People come to John's clinics from all over Australia. Some drive for hours. Some camp on-site for the weekend. And almost everyone leaves saying some version of the same thing: "I didn't know it could be this calm."
The format
John runs one, two, and three-day clinics depending on the host and the needs of the group. A three-day clinic gives the most complete experience — you watch horses go through the full arc of the Ten Steps, from the first uncertain approach all the way through to relaxed, willing leading and lunging.
The horses worked at clinics are often challenging cases: horses with known problems, horses that have been through trauma, horses whose owners have run out of other options. Watching John work with them is often the most instructive part of the whole experience.
The campfire sessions
One of the things that sets John's three-day clinics apart is the informal time. John camps at the venue along with attendees who choose to do the same. Over lunches and evenings by the campfire, there are long conversations — questions that wouldn't come up in a formal session, stories from John's years in South America and Queensland, discussion of specific horses and problems that attendees are dealing with at home.
That access — sitting down with John at the end of the day and just talking — is something people mention again and again when they describe what made a clinic memorable.
Private lessons alongside clinics
When John travels for a clinic, he often leaves time either side of the clinic weekend for private lessons. This gives people the opportunity to work one-on-one with John at their own property, consolidating what they've seen at the clinic with their own horse.
If you're interested in a private lesson when John is in your area, the best approach is to reach out early — these spots fill quickly once a clinic is announced.
Who clinics are for
Everyone. John works with complete beginners who are trying to understand the basics of horse behaviour, and with experienced riders who are dealing with a specific problem that's stumped them. The Ten Steps provide a framework that's genuinely useful at every level.
You don't need to bring a horse. Many people come purely to observe. The learning that happens from watching — from seeing different horses respond at different speeds, from understanding what John is looking for at each stage — is substantial.
How to find out about upcoming clinics
John announces clinics through his contact list and website. The best way to be notified of events in your area is to reach out directly and let him know where you're based.
Get in touch about clinics