Ok, so I realize the title doesn't really say much about what I'm trying to ask, but I couldn't think of a more accurate title that wasn't half a paragraph long...
Anyway, here's my question (bear with me):
I am a newly certified riding instructor (CHA Eng. and West.) and in may I will be taking over a large part of my coach's lesson program for 3 wks while she is out of town. Most of the students who I will be teaching are riding at an advanced-beginner to advanced-intermediate level in basic English and Western riding. While I can continue to teach them in the skills they are working on, my area of expertise is in groundwork/work in hand and the methods many people refer to as natural horsemanship. What I would like to do (I have talked with my coach and she is on board with the idea) is offer, for those students who are interested, a sort of "crash course" in basic groundwork and "Natural Horsemanship" principles (I just put 'natural horsemanship' in quotes just because I use many different methods and don't subscribe to a single one, nor do I really like the name :)
So my question is...
Does this sound like a good idea to you? Would this theoretically interest you as a student? Any ideas for what the "course" could be? (for example, I was thinking of 1 class in groundwork basics and 'games', 1 class on recognizing and utilizing body language in the roundpen, and the last class on applying what they learned to everyday horse handling/riding/etc...) ??? Any other advice/ideas/etc?
Thanks in advance and sorry for the extreme long-windedness (it's late and I've had a wee bit too much coffee...!)
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Round pen work is amazing with Natural Horsemanship training. Ive spent long hours in the round pen with horses of all ages, and it always has a positive outcome. My favorite method to use, increases connection between horse and human and if done right and with enough practice you can command your horse to change directions, speed up, slow down, follow you, and stop all simply with body language and with verbal cues. You'll need a training crop, a big enough pen to get to at least a fast trot, preferably a lope and of course, most important, your horse. Stand in the middle of the pen, point in the direction you want your horse to go, using your whole arm and kiss. Its important to kiss first, and if no response, then flick the crop in his direction, to get him towards the rail. Never hit your horse with the crop when sending him off, because then the crop will be associated with nervouseness and that will cause future round pen trouble. Keep your horse going in that direction until you feel you have his attention. Always face your horse, turn with him so he knows to stay focused and that you are still in control and still giving cues. Eye contact is also important. When you feel confident enough to change directions, step towards the front of his path, not directly and get his attention by using your arm to point him towards the INSIDE of the pen, kiss first for his response and if needed flick the crop. If he turns his body to the outside of the pen to change directions, he's still not actively engaged in your commands, and its important to redo until he turns to the INSIDE, center, towards you to change directions. Don't let him get away with turning his hindquarters towards you when changing directions or standing still. You want him focused on you. Go in your new direction until you feel confident to change again, and continue this pattern, not until its boring, but until you feel confident you have his attention and control. This is a good beginning round pen activity to practice for short times, not too Long because the horse will lose interest, get bored and next time he will already be anticipating displeasure when he enters the pen. End on a good note :). There's loads more to do with your horse in the pen, but considering you have a class, it might be difficult to introduce this to more than One horse, and human, who each vary in experiences, horses, ect.
A fun game I like to play with a small group of people called the Circle of Trust, is a great way to learn about yourself, friends and especially the horse. It involves a great deal of space, arenas work great although depending on your location that may not always be available, but a fenced in area, free of distractions, works Fine too. You need to set up a small circle or square of cones or poles somewhere in the arena. The object is to guide your horse into the coned area, with three four people max, with no physical contact unless its the first 30seconds of the game. A lot of people dont Ever think its possible, but trust me it is, especially if the group of people guiding the horse are focused and motivated. The object of the game is to get your horse in the circle of trust for at least 30 seconds to a minute, unless of course your horse stands there longer. A good tip is to have only One person touch the beginning 30seconds and have that person be the leader to the horse from there. Good luck, and I hope you and your students have fun!
I would personally love to learn "natural horsemanship".
I think it is an excellent idea! It is always good to get back to the basics!:)