I have been to the 2.5 day clinics at the Josey Ranch in the past, but I'm considering getting on the wait list for the 7 day school (the one that runs in conjunction with the break away school) in June. I absolutely LOVED the 2.5 day clinics but have no idea what I should expect if attending the 7 day (if a spot even opens up for me to be able to go). I'm a huge Josey staff fan and I know me and my young mare would benefit from their help. My problem is I only have 1 horse to bring and she just made 5 so I'm worried about her getting over worked especially in the heat of summer. Honestly, I'm a little worried about myself too at 32 years old I'm not as young as I used to be please give me aaaalllll the info you can about the 7 day schools. I know you also work on poles, but if running in conjunction with the breakaway school, do they let the barrel group touch on a little breakaway too or is it all completely separate? So many questions and so curious to hear from those that have been to the 7 day. It's quite the investment so a huge decision to make!

I went to that school last year. I LOVED it.  I am 33, yes it was hard but it is so worth it. 

Your horse will not get overly worked. During the heat of the day, we went and watched videos of our runs. A lot of people had young horses and did just fine. 

You will make three runs over the week.  Just go your own speed it is no pressure! 

Mark will break down two of your runs (this helped me more than anything).  Then you have slow work on the barrels. 

Ty will do individual work with you (I wish we did this more - it was so much fun getting one on one time) Poles, we just did slow work them a few times. 

It is completely separate from the breakaway but we got a lot of arena time. 

I would SO go back again :) 

PM if you have any other questions. 

Thank you so much for your input! We had several times during the 2.5 day clinics where we weren't riding and we would do demos, videos, etc too but also plenty of saddle time so I assumed it was the same for the 7 day. My only other hesitation is my mare has never been stalled at all but is very very laid back so i keep telling myself she will be fine. she is fed inside a stall but it is not shut or locked so she stands there and finishes her food and walks out when she wants to. i'm hoping to go to a race in hattiesburg over night this weekend to see how she would do in a stall since it's not too far from home and not a huge waste of money if anything does happen. we are in the process of building a new barn so until then i don't really have a true stalling option at home. i may just put my name on the wait list and leave it up to fate. i'm on the wait list for the 3 day clinic in june which is much more budget friendly but there were already 13-15 on the list when i called so i doubt that will happen. the 7 day schools are my only other option to get in to a clinic before the next available one in september and i really didn't want to wait that long. we are consistently running in the 1d locally but just need that little extra help to start running in the top of the 1d rather than the middle or bottom. edited to add that i have no idea how many are on the wait lists for the 7 day schools either so i may be thinking through all of this for nothing lol

I was worried about the same thing.  My horse is never stalled. 

As much as he was out, he was ready to go back to the stall.  I just gave him alot of hay to keep him busy. 

Do it and good luck! I just love that place.  I wish I could go to every single clinic. 

I went ahead and put my name on the waiting list for both of the 7 day schools as well as the 3 day clinic in June. Hopefully something will open up in one of them. There are about 13 people on the list ahead of me for all of them so I feel like it is a long shot, but they said it is possible. Fingers crossed!!

There are two 7 day clinics in June. I do know the first one is full. Don't know about the second one. Both are at the same time as a roping school. I do know your arse will be draggin.