Top Turnout Clinics run 2-days, including demonstration and hands-on workshops. Ruthann developed Top Turnout Clinics to teach the best care practices of elite horsemen to the masses. Attendees learn about care, handling and safety that save time, money and soundness, while at the same time, making their horses hearts BIG to win.

Some topics include bathing faces so horses love it, pulling manes peacefully, eliminating scratches, promoting naturally full tails, seasonal coat care treatments, bandaging, trimming, braiding, adjusting hoof care to conditions, bathing without water and understanding non-toxic product options, etc. The first day takes place in a covered arena, with attendees sit in bleachers or in a theater made of bales.

On the second day we work at the end of a barn aisle set-up. The 2 small hands-on workshops are an opportunity for one-on-one coaching from Ruthann for those students serious about braiding or bandaging well.

Every horse and person, in every discipline and at every level will learn useful techniques during the demonstration that they'll use every day in the barn. 

Attendees will leave skilled and excited to improve their grooming, handling and safety with cost-effective, healthy and simplified best care practices they'll use daily. It is also super-helpful to have trainers to encourage their students to attend. Doing so, they reduce their own liability, dazzle judges and enjoy more confident and sound horses. Please encourage anyone with doubts to call Ruthann.

Prerequisite for all hands-on braiders: Master Ruthann's formula for thumb position and picking up the pieces as outlined in the DVD BEFORE attending the clinic. That way, you can work on polishing your technique instead of thumb position in the clinic.

Please note: it is sometimes more difficult for seasoned braiders to change their habits. If you are a good braider, it is all the more reason to be sure you have Ruthann's finger form down. After all, braiding is like equitation: if you are in the proper position, it is easier to balance to the next movement. That's how we can braid fast, get the braids even and have no cramped hands. 

Groom Training

Ruthann offers groom training in English and Spanish to help improve grooms' techniques, routines and time management skills. Special focus is placed on keeping horses sound and confident for big hearts that win. Scenarios for thinking ahead of the horse to prevent accidents as well as systems for packing, shipping, cleaning stalls, fitting and caring for tack, clothing horses, bathing faces, communicating with trainers, reading lists, feeding routines, grooming, bandaging, tack cleaning, hoof care, etc are advocated. Sessions are customized to best suit each barn. A host of cost-saving and troubleshooting measures are addressed.

Sponsoring tack shops spotlight their business for promoting sound horsemanship as well as providing the service of making available valuable and previously coveted techniques of the most successful horsemen. Clinics sales include a range of grooming products as Ruthann outlines which best serve the horses' needs. Tack shops often co-sponsor clinics with a club, association or stable.

© 2010, Ruthann Smith, All rights reserved.

Ruthann Smith has spent a lifetime studying sound horsemanship- both as a groom for top international horses and as a renowned braider. Quietly twisting manes atop a ladder, she watched and learned in some of the best stables in the world.

As her passion for great grooming grew, Ruthann became focused on researching, collecting and sharing the best practices of the world’s keenest horsemen. Ultimately, Ruthann used her vast experience to develop exceptional equine grooming products to help raise the bar of horsemanship.

The knowledge she dispenses and the products Ruthann developed solve age-old grooming issues. Making quality horse care easier, they have received the highest honors in the equine industry*. Her Lucky Braids for Top Turnout coat care and braiding products are the best, most versatile, cost-effective and easiest solutions available on the market today.

Now Ruthann offers her LOVE, LOVE Guarantee. If not totally thrilled with a product she developed, Ruthann will refund you in full, regardless of where you purchased it.

It’s her life’s mission to empower horses by educating, motivating and equipping their people to be true horsemen. You can access Ruthann’s tips at: The Grooming Resource on LuckyBraids.com, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and her Horsemanship Clinics.

*After testing 350 products, Lucky Braids All-In-One Horse Shampoo was named product of the year by Horse Journal, the “Consumer Reports” of the industry. They also named Lucky Braids Shampoo and Top Pick for greys and whites. Lucky Braids specialized braiding yarn also got stellar reviews.