Study Tips

• Read this material thoroughly. The expected time for study and completion of activities for this chapter is two weeks.
• Try answering sample test questions without using notes/book. Check your results.
• Carefully review the Practicum Readiness lists and check yourself on all points covered.
• Discuss the information presented here with horse people you know.
•  Observe horses, especially interacting with other horses or people.
• Depending on your current level and range of experience, consider taking lessons (focus on groundwork, general horsemanship) and/or reading/watching items from the additional resources (see below).

From your instructor: For this section, we hope the majority of the information is already familiar to you, or quickly becoming familiar to you as you pursue your own experience and instruction in large animal handling. If it is not primarily review at this point, you can expect this part of the preparation to take extra time. If this material is not new to you, we ask that you still read the entire section, paying attention to reasons and explanations for the “whys,” and make sure you are clear on differences that may exist between your routines and our expectations for the practicum.

Using Online Services

• Explore the features of this online course, and let the online support staff help with any questions.
• Obtain instructor support with any questions you may have about how to study, how to pace yourself for the practicum, or quiz taking concerns, etc.
•  Make suggestions or requests to your instructor by messaging her.
• In order to get the most out of the practicum, get assistance in assessing what areas to focus on given your unique background.

Reading and DVD Assignments

•  Watch the portion of the DVD on Behavior and Handling.
•  Many magazines have good articles on equine senses, behavior, body language, etc. If you don’t have stacks of old horse magazines, your horse friends probably do! (Equus, The Horse, Horse Journal, Natural Horse, etc….)
•  Tack stores or local libraries often have videos for rent. This can be an enjoyable, affordable way to expand your knowledge.
• For development of general horsemanship, groundwork skills, and safety, there are many books, videos, websites, clinics, teachers, etc. promoting various versions of “natural horsemanship,” whether or not they use that term. The basis of their work is always looking at situations (and people) from the horse’s perspective in order to better and more compassionately communicate and work with them. Some of the more well-known names include: Tom Dorrance, Bill Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Pat Parelli, Buck Brannaman, Desmond Morris, GaWaNi Pony Boy, Clinton Anderson, Monty Roberts, John Lyons, and Mark Rashid.