The number of diverse activities offered at the Silver Creek Complex prompted the need for a large and comprehensive Educational Program. First and foremost, safe participation in all activities is paramount. Silver Creek management stresses safety awareness, therefore allowing confident learning to take place. Learning is a never-ending process, and Silver Creek enables the learning process by providing professional instruction at all levels. An ever-growing library of literature and videos available to members and students enhances the instructional process.

Courses of Equitation

This course is designed to establish basic skills of horse knowledge, safety procedures, horse handling and riding skills. Participants will study the proper ‘what and how to’ of caring, feeding, grooming, tack, tying (or knots), ground handling, mounting and dismounting, riding styles, beginning horse psychology, basic riding skills as per breed, gait and color recognition, clothing and amateur show prep. These criteria are taught utilizing hands on exposure, lecture, printed material, video, web info and field trips. Assessments and interest goals will determine advancement levels. Beginner courses are offered on Saturdays or weekdays by appointment.

Intermediate Level

Assessments of interest goals and skill levels will determine individual course study at this level. The course can be diverse and comprehensive or targeted toward specific goals. Assessments will target horsemanship and riding skills. English or Western, focus will be on seat, leg and hand position into and through gait transitions and other maneuvers required to handle a horse safely in arena or trail riding events.

Course studies will include learning the pertinent language of equine breed anatomy, identification and targeting goals of more advanced riding skills per breed, horse psychology and care, commands and aids, gait transitions, horse show prep and drills. According to interest goals, emphasis will be preparing for advanced skill levels of selected targets. Criteria will be met using hands on, lecture, printed materials, videos, web info and field trips. Clinic participation will be determined through assessments. Intermediate courses are offered on Saturdays or weekday by appointment.

Advanced Level

Designed to ‘coach the coach’, the advanced horsemanship courses are open to advanced riders, instructors and trainers as a source of continuing education and personal growth. The courses are stringent and the critiques are designed specifically to strengthen commitment, enhance professionalism, and unify procedures and/or to identify and correct problems areas or faults in performances.

Refreshment course studies will include warm up-warm down procedures, legging up, fitting and flexing the performance horse, proper tack fittings, lunging, driving, bitting and head sets, gathering and extending, leads and laterals, rider seat, legs and hands, aids and moving the horse properly with each. All breeds are welcome. Each rider will work toward specified goals. Advanced sessions are offered by appointment.

Individual show preparatory critiques are available by appointment.

Silver Creek also offers educational clinics throughout the year; hosting outside professional clinics open to the public. Sign up for the Silver Creek Newsletter to keep up with the schedule of events.

For further information and to schedule assessments, call 601-638-8988

Visitors are always welcome.