Natural Training Workshop – 3 Widescreen DVD Discs Rosa Roca Training Stables' Trainer, Pat Elder Katherine Velkovich, Asst. Trainer |
The purpose of all the workshops used together as a whole program is to produce a horse that is willing, agreeable, not easily frightened, obedient, and sociable to be around and work with. • In the first session, each of the trainers take a hard to catch, spooky horse and work with him using the snapping sound of the whip, then the rustling of a plastic bag, until the horse learns not to run away from the sound and movement. This is called desensitizing and, from watching the session, you will be amazed at the results in just 30 minutes. After that session, the trainers sensitize the horse using bending and calming exercises to teach him to become supple and willing. Additionally, they work with the horse's feet to accustom him to being handled. • In the second session, after reviewing the lessons learned the first day, the trainers lunge the horse and teach him to obey verbal commands and gestures; additionally, they teach the horse to respect their space and not crowd them or step all over their feet. Once the horse is easily changing direction based on verbal commands and gestures, they again do the suppling exercises and end the session on a calm note. One of the horses also starts learning how to do a front foot pivot. • In the third and final work session, the horse is briefly taken through a refresher of days one and two, then turned loose in the round pen. At that time, the trainers work on getting the horse to change direction on command, stop on command, and most importantly to face the trainer and give his full attention. During this session, the object is to teach the horse to allow himself to be caught, haltered, and to further develop his respect for the handlers. The sessions are organized to work consecutively; in other words, an owner can't just view Session three and expect positive results. |