$350 | two-day course | enrolment dates scheduled at your convenience
Over the past few years, we have received numerous inquiries from people who do not have any interest in riding for show or to be involved in a regular ongoing lesson program. They tell us that they have–or are planning to have– a horse or two on their property “for the grandkids to ride,” or “to ride on the trails occasionally,” or “just to have around for pleasure.” But they admit they know next to nothing about horses and their care. These folks truly want to learn, but don’t want to commit to a long-term process.
We created this course in response that need in the riding community. This 18-hour intensive course, taught over a two-day weekend, is geared towards the novice who would like to know how to properly house, care for and safely handle and ride the well-broke pleasure horse.
The course will cover:
The physical aspects of the horse, including conformation, care of feet and proper grooming.
The mental aspects of the horse including their instincts and safe handling techniques.
Nutrition for the horse, including the various grains and hays available as well as a discussion on supplements, plants that are poisonous to horses and the importance of good fresh water.
Health aspects of the horse, including how to recognize when there is a problem, when to call the vet, how to recognize and handle common illnesses and injuries & emergency treatment until the vet arrives.
Housing of the horse, including info on barns, stalls, fencing and pasture and manure management.
What to look for (and look out for) when buying a horse.
Choosing, fitting and caring for tack (saddles, bridles, halters, etc)
Safely riding a well-broke horse (including tacking up, mounting, steering, “go and whoa,” and how to handle the situation when things go wrong (bucking, rearing, running away, etc.).
Care of the horse after the ride.
While some of the topics will be lecture and demonstration, students will have lots of hands-on experience with several well-trained horses and will ride each day.
Course materials include plenty of handouts for future review and is quite extensive in its coverage of the care and management of the horse. However, the course should be considered only an introduction to the actual riding of a horse. At the end of the course, the student should have a good basic idea of riding a well-broke safe horse, but the student is encouraged to seek additional riding lessons to advance his/her knowledge, skills and comfort level.
