My approach has developed from a wide variety of experiences. From pony club, show jumping and eventing to competition and high school exhibition dressage with influences from natural horsemanship, yoga, bioenergetics and the teachings of the old masters. All this has been combined and put into practice in the starting of youngsters, the training and re-schooling of countless horses over the years and has allowed me to develop as a trainer. The horses have been my greatest teachers and I have had the pleasure of being able to ride 8-10 horses a day for many years. I still work 4-6 a day fitted around teaching and my children. I am constantly redefining my own limits, expanding the horizons of possibility with the ultimate aim of a partnership in perfect harmony, performing a dance as if one being.
The method is based around Communication, Energy, Balance, Lightness
Communications
Our biggest challenge is to understand and to be understood. Training the horse is really more about training ourselves to be in tune with what is happening. He already has it within him to do all the movements we ask for, so our main job is to effectively communicate our wishes to him so he can carry out his work with the grace and freedom he has when running loose. Often problems occur because the horse does not understand what is being asked and the rider, in failing to recognise this, adds to the confusion. We cannot underestimate the impact our frame of mind has on the horse so, at each moment, we need to be aware of the message we are communicating to the horse, whether we intend to or not.
Energy
To have harmony between the horse and rider we need to have a constant flow of energy through both. The energy (impulsion) we create with our leg aids must be allowed to flow in an uninterrupted circle, any blocks will deaden the energy and limit the effectiveness of the aids. Unless there is a physical problem with the horse, which can be confirmed by the vet, resistances are usually caused by the rider blocking, either by physical stiffness, incorrect breathing & posture or emotional turmoil. All inter-related, they can interfere with the energy flow meaning we cannot create the impulsion we need for the horse to go correctly. Remember your posture when walking is your posture on the horse so it is useful to feel how supple and fluid our movements are on the ground as we carry this through to our riding.
Balance
Rebalancing the horse is an important and on going part of his education which will allow him to carry the rider with comfort and elegance. With a correct gymnastic training we can even improve on nature as we move the balance off the forehand freeing it to create more expression. The more balanced we are in our own bodies the more we can keep in balance with the horse while riding, which in turn makes his job of carrying us much easier. All work we do with the horse will be easier if we are strictly consistent and fair, balanced in our character and take responsibility for our actions.
Lightness
Without lightness we seriously limit the possibilities of the horse. Everything should be as effortless as possible so with the softest of aids the horse will happily work without constant interference from the rider. His mouth must be mobile and the reins activated by a light contact so the impulsion (energy) created by the legs can complete the circle through the reins and seat to the hind quarters of the horse . If the jaw is set that energy will stop there making him heavy in the hand and stiff in the back. This will cause problems as soon as the more difficult movements are asked for. There is a huge range of bits and gadgets on the market claiming to control and position the horse but if the hands that hold the reins are not light and responsive it is to no avail. Mostly, we need to pay more attention to the give part of the basic principal of push, take and give. The horse will always thank us for letting go and lightening up.
The method is based around Communication, Energy, Balance, Lightness
Communications
Our biggest challenge is to understand and to be understood. Training the horse is really more about training ourselves to be in tune with what is happening. He already has it within him to do all the movements we ask for, so our main job is to effectively communicate our wishes to him so he can carry out his work with the grace and freedom he has when running loose. Often problems occur because the horse does not understand what is being asked and the rider, in failing to recognise this, adds to the confusion. We cannot underestimate the impact our frame of mind has on the horse so, at each moment, we need to be aware of the message we are communicating to the horse, whether we intend to or not.
Energy
To have harmony between the horse and rider we need to have a constant flow of energy through both. The energy (impulsion) we create with our leg aids must be allowed to flow in an uninterrupted circle, any blocks will deaden the energy and limit the effectiveness of the aids. Unless there is a physical problem with the horse, which can be confirmed by the vet, resistances are usually caused by the rider blocking, either by physical stiffness, incorrect breathing & posture or emotional turmoil. All inter-related, they can interfere with the energy flow meaning we cannot create the impulsion we need for the horse to go correctly. Remember your posture when walking is your posture on the horse so it is useful to feel how supple and fluid our movements are on the ground as we carry this through to our riding.
Balance
Rebalancing the horse is an important and on going part of his education which will allow him to carry the rider with comfort and elegance. With a correct gymnastic training we can even improve on nature as we move the balance off the forehand freeing it to create more expression. The more balanced we are in our own bodies the more we can keep in balance with the horse while riding, which in turn makes his job of carrying us much easier. All work we do with the horse will be easier if we are strictly consistent and fair, balanced in our character and take responsibility for our actions.
Lightness
Without lightness we seriously limit the possibilities of the horse. Everything should be as effortless as possible so with the softest of aids the horse will happily work without constant interference from the rider. His mouth must be mobile and the reins activated by a light contact so the impulsion (energy) created by the legs can complete the circle through the reins and seat to the hind quarters of the horse . If the jaw is set that energy will stop there making him heavy in the hand and stiff in the back. This will cause problems as soon as the more difficult movements are asked for. There is a huge range of bits and gadgets on the market claiming to control and position the horse but if the hands that hold the reins are not light and responsive it is to no avail. Mostly, we need to pay more attention to the give part of the basic principal of push, take and give. The horse will always thank us for letting go and lightening up.