Mike Bridges

Mike Bridges Clinics offers private and public horsemanship clinics rooted in the California Vaquero tradition. California Vaquero horsemanship traces its origins to Mexico and California, where Portuguese and Spanish conquistadors brought traditions from the Iberian Peninsula. Mike began learning this approach from his grandfather and has spent more than 55 years making a living from the back of a horse, maintaining a close connection to the practices and skills he teaches.

Public clinic offerings include Introduction to the Hackamore, Seeking Refinement, In Hand Work, cattle working clinics, and a Bridle Course. These programs provide opportunities to explore different aspects of traditional horsemanship, from working with horses in hand to developing skills with the hackamore and bridle. The website also features a calendar of upcoming clinics, information about Mike and the project, a Horseman’s Showcase, and books and videos. For riders interested in learning about or refining their horsemanship within the Vaquero tradition, Mike Bridges Clinics provides instruction through both private and group learning experiences.