Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate of Horsemanship

 

 

My journey towards becoming an Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Trainer divided into 3 stages. I started by completing the courses below and sitting exams in each of them, which led to me becoming a holder of The Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate of Horsemanship (MRPCH). The MRPCH can only be obtained through the Intelligent Horsemanship Society, which was founded by former European Champion lady jockey, Kelly Marks, the only qualifed teacher and holder of  the Monty Roberts Advanced Professional Certificate. All the courses and certificates are fully endorsed by Monty Roberts himself.

 

 

 

This course not only looks into how to approach `problems with horses', but looks at some of the many common ways that these problems may have evolved. Quite often this can be due to a misunderstanding of the horses' language and therefore creates a poor communication between the horse and owner. Part of the course is devoted to studying and discussing actual case studies and outcomes.

 

Other interesting aspects covered on the course include the use of positive and negative reinforcement and the use of pressure/release training,

as well as studying how horses learn and understanding horse senses.

 

 

This course is taught by Ian Vandenberghe, former college equine lecturer and stud manager, with over 22 years of experience of stud work including foaling over 600 mares. Ian has worked very closely with Monty Roberts who along with Kelly Marks, fully endorses his courses.

 

This course covers:

 

Broodmare Management

Stallion Selection

Stallion Management

Codes of Practice for major contagious diseases

Foaling and foal management

Disease control

Discussion on ethics

 

 

This course is also run by Ian Vandenberghe and explores and teaches the correct and humane way of handling young foals.

 

Topics covered on this course include:

 

Identifying the 3 stages of foaling

Identifying the vital early stages of life in a new born foal

Aspects of imprinting the foal

Main disease and problems related to a neonate

Correct and most humane way of handling the young foal - with actual handling experience

Recognising foal behaviour

Various methods of weaning

Best methods of parasite control

Appropriate vaccination programmes

Foal growth and hoof care  

 

 

This course is run by Ian Vandenberghe and includes the following topics:

 

How to identify the different feeds

How to analyse grass conservation

The rules of feeding

How, why and when to worm

How the digestive system works

Metabolic Problems

Behavioural problems related to feeding

 

 

Again this course is run by Ian Vandenberghe and topics included are as follows:

 

Functional horse anatomy (bones, tendons and ligaments)

Gait annalysis in relation to soundness and levelness

Major lameness

Fitness and health assessments

Hoof care

Alternative therapies

 

 

This course is run by Kelly Marks and is mainly practical based. During these 5 days you gain practical experience in  learning how to achieve `Join up' and  `Follow up', with a horse as well as putting on the first saddle of a horse's life, and lessons on long lining and leading. Lectures and demonstrations in preparing your horse for the farrier, loading and saddle fitting are also included on the course.

 

Once I completed all of the above courses which was basically classed as Stage 1, I then continued to work towards my Stage 2 outlined below: 

 

 

This meant that I had to complete and submit a minimum of 10 join ups. I did about 22 in all and chose my best 10 to submit, including videos of me doing a basic join up with a horse and then a video of me doing a full join up with tack, and putting a rider up on the horse for the first time. 

 

As well as this I then had to include in my video work a `leading the less easy horse' session, which included  showing how I approached leading a tricky horse successfully over tarpauline and then through L shaped poles as well as training the horse to lead beautifully!  

 

Thankfully my videos were successfull and I was then invited to sit the Stage 2 exam week.

 

 

This was a rather intensive but yet fun week at the same time!

 

I had to sit exams in all of the courses listed above and take a practical exam showing a full join up with tack and my long lining skills. I also had to submit research papers that were set on specific topics from each of  Ian Vandenberghe's courses.

 

As part of the stage 2 requirements  I had to undertake a Psychology Project  which I then presented as a power point presentation during the exam week. The aim behind these projects is to present useful insights and observations. As of 2008 with the help of Dr. Veronica Fowler, the projects have become more scientifically correct in their methodology, presentation and analysis, with the aim to have several published in relevant journals as papers. The first of such projects are currently undergoing peer review. My project was about whether music could be used to lower the heart rate of a horse in a stressful situation. The full project can be viewed alongside many other interesting projects at the Intelligent Horsemanship website under the IH research section, but you do need to be a member to access that particular section.

 

This intermediate course which I also completed, covers all the common problems and solutions associated with loading and travelling horses. The course includes lots of hands on practical experience of loading difficult horses. 

 

 

This involved working with lots of real life case studies over a 3 year period, writing them up and also including video footage, all of which was then thoroughly examined over a 6 month period by Kelly Marks and Sandra Williams.