TEACHING PEOPLE TO WORK WITH HORSES PROGRAM 2024

What's the main objective of the program?

The main objective of the program is give coaches or interested people the knowledge, skills and self awareness necessary to teach owners how to work well with their horses.

Most people who are interested in this program will be skilled horse riders and trainers. However, when it comes to helping horses, it inevitably means it is the owners of the horses that we need to teach in order for them to overcome the struggles they are having with their horse.

How will the program be structured and delivered?

This program will be delivered online including theory and practical components.  Learning activities include online presentations and live webinar workshops.

The program is structured in 3 modules.

Module 1: Focuses on teaching people, understanding how people learn and effective teaching strategies.

Module 2: Examines common barriers to learning that people can experience when they work with horses and how these can be navigated people and successful coaching collaborations established.

Module 3: Examines what you teach and how you can document your process and create resources that can improve the effectiveness of your coaching.

The program is 8 weeks in duration.

The first intake commences on 2 January -23 February 2024.

How will the course be assessed?

The course will be assessed via a number of case study reports and as well as an assignment that will document each participants coaching and training process that can be utilised in creating resources for their clients.

What unique perspective or knowledge does Dr. Shelley Appleton bring to this program?

Dr. Shelley Appleton is unique in the equestrian world as she is highly skilled horse trainer but holds a PhD in human learning and the development of expertise.  This makes her an effective educator to people and helped her establish business Calm Willing Confident Horses, as a helpful resource for people all over the world.

Who would benefit from this program?

Coaches, trainers and people interested in furthering their understanding of how to influence other people to improve the handling, management and riding of horses.

What benefits or outcomes can they expect?

When you are passionate about helping people with their horse it is not uncommon to experience frustration.  Horses tend to be the easy of the two species you have to work with.  This program aims to help you understand why people can struggle to learn or can be frustrating to work with.  When you gain an appreciation for the human element of the horse-human partnership, many of the frustrations disappear and you can implement strategies to help them and make your coaching experiences more rewarding.

Can the course be advanced?

Yes, once completed participants will receive a certificate of completion and this will allow them to apply to the Calm Willing Confident Horse Coaching Competence Program.  In this program your competence at working through Dr. Shelley Appleton’s training process will be assessed so that you can become a recommended coach of her program around the world.

How much does the course cost?

The cost of the course is $750 or $200 per month for 4 monthsHow do you enrol in this program?Enrolment is via an application process. This is because spots are limited. Everyone is welcome to apply. Applications close 1st December 2023. Successful applicants will be offered an enrolment position.How to apply for enrolment?

To apply complete the following online form HERE.

NEXT CHALLENGE EVENT

"Conformation Analysis"

I have done a lot of previous study learning to assess a horse's conformation and it is really interesting.

Learning this helps me identify weaknesses and strengths in horses and helps guide my training.

Years ago I thought I could train any horse to do anything. Then I learnt that some horses struggle and are at risk of injury if their conformation has weaknesses.

In this challenge, I am going to walk you through how to assess your horse's conformation from photographs.

The awesome book I am going to be using as a reference is Deb Bennett's book titled "Principles of Conformation Analysis". It is not necessary to purchase it for the challenge but if you do it is a great resource to own.

The challenge runs from the 10-17th December 2023.

The Sensory Soundness Lab Report🐴🔬

I have been delving into Kerry M Thomas' herd dynamics and sensory soundness observations with lots of horses and have interesting reports to share.

If you don't know who or what I am talking about head over to my Canter Therapy Podcast and check out the very cool interviews we have done with Kerry.

The respect for the sensory processing abilities of individual horses has been one of the biggest advancements in my understanding of horses in the last few years.

Touch as many horses as possible! ✅

What I mean by this is - work with as many horses as possible, both on the ground and in the saddle.

You don't have to do big extensive things, just small interactions clocked up will help you.

I tell people at my clinics to just perform my very simple "establishing a starting point" exercise (aka backward-forward-yield) groundwork exercise with as many horses as you can.

The "Pareto Principle", also known as the 80/20 rule suggests that in many situations roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

In practical terms, mastering a critical subset of skills or focusing on key tasks can often yield a disproportionately large payoff. Therefore, identifying and honing that crucial 20% can lead to significant improvements in performance or results.

I use this principle to establish both what I focus on teaching people in regards to how to influence horses. But also what I focus my efforts establishing with horses.

This post is a call out to all the community builders out there.

The ones that bring the horse people together.

The ones that create great events and opportunities to practice, learn and hang out with people that love horses too.

The horse can take you on a special journey of personal growth, but going through this surrounded by people that support, understand and cheer you on is what gives it true meaning.

Nothing can be more of a call for adventure and ordeal than the difficult horse that can come into your life.

If you refuse and move them on, guaranteed the horse gods will send you a similar horse not letting you avoid the challenge.

I believe this is really what sits at the heart of what is so special about horses. They take you on the hero's journey. They change you in profound ways and can be transformative in your life. They can help you find your allies, grow your skills, your resilience and makes you wise.

It is the love of the horse and the journey they take you on, that can prepare you and makes you strong in the face of the other adventures and ordeals that life throws at you ❤

Maggie is a mare that herd dynamic expert Kerry Thomas labels as being a "15%-er", the small group of horses that have extraordinary herd dynamic profiles that allow them to be independent in their ability to process their environments. These horses are the "unicorns" you all wish to have. They handle the world and stress every effectively.

Devastatingly Maggie had been diagnosed with Wobblers Syndrome. Told not to ride her again, Naomi had to watch as her unicorn deteriorated in the paddock becoming more and more sensory unsound and distressed. The main leg impacted by the neurological issue was her right hind. After doing some research Naomi started working Maggie in hand, building new pathways and connections in her body. Maggie not only stopped deteriorating and improved to a point that Naomi is riding her and she is flourishing.

This is my most shared post.

It is also some of the most meaningful words I have written because it is about a very special horse that had tremendous significance in my life.

This is why it most likely resonates with so many people because it comes from such a deep place within my soul.

It is also one of the most plagiarised of all my posts. In fact, most of the shares have had the photograph of Skuda removed as well as my name. This is because my words have been copied and my post not shared.

Most people get that is actually not legal to do that. It breaches copyright. Even if you copy it and include my name, it is still a breach because you have copied the whole thing without my permission. When you produce content for social media, you have to understand what you can and cannot do. You need to respect the creative work of others.