A "Bit" of Information, Part I

Hello and Happy Holidays! It's that time of year again when, for most of the country, the weather turns cold and snowy. Curling up in front of a fire (with the horses happily munching hay in the warm barn) is far more appealing than saddling up in the bitter wind. For the lucky or brave ones who don't find the winter's chill so daunting, enjoy your time grooming, riding, and training in this winter wonderland! For the rest of us, don't despair, for there are still plenty of horse-related learning activities that can take place within the comforts of a warm house. We should never pass up a good opportunity to further our equine knowledge.

In the last installment of the newsletter, we brought you a brief synopsis of five training "gadgets and gizmos," touching only briefly on the use of different types of bits in the training process. Today, in the first of a two-part series, we give you an overview of bits and bitting. The choice of a bit can be daunting, with so many options available and so much misinformation on the subject. In this article, we lay out the basics: materials, types of mouthpiece, and the most common kinds of bit (snaffle, curb, and more). Hopefully this information will guide you on your quest to find the perfect choice for you and your horse.

(If you like the tack set shown on the horse on the right, it is for sale!)

The 2011 Success-Centered Riding/Training Workshop schedule is now available!

If you would like a brochure with SCRT information or a Horses for Sale flyer, please email Chardy with your contact information. Only one workshop is currently scheduled for 2011, but other dates are available for Private Tutorials, personally catered to your specific needs. Individual or group programs can be designed--please contact us if you have any questions! More information can be found on our website or in our brochure.

SCRT™ I Intensive Workshop "The Classic"

July 11 - 22, 2011Tuition $1,150.00 USD

Becoming the Competent Rider

5 students maximum

2 weeks of intense work include daily riding with a Success-Centered™ emphasis (keeping your riding interest in mind), relevant lectures and experiential activities required to build a foundation of theory and experience. A variety of equestrian philosophies and concepts are presented including classic riding and training techniques, Centered Riding®, The Balanced Seat, and TTEAM®. The work of a number of noted trainers and instructors from a variety of disciplines is also cited and considered. This workshop is open to students and instructors wanting to update information, deal with adult rider issues, and increase competence and confidence. Besides honing riding skills, participants cover topics such as training, equine management and physical conditioning of the rider and horse in this comprehensive SCRT™ program. The students get to enjoy an "off-the-farm" experience too during a half-day field trip on driving. One afternoon our farrier discusses and demonstrates hoof care techniques. Students have the chance to ask questions and learn responsible hoof-care management. Included in the cost of tuition are a textbook, Resource Notebook, a workbook, the use of horses and tack and a personal video of the rider for home use. The rider/student's day begins by 8:00 am and ends around 4:30 pm with a 30-45 minute lunch break (student provides their own lunches/snacks). Among the SCRT™ programs, "The Classic" is respected worldwide.

A non-refundable deposit of $500.00 USD (applied towards tuition) is required with registration.

PROGRAM FOCUS OPTIONS: Most SCRT™ Intensive participants enroll in the Track A program option, listed above, receiving a "Certificate of Completion" at the program's conclusion. A Track B program option is also available for participants in which they are required to complete assignments throughout the workshop. Near the workshop's conclusion, Track B participants must also complete a practical exam and a written exam; a take-home exam is due for completion in about four weeks after the end of SCRT™ I. Exams are graded and the grades appear on the back of the certificate. "Track B" is especially helpful to those participants looking to receive academic credit from their schools, or those wanting or needing a graded SCRT™ certificate to meet various accreditation requirements.