BETHANY – Do you understand your horse? Are there behaviors that you would like to teach your horse or you do not want? A series of three seminars on Equine Communication Skills with Round Pen Training Techniques will be presented August 19 and 20 in Bethany.

The seminars will cover human and equine body language, the use of the Round Pen to teach the mental and emotional components of the horse, and techniques to ask the horse for desired behaviors from the ground and when mounted.

 The introductory seminar on Saturday morning – Understanding The Horse – includes a detailed explanation of equine thinking, herd dynamics, and how the round pen becomes a classroom for communicating with the horse. Participants then have a ‘Hands On’ experience in the round pen with an experienced horse and coach in order to sample this technique personally.

 The intermediate seminar – Training: Mental and Emotional – follows on Saturday afternoon. Building upon the first session, it shows how communication in a manner that is understandable to the horse can be used to teach the horse to solve problems rather than instinctively running away. It covers more advanced work, such as ‘sacking out’ and ‘spook in place.’

The advanced seminar – Riding Communication – will be held on Sunday morning. It covers the transition from on-the-ground training to communicating with the horse while riding. This session also looks at balance and the use of ‘calm down’ cue.

The format for each seminar is an explanation with a take-home handout, a demonstration, and a ‘Hands On’ period for participants. Auditors are welcome. Each session is a prerequisite to the next level because of the in-depth theory that is presented (attendance at previous Round Pen Technique Seminars meets the prerequisite).

Fee is $85 per seminar section to participate and $60 to Audit. Take $10 off the total when registering for the complete series. Attendees are asked to bring the following comfort items: chair, (lunch for Saturday), clipboard and pencil/pen, insecticide, sunscreen, sun/rain protection and warm jacket.

Registration is required as space is limited. Contact Judith@HorseAndHandler.com or (203) 393-1590 with questions and to register.