Non riding RC events

SEL

SEL

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 February 2016
Messages
15,977
Location
Buckinghamshire
Visit site
We've got a fair portion of RC members who for one reason or another are interested in non riding clinics (broken horses, broken humans, no horse right now etc). So far our events organiser has put on a couple of trips plus mechanical horse sessions.

Any other ideas? (Not quizzes etc, they want horsey activities but no actual horses 😁)

Equally if anyone can tell me what ridden clinics are proving really popular that would be useful. I suspect diesel costs aren't helping at the moment but we've had a run of low attendance.
 
There's a surprising number of non-riding clinics/sessions around here, both $$ and free. Some of these are better with a demo horse or two, but I think a lot of them can be done without:

- saddle fitting clinic/info session
- horse first aid
- "When to call the vet"/"what to do until the vet comes" - presentation by a local vet, about things like what is normal for horses, what is concerning, what is the threshold for calling the vet, how to tell if there's a problem, what info to collect before you call the vet, what supplies to have on hand, what to do with your horse for various conditions until the vet comes (eg "do you actually have to keep a colic case walking?"). Not really actual how to do first aid stuff, but more what first aid you should know how to do.
- Our local equine vet runs education sessions every winter. Includes topics like rehab, muscular diseases, supplements (what actually is proven), caring for oldies, ulcers, etc.
- Feet! Farrier presentations, choosing shoes, studs & winter grip and pads, info about going barefoot, choosing & fitting hoof boots, etc.
- Trailer back up clinic
- Driving 101 (harnesses, how it works, how it's different from riding. Usually these give an opportunity to do one lap of the arena ground driving an experienced horse at the end of the day, but lots of people skip this part).
- DIY massage or bodywork for horse owners (usually I see a specific method like the Masterson method, but I've also seen generic massage)
- intro to clicker training/positive reinforcement

I'm probably forgetting some, but that's what I can think of off the top of my head.
 
In addition to the above "what the judge is looking for" in dressage and showing have both been very popular here. Along with a DTM demo and talk.

A talk from a local bitting specialist along side the saddle fitting.

Bingo is also very popular!
 
I've seen a few do tack sales and that can also help raise funds for the club. Otherwise, rehab yard visits, talks from sport pyschologists, talk from the police about rural and equine safety, pub quizzes, bingo. I think organised trips to some of the big shows/ events such as badminton & Hoys would be good fun.
 
The riding club I'm a member of have done the following in recent years:
- talks from saddler and bit fitter (with ridden sessions for those who want to)
- talks from vets and nutritionist.
- demo by local dressage rider
- talk and demo by dressage judge on how to gain marks (not local, he's well known and travels the country)
- visit to local racing yard for a tour.

Also during camp, they have various demos
- horseball
- working equitation
- natural horsemanship.
- equidance.
- le trec.

The in hand sessions are also quite well attended (natural horsemanship, le trec)
And they've teamed up with a local pilates instructor to run weekly sessions
 
Cragrat said:
I've never been to one, but hobby horse events seem to be taking off a bit around us! For adults as well as children :)
Click to expand...
I've just spat coffee everywhere reading that! Older die hard horsey women are our main audience and now I'm desperate to see their response if I suggested that!

Thanks all - some good ideas here. It's not really social ideas we need, more the horsey stuff. A talk from a vet might go down well or a Q&A with another specialist
 
SEL said:
Thanks all - some good ideas here. It's not really social ideas we need, more the horsey stuff. A talk from a vet might go down well or a Q&A with another specialist
Click to expand...
Well done for trying to get unmounted sessions going, its something I was trying to push my rc into last year, along with a few others who had lost horses or had part or fully broken ones. I did offer to source and present unmounted clinics to the committee as did another person a few times.
I'd rejoined but lost my mare in the February 25.
Sadly, the only thing that happened was me being pestered to steward or judge.
Nobody (inc riders) was ever kept 'in the loop' about possibility of popping along to watch or jump pole pick at training sessions. Yes, we knew the date, but participants are emailed times, so unless you badgered friends, nothing was forthcoming.
I haven't rejoined this year after being a member for a long time.
Resentful? Yup, but its wearing off as time goes on.
 
Inspired by a post I saw of someone saying her livery yard had had their annual spring clean, maybe something centred around repainting RC jumps, tidying the venue (if you have one etc). Dull as ditch water, but gets people together etc.
 
I keep seeing South Wilts RC are doing Sophie Seymour clinics where she’s doing ridden demos on difficult horses. Really really interesting, I’ve not seen anything similar on SM from any other RC.

I’ve not been in an RC for about 15 years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top