Palm Partnership Training Course 2  

This level is for riders who have successfully completed our PPT Course 1 and/or its Training & Agility Courses. Course 2 is designed to take you a step further with your balance and communication. You will refine your balance to become a more secure and confident rider - feeling comfortable at all gaits. You will learn to perfect the use of the natural aids for a more effective communication with your horse. We welcome riders of all disciplines & horse of all breeds.

For those who ride from 3 to 4 times per week. PPT Course 2 is the “next step” in building a solid partnership with your horse.

To prepare for Course 2 – although not mandatory – we suggest that you consult the following educational material:


Under saddle
*Exercises for Equestrians - Parts 1 & 2
*Hunt Seat Equitation - Part 1
*Dressage Principles For The Western Horse    and Rider – Volume 1 / Parts 1 & 2
*Private Lessons:
    • Learn To Feel Diagonals &  Leads
    • Learn To Post To The Proper Diagonal
    • Get Proper Leads
*Head To Toe Horsemanship


On the ground
* Longevity Training – Parts 1, 2 & 3
* Longevity Training

As you progress with your riding it is important that you keep improving your strength, suppleness and flexibility. By doing this you will gain greater control of your body and find it easier to achieve consistent balance and precise communication with your horse. Course 2 offers daily stretching classes before each riding session. The stretches will target 3 main muscle groups:

  *stretches for the shoulders to fight tension & contractions
  *stretches for the back to prepare for all the sitting gaits
  *stretches for the legs to build up strength and stamina

The sessions are designed to be gradual, noncompetitive and peaceful. Stretching will take place on individual mats. No specific fitness clothing is required.

After learning the basics of ground work in Course 1, Course 2 will advance your ground training techniques to help you in 3 main areas:

    • get a deeper understanding of your horse
    • keep building a relationship based on trust
    • boost your horse’s levels of fitness, balance and response

Course 2 will cover:

    • The Art Of Longeing
    • Work In Hand 2
    • Forehand Turn
    • Training at Liberty
 

Most of the rider’s balance comes from the seat. The deeper you can sit in the saddle the more secure you will feel. To achieve a deep seat, there is nothing better than riding without stirrups. Course 2 offers riding sessions that include a variety of simple exercises intended to help you sit deeper. You will be asked to ride without stirrups – for short periods - at the walk and
trot only.   

In Course 1 you have learned 2 very important facts:
    1- the correct rider’s position is essential for balance
    2- the need to sit down and back to feel secure

Course 2 will take you a step farther. You will learn to use your pelvis to achieve a greater level of balance & comfort. We will focus on teaching you how to use your seat with a pelvis movement in synch with the horse’s rhythm. What will you gain from it?
     * feelings of relaxation and smoothness
     * feeling secure and confident
     * softer aids
     * aids coordination for a more precise communication
     * willingness from your horse

We will use exercises without stirrups and pole work.

Course 1 covered the use of the natural aids in a specific sequence of action for basic control of speed and gaits and simple rein effects were introduced for direction control. Refining how you communicate with your horse is another vital objective of Course 2. During the week we will cover the following subjects:

    • advancing the seat as an aid to develop a willing response from your horse
    • developing aids coordination for a clear communication
    • refining the open and indirect reins for precise turning
    • perfecting upward and downward transitions

In Course 2 particular attention will be paid to “Aids troubleshooting”- What can I do if my horse does not respond?  We will offer solutions to improve your horse’s response by sharing techniques & exercises designed to invite the horse’s willing cooperation.

In order to graduate from PPT Course 2 you will be expected to perform the following
:
      Correct rider’s position at all 3 gaits
      Posting Trot & Sitting Trot
      Sitting Trot without stirrups
      Post on the proper diagonal and get correct leads
      Open & indirect reins without pulling back
      Simple transitions on a circle and straight lines
      Control of speed at the trot & canter on a circle and straight lines
      Maintain balance, speed and direction over poles
      PPT Training Course 2 / Agility Course 2

Preparatory material suggested by instructors:
Palm Partnership Training Course: A Fun Way To Learn
Palm Partnership Training Agility Course – Part 1

If you feel that you are competent in the areas required to graduate from Course 2 and would like to immediately enter Course 3, you may send a DVD of your performing specified Agility and Training Courses for the instructors to review. (Copies of courses will be posted soon)

You will receive an assessment of your performance from the instructors within 10 days of receipt of the DVD. At which time, you will be notified as to whether or not you have met the requirements to graduate from Course 2.

Please be kind enough to include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address as well as name, age and breed of your horse with your DVD.  Keep in mind that the DVDs will not be returned.

*Note-the opportunity to graduate from a Course through DVD performance review does not apply to students who wish to complete the Palm Partnership Training Affiliate Program. Graduating from Partnership Training Courses 1, 2 and 3 is mandatory for the completion of the Affiliate Program.