Hello,

I've just arrived back from Queensland Natural Horsemanship Centre in Brisbane, and coming from 30+ degress of heat and humidity, this Irish weather is a bit of a culture shock! I was training with Brad Weeks and my biggest challenge was mounting bareback both sides unassisted (can you imagine!! I was thinking large hill and small pony!!) but I actually managed it on a lovely big problem horse called Spook. Just goes to show you anything is possible if you jump high enough ;)

From February 2007, I'm delighted to announce that the Queensland Natural Horsemanship Training Program is now available in Ireland! This program offers four levels, consisting of both groundwork and riding tasks. Certificate 1 aims to educate the budding horseman to learn the basic of natural horsemanship, with a goal to become safe and effective with your horse. In Certificate 2, skills are developed to a higher level and performance horses maneuvers are introduced. Certificate 3 is for advanced students and contains more difficult tasks with a view towards becoming a professional horseman.

Certificate 1 ground and riding tasks can be downloaded at: http://www.queenslandnaturalhorsemanship.com/qnhccertificate.htm

There are two ways to start training for QNH level 1. Firstly you can book a lesson at your home and we'll work through the level 1 tasks with you & your horse. Secondly, this spring and summer we will be running INH weekend clinics in which we'll cover the basic principals of natural horsemanship and NH training, and also introduce some of the level 1 groundwork & riding tasks for you to continue at home after the clinics. If you are interested in hosting one of these clinics at your yard/stables, just let me know - all yard/centre owners ride for free for the weekend.

The level 1 tasks take about 6 to 9 months of work to complete. Brad Weeks will be coming over to Ireland for a NH clinic and to examine all the Irish level 1 students next summer, so now is the time to get started! All the level 1 tasks are done with a halter and 12 foot rope (you won't have to jump on bareback just yet!). You can get a good quality rope halter for about €10 plus postage from http://www.freewebs.com/lodgeropes/

This weekend I'm teaching in the Kildare area, so there's one slot available for this Sunday morning (10th Feb). If you want to arrange a lesson for this time, just let me know by Friday.

Thanks again for all your support, and lets hope spring starts to arrive soon!!

Best wishes,

Elaine.

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Secretary, INHS.
www.irishnaturalhorsemanship.com

To read the winter 2006 newsletter, please click here.