3-week courses in a month, and it’s possible to stay for several month:
Staying with us for a longer period of time will enable you to experience our work on a ranch that is totally dedicated to Natural Horsemanship. You will discover the many different aspects of our lifestyle and daily tasks and find out whether or not you are made for this job before committing to professional training. The Firfol Académie d’Enseignement Comportemental is renowned for producing the best-trained teachers and horsemen according to the Natural approach.
Presentation of the course:
This is a 3-week course divided into 5 days of full training and 16 days of applying your new knowledge to a set of horses that will be reserved for you for this purpose. You may validate your Savoirs Éthologiques 1 to 5 as you progress through the course.
The aim of the course:
The aim of this course is for you to discover the job of a ‘whisperer’, to progress through the Savoirs Éthologiques 1 to 5 and to practice your passion in facilities that suit the Natural approach.
This course is a preparation to the Brevets Fédéraux d'Équitation Éthologique 1 & 2. Their syllabuses are published by Éditions Lavauzelle and available in equestrian and sports equipment stores. The BFEE 1 acknowledges the competence to teach the Savoirs Éthologiques 1 & 2. The BFEE 2 acknowledges the competence to teach the Savoirs Éthologiques 1 to 5.
Programme and progress of the course:
This course covers the practical programme of the Savoirs Éthologiques 1 to 5 as well as the pedagogic approach to the teaching of Natural Horsemanship through the Savoirs. The teaching approach used on this course is the one used for every other course at the Firfol Académie d’Enseignement Comportemental – please see our DVD.
Example of a day on the 5 days of training of the course:
09:00 am : Bringing the horses in, feeding and care
10:00 am : Simulation session using the variety of exercises put together by the AEC according to each level (on the ground, on the trampoline etc)
10:30 am : Practical horsemanship session, moving through the Savoirs
12:00 am : Group debriefing of the morning
12:30 am : Notes/journaling and care of the horses
01:00 pm : Lunch time
02:00 pm : Pedagogy class (theory)
03:00 pm : Pedagogy class (practical), feedback and self-assessment (preparation to the oral exam)
05:00 pm : Horsemanship workshops, supervised/filmed individual sessions depending on the morning session.
06:00 pm : Workshops on the theory of equine ethology in groups, writing out lesson plans according to the subjects in the BFEE programme.
07:00 pm : Free time
08:00 pm : Supper
09:00 pm : Notes/journaling on the pedagogy classes and sharing of electronic data.
During the 16 days of practice you will apply the methods you have learned and refine your skills through your work with your set of horses.
Dates and length of the course:
This course is available each month, and students are welcome to stay on for several consecutive months.
1 > 3-week course is required to obtain the "Savoir 1"
2 > 3-week courses to obtain the "Savoir 2"
4 > 3-week courses to obtain the "Savoir 3"
6 > 3-week courses to obtain the "Savoir 4"
8 > 3-week courses are required to obtain the “Savoir 5”, sometimes a little less if you are at Galop 7 riding level before you start the course.
To reach "BFEE1" level: 2 3-week courses will be necessary if you are at Savoir 2-3 level, or 1 3-week course if you are Savoir 5.
To reach “BFEE2” level: 2 3-week courses if you are BFEE1 with teaching experience, or 4 3-week courses if you are newly certified BFEE1.
The courses run from Mondays 9.00 am to Fridays 6.00 pm + 16 days according to a schedule programmed in advance.
Number of participants:
6 students.
Supervision:
Laure Bousquet will be running the course (from Savoir 3 on), assisted by qualified BFEE 2 staff members.
Prerequisite for attendance:
Galop 4 and AFPS (First Aid training) are recommended though not compulsory.
*BFEE 2 = Brevet Fédéral d'Equitation Ethologique 2.
