What Is A Video Consultation?
A video consultation offers individual, private help for you and your horse. Video consultations are easy: just send a videotape of you and your horse (details below), and I will send you back an e-mail analysis and phone consultation, riding/training suggestions, and advice (as appropriate) on safety, tack selection, and horse management.
What To Include:
In writing, tell me about your horse (age, experience, soundness problems, attitude, length of time you've had the horse, and how the horse is managed; stabling, turnout, daily exercise, etc.). Then tell me about yourself (age, experience, current level of riding, average weekly time spent riding and the type of riding you do, goals, concerns, interests, what comes easily, what is difficult for you, etc.) Ask any questions you like about: horses, training methods, riding styles, saddles, tack, specific problems you want to address, etc.
Videotaping Your First Consultation:
For your first consultation: ask someone to videotape you from the beginning; from the time you tack up, warm up, and ride as you usually do. Don't change anything just because you’re on camera. Wear something reasonably form-fitting; so I can analyze your seat and help you make changes without baggy clothing hiding your body position. Make the best tape you can. You don't have to have a professional do the taping, but it's always best to use a tripod to keep the camera steady, and make minimal use of the "zoom" feature. Lighting conditions can be tricky, so remember that it will be easier to see you if your clothing contrasts with your horse - e.g., light pants will show up better if your saddle and horse are dark. Similarly, if your horse blends with the footing or the background, use contrasting wraps on your horses legs (dark on a light-colored horse, light on a dark-colored horse). Please no bright red or bright orange as these colors flare on videotape.
What Can I Expect From A Video Consultation?
You can expect an analysis of your seat and position, and of your horse's gaits and movements, and recommendations for improvement. You can also expect some of my observations about tack and equipment, and suggestions for you about fit, adjustment, or possible changes. If there are areas such as groundwork and horse handling that might benefit from some changes, you will get observations that will help you communicate safely and effectively with your horse as well. I will help you enhance your ability to plan your ride, think clearly during your ride, and analyze the ride afterward to determine what was right, what was wrong, what you want to keep, and what you want to change and what will help to keep you and your horse safe. The goal is to help you and your horse develop a better partnership.
How do I get my personal video consultation?
1. Create a 45-60 minute VHS (or NTSC) videotape - and make a copy.
2. Keep one copy for yourself, and send the other. This costs much less than paying the postage both ways on a single tape, especially if you are located outside the USA. It will also eliminate the risk of your ONLY tape being lost or damaged in transit and it means that you will be able to compare the analysis to the tape much sooner.
3. Be sure to include your e-mail address so that you can receive your analysis promptly.
4. Send a check for $70 USD made out to Donna Maye West, and send videotape, check, information, phone number and best time(s) to call you, and your e-mail address to:
Donna Maye West
417 County Road 849
Calera, Alabama 35040
REMEMBER: I also offer the “West Way”, for those of you who would like customized one-on-one training at my facility. This initial video consultation may be all you need; or you may want to go this extra step. What I want for you and your horse is to “Develop a Better Partnership”!