Summer Nature Program

Photo: Carson, Leslie and Diane
MINDFUL HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM

​Watching the minds and hearts of the students expand and grow is the most rewarding experience -EVER! 

Our Mindful Horsemanship team (Diane, Leslie, Molly, Carson, Ivy, Max, and Misti Seppi) start the education of our students with the history of the horse going back millions of years to the partnership of humans and horses that took place approximately 3,500 years ago. The dog is considered man's best friend. The horse is considered man's best servant. 
Students learn comparative anatomy and physiology and understand that form follows function. They learn to speak "Equis" and study the prey/predator relationship deeply so the student learns to work safely and effectively with their horse. They start with groundwork, learning to catch, halter, lead, tie, lunge, saddle and bridle their own horses ~ learning to safely work with the horse on the ground before riding. They learn about the tack - saddles, bridles, and girths - the care and maintenance of, as well as how to choose the right tack so the saddle and bridle fits comfortably on the horse.

When students first start out, they ride with bareback pads to get a good feel for the way the horse moves, the footfalls (walk, trot, and canter) and how the rider's body engages with the body of the horse as well as feeling the rhythm and balance of the horse. We spend a tremendous amount of time giving them sensitive, light hands so the horse can respond lightly and effectively through the signals the riders give with their hands. The children learn that horses give in to pressure. We teach the students how to develop the right amount of pressure and release to guide their animal partners with lightness and finesse. Being respectfully aware of the horse, their surroundings, and how their own bodies work are main focuses in the Another Way Mindful Horsemanship program.
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photos from the mindful Horsemanship Program
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videos from summer 2020

Mindful Horsemanship Training

Here is some of the work we do in the Mindful Horsemanship Training Program:

​Groundwork – Foundation for working with horses

  • Strengthen your bond
  • Learn to give good guidance and show leadership
  • Work on dominance issues
  • Help your horse cope with the human world (hoof, vet, trailer)
  • Overcome fears or concerns
  • Support and prepare for riding, lunging, trust, learning, cooperating
  • Physical and mental challenges for variety and fun
 
Exercises
  • #1 Leading from lead position – you determine path and speed, respect distance
  • #2 Leading from partner position – walk near shoulder of horse, walk, trot, backwards, halt, wait
  • Touch exercises
    • Stroking, both hands ~ Attention to sensitive parts: groin, stomach, sheath, nipples, ears, mouth, eyes, tail
    • Grooming ~ scratching (withers, mane, shoulders, loin) What does he/she enjoy?
 
Physical Aids to give Direction  (direct pressure)

  • Head down--behind ears
  • Nose to flank--side of head
  • Down on nose--step back
  • Forward pressure on ear--walk forward
  • Pressure on chest--walk back
HORSE ANATOMY

Skeletal--we share the same bones, with the exception of the collarbone

  • Feet--diagram of bones horse/human
  • Founder--causes, examples, treatments, results
  • Navicular--causes, diagram of location, treatments, results
  • Teeth--nutrition, floating, pix and video


                                                                         Videos                                                        For fun