马学(A).S. & Cert)

关于马术项目

现实世界中的马术

The first thing Russell Reid writes on the blackboard is "THINK." This lets students at the Feather River College Pack Station in on Russell's little secret: the packing program isn't just about tying hitches, it's about learning to think like a horse or mule and thinking through any situation they may encounter.

"If I can get them to think, I've done my job," explains Russell. 当然, Russell does teach the basic principles of horsemanship and expose students to the skills necessary to work with horses and manage a business. 学生的成功, 然而, depends on their ability to apply these concepts and skills in a thoughtful manner.

Russell first conceived of the 马的研究 program back in the 1970s after starting his own resort and summer camp in the northern Sierra Nevada. He was concerned with the needs of the industry and the skill level of his employees. This experience convinced Russell that managing people and horses in a recreational setting was "something worth studyin'." A Bachelor of Science in 农业企业 from California State Polytechnic University, 圣路易斯奥比斯波, a Master of Science in Recreation 政府 from California State University, 萨克拉门托, and a lifelong love of horses mingled in Russell's fertile imagination creating the vision which in 1981 became the Feather River College Pack Station and Stable Operations program. 项目要求包括:马蹄铁, 牵马, 西方骑, 马生产, 马构象, 马训练, field work and pack station and stable operations.

Russell's horsemanship philosophy began to evolve when he was introduced to Ray Hunt by some of his students in the early 1980s.

It continued to develop with the help of Tom Dorrance, Bryan Neubert, Dr. Richard Barsaleau, Chuck Mills, Gene Armstrong, Pat Parelli, Tink Elordi, Roger Hunt and many others. 罗素承认, though that his greatest teachers are the horses and his students and what they accomplish together against tremendous odds.

"Horses and humans are capable of a very special partnership, 一个亲属, 精神的统一,罗素说。. This is what he teaches his students to strive for. "I have high expectations of my students," 罗素承认. "If you don't expect much from your horse you won't get much; it's the same with students. They may not always fulfill your expectations, but they'll achieve more than they thought they could."

In 1989 Russell started a breeding and sales program to help support the 马的研究 and more importantly "to allow the students to work with the horses through the whole process."

The students are involved from the moment the foals are born until they are sold as riding horses. They try to prepare the horses for whatever circumstances they might encounter when they leave the station. “没有任何借口,罗素说。, "if the horse won't get in the trailer when the time comes, 他们不能怪任何人，只能怪自己." One of the highlights of the 马的研究 program is the annual Plumas Sierra Ranch Horse Sale where student raised and trained horses from the school's breeding program are sold. So far the program has met with tremendous success, if repeat buyers are any indication.

Horse ownership is not necessary to participate in the program. 财务汇报委员会有自己的一串跟班, an American Quarter Horse Association stallion and several brood mares. The breeding stock add a component to the program that provides students with practical experience in 马生产 and training. 学生 care for and train foals in preparation for sale as three to five year olds, 为项目提供支持.

An annual series of special workshops feature nationally-known experts in fields such as training, 构象, 马蹄铁和拉. The biannual three-day pack trip is the highlight of the program for many students.

学生就业 jobs are provided at the 马 Center to allow eligible students to help fund their educations and gain additional experience, 通过帮助维护设施.

马的研究 graduates have been well received in the field and have a good record finding jobs as packers, 客人牧场的马厩经理和牧马人, 度假村及私人承建商. The 马的研究 curriculum was approved as a two-year degree program in 1987 and is the only one of its kind in the country.

Kathleen Parrish contributed to this program description. 凯瑟琳是…的技术编辑 少有人走过的路, a national publication for the Natural Horsemen available through:

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