First class completes Natural Horsemanship program at VGCC
Vance-Granville Community College recently wrapped up its first Horsemanship course, part of a new program based at the college’s Warren County Campus .
The first three students to complete “Horsemanship I” were Doreen Darnell and Keith Jackson, both of the Shocco community in Warren County, and Devon Tabbert of Manson. As their final assignments, each presented a ten-minute demonstration with his or her horse in December at the Rockin’ E Ranch in Warrenton, where part of the course was conducted.
The Comprehensive Natural Horsemanship Program consists of four courses offered by VGCC’s Occupational Extension department, and provides the education and training for an individual to seek employment associated with the horse industry.
Debbie Glanz of Warrenton is the instructor for the program. Members of the first class had positive comments about their teacher and the introductory course. “Debbie knows when you need help, and she definitely knows what she is doing,” Tabbert said. “What she brought to the class was confidence and faith. She had faith in us that we could all do what she could do by the end of the course, and she was right. We could all do what she could, although not as well, because she had been working with her horses for years. We all gained the confidence and the strength that we needed to show our horses that we were their go-to person, their partner.”
Tabbert learned that “confidence is a quality you need when working with and riding your horse.” She added that she “had a lot of fun with the other students and learning new techniques with my horse. I plan on taking the more advanced courses when they are offered at the college.”
The introductory course will be offered again, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, starting Feb. 3 and concluding May 7. The course has a classroom component, which will be held at VGCC’s Warren Campus. Classes will cover topics such as the horse’s anatomy and physiology, nutrition, tests and vaccinations and the philosophy of horsemanship. The “lab” component of the course will take place at the Rockin’ E Ranch. Horseback trail riding will be available after each class. Students can bring their own horse, but they are not required to own a horse to participate in the program. They can lease a horse from the owners of the farms.
Other courses in the program to be offered in the future include “Horsemanship II: Caring for Your Equine Partner & Facilitating Liberty Games,” “Horsemanship III: Safety & Communicating in the Saddle,” and “Horsemanship IV: Confidence in the Saddle and Traveling with Your Equine Partner.” Students will register and pay for each class separately. A student must complete all four classes (totaling 392 hours) in order to receive a certificate in Horsemanship.
The cost of the first course is $185.25. Since space is limited, prospective students are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/oex or in person at any VGCC campus, Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact VGCC at oex@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3300.
Above: Pictured at the Rockin’ E Ranch in Warrenton, from left, are instructor Debbie Glanz of Warrenton with her horse, “Hero,” and students Doreen Darnell of the Shocco community in Warren County with “Cheyenne,” Keith Jackson of Shocco with “Lavender” and Devon Tabbert of Manson with “Razzle.” (VGCC photo)
Check out additional pictures of the Horsemanship program on Flickr .
