A few spots remain unfilled, but they aren’t expected to remain that way long for the Buck Brannaman clinic in the Los Angeles area April 1-4 at the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center in Lake View Terrace. Brannaman will be offering two classes: Foundation from 9 a.m. to noon, and Horsemanship 1 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. To bnook your spot in the clinic, call Sally at (323) 662-8085, and see the ad on page 62. Spectators are welcome to watch this remarkable teacher at work, and no reservations are necessary for that. More info is also available on the trainer’s website.

Producers of Odysseo have announced that overwhelming demand to the limited run in Orange County has prompted them to add two weeks, with matinee and evening performances now scheduled through March 27 under the White Big Top at the junction of the I-405 & the SR-133 in Irvine. The 65 horses and 48 artists featured in Odysseo will then make their way to Utah to continue the show’s critically acclaimed North American tour in the Salt Lake City Area. The newly added 12 performances are available by calling (866) 999-8111, or online at www.cavalia.net. Tickets are priced from $29.50 to $144.50.

Reining trainer Tom Foran, based at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, offers a range of training, from colt colt-starting to making you and your horse a champion. The popular trainer has teamed with Daphne Thompson to offer a new and exciting series called “Foran-A-Grams” on a variety of topics, including strategies to improve backing up, how horses can read human emotions, how to get better spins with a single exercise, and “Ten Comments Rookies Never Want to Hear”. Here’s an excerpt of “Back That Thing Up – Improved Backing Strategies”:

“Whether you’re preparing for a horse show or just trying to make your horse more handy, there are three cues to keep in mind when working on the back up. These cues will help develop a better trained, more responsive horse.  Remember, everything you work on with a horse is connected to another part of that animal’s feel.  In other words, when I work on my horse’s backing up, it is also establishing more connection between my seat and the horse’s stride, it is helping him stay light and responsive to the bridle reins, and it aids in his stopping in a more dynamic fashion…” Check out Tom’s ad on page 32 for more information, and visit his website for these free weekly “Foran-A-Grams.”

Anaheim Equestrian Center/Rancho Del Rio Stable continues to operate under the ownership of Jayne and Bob Jones. Bob Jones announced his retirement last year and Jayne will continue to operate the business that has been at this Anaheim location for over 45 years. The centrally located boarding facility sits on just under seven acres and offers an onsite tack and feed Store. The feed store and boarding facility are open to the public seven days a week. With six on-site instructors and trainers, they offer full- and part-time training and lessons along with a therapeutic riding program for youth and adults. The facility location also offers immediate access to the Santa Ana River trail system for the trail riding enthusiast. The ranch hosts special events throughout the year and monthly meetings for the Equestrian Coalition of Orange County (ECOC) and California State Horseman’s Association (CSHA) Region 12. “We are having fun here!,” says Jayne. “The excitement generated by the riding programs we have is going strong. We continue to make improvements to the facility and the amenities and events we offer to our boarders and clients keeps us all busy and happy. Come check us out and see for yourself.” Call (714) 535-3510 for more information, and see the ad on page 28.

Dog trainer to avoid rattlesnakes? Indeed! Courses on rattlesnake avoidance training for dogs will take place throughout Southern and Central California in the spring and fall. The training is done by Gina Gables, a professional dog trainer for more than 25 years, and Steve Gardner, herpetologist, who has more than 30 years of experience studying the behavior and ecology of rattlesnakes and other reptiles. Individual training sessions are given to each dog to train them to recognize and avoid the scent, sound and sight of rattlesnakes.  They use live rattlesnakes that have been muzzled.  Gina’s experience and sensitivity allows the dogs to be humanely treated during the training process.  They use three types of devices available that allow them to humanely and effectively train dogs with temperaments, ranging from the most tenacious to the highly sensitive, as well as puppies of any age.

Gina and Steve hope that by taking part in this training, they will spare the pain and distress, as well as the expense, caused by a dog becoming a victim of a rattlesnake bite. If the owner is observant of the dog’s behavior, perhaps they can prevent themselves or others from being bitten, too. See the ad on page 12, and call them for more info at (805) 523-3432, and visit their website for additional info.