be some opportunity for hands on demo activities in the afternoon.

3:30 - 4:00 pm, Q & A! At this time, Dan will answer all your questions!

In addition, there is the opportunity to attend a 45 minute Walking Tour of Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, in advance of the start of the clinic (from 9:00 am - 9:45 am)

AND, to deepen your learning, you may also sign up for a private 30 minute training session, with Dan and one of the Rosemary Farm mustangs, for Sunday! This is the opportunity to apply some of the techniques you witnessed, or just get to handle a real mustang, in a short session the day following the clinic. Purchase your Private Session ticket and we will follow up with exact times Sunday late morning, with time to head home afterwards.

Make your selections and Purchase your Tickets!

1- Basic Admission for Saturday, $70 per person; this covers both sessions, 10 am - 4 pm.

2. Optional, Saturday add on; 9 am tour of Rosemary Farm, reduced fee just $10! Please arrive by 8:45 am for this extra time, you will love seeing the Sanctuary! We walk promptly at 9 am - 9:45

3. Optional, lunch with Rosemary Farm $12 (this will include vegetable quiche, sides and drinks). Guests are also welcome to bring their own lunch instead!

4. Optional Sunday add on; Private session with Dan McCarthy (a 30 minute, shorter session), $45. We will confirm time options with an email follow up, but these sessions will begin late morning on Sunday. Stay the weekend!

5. Optional Sunday add on; Volunteer at Rosemary Farm (no charge but let us know if you are interested in staying and helping!)