Clinic Descriptions

“There’s a lot to learn from a horse and a lot to learn from Joe Wolter about horses, horsemanship and the fundamentals of ranch roping. People from beginning through advanced skill levels will benefit from Joe’s clinics.” - Bill Dorrance

Joe approaches teaching the same way he approaches horses; with thoughtfulness, patience and humility.

Just as no two horses or people are alike, no two Joe Wolter Clinics are alike. Joe is an innovative teacher, always adjusting to fit the situation and to meet the needs of riders and their horses.

Riders of all levels and disciplines are welcome. It doesn’t matter what sort of saddle you ride, or who made it. You can wear a hard hat, a flat hat, or a ball cap. All that really matters is your desire to learn.

Texas Ranch Clinics
In the relaxed environment of Joe and Jimmie’s Aspermont facility students can advance their horsemanship and cattle handling skills through practical hands-on experience. The setting, with indoor and and outdoor arenas and varied west Texas terrain makes for a rich learning environment where students get plenty of individual attention and are allowed the time they need to reach new levels.

For more information go to Texas Clinics

Other Ranch Clinics
Joe and Jimmie occasionally travel to help out on other ranches. These are often remote locations where the clinic format and lodging depends on the ranch. Regardless of the setting, all involve riding in open country, gathering, sorting and branding cattle with Joe and the ranch hands. While challenging, these unique clinics offer riders the chance to learn and advance as part of a working ranch crew.

Colt Starting
This class is for horses that haven’t yet been ridden or may have been ridden, but are still very green or have some problems that might be helped by restarting with a different approach. While Joe may work with each horse individually, the intent is to help every rider prepare their horse and ride it themselves for the first time. Joe’s ultimate goal is for each horse to be moving freely with a rider so that they leave the clinic with a solid foundation on which to continue further training.

Horsemanship
Horsemanship classes serve as the foundation for advancement and are designed to help develop a stronger horse/human partnership regardless of the rider’s discipline or experience.

Horsemanship 1 is ideal for green riders, green horses, more advanced riders wishing to build additional skills or older horses that might benefit from more foundation work. Joe works with each horse and rider to help them progress as a team and to address any issues they may encounter. The class covers basic groundwork in preparation for riding, and then continues those lessons into the saddle for further progression of horse and rider.

Horsemanship 2 focuses on refining the skills needed to further advance riders toward their goals, whether on a ranch, on the trail, or in the show ring. Joe strives to help riders understand things from the horse’s point of view so that together they can accomplish whatever is required of them. The class is geared to the individual needs of each horse and rider and may include cow work, trail obstacles or other challenges.

Cow Working
Cow working classes are for any rider wishing to start their horse on cattle, or to further advance a horse already working cattle. Riders learn about position, timing, pressure points and how to utilize their horsemanship skills to track, sort and cut cattle. The emphasis is on horse and rider teamwork, developing a horse that truly wants to work a cow and on using low-stress livestock handling techniques that pay off on the ranch and in the show ring.

Ranch Roping
Joe, in concert with Bill Dorrance, is credited with starting the first ranch roping clinics over 25 years ago. He has a vast amount of knowledge and experience to share with riders who not only want to improve their skills with a rope but also want to further develop their horses for ranch work. Joe focuses on the shots and techniques needed for doctoring, branding and other day-to-day chores encountered on a working ranch. Students will have an opportunity to work in a herd and with other ropers to hone their cattle handing skills and advance their abilities to work as a part of a team.

Spectators
Teacher, trainer, cowboy, philosopher; Joe is a lot of things. But he’s not an entertainer, so if you come to watch, come to learn. As a spectator you will be able to observe a variety of horses and riders of all levels in different situations working to accomplish diverse goals. It’s a great opportunity to witness Joe’s wide range of creative and adaptive techniques for solving problems and helping each horse and rider reach new levels.