The Pegasus staff recently participated in a demo of our newly revamped volunteer training clinic, which includes a fun and challenging agility class designed to enhance horse-leading skills.

The slide show below starts with Program Director Alison Plaza demonstrating to our staff how the new interactive clinic is structured. First, she teaches volunteers the proper techniques for mounting riders. Next, she reviews the various holds to use when sidewalking and how to perform an emergency dismount.

Finally, Alison discusses horse leading and has the volunteers apply what they have learned by leading our therapy horses through an agility course. This exercise helps build the bond between horse and leader, and it also helps desensitize the horse to outside stimuli so he or she can focus on the task at hand. The slide show depicts our staff leading the horses through the course for the very first time. They gave the horses plenty of time to familiarize themselves with all the interesting sights and sounds, and soon our amazing equines were moving through the course like pros!

Here's a sampling of what our volunteers had to say after completing the clinic:

"I felt the workshop was really worth my while insofar as I learned the technique of properly leading a horse and also learned the ankle hold. I also enjoyed getting together with some new volunteers." - Dieter Cakavell

"The clinic was essential. I've been around horses my whole life, yet these processes never cease to amaze me. The information was broken down into understandable pieces, then working with each task "hands-on" brought it all home! It was a LOT of fun -- what great people and horses!!!" - Kelly Hitt

If you are interested in attending an upcoming volunteer clinic, visit our Pegasus Calendar for dates and times.