Advice on becoming an RA

[marsay]

OK, since becoming involved in IH techniques, avidly reading everything both Kelly and Monty have written and comparing training with other techniques and people out there I really would like to explore becoming an RA, which sounds pompous but at least working towards it in some way.I have been quietly working away on my own developing my skills and realise I do have a mountain to climb.

But I feel an infinity with horses and want to help them so much, I am not really interested in teaching people to ride or becoming a riding instructor, as to be honest I am crap at riding but my strength lies in understanding a horse and their behavior. I have been overjoyed when trying to put what I've read and observed at Monty's demos into practise and found it an amazing emotional moment when you can connect or communicate with the horse in a way they seem to understand or at least respond to.

So now it's time to move forward go on a course properly get the feedback and learn from the experience but if there is anyone out there who started on this path, what were the pit falls you found, what advice would you give and what would you have done differently?

Of course I realise I have to make the grade on the courses to be invited back but I am determined as this just feels right to me, whats your thought?

[K8]

www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/the-steps-to-becoming-a-recommended-associate-of-intelligent-horsemanship.html

[clara81]

Watching this with interest as I could have written that myself

[Deleted]

I know this has been asked and answered before but goodness knows what you'd search to find it all!

The courses etc. aside, becoming an RA is really about developing yourself into the best person you can be (still working on it!). You need infinite patience, an ability to be very in control of yourself and your energy and your emotions, an understanding of horses and humans and a desire to help both. You need to be able to take in small detail to try and understand what the horse is actually saying, but you also need to be able to view the bigger picture of your client's situation. You need to be a perfectionist but at the same time accept that some things might not be as necessary as you first thought. You have to be able to think on your feet, make a plan but be ready to throw it out of the window. You need to be able to deliver a message to an owner that is at once direct and factual but that is at the same time diplomatically and sympathetically delivered. I could go on, but it's a long list!

Above all, though, you need to have a true passion for working with problem horses and their owners - a sigh from a horse or a smile from an owner are probably going to be your greatest reward, as you sure as hell aren't going to get rich!

You can join my "crap at riding" club. Ok, I'm not that horrendous but there's distinct room for improvement, or would be if I still rode. That's one area, though, that I regret not having had the means to work on when I was younger and fitter. The affinity and understanding are essential, but most clients are riders so the more you can relate to their ridden problems the better. As you learn, you also want to be able to try some of the theories you come across and, as they are again often to do with riding, the better you are...

So that's advice number 1 - don't dismiss the riding side of it. If you can work on that, then it would be really helpful for the future.

The thing that took me a bit by surprise was how much of solving a problem is actually to do with the owner. Even if you can solve a problem, there is no point handing the horse back to someone who doesn't know how to carry on as the horse needs. You have to be able to deal with all sorts of people, from the IH role model to the sceptic, from people who love you from the moment you step through the gate, to those who for some reason or another later want to tread you into the ground (preferably with the online world as an audience). Sadly that does happen and it's not nice, but you have to trust yourself and carry on.

You get wet shoulders, you get people's stories at GREAT length, and you get loads of the most amazing friends who love to have you round for a chat... about their horse. You learn to be quite person savvy, but I wish I'd been a bit more prepared here. Mistakes were made, but learned from.

The first thing, though, is to get yourself on a couple of courses. It doesn't matter what order you do them in but I'd suggest starting with the 5 day or horse psychology, to get you really fired up! Then, work your way through them in the time that suits you, and while you do focus on absorbing information from the courses but also fro every horse and owner you meet. Work for the love of the journey, not just the goal.

At the end of the day, though, we are all individuals and all work and learn in our own ways. IH is brilliant for understanding that. As you get going, you'll start to see your way. Just be open to all paths...!

[clipclop]

One thing I will say is the same as I say to anyone going into working with children/animals/vulnerable people etc, etc - don't go into it thinking you can change the world as you will be bitterly disappointed.

You CAN make a difference, a big difference to a number of people and their animals but only if they ask you to. You will walk onto yards that could give you nightmares but unless they are doing something illegal (eg a welfare issue and the rspca can take action) then there is very little you can do. Confrontation or preaching about certain methods only serve to make people defensive and less willing to listen.

You have to focus on working with those that you can, making differences that will lead others by example and leaving the remainder to live their lives as they wish.

[Catrin]

The first step is that you have to become a member: £25 well spent as you get the quarterly magazine and are eligible to enroll on the courses that you will need to complete.

You need some expertise to target your training. If funds are tight, enroll as a helper on the five–day course; when you can afford it, do the five–day course yourself. You will have to complete all the main courses anyway at some stage. How and when you do it varies as much as the people on them.

Once you have some basic experience, see if you can work assisting an RA. If you have a horse and access to some others, get a RA to come out for a couple of hours and work with your horse and maybe those of fellow liveries, so you see how handling and groundwork can vary, depending on the needs of the owner or horse.

Go to as many Monty and Kelly demos as a helper as you can, and watch every person who handles or works with a horse while you're there. Go and watch other trainers work and see why you would do things like them or why you wouldn't do it like them at all. Most of all, join the Equus on–line university. There you can get personal tuition, on every aspect of horse management from Monty himself — it will cost you around £6.50 a month. www.montyroberts.com/university/

[specialized]

Dec 11, 2012 14:50:14 GMT 1 clipclop said:

One thing I will say is the same as I say to anyone going into working with children/animals/vulnerable people etc, etc - don't go into it thinking you can change the world as you will be bitterly disappointed.

You CAN make a difference, a big difference to a number of people and their animals but only if they ask you to. You will walk onto yards that could give you nightmares but unless they are doing something illegal (eg a welfare issue and the rspca can take action) then there is very little you can do. Confrontation or preaching about certain methods only serve to make people defensive and less willing to listen.

You have to focus on working with those that you can, making differences that will lead others by example and leaving the remainder to live their lives as they wish.

Wise words, clipclop, if you have an affinity with horses it will not necessarily mean you have an affinity with people, and with each problem horse there will inevitably be a problem human - which is likely to offer more of a challenge than the horse

[Deleted]

Dec 11, 2012 14:50:14 GMT 1 clipclop said:

You CAN make a difference, a big difference to a number of people and their animals but only if they ask you to.

Yes and no. Of course you only ever work with the animal you are asked to visit and you would certainly force yourself or IH when not invited. However, your reach does go further than your individual client and his/her individual horse. Others sometimes see the difference you have made to a horse and are motivated to try IH themselves, I've often had people ask if they could watch me working who have also gone on to try IH. Horses are bought and sold, and a bit of IH sometimes goes with them. And, of course, parents have children who might get a pony, and if you can be instrumental in how that pony is treated, then you're getting to the next generation.

It can be depressing going onto a yard and seeing horses treated unfairly and it is hard to turn away, but you learn to, while at the same time hoping that a little bit of what you've done might just rub off.

So yes, brace yourself for having a very sore tongue sometimes, but don't let that put you off.

[Kelly Marks]

Great answers! And in part this has already been addressed but the people and thinking side is so important. So even if you're not working around horses at all you can apply the way of thinking 'so what result do I actually want to get here?' 'what's the best way to go about achieving this?' 'no that's not working so what could I do different? What am I missing?'
I don't see myself at the 'top' of the RAs but just as their chief fan and supporter and I think this is part of what makes them so good.
Look forward to seeing you on a course!
Kelly x

[clara81]

Very interesting replies, making me more determined

I think my first step will have to be to get a car!!

Re. the Online Uni, I love it, it's really fab but I can't re-join it as I don't have any of the card types you need to pay, I only have a maestro debit card. I did mention to the man at Bishop Burton demo that maybe it might be worth them using paypal, I think more people might take it up.

[KimT]

I have never been a trainer but one thing I have found through training my dog and my horses is that they very often get it right. It's me thats the idiot. I do agility with Lexie (my dog) now and the amount of times I've gotten it wrong and she has looked at me like 'Get it togther woman!' Similarly Lady is my 2.5yr old horse and she has given me that look on more than one occasion.

I guess my rambling point is that in any job with animals, kids, etc, you need to be a little bit of a people person too. You have to be extremely tackful and patient with the people (often more than the animals). I know you want to work with horses but give a thought to how much you want to work with people too.

[jennyb]

Ha ha rugrat, I know that look well!!! Most memorably for me from Gazdag when lunging him as a young horse, he mistook my impression of a fairy for a command to trot on and was most unimpressed with me for gossiping whilst working with him and causing him confusion. Lesson learned, thanks Gazdag!!! ;D

[clipclop]

The above is very true.

You need to see it as going to help someone to help their horse. Obviously you being able to work directly with the horse is important but teaching your skills to the owner is arguably even more important as they need to be able to continue what work you've done after you leave.

Sent from my ST18i using proboards

[marsay]

Thanks all for your advice, I do go to the demos and a true fan of the online Uni, it's just time to take things forward a step and it's always good to learn from other people experiences both negative and positive. I also think you can pick up bad habits if you don't have a teacher to guide you and point out areas you need to improve on.

I worked as a nurse and now in industry as a safety advisor so have luckily learned the hard way already on how to deal with all the sides of humanity, which is possibly why I prefer horses for company! But on a positive note I find it both a challenge and fulfilling working with people so hopefully I will get on fine, always happy to take the downs with the ups, and usually there are more downs, but the horses will always be the ups!!

Anyway although I talk endlessly I find listening a more important tool and often it's what people don't say that's the important part and really it's the gaps you've got to listen for.
With the horses I have a huge amount of patience to wait for them and feel calm in their presence which is funny as there was a time I would be scarred to be in the field with them.

I won't forget my riding but I'm not sure I will ever be a confident rider but it would help if I keep working on it so I have a better understanding of issues to the rider, basically I've seen too many people squished in A&E that my stupid brain thinks it will happen to me, daft I know, but at least I understand other peoples irrational fears and certainly can sympathise with them. Thanks chaps I know I have a long journey ahead but I am looking forward to every little positive step!! ;D