Outline:
1) Tour of Windsong Arabians horse farm:
(Jan 4, April 5,
June 14, Sept.6)
Sign releases/outline/handouts brochures, safety on the ground, etc.)
Why field board?
Why stall board?
Why
lease?
Why take lessons?
What kind of horse should I get?
breed, age (know how to estimate age), conformation,
training, history
2)Safety on the ground
(Jan 11, April 12, June 21,
Sept 13)
Proper footwear
Quick release/practice
How does a horse learn?
6 answers
reward or negative
reinforcement
Body language l (The horse's)
Avoid running, quick motions
Where to stand, move around
or
approach.
Pecking order
Watch the horse!
Watch horses near your horse!
How to (or should you) hand feed
Respect/taking
charge 1
Discipline vs. Abuse 1 (biting)
3) Basic Care of the Horse
(Jan 18 , April 19, June 28,
Sept. 20)
Shelter
shed/barn/woods
lights (covered, high
motion, dusk to dawn)
Fencing
posts (locust)
high tensil
board (pine vs oak)
split rail
American wire
Electric
Feed
Types of feed/ratios of
fat,protein,fiber
Pellets vs. sweet
feed
How much?
ground/bucket/permenent(corner
feeders)
Storage
Cost
Hay
Types of hay
Round/square
Analysis by extension agent
Ground/rack/bin
How much?
Storage
Cost
Pasture
management
(rotation,mowing,dragging)
Nutrient Management
Water
How much?
Buckets/trough/stream
Supplements
electrolytes
vitamins
Medicines..glucosamine,
chondrotin, bute
biotin
Bedding
Types: straw, pine chips,
sawdust
Types of stall floors:
board/stonedust, wood,
concrete, asphalt, dirt,
clay, mats
Costs
4) Services
(Jan 25 , April 26, July 5, Sept 27)
Blacksmith (farrier)
Shoes or no shoes? (cost)
How often?
Picking feet
Why do it?
How to do it
Practice
Thrush
what is it?
How to prevent it.
How to treat it.
Veterinary services
Post your vet's
phone # in clear
view!!
Pre-purchase exam
Clearly know what discipline
you want to ride
Vaccines
Cost to vaccinate by vet vs.
yourself
How to
vaccinate (may
demonstrate)
What vaccines are needed,
required,
suggested
How often to vaccinate
What is a coggins?
Why do you need one?
How often do you
need one?
How to determine if your horse is
sick
Change in behavior
Taking pulse, respirations,
temperature
Checking skin
turgor, gum
color
Practice
Making the difficult decision
Simple wound
care (bites, scrapes)
Where is it?
Acute wound care
Control bleeding
Evaluating.. need vet?
Cleaning and disinfecting
a wound
Care of stiches
Antibiotics
(intramuscularly)
How to administer
5) Working on the Ground
(Feb. 1, May 3 , July 12, Oct. 4 )
Respect/taking charge
2
Discipline vs Abuse 2
Bonding 1 (Voice)
Body language 2 (The handler's)
"Catching" your horse
Haltering
Leading your horse
Practice catching, haltering,
leading
Turning your horse loose safely
Halter or no halter
Break-away halter
6) Grooming
(Feb. 8 , May 10, July 19, Oct. 11 )
Practice catching, haltering,
halter leading
Cross-ties
Blanket
vs no blanket
When/how to blanket
Types of
blankets..flannel/sheets
Clipped
or not clipped..
why/how
winter down coat
Brushes/curry combs/mane combs
Bonding 2 (Touch)
both hands on the horse
(safety and bonding)
massage..feels good (T-
Touch
next session)
tone of voice..laughter,
short, loud, quiet
7) Advanced
and Homeopathic Care for your Horse
(Feb. 15, May 17, July 26, Oct. 18 )
Practice catching, haltering,
halter leading, grooming
Hippology
Homeopathy
Definition: Drugs in
small amounts which
produce symptoms of
disease
Dentist (vs. vet)
Signs your horse needs
dental care
Mechanical
vs. manual
floating
Massage Therapy
(Intro to Bonding 2)
Therapist vs
"T-Touch"
(Linda Tellington Jones)
Demonstration/ Practice
Accupuncture
Chiropractic
message
8) Tacking up English or Western/Maintenence
(Feb. 22 , May 24,
Aug 2 , Oct.
25 )
"Mucking" out
Practice catching, haltering,
halter leading, grooming
English/Western/Bridles/Hackamores/bits
How to tack-up
Types of saddles:
(synthetic vs. leather,
flat, jump, dressage,
sport, stock)
Types of bits (snaffles,
curbs, etc.)
Parts of the saddle and
bridle
Pads, blankets
Webbers
vs leathers
Girths/stirrups
(breakaway)
Bitting (Bridling)- how to bridle
the horse
Care of leather/bits/synthetics
Boots(hoof),
Leg wraps, shipping
boots, splint boots
Un-tacking/after-ride grooming
in order
Care of tack
9) Learning to ride
( Mar. 1, May 31,
Sug. 9, Nov. 1
)
Lessons or on your own?
Pre-purchase ride
Go for a ride or ride
the
horse?
riding alone or
in a group
riding out or in
a confined area
Things to consider beside
Price!:
Why selling?
Suitable for your ability
or knowledge?
Sound
for your discipline?
Horse's history:
attitude, age, health,
training, history
Practice
picking stall, catching,
haltering,halter leading,
grooming, saddling, bitting,
bridle leading
On the ground excercises
Visualize
Preparing to mount
How to mount
Mounting block
Stirrup/saddle adjustments
Riding alone or led,
depends on stated
experience at the walk
Practice
- Untacking
order
Practice care of tack
10) Let's Mount up!!! (Only
for those who have
attended sessions 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9 may ride)
( Mar. 8, June 7 , Aug. 16, Nov. 8 )
Practice picking stall,catching,haltering,
halter leading grooming, saddling,
bitting, bridle leading, mounting!
Ride: on your own or led
depending on your stated
experience
