Reaseheath College horse care apprentices were introduced to three very different equine activities during a day which celebrated National Apprenticeships Week (March 6 – 10).
Fiona Hulme with her apprentice Laura Gunnell and dressage horse Harry
The apprentices, who work for equine businesses throughout Cheshire and surrounding counties, study at the specialist Nantwich college on one day a week and spend the rest of their time learning practical skills in their workplace.
National Apprenticeships Week turns the spotlight on the benefits which apprentices bring to businesses and to the national economy by increasing productivity and providing workforce succession.
Reaseheath’s Equestrian Centre marked the occasion by inviting riders, employers and staff members to demonstrate their skills in dressage, quadrille riding and natural horsemanship. Watched by a packed audience of apprentices and full time students, Fiona Hulme, owner of Limes Lane Livery, Whitley near Northwich, and her dressage horse Harry showed how a balanced rider position and the correct application of aids achieved the best results.
Fiona, who is a Reaseheath equine industry mentor and employs an apprentice at her livery and dressage training yard, said: “Having an apprentice enables my young business to continue to grow. I’m a great advocate of learning on the job. I now have a useful full-time staff member who is being trained to carry out tasks to a professional level.”
Her apprentice, Laura Gunnell, 17, from Winsford, added: “I enjoy the variety of working on a busy yard – and a big bonus is that you’re earning while you’re learning.”
A newly formed quadrille team from the Friesian Horse Association Great Britain and Ireland also performed their display in Reaseheath’s indoor arena. The riders and horses, instructed by Pam Rigby MBE, showed some of the movements they will perform at Warrington Horse Show in May. This was their first team experience before an audience and Pam showed the students the most effective ways of ensuring horses worked in close proximity happily and safely.
Watch as Pam Rigby gets a new horse used to working with its team members below >>
Two horse and rider combinations also did an entertaining ridden demonstration without bridles. PLEASE NOTE this was for the benefit of our students only. It is not part of the quadrille.
This was followed by a hands-on session using natural horsemanship in Reaseheath’s purpose built round pen. Under the guidance of Work Based Assessor Michaela Atterbury, the apprentices enjoyed learning to use body language alone to influence their horse’s behaviour. They also became more aware of their horse’s body language – a useful skill which they can use in the workplace.
Concluded Equine Apprentice Course Manager Dawn Joyce: “The whole day provided valuable experience for the apprentices. They were able to study different aspects of horse behaviour such as how they react when working in close proximity and alone, and how they perform at different ages and stages of schooling.
Find out more about Reaseheath apprenticeships over on our apprenticeship webpages or call Reaseheath Training on 01270 613221
