Judson modifies equine minor

Horse handling happens just as much out of the saddle as it does in it, according to a new natural horsemanship study at Judson College.

Judson students Kayla Jones, Rachel Webster, Christine Whitaker and Jennifer Hayes took part in the light horse training class during the 2004 fall semester, a requirement of Judson’s equine science minor.

The class recently changed its curriculum to incorporate Level 1 of trainer Pat Parelli’s natural horsemanship (PNH) home study program. The study teaches riders to develop partnerships with their horses on the ground that will help their relationships with the horses in the saddle.

During this class, students are challenged to meet the goals of Level 1 using Judson’s school horses. The class was taught by student instructors Elizabeth Bush and Abby Everett.

Both hope to attend Parelli’s university program, which will give them official instructor status. The two demonstrated PNH techniques at Judson’s spring 2005 preview and scholarship day Feb. 26.

(JC)