Natural Horsemanship program starting at VGCC Warren Campus
Vance-Granville Community College is introducing a new Horsemanship program, which will be based at the college’s Warren County Campus , and will provide the education and training for an individual to seek employment associated with the horse industry. The Comprehensive Natural Horsemanship Program will consist of four courses offered by VGCC’s Occupational Extension department, with the first course starting Aug. 14 and continuing through Nov. 22.
That course, “Horsemanship I: Understanding, Communicating & Bonding with a Horse,” will be a prerequisite for all three subsequent courses. Depending on demand, the introductory course could be offered again in the spring of 2015.
Debbie Glanz of Warrenton will be the instructor for the program. Glanz, a certified teacher who is currently working on a master’s degree in higher education, explained that “natural” horsemanship is a particular style or philosophy of horse training that emphasizes the innate abilities, instincts and traits of the animal. “A natural horsemanship trainer teaches and helps the horse, developing a partnership or bond with the horse,” Glanz said. “We don’t use harsh equipment or cause pain in order to motivate the horse.” She has been using natural techniques for almost six years. “It all started when I bought an aggressive, eight-month-old colt called ‘Trickster,’” Glanz recalled. She contacted noted “horse whisperer” Frank Bell and trained under him. That training allowed her to help the horse, now renamed “Hero,” to become a happier, gentler companion.
The course has a classroom component, which will be held at VGCC’s Warren Campus on Thursdays from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Classes will cover topics such as the horse’s anatomy and physiology, nutrition, tests and vaccinations and the philosophy of horsemanship. The “lab” component of the course will take place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the Rockin’ E Ranch in Warrenton and Keats Point Farm near Kerr Lake. Horseback trail riding will be available after each class. Students can bring their own horse, but they are not required to own a horse to participate in the program. They can lease a horse from the owners of the farms.
Other courses in the program are “Horsemanship II: Caring for Your Equine Partner & Facilitating Liberty Games,” “Horsemanship III: Safety & Communicating in the Saddle,” and “Horsemanship IV: Confidence in the Saddle and Traveling with Your Equine Partner.” Students will register and pay for each class separately. A student must complete all four classes (totaling 392 hours) in order to receive a certificate in Horsemanship. Glanz said the courses could lead to jobs in the horse industry such as horse groomers, handlers, farriers, ranch hands and positions in racing or boarding facilities.
The cost of the first course is $185.25. Since space is limited, prospective students are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Registration can be completed online at vgcc.springerstudios.net/oex or in person at any VGCC campus, Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact VGCC at oex@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3300 .
