One Month Course

You can participate in a one month course where you learn the language of horses, the waterhole rituals and natural horse management.

Period 1: Observing the Herd (10 days): Living with a herd Sharing Territory and learning the language of horses.

During the day you will observe the herd and see how they greet, how they share territory, how they lead each other from behind and how the lead mare uses eye contact to keep members alert. You will observe how horses set boundaries and also how they address wanted or unwanted behavior.

Elements of this period:

Sharing Territory
Understanding Lead mare behavior
Order, routines and life in the herd
Saying Hello
Using the reed or rope to ask for more space or set boundaries.
Understanding non invasive body language communication
Identify Horses Facial expressions
Natural Horse Management systems
Sunset and Sunrise
Recognizing tensions and release
Presence and Breathing
Observing and understanding licking, chewing and yawning
Mindfulness
The power of waiting
Spend the night with the horses
Field Care and Feeding Routines

You will also have two books to read and 10 videos to watch on herd language available which will support your studies in understanding of the language of the herd.

Horses

Period 2: Merging with the Herd (10 days): During the next ten days you will learn different exercises and interactions so you merge with the herd, deepen the trust, the bond and become “one” with the herd.

Elements of this period:

Intimacy Bucket Game
Halter Lessons
Stress free ways of feeding and moving a herd.
Why you own the space at the gate
Five piles of hay
Dealing with Fear and Focus
Conflicting messages and focusing on the “YES”
Reciprocal Movements
Treasure hunt
Identifying Horse “Personalities”
The entry point of connection
Understanding pecking order
Basic understanding of hoof care
Companion Walking Demo
Meditation at the River
Ritual for Appreciation and Connection
Ways to Teach Children about Horses
Darling and Danny – a love story.
Field Care and feeding routines

You will have another 10 videos available to watch featuring the language of the herd and the exercises listed in this period.

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Period 3 – Practicing the Rituals (10 days)
In the last ten days you will continue to share territory and exercise several of the waterhole rituals with different horses.

Elements of this period:

Leading from behind
Eye Contact
Companion Walking
Liberty Dancing Demo
Ritual for Appreciation and Connection
The Waiting Game
The Banana (Carrot) Game
The WHR Under Saddle – my journey
How to start Riding at Liberty Demo
Rainforest Hike (or Ride) with the Herd
Considerations on Round penning, Lunging and Tack
Defining Natural Horse Management routines
Thoughts on Sustainable Horse Keeping
Field Care and Feeding Routines

You will have another 10 videos available to watch featuring the language of the herd and the exercises listed in this period.

I am working on developing Month course #2 – Riding at Liberty.
In this month course you will be able to dig further into the video library and have access to the full series of 1. “A story of Liberation” and 2. “Riding at Liberty” to study online. (50 videos)

Requirements: You need to be fit to manage physical work like cleaning fields. You have to be over 18 years and have an ability to work and study independently. Students live at Richmond Vale Academy – Rooms are simple with no extras.

The one month course costs; US$ 2,190.00 (includes food and accommodation)