It has been an idea I’ve had for a while now and something I hope to start later this year. What is this idea: a site for online equine courses.
Yes, I will post some courses that equate with my clinics and seminars on functional conformation, but I was thinking that there are many more possibilities.
There could be short courses and/or long courses, basic knowledge courses and/or specialized courses, and courses on a variety of topics. There could be courses for novices, courses for breeders, courses for riders, courses on various disciplines or sports, and courses based on interviews with top people in the industry, etc.
Are there any other topics – aside from conformation and pedigree – that appeal to anyone? I was thinking of contacting other contributors so that the website (domain already purchased) could be more of a full-service experience. I do not need to be the only author on the site. Some courses could possibly be written by other authors.
What areas within the industry do you think should be addressed? Would short courses on issues of basic horsemanship be of use? How to know when to call the vet? How to assess the job your farrier did?
Anything??
Please let me know what would be of interest to you. I will appreciate all suggestions.
Thank you in advance!
I love the idea of online courses with you. I think being able to continue learning, and expand your knowledge would be very beneficial to the industry. As the horse industry is connected in many way, learning how different conformation influences different disciplines could positively impact breeding and marketing and be helpful to the horses. As well, the anonymity of taking a course online might open the door to those who might not publically attend a clinic. Can’t wait to hear more :)
Thanks, Alana.
Any particular topics you think would be good?
I think if you start with a basic course and expand to include basic disciplines, and move to fine points of each discipline. And then breeding and show pix of successful horses and how their bloodlines contributed (or didn’t).
Thanks. Good thoughts.
Anything outside conformation and pedigree you think is needed?
I do not need to be the only author on the site.
Hmmmmm. Insight from riders, coaches, trainers and breeders would be an amazing addition. And so would interactive questions and comments
I would be interested. However, I would like to attend a hands on clinic for functional conformation first. I need to “feel” the point of hip, feel the LS and other important points. It’s hard to discern these points from photographs. Once I can learn these areas, I think an online course would help me with my breeding program. Knowing and understanding the finer points of confirmation for specific disciplines would be helpful.
I would love to do more clinics, but there seems to be more people interested in attending than people interested in organizing such things.
I think we should start with the basics. Likely “experts” would not take the courses. Perhaps we could also see horses who should not remain sound because of poor confirmation but do and horses who are not conformation-ally suited to their job but are winners. Would we have field trips on occasion?
I have given some thought to how video could be used to show the points of functional conformation better than photos.
Field trips would certainly be possible with enough participants.
And you might be surprised at the level of expertise among my clients.
I have asked for examples of horses who were exceptions to the rules of functional conformation for decades and no one has produced one yet. If you have one, I would love to see it.
I would love this and am particularly interested in how conformation attributes to the dressage horse and their abilities.
Thank you.
I was considering discipline and/or sport specific courses for sure.
Hi there, I think the online courses are a great way for people to access information that may not make their country in person or any other form! and of course gives you exposure to different points of view and knowledge pools. I am a soak for anything conformational and have been disappointed with photos that don’t always clearly show something due to light or slightly wrong angles etc. I also love to see comparisons of good/bad & the ugly……I can get more of a context that way? Videos yes please! Also I have found not that much info on the 1/4 horse conformation – what is good/bad and for which type of western sport that horse is bred for. Here in Australia the 1/4 horse conformation seems less than ideal…….to understand more about that would be good. (is the low forehand a good thing for a particular sport?) I also feel that shorter formats are more easily ‘reached’ in our time poor days :-) It is hard for me to find an hour to sit and watch/read something uninterrupted but 30-40 mins a more doable time frame. Speaking from previous online course experience there! Looking forward to developments :-)
Thanks, Gretchen
The plan is to have the courses formatted so you (or anyone else) can go at your own pace…whatever that may be. I know how time management can be an issue for horse people…after all, we are dealing with horses :)
As to the Quarter Horse comment, you might find the e-book on the Western Disciplines of interest.
I see Judy is already well ahead of me on the format. Well, I am not surprised.
Are there any other topics – aside from conformation and pedigree – that appeal to anyone? I was thinking of contacting other contributors so that the website (domain already purchased) could be more of a full-service experience. I do not need to bee the only author on the site.
What areas within the industry do you think should be addressed? Would short courses on issues of basic horsemanship be of use? How to know when to call the vet? How to assess the job your farrier did?
Anything??
I had not thought about length of time at the computer the course may take. Perhaps some of the “Classes” could be set up so that to complete the module takes about 30 minutes or an hour or what ever but it could be done over 2 or 3 days, and the participant can either work for minutes several times in the time frame or complete it at one sitting. The comments coming in are all useful. Already this is a good group and we are just getting started.