Therapeutic Riding Coaching Training Programme gets underway…………
The first three days of this exciting new programme got underway last Monday 3rd October with 11 enthusiastic students. The first module was a combination of sessions on how people learn and exploring the ideal circumstances in which people can acquire new skills and knowledge. Identifying each person’s individual learning styles was also discussed. The group also spent time on the sensory trail discussing learning aids and how best they can be used. The importance of verbal and non-verbal communications was then illustrated through the medium of coaching.
How horses learn was received with great interest as Orla Doherty, founded of the Animal Behaviour Clinic http://www.animalbehaviourclinic.ie gave a well received 1 ½ days of lectures and practical sessions on how horses learn. Of particular importance from Oral’s presentation was the emerging science of how horses learn. There was a lot of discussion around how domesticated horses have developed stereotypical behaviours (otherwise referred to as ‘vices) in response to their environment. The need to try and replicate, in as much as possible, a natural environment for horses was highlighted.
As this programme is accredited at a FETAC level 6, there are exams and assessments. Our group of students went away after day 3 with their first assignment which was to prepare either a demonstrated or presentation related to one aspect of the three days, with some super examples already submitted.
Based on the high demand for this training programme and the continuing queries, we have started to put together the dates for 2012 which will be up on the website shortly.
Module Two of this programme takes place at the end of November when we will be covering the parts of the human body and brain, understanding the interaction between skeletal and muscular system, basic medical terminology relating to disability, types of movement – voluntary and involuntary movement, anatomical terms of motion -flexion, extensions, abduction, rotation, muscles that are important in riding, analysis of movement and postural alignment and how the horse affects human movement.
More updates at that stage
For further queries, contact Jill Carey at jillcarey@festinalente.ie.