Stable Challenge 2017

Last year I wrote a post titled USHJA Horsemanship Resources, specifically about the USHJA HORSEMANSHIP QUIZ CHALLENGE presented by THE PLAID HORSE MAGAZINE . After a discussion over dinner with the publisher of The Plaid Horse, Piper Klemm, at HITS Coachella 2016 regarding the need and opportunity for juniors AND adults to better their stable management, I was enlightened by the information she provided regarding the resources already available through the USHJA. I returned back to Idaho excited to encourage participation in the USHJA Stable Challenge especially because my barn in the Northwest, Prairie Fox Farm, is very “hands-on”. Everyone is involved with multiple facets of their horse’s care, from tacking up to final decisions in veterinary care. The USHJA Stable Challenge stood out as excellent opportunity for all of us in the barn to align our skills using the best practices provided by USHJA.

INTERACTIVE LEARNING WORKS

Leadership comes from the top and that is exactly how my barn in the Northwest engaged enthusiasm in learning better stable management. The assistant of Prairie Fox Farms, Brittany Tilden, seized the opportunity to motivate our barn. She sent out group text messages as reminders for study nights, printed off USHJA’s study guide for each participant, and worked with the head trainer, Mary Rae Fuller, to coordinate guest speakers on the topics of wrapping, shoeing, confirmation, basic stable management, tack identification and basic flat work exercises.

Mary Rae Fuller warming up Brittany Tilden

TAKEAWAYS

The biggest takeaways that surprised me:

1) Adults of all ages and skills levels were our biggest participants.

2) Shoeing was by far the most popular topic. Our farrier spent over an hour discussing form to function by diagramming using a wipe board and then using horses from the stable to demonstrate his illustrations.

3) The format of an evening study group with hands on demonstrations created a specific time to ensure everyone was familiar with the stable management skills as specified by the USHJA. I found this especially important for wrapping and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of questions on each topic.

4) We actually became competitive! It became somewhat of a running joke as to who had taken the test online and what their score was.

5) The actual test was online, quick and super easy to access. It only takes a few minutes to complete. Details to log on are listed below.

Our shoer, Jason, Winters, used diagrams to discuss angles

Hand's on demonstration by Jason

Adults were the biggest group of participants

Brittany Tilden with a USHJA study guide in one hand and horse for demonstration behind her

GENEROUS GIFT PACKAGE

The prize package is IMPRESSIVE including a Charles Owen helmet, a one-year membership to Equestriancoach.com, a grooming bucket with supplies from Shapley's, samples from Perfect Products, a gift from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, one year subscription to The Plaid Horse, a pair of pro performance horse boots from Professional’s Choice and a discount from Standlee Hay Company.

Prairie Fox Farm received a fabulous gift package

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY BARN

This is a great opportunity for each barn to prepare a curriculum where they feel they need more knowledge. The USHJA provides a free study guide online and a curriculum can be as short as one coffee study group to several guest speakers.

Horsemanship is much more than riding. Even though my hunter is now in a full service show program competing in the open division in the Southwest, I have a huge interest and appreciation for the amount of management required by a specialized team to keep him in top health and condition. Even though I am not as hands-on, I need to have the knowledge and vocabulary to stay informed and make decisions. Additionally, when I lesson at home in Idaho, I am completely competent to prepare my own horse and I enjoy the time spent with my friends caring for our horses in the barn.

The contest runs from June 15 to July 15. For more information and to participate in the USHJA Stable Challenge, visit www.ushja.org or CLICK HERE

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