Introducing Alena Clancy of Sacred Connections

Hello fellow equestrians,

I'm Alena Clancy, the visionary owner and founder of Sacred Connections Horse Training and Holistic Horsemanship. My journey with horses is a tale of passion, dedication, and a deep-seated love for these majestic creatures.

Born and raised in Pullman, WA, my connection with horses was almost visceral, despite never owning one as a child. I vividly recall the heartache I felt whenever my family drove by a horse in a field, evoking a strong sense of longing, almost as if I had memories of riding horses across open land in a time before modernity. Raised in a secular household, I was instilled with the value of doing the right thing for its own sake, yet I always felt a divine and sacred presence in my life, particularly in my bond with animals. I possessed a natural ability to access and contact them through feel and vibration.

Even at a young age, I perceived the mechanical workings of life and the incredible organization of the natural world as evidence of a divine order. I even found spiritual significance in academic subjects like high school chemistry, recalling my experience learning about valence electrons and thinking, "They're literally teaching us how God works!" This unique way of seeing deeper meaning in the world around me blended my secular upbringing with a personal sense of the sacred and a strong connection to the animal kingdom.

Key Moments in Alena’s Journey

My passion for horses truly blossomed in college, where I began working with them and recognized horsemanship as a practice governed by both natural and spiritual laws. This realization offered me opportunities for holistic human development. A pivotal moment in my journey was learning round pen techniques based on horse psychology from my college best friend, Danielle Bennett. Danielle, truly a horse whisperer, played a significant role in my introduction to horsemanship. When I first arrived at her ranch in Susanville, CA, she took me into her stallion's round pen and taught me how to lunge a horse based on its psychology. This lesson—how to properly work a horse in a round pen to win it over based on its own psychology—laid the foundation for my future in horsemanship and remains the most important thing I've learned about horses.

Another significant experience happened early on in my career, where I faced the daunting challenge of being left to run a 65-horse ranch all by myself. This enormous responsibility included the care and management of wild mustangs and breeding stallions, a task that would be significant even for an experienced horse person. Feeling "abandoned" to manage such a large and diverse herd with limited experience undoubtedly shaped my early understanding of horsemanship and the demands of the horse industry. This "deep end" experience forced me to learn quickly and develop resilience in the face of considerable pressure.

Meeting my mentor, Richard Lambert, has profoundly shaped my horsemanship journey over the past 20 years. Richard, a seasoned horseman, taught me practical horsemanship rooted in getting jobs done. I met Richard at a significant point in his life; he had been gored by a bull the year before and was on the verge of giving up working with horses. His hamstrings couldn't grip anymore, leaving him with a limp and unable to ride unpredictable horses. This physical limitation led to an unconventional partnership where I became the body, providing the physical effort, while Richard shared his extensive horsemanship knowledge. Together, we trained a wide range of horses, from bottom-of-the-barrel stock auction horses to free and abandoned horses, as well as those that came through a stock broker.

Richard's horsemanship wasn't born from formal training but from practical experience gained by being taken in by local ranchers. He came from no money and had a difficult early life, as he didn't know his father, and his stepfather passed away when he was young. Growing up in Los Osos, CA, his family owned a gas station and service station that also served as a lunch cafe. His introduction to horses came through a local cowboy who would eat at the station and let a young Richard ride his horse during lunch breaks. This cowboy and Richard's mother eventually bought him his first pony, and the cowboy began taking Richard along for day work, teaching him essential cowboying skills such as pushing cattle, cutting, roping, and branding. As a result, Richard became a working cowboy, often excused from school for cattle work.

Because Richard often had to work with free or cheap horses to make them usable for cowboying, he became savvy and skilled in handling a variety of temperaments and behavioral issues. He learned from seasoned cowboys and horsemen, acquiring practical horsemanship and stockmanship that prioritized both the horse and livestock. Richard referred to himself as “Uncle Richard” to the horses he worked with, and the horses he trained were known locally as “Lambert horses,” recognized for being calm, steady, solid, honest, and highly functional. One of the most crucial principles Richard instilled in me was to "do it for the horse first," emphasizing that even if others don't understand, the horse's needs should always come first. His advice was often blunt but effective.

Richard also introduced me to unconventional learning methods. He and his old-timer friends taught me to wear boots "two sizes too big" to prevent being dragged if I fell. Instead of starting on trained lesson horses, I was put on challenging horses, faced with high expectations to out-ride them before I could simply ride. Even after gaining experience, Richard continued to be a significant influence, drilling practical wisdom into me. I still value his guidance, describing him as one of the people I trust the most and someone who gives me the best parenting and life advice. I often find myself echoing his words as my own understanding deepens over time. Richard's impact on my horsemanship and philosophy is profound and continues to shape my approach at Sacred Connections.

Development of Expertise

Upon moving to Oregon, my expertise continued to grow, particularly with my first Lusitano, which sparked an interest in Classical horsemanship. This experience ignited a desire to learn more about this discipline. My dedication to Classical horsemanship is evident in my love for trail riding, ranch riding, and cattle work, which I see as aligned with classical dressage principles. I am passionate about the classical gymnastic development of horses, valuing the systematic and progressive training methods that focus on the horse's balance, suppleness, and overall well-being.

I am currently excited about the book "Horse Training in Hand" by Ellen Schuthof Lesmeister and Kip Mistral because it clearly breaks down the classical development of a young horse through in-hand work, emphasizing the importance of maintaining balance and working with correct ergonomics. Additionally, Xenophon's “On Horsemanship,” a historical text, is an essential read in my library, because it demonstrates the foundational principles of horsemanship that have stood the test of time.

Throughout my career, I have worked with over 325 horses, emphasizing saddle fit, balance, gymnastic development, and correct ergonomics, while also incorporating various healing modalities, but one of my best memories was working with Kiger Coltrane.

My experience with Kiger Coltrane, also known as Col, has been a significant and memorable project in my professional life and as I see it, is the #1 project of my career. Col's background was challenging—he had run wild in Eastern Oregon until he was six years old and was rounded up in 2015. After being adopted, Col was sent to a TIP (Training Incentive Program) trainer who initially succeeded in gentling him. However, a horrible accident occurred while the trainer was trying to load Col into a trailer. Col spooked and bolted, and the trainer was caught in the ropes, being dragged behind Col for at least ten minutes. Although the trainer survived, he never worked with Col again.

This traumatic experience left Col with severe PTSD. For a year afterward, he was not handled and had to be run into stocks just to get a halter on him. Psychologically, Col associated the threatening event with the only person he had trusted, who he felt had abandoned and even "chased" him. As a result, Col became incredibly flighty and prone to bolting from any stimulus. I became involved in Col's retraining after this difficult period, focusing on "nervous system retraining" to help him overcome his trauma. I developed a protocol to make Col "grandma safe" for his then 67-year-old owner to trail ride. This protocol proved so successful that it became a standard for many of my horses.

Through my guidance, Col made a full recovery, emerging as a calm and solid horse who thought before reacting. He became eager to work, enjoying the connection and sense of purpose it brought him. I credit my work with Col for helping me understand the importance of mindfulness in training. Col's strength of character now aids in fortifying other horses' constitutions and character.

Our bond is deeply synced, marked by love and loyalty. I consider Col the only horse I have ever trained to do certain specific things, underscoring his unique place in my career. Even years after his initial retraining, Col continued to be an important part of my work. Eventually, he was used as a grounding presence to demonstrate and hold a calm and casual vibe for green horses providing nervous system co-regulation, illustrating how far he had come in his training and his ability to influence other horses positively.

I have even introduced Col to new disciplines, such as Garrocha, during a clinic with John Saint Ryan. Col's transformation from a severely traumatized mustang to a calm and reliable partner is one of my proudest accomplishments and a cornerstone of my success in the field.

Professional Background

My professional background is diverse. With a BA in anthropology, I have a strong understanding of cross-cultural communication, which I apply to understanding "horse culture." To truly understand horses, one must first explore and comprehend their behavior and needs within the context of their own "culture"—what life is like for them in herds and how they interact with each other. I use the phrase "go-native" to describe this process of understanding what a horse is to itself and what it inherently needs from horse society.

Understanding "horse culture" is a crucial first step before attempting to build a relationship or train a horse within a human context. Only after gaining this understanding can we translate that knowledge to build a successful and harmonious relationship with a horse. This perspective emphasizes the horse's viewpoint and natural instincts as the foundation for any training or interaction.

My approach to horsemanship is deeply influenced by horse psychology and herd dynamics. Many of the problems observed in horses are human-related, stemming from a lack of understanding or inappropriate handling rather than inherent flaws in the horse. By prioritizing the understanding of "horse culture," we can avoid causing behavioral issues and foster a more effective and compassionate training environment.

How I understand "horse culture" is rooted in my anthropological training and emphasizes the necessity of understanding horses as social beings with their own inherent needs and communication styles. This understanding forms the bedrock of my holistic approach to horsemanship, guiding my methods of training and my philosophy of building a true partnership between humans and horses.

My training with traditional healers in southern Mexico, a certificate in Equine Husbandry from Pierce College, and a permaculture design certification have profoundly influenced my holistic and sustainable approach. My study for the Equine Husbandry certification focused on equine parasites, providing me with a formal education in the practical aspects of horse care and management, with a specific emphasis on understanding and addressing equine parasites.

Earning a permaculture design certification significantly impacted my approach to horsemanship by instilling in me whole-systems thinking and a focus on sustainability. This certification is part of my diverse educational background, contributing to my holistic perspective in my work with horses. The permaculture design principles help me consider the interconnectedness of various elements in my horse training business, including the environment, resource management, and the well-being of the horses.

My experience with traditional healers in Mexico was a significant influence on my holistic approach to horsemanship. Training with traditional healers taught me the important lesson "to not rule out anything." This open-mindedness has given me a willingness to explore various healing modalities for both horses and humans. Specifically, I studied for years with a Mayan medicine person, a traditional timekeeper and wisdom keeper, as well as with other native elders. This training involved tending ceremonial fires, an activity I deeply love and find analogous to working with horses, as both require adhering to rules laid down through trial and error to ensure safety.

Through my ceremonial training, I gained knowledge in several areas that complement my horsemanship:

-Understanding fear and emotions and the importance of not emoting in certain situations to achieve specific goals, contributing to my calm and centered approach when working with horses, particularly those with trauma.

-Valuing selflessness while preserving oneself to get the job done, a balance crucial in the demanding field of horse training.

-Gaining knowledge in herbalism, energy medicine, and prayer, which informs my interest in alternative healing modalities for horses, such as herbal and mineral supplements and energy medicine.

This cross-cultural experience immensely broadened my perspective. My undergraduate training in anthropology, combined with my work with traditional healers, reinforced the importance of keeping an open mind and not dismissing any potential approaches. It also ingrained in me the understanding that a culture must first be explored and understood within its own context before trying to understand it within another cultural context, a principle I apply directly to my work with horses and their "culture." This "go-native" approach parallels my immersion in the traditions and knowledge of the healers I studied with.

My time with traditional healers in Mexico was not just a cultural experience but a foundational learning period that significantly shaped my philosophy and methods in horsemanship, emphasizing open-mindedness, understanding different perspectives, and the integration of diverse healing modalities.

Additionally, I am certified in ReConnective Healing and am a certified Yoga Teacher, which enhances my understanding of posture and balance. Holding a certification in ReConnective Healing, I have actively used this healing modality on many horses with the aim of enhancing their well-being. This certification is part of my broader interest in alternative healing modalities and reflects a holistic approach to horsemanship. By becoming certified in ReConnective Healing, I have gained a specific skill set in this energy-based modality, which I integrate into my work with horses to support their overall health.

Furthermore, I am a certified Yoga Teacher and also hold a certification as a Yoga teacher for kids. My yoga training influences my understanding of correct posture, balance, and ways to correct imbalances in the body. This knowledge contributes greatly to my holistic approach to horsemanship, influencing how I assess and work with both horses and riders in terms of their physical alignment and movement.

Sacred Connections Philosophy

Sacred Connections embodies my philosophy of putting the horse first. My business aims to make horses usable and valuable, addressing behavioral issues often stemming from human misunderstanding. Education is a core value, and I am dedicated to teaching horse psychology and herd dynamics to empower both horses and humans. My services include foundational training and colt starting, "problem horse" retrains, therapeutic retraining for issues like PTSD, trail training, tune-ups, trailer training, BLM Mustang gentling, and horse sales.

My approach is highly intuitive and sensitive to non-verbal communication. Studying with Mayan medicine people and native elders have provided me with knowledge in herbalism, energy medicine, and prayer and my personal philosophy is deeply spiritual. I am driven by the need to help horses in distress and to educate the horse world.

Future and Conclusion

Looking ahead, I plan to expand my online presence with training videos, workshops, and my book, "Trust in God But Check Your Cinch." I aspire to become a respected clinician and mentor, focusing on retraining traumatized horses and sharing my knowledge. My ultimate vision includes creating a sanctuary for horses in need.

My dedication, unique blend of practical horsemanship and spiritual understanding, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of horses define me as a compassionate, insightful, and empowering figure in the world of holistic horsemanship.