Respect. We hear about it all the time –particularly in the aftermath of #MeToo – but the talk at Turlinjah last week wasn’t about respect between the sexes but between species.
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Internationally-recognised ‘natural horsemanship’ instructor Carmen Smith visited the Eurobodalla Riding for the Disabled (ERDA) premises on Thursday, October 18.
She was there to help the ERDA volunteer-horse-handlers develop a calm, connected and, yes, respectful relationship with the centre’s horses.
Smith is a four-star qualified instructor in the internationally recognised Parelli Natural Horsemanship program.
Chief instructor Sue Feeney said Smith presented a two-hour workshop on equine psychology and behaviour to the volunteers. And she didn’t do it alone; Smith had bought along her lovely grey horse – Chance – to demonstrate her ‘natural horsemanship’ program.
Handlers were challenged about how human habits and assumptions can affect horse behaviour .. Whoever moves the other's feet is the leader.
- Sue Feeney
”RDA volunteers were then given the opportunity to bring in some of their regular horses for guided activities,” Feeney said.
Related content: ERDA’s Harry is NSW Horse of the Year at Sydney
“Using the ‘7-Games’, the handlers were challenged about how human habits and assumptions can affect horse behaviour. We learned that horses already play similar games with each other, for instance "Whoever moves the other's feet is the leader."
Smith went on to show volunteers how to incorporate games and obstacles into daily warm-ups and activities with the horses. Feeney said this helped build the horse-handlers’ confidence as leaders and teach them to better read each horse’s behaviour.
“Carmen reminded us they were prey animals and they responded to us as predators,” Feeney said.
“It was interesting to hear from her more about the horse's perspective and the way they communicate.”
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Feeney thanked the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club who sponsored the workshop.
“Through their Club Grants program to support safety initiates in community projects, such as the Eurobodalla Riding for the Disabled, the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club made the day possible,” she said.
“They also funded a portable PA system so that all participants around the arena, including children with hearing impairments, can benefit during riding lessons.”
Feeney said applications were now open for the ERDA 2019 scholarships.
“Scholarships are open to anyone with a disability who would like to participate next year,” she said.
“Contact eurobodalla@rdansw.org.au for an application form. Recipients will be announced at our Christmas party and awards night, December 20, with Barbecue, party games and some very special awards.”
