Perfect Prep for Horses and Students

Visit For Students Only  (http://www.horsecoursesonline.com/products/students_only_index.htm  to get your discount on Perfect Prep, the supplement to calm the nervous horse and make training and showing a winning effort.  In addition you’ll see our “featured course” which will save you $50 this month…   visit For Students Only frequently to enjoy savings on products, services and courses. 

El Richards talks about shiny coats

Instructor Eleanor Richards is interviewed about nutrition and how to get a shiny coat on your horse in today's issue of America's Horse Daily. Click here to read the article - http://americashorsedaily.com/good-eats-glossy-sheen-part-1/

For Students Only discounts

Our for “Students Only” project is up and running…sort of!
“Students Only” is our newest “perk” where students get discounts on products and services.
I’ve got some products to add ASAP, but because breeding season is underway, I wanted to be sure you saw the $500 discount Gord Wadds is giving on the breeding fee to Krymsun and Gold. Here’s the link to our Students Only index page: http://www.horsecoursesonline.com/products/students_only_index.htm
As you’ll see, I still have a lot of work to do, getting the links working, adding product and service pages, making order forms, etc….but if you’re planning on breeding your mare, here’s your chance. don blazer p.s. There’s a “students only” discount on the Competitive Longe Line course this month.

Horsemanship Clinic with Gordon Wadds April 2, 2011

"Gord Wadds is putting on a clinic at his 'Ranch' April 2 from 10am - 4pm  "The Wadds Way" Horsemanship Clinic.  Gord will teach you how to gain confidence on the ground as well as in the saddle. The clinic is limited to 10 horses & riders; $250 for the day/ all Spectators are $30. Come learn with Gord! email your reservation today; gwadds1@aol.com or go to fb. Thanks!"

Tell employers "you're good"

When speaking with employers or potential employers, let them know you are good by stressing the positive work traits that you have demonstrated  by your success in online education. 

These positive work traits include:  superior time management
                                                     self motivation
                                                     the ability to learn independently.

A Really Nice Compliment for Cherie

Vickie Zapel just completed her ESI course Teaching Techniques...and got rave reviews from instructor Cherie Vonada...then Vickie sent this really nice compliment..... "I have very much enjoyed my course with Cherie.  She has excellent insights and is VERY knowledgeable, so I've considered myself exceptionally fortunate to have her input, it has been great to have this experience and I'll work hard not to let it go by the wayside."    

Two books "really on sale"

I've got two great books that need to go:  Win With Bob Avila...retails for $39.95, you pay $5 plus $4.95 shipping. This book is a "mentoring" book in which Bob explains how he feels about horses, training, facilities and handling clients.   Barrel Racing, training the Wright way....retails for $45, you pay $5 plus $4.95 (if I can ship that way...or $10.95)  This book is fantastic...starts with the breeding of barrel horses and goes through everything from training to hauling to competing to fixing common problems...even discusses "ground conditions."   Both books are new and in perfect condition.    Send me an e-mail saying which book you want...first to order gets the books, we'll work out credit card payment later.  don blazer

Great rewards await the "qualified"

          The idea you can’t make a living working in the horse industry seems to be widely held.  But survey results show the idea may be invalid.

          A forum chat had the father of a college student warning everyone to study anything but equine science.  His premise was “major in anything that can get you a job that pays well, offers health insurance and a pension.”

          He gave no consideration to what a person loves to do, or is naturally qualified to do.  He would have you toil in a job you didn’t like so that when you got “sick of it” your prescription drugs would be covered.  And he apparently gave no consideration to the current “depression” turned “recession” in which thousands lost their jobs, their health benefits, their pension and too frequently their homes.

          And obviously he gives no consideration to the advice of the most successful on how to be successful: “Do what you love to do.”

          But what really invalids the mistaken idea you can’t make a living in the horse industry is the input of “potential employers” who can’t find “qualified employees”.

          A show horse trainer in California told me she’d love to hire a “qualified person” to manage her barn.

          “I’ve been in business for 30 years and I’ve yet to have a person with an equine degree apply for a job,” she said.   “It would be great for my business to have a really qualified person running my barn.  I’d be happy to pay them a very good salary.”

          As it is, she says, she has to supervise all the work at the barn.  (She has 40 world class show horses in training).  I can’t rely on a barn manager to know health care or how to determine and adjust nutrition requirements or look for safety hazards or supervise grooms or talk with my clients on a knowledgeable level.

          “I have to be the qualified person, or I have to leave one of my assistant trainers when I go off to a show or for other business,” she laments   “It all takes time and it reduces the effectiveness of my business, not to mention that it’s costing me potential profit.”

          According to this trainer, most trainers have to hire help at lower salaries because they have to “teach the person the job requirements.”

          “You can’t pay a person top dollar, when their knowledge is entry level.”

          She explains that most who seek employment are simply “horse lovers who think they know a lot, but who offer no real skills or knowledge which can enhance my business.”

          “I hire a lot of young women to work at grooming and providing daily ground exercise for my horses.  I don’t pay them much because most of them start out not knowing how to properly halter a horse let alone how to properly groom one.   We have to teach them, and that takes our time.  And about the time we get them trained they find a job in another barn that pays more, because now they at least have some basic knowledge.”

          In surveying feed companies, tack and equipment retailers, breeding farms, veterinarians, magazine editors, and other trainers, the lack of qualified prospects was constantly near the top of the list as to why good paying jobs were not available.

          One veterinarian said, “I want an assistant I can introduce to clients as an equine study graduate.  That gives my clients confidence in my assistant, in me, and in our company.  Why do you think we hang a diploma on the office wall…..it tells the client we’re qualified to treat their horses.”

          A lack of good paying jobs within the horse industry may be a myth.

          The truth may be there is a lack of qualified persons to fill the good paying jobs waiting to be filled.     don blazer

March Special - save $50 on Sculpting Course

               If you really love your horse, you can create a life-like image of your partner that will last a lifetime, and you’ll save $50 doing it, plus get college credit!

                Deanna Cummins, artist and horse lover herself, will guide you every step of the way as you capture in clay the unique image of your equine friend.  Sculpt Your Horse is our newest course, and featured this month. 

                Six lessons show you how to use sculpting materials and tools, how to get photos which capture the essence of your horse, how to create the composition you want and finally how sculpt in clay the details and expressions which make your horse, your horse.

                Complete course description and outline can be reviewed http://www.horsecoursesonline.com/index/index_sculpt_description.html  Sign up in March and save $50…and you can use the course as an elective whether you are earning a degree or professional certification.

                Cummins, a graduate of Breyer State University with a degree in Equine Studies, developed the course exclusively for online presentation.  She uses graphic arts and video demonstrations to help you  master the techniques of sculpting, and she works one-on-one by e-mail with you to assure you get assistance every step of the way.  You do not need specialized art, drawing or sculpting skills; Cummins breaks down each step, making it easy and fun to be a successful artist.

                Tools and materials are available at most art supply stores, or can be ordered in a special “sculpting kit” from www.worldofequinesculpture.com  , a Cummins website at which you can see galleries of her work.  

                You will send photos and videos for critique as you progress through the steps of sculpting your horse.