[Image: Horses & Riders]Starting in October 2009, the LSU AgCenter will be conducting a Master Horseman Program for adults in St. Landry Parish. The Master Horseman Program is designed to improve the overall knowledge and skills of horse people so they can serve as 4-H leaders. This program consists of nine sessions taught by LSU AgCenter equine experts, the LSU Vet School and other area leaders. (There will be one training class in Kisatchie National Forest near Forest Hill.) Each three- to four-hour session will include horse care and management in a classroom setting and riding and training in an arena.
This program is designed for all stock horse breeds. A fee of $200 will be assessed per participant to defray expenses of the program (eight meals, rope halter, yacht cord lead rope, books, binders, bits, etc.) Volunteers donate their time, so the cost basically goes to equipment and meals.
Requirements:
Must have intermediate to advanced knowledge and skill in riding and handling horses.
Must be willing to teach and demonstrate horse skills and knowledge to others.
Must attend a minimum of seven of the nine sessions and pass Level 1 skills to get a Master Horseman Certificate.
Must volunteer 20 hours to the LSU AgCenter Horse Program.
Must have a horse with negative Coggins and transportation to attend sessions.
NO STUDS ALLOWED!
Sessions will start with a meal and review at 5:30 p.m., with the class starting at 6 p.m. Eight of the sessions will be conducted at the Ag Arena in Opelousas; one will be a trail ride at Ahtus Melder Camp in the Forest Hill area of Kisatchie National Forest.
How Master Horsemen Helps the LSU AgCenter:
Conduct clinics and workshops for youth and adults.
Manage or assist with a parish horse show, trail ride, clinic or judging activities.
Visit, assist or train 4-H youth with horse projects.
Write news articles and do radio/tv interviews to promote 4-H horse projects, character development, horse care and responsible horse ownership.
Help promote statewide clinicians, Louisiana Equine Council Meetings and Expo and other horse-related activities.
Schedule (Date / Lecture Topic / Horse Training Topic):
October 6
Orientation, Rules and Tack
Groundwork (7 Games)
October 13
Safety
Groundwork (Bending, Flexing, One Rein Stop, Hip Yield)
October 20
Dentistry and Health
Groundwork (Practice Basic Riding Exercises)
October 27
Nutrition
Groundwork (Trailer Loading, Basic Riding, continued)
November 3
Youth Development
Groundwork (Trail)
November 10
Selection and Judging
Horsemanship (Control Head/Neck, Shoulder, Ribs and Hips)
November 17
Exercise and Conditioning
Showmanship (Developing Lightness/Responsibility)
TBA
Trail Ride Class
Improvement of Trail Riding Skills (Melder, La.)
November 24
Demonstrations/Skill Tests by Class Members
There will be expectations of each class member. We will do our best to teach you, but you must demonstrate the following basic skills in order to receive your certificate.
Knots:
Square
Slip Knot
Bowline
Sheet Bend
Double Sheet Bend
Groundwork Tasks:
7 Games: Friendly, Porcupine, Driving, Yo-Yo, Circling, Sideways, Squeeze
Load Readily in Trailer
Saddle and Halter Properly
Lower Head Upon Demand
Riding Tasks:
Mount and Dismount
Lateral Flexion
Hip Disengage
One-rein Stop
Back Up
Sidepass Along Fence
Walk, Trot, Lope
The program will be LIMITED to about 14 students, so we will review the applications submitted and rank them on who will best meet the qualifications. Those who do not qualify for this class will have their checks returned and will be eligible for a later class.
In order to have the best chance to make progress, we recommend a horse that is safe to ride and handle and has been ridden beyond the tendency to buck. We recommend that you use the same horse throughout the class sessions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For those interested who are at least 18 years old, please complete the application form that's attached. The deadline for applications will be September 14, 2009. For further information, contact Alison Muller at 337-948-0561, ext. 17.