Mooikrans Equus provides several Western and Natural Horsemanship Courses which have been tailored throughout the years. These courses are current and kept up to date according to industry and international standards. Our courses will enlighten you and give you a better understanding of horses and how to connect with them.

The courses on offer form a broad curriculum which builds up to the Senior Horsemaster course. After the completion of this course, you will be able to apply for work at any equestrian establishment in South Africa and abroad.

I. EQUESTRIAN COURSES

1. Clothing of the Cowboy
2. Terminology
3. History of the Cowboy
4. Horse Whisperers
5. Practical: Know your horse, know your equipment and know yourself
6. Why we ride the way Cowboys did at Mooikrans Equus

1. The horse’s natural herd behaviour
2. Body language of the horse
3. A horse’s view of man
4. Selecting the right horse
5. Practical: Horseriding in the veld

1. Natural horsemanship
2. Knowledge of horses
3. The horse as herd animal
4. Strange behaviour
5. The horse’s vision and hearing
6. Practical: Riding out with horses for at least five hours

1. Training of horses: Concept of pressure and reward
2. Horses with behavioural problems and how to address it
3. Horses with specific problems: Loading, bucking, biting, skittishness, etc.
4. Selecting a suitable horse
5. Practical: Groundwork with a horse

1. Know your horse. What do the eyes, nose and mouth tell me
2. Know your equipment. Correct use of lungeing ring and rope halter
3. Know yourself. Safety and Time Management

1. History of the Boerperd
2. The unique qualities of the Boerperd
3. The role the Boerperd played during the Anglo-Boer War
4. The horse as trustworthy steed
5. The Boer - Owner of the Boerperd

1. Cattle work on horseback
2. Practical: Cattle driving
Flatwork: Stops, Sprints and Sharp Turns
3. Counting cattle
4. Practical Testing: Cut a cow and calf from the herd and round up to corral
5. Practical: Overnight at Vaquero Hut after two day outride

1. History of Spanish Riding
2. Influence of Spanish Riding in America
3. Cowboy Dressage
4. Practical: Basics of Cowboy Dressage

Part 1
1. Horses with illnesses and proper medication
2. Vaccination and dosing of horses
3. The horsemaster’s “pharmacy”
Part 2
1. Injuries and first aid
2. Anatomy and physiology of the horse
3. The teeth of the horse
4. Determining age

*A minimum mark of 80% is a prerequisite for admittance to the practical components

1. “Joining-up” with a horse
2. Vaccinating and dosing a horse (Determining its weight)
3. Taking the temperature and meassuring the heart rate of a horse
4. Determining dehydration and shock
5. The correct use of the twitch

1. Caring for the horse’s teeth, the wolf tooth, age, etc.
2. Basic care for the feet of the horse
3. Treatment of open wounds and burns
4. Caring for the horse’s eyes
5. Loading of a horse

The following courses are also presented at Mooikrans Equus which do not form part of the curriculum for Horsemanship, and these can also be followed during the school holiday camps:

II. SURVIVAL

• 5 Elements of Survival
• Food / Water / Shelter / Fire / Help
• Edible plants and animals
• Dehydration
• Snakebites and insects
• Weather Conditions
• Basic Navigation
• Mayday

• Psychology of Survival
• Navigation
• Gear and Gadgets
• Survival First Aid
• Crisis Situations
• Traps and Snares
• Basic Knots and Rope Skills
• Knife Handling

III. FIRST AID

• Basic First Aid
• Personal Safety
• Emergency Numbers
• Primary Survey: HHHCABS
• Basic Anatomy and Physiology
• Bleeding
• Skeletal Injuries
• Muscular Injuries
• Wounds
• Burns
• Choking
• Cardiac Arrest

• CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Adult, Child and Infant
• Head Injuries
• Asthma
• Allergic Reactions
• Diabetes
• Occular Injuries