Instructor Lisa Jolley (left) watches as riders in the Summer Basic Horsemanship School practice manuevers. The school attracted riders of all ages and skill levels. Jolley, along with instructor Kate Lassig, are equine students at Texas A&M University. TAMU equine students conduct many schools in the state, hosted by Texas Cooperative Extension, to teach many things that will better the horse-and-rider relationship.  -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

June 22, 2006 - Establishing a good working relationship with others is an important life skill. Doing the same with your horse can mean the difference between spending enjoyable time in the saddle or spending frustrating hours trying to catch and ride your horse. 

Riders and their horses learned how to bond and work with one another during two days of basic horse riding instruction at the 34th annual Summer Basic Horsemanship School. The event was conducted at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds’ “Rodeo Arena” in Rosenberg.

The school, taught by Texas A&M University students through Texas Cooperative Extension, covers a variety of topics including adjustment of equipment, use of body and leg rein aids, stopping, functional horsemanship, horse theft awareness, bits and biting lecture/demonstration, horse response to bit pressure, direction, gait transitions, training maneuvers, advanced maneuvers, group rides, showmanship at halter, and a specialized event clinic. 

Texas A&M University equine students Lisa Jolley (left) and Kate Lassig led this year’s Summer Basic Horsemanship School in Rosenberg. Riders of all ages took advantage of the horsewomen’s knowledge, and got plenty of time in the saddle to practice what they’d learned.   -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

Before any topics were covered, however, safety was the number one item stressed by instructors Kate Lassig and Lisa Jolley.

“We just really try to make sure that we teach the kids how to lead and take care of their horses on the ground safely,” said Lassig.

As in most activities, learning how to prevent accidents is very important.

“Basically prevention is the biggest thing that we try to teach kids how to do. Don’t put your horse or yourself in an unsafe situation because horses are always unpredictable. So if you don’t give them the opportunity or the position to be dangerous, then you can stay a lot safer. So we always tell our kids, ‘No horse’n around,’ really,” she added with a laugh.

Lassig went on to stress other safety issues.

“We try to keep both legs in the saddle where they need to be all the time. One hand on the reins at all times. Keeping another horse space between you and the next horse so you don’t get too crowded. We always have them get off and walk out the gate so that nobody gets run over.”

Lassig also pointed out it’s best to tie the horse by a lead rope from the halter, and not from the bridle’s reins “so that we don’t have horses pulling back” on the bridle and bit.

After covering the safety issues, the instructors start the morning with basic horse drills, which each student has to do regardless of their experience level.

Six-year-old Josie Hussey of Buna practices manuevers on her horse Sugar. Josie has just started riding, but found a natural skill aboard her horse, even at a lope and trot through the manuevers. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

“Sometimes if you are more inexperienced, you will do everything we can get you to do; but then, if you are more advanced, instead of just walking and doing a side pass you’ll be loping and doing a side pass,” stated Lassig.

Getting each rider up to their highest level on day one is the instructor’s goal.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to get them up to the highest level we can. Then, on the second day, usually the second half, we will start doing specialized events like Western pleasure or reining or barrel racing. 

“Basically we try to cater to everybody’s different interests,” she continued. “If everybody wants to do speed events, then we’ll work on speed events. Whatever they want to do that they normally do with their horses in competition, we’ll just help them get better at that.”

Depending on the number of participants, both youth and adult can benefit from the school. 

“It’s mostly for 4-H kids because it’s through Texas Cooperative Extension’s 4-H and FFA program, but it’s open to pretty much anybody,” said Lassig.

Classes are limited to the first 25 paid participants. If the maximum number of 4-H youth is not met by the registered deadline, adults and non-4-H members can sign up on a first come, first serve basis.

Betsy Vaughan from Richmond was one of the adult participants and was very pleased with the class. “This horse is very green so it’s very good for her and they (the instructors) are very patient. They give good instruction and they are very thorough.”

The classes have not only been beneficial for the participants and their horses - the instructors see added benefits as well.

“I know that I’ve gotten a lot more confidence in my teaching skills and my riding skills, and a lot more people skills, because I try to more clearly communicate what I want the people to do. So that’s been a big confidence booster for me,” said Jolley.

Leaving the class with a bit more information than they came with is Jolley’s hope.

“I’m hoping that the students at least can take away one more tidbit of information, just one little thing that’s gonna help them with their horse ... that they learn to have more fun with their horse.”