SAMPLE OF MODULE 5 

IMPROVING HORSE AND RIDER

In this module you will be learning about how important it is for the rider to be well balanced and to communicate well with the horse they are riding.

We will also look at the problems which both horse and rider may encounter when the rider and horse lose balance and are not in harmony with the horse. To do this the rider needs to understand how the horse moves underneath them when the horse is walking, trotting, cantering and when changing from one pace to another.

When you have successfully completed this module assignment you will have knowledge and an understanding of:

• How a horse should be mounted
• Be able to identify if the rider is riding in a balanced position
• Know about the importance of riding in harmony with the horse
• Know about the natural balance of the horse
• Know the sequence of the horses footfall in the walk, trot and canter
• The importance of riding in harmony with the horse

The DVD with this course will show you what to look for to complete your assignment.

Information Sample

The Horse
As you know all horses are different not only in colour but in size and shape.Because of this and their ancestry (relations) they will move differently for example a race horse, which we call a Thoroughbred has been bred over many years for it’s skills to run very fast. The fastest horses have been bred with others that run fast over a long period of time. In contrast, the heavy farm work horses have been bred over many years for their strength and ability to pull heavy weights. These two types of horses will move their limbs differently. The racehorse will have a long low strong stride to enable it to take long fast strides where the heavy farm working horse will have shorter strides and lift the legs higher and push themselves forward.

Paces Explained
Most horses have four different forward moving paces call ‘gaits’. They are walk, trot, canter and gallop. In each of these four paces the horse moves his legs in a different sequence (order). Sometimes he moves each leg at different times other times he moves some of his legs at the same time and other on there own. Confusing!!! Each paces has its own sequence and beats. Let’s look at the four paces and find out what they are.

When we talk about the ‘footfalls’ in each pace we mean the order in which the horses hoofs touch the ground.

The walk –
In the walk pace the horse moves each leg separately giving it 4 clear beats. You may be able to hear these four beats of you walk beside a horse that is walking on a hard even surface it will be very clear if the horse has metal shoes on. Listen for the 1234, 1234 beats. The footfalls are left hind leg starts the stride, beat one, followed by the left front leg (called the fore leg) beat two, then the right hind leg beat three followed by the right fore leg – beat four. This is one horse stride – each leg has taken a step.

The trot –
In the trot pace the horse moves two legs at a time giving two beats. The footfalls are right foreleg and left hind leg together at the same time then the horse gives a little jump/hop over onto the other two legs this is a space in time when the horse is completely off the ground. This is very difficult to see when watching a horse but you may be able to spot this in pictures of horses trotting, and cantering and galloping enough. The horse could be in trot canter or gallop when he does this. The correct horse ‘term’ for this is ‘the period of suspension’ meaning the time that the horse is up suspended in the hair very briefly, after this time in trot the horse then moves his left hind leg and right foreleg. You will see riders rising up and down in the saddle when the horse is trotting to this beat/rhythm or they may just sit still and absorb the movement of the horses back – this is called ‘sitting trot’.

The canter –
In the canter pace the horses moves two of his legs at the same time to make one beat and the other two legs on there own each creating a separate beat. This means the canter has three beats. The horse is also very clever in this pace and can do a right and left canter sequence. When you watch horses cantering focus on the front legs and you will see that one of the front legs appears to be moving forward always in front of the other one. For the right canter, called the ‘right canter lead’ – the footfalls for the right canter, called the right canter lead, is right hind leg on it’s own for beat one, the left hind leg and right fore leg together in a diagonal pair for the second beat and then the right foreleg on it’s own out in front of the other front leg for the third beat. At this point the horse gives the little jump/hop in the air just like in the trot pace. (The period of suspension)

The gallop –
When galloping the horse can still have a ‘leading leg as we have just spoken about in the canter but he takes much longer strides and become much lower to the ground. And the foot

This sequence is different to the four beat sequence of the walk but each hoof hits the ground separately to give four beats. For the right lead gallop footfall sequence is the left hind leg, followed by the right hind, then the left foreleg and the right foreleg to complete the stride before another ‘period of suspension. This makes one stride before it all starts again.

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SAMPLE OF MODULE

FIRST AID AND MINOR AILMENTS OF HORSES AND PONIES

Introduction
In this module we will be learning about the importance of keeping horses well maintained and cared for. Modules 1 and 3 are about understanding horses and the importance of having a safe environment for them to live in. This learning and understanding will help you to prevent injuries occurring and keep the horses happy and well. However even horses which are well cared for suffer injury and illness occasionally. This module will help you to identify the early signs and symptoms of common ailments, when to call the vet and what information would be helpful to give to the vet. If you have your own horses or ponies you can do the activities with your own information, if not you will need to find a horse owner that you can ask questions about their horses care, medical kit and records.

Sample information

When to call the vet
When a horse is sick or injured the vet is the best person to ask for advice. They may decide that they need to visit the horse to assess the problem and to give drugs to the horse and advise on how the horse needs to be treated for recovery.
If the horse is sick the vet will want to know some history about the illness – if the horse has suffered similar illness or symptoms before and how long ago. They will want to know if the horse is eating or drinking and how the horse appears – dull and in pain, sweating very hot or very cold, laying down etc. anything that the horse does not normally do and the signs of distress, excited and/or nervous. How the horse moves – stiff limping, moving around and staggering, falling over, lying down or getting up.
The vet may want to know if there has been any change in diet or routine and what the horses’ droppings and urine are like if it has passed any.

Coughs, colds and colic have very clear signs as do wounds ‘kicks’ and bites from other horses if witnessed. If the horse has had an accident it will be helpful for the vet to know what and how it happened. If there is someone experienced enough to take the horses pulse between - 36 to 42 beats, temperature – 38C or (100 -100.5F) and respiration – 8 to 15 breaths per minute are considered normal results. The vet will find the pulse, temperature and respiration important to be able to decide if the horse needs urgent attention or needs to be monitored for the next few hours.
Asking the vet for advice and what you should do until the vet arrives is very important.

Sample Activity

ACTIVITY ONE - Signs of good and ill health