Here is the outline for the Train the Trainer 24 Hour Introductory Course:
4 x 6 hour classes with maximum 10 participants per class
Full 4-day course participation is required for Certification.
Session 1
10 am – 11 am: Classroom Theory / Q & A
- Frame of body = Frame of Mind
- Fundamental body language differences between predator & prey
- Understanding psychological differences between predator & prey
- 3 energies: push, block, draw (in horse’s body & in human body)
- Human core communication awareness
- No push zone in front of horse
- 11 buttons on the horse
- Distinction between “catching” and “capturing” the horse
- Bending button / girth line
- 5 toplines and their physiological cause and effect on behavior
- “Tell-tail signs” – 6 emotional messages from the tail of the horse
- Ear messages (facial expressions of horse)
- Stand still and straight (boundaries, blocking techniques)
11:15 – 1:00 pm: In Arena With Horses
Groundwork Training / Training before Schooling
- Alignment of feet, hips, shoulders, whip, arcs and angles …
- Awareness for NO-PUSH ZONE @ neck & head of horse
- Training for straightness / focus (address girth line or head block)
1:00 – 2:00 pm: LUNCH
2:00 – 5:00 pm: In Arena With Horses
- Use of whip for horse language of levels, bends, gestures
- Alignment @ shoulder with contact (halter & bridle)
- Forward into consistent contact
- Timing turns /use of whip (footfall/barrel swing) to help bend
- Stepping out to turn in – wheelbarrow analogy
- The head of the horse must be last to turn, not first!
- Level & relax forward into turn on forehand– why and how
- Half halting into halt without pulling
- Turn on forehand halts (how, when and why)
Session 2
10 am – 11 am: Classroom Theory / Q & A
- 2 lines: define herding boundaries – how to align accordingly
- Distinction of leading “in-hand” with blocking contact
- Approaching horse (energies & lines) in stall or in open space
- Catch (not capture) horse in stall or open space
- Haltering as catching not capturing
- In hand (alignment: front/next/behind/contact/use of whip
- Loose lead (alignment, how to push horse into draw)
- When and why “in-hand” and when and why, “loose lead”
- Stand in bend / why and how
11:15 – 1:00 pm: In Arena With Horses
Groundwork Training – Training before Schooling
- Approaching horse with surcingle / saddle pad / blanket / saddle
- Standing still in bend against wall
- Loose lead change of direction – increased shoulder boundaries
1:00 – 2:00 pm: LUNCH
2:00 – 5:00 pm: In Arena With Horses
- Lunge – Alignment of 3 energies to initiate wheelbarrow analogy
- FORWARD! NO BACKING UP! (No mixed messages from core)
- Alignment of 3 body energies to lunge horse on circle
- Push hips out and draw horse into halt
- Line awareness for Leadership
- Walk and trot transitions
Session 3
10 am – 11 am: Classroom Theory / Q & A
- Backing up – how to respond to resistance
- Using a dressage whip as an extension of your body language
- Training bits function
11:15 – 1:00 pm: In Arena With Horses
Groundwork & Riding Training – Training before Schooling
- Refined haltering /bridling (massage ears, mouth)
- Backing up In-Hand
- Review lunge
1:00 – 2:00 LUNCH
2:00 – 5:00 pm: In Arena With Horses
Riding – Training before Schooling
- Mounting (bend, level headed, chute against wall)
- Alignment in saddle: spine-to-spine, core, shoulders, elbows, hips
- Energies in the saddle: push, block, draw – timing of seat and legs
- Rhythm of swing for timing bend – inside leg and turns from seat
- Contact: boundaries blocking where not to go (river analogy)
- Open reins: why and how (funnel for firmer proactive block)
- Read-ride bend knowing true inside/outside of horse
- Riding from seat as primary aid
- Correct diagonals according to bend of horse not direction of travel
- Half-halting from core as blocking energies – not hands pulling
- How to empower half- halt in with turn on forehand
- Halt in bend – why and how / Order and timing of aids into halt
- Backing up without pulling
Session 4
10 am – 11 am: Classroom Theory / Q & A
- Training horse for calm and straight in cross ties
- Correct diagonals and lateral balance when picking up feet
- Consistently connected and speaking horse during grooming and dressing
11:30 – 1:00 pm: In Arena With Horses
Riding – Training before Schooling
- Why and how to over-bend during difficult transitions?
- Transitions: halt/walk – halt/backing up – walk/trot/
- Use of spurs as acupressure massage aids
- Inside leg to stretch horse down, outside leg to lift and lighten up
- Use of dressage whip as extension of riding aids
1:00 – 2:00 LUNCH
2:00 – 4:00 pm: In Arena With Horses
Riding – Training before Schooling
- Halt to walk starting on outside leg
- Finding the clutch with transitions
- Transitions for collection and extension
- Turn on forehand/turn on haunches: differences, why and how
- Lateral work: introduction to leg yielding
- Riding with 2 whips as extension of aids
- Calm and collected canter departures from seat