Leah Dowson Performance Horses

16/07/2024

Currently out of the office and in Exmouth. I'll get back to everyone next week. ❤️

04/07/2024

Exposure, Exposure, Exposure.
Quiet horses aren't made by sitting in a paddock.

03/07/2024

💰Saving money at the breakers by doing some of the work yourself.

We all want to save some money right? ...but are you really?

Many times a horse will come in for starting that's already had a saddle on. While this can be a positive it can also be a huge negative if you've used the old saddle in the back of your shed. They'll mention some crow hopping before the horse settled down and was "fine with it".
You don't want to mark up your good saddle right?

This is where a lot of it goes wrong.
Saddles need to fit from the very beginning. You want the horse to feel as comfortable as possible, so they don't feel the need to act out.

A few months ago I put feelers out for the typical saddles I see used by people without much thought of what they were really putting on a horses back.

Saddle #1🔴 is a little polly stock, I see lots around. I initially thought this one would pass when I picked it up.
Photo 2: the back of the saddle has a hard leather lip that if worn by a horse lacking some top line will dig directly into the spine. It has the potential to do this even with top line if the rider were to put their weight too far back.
Photo 3: Chanel has a clearance is 1 inch. Technology has come a long way and we now know that a horses spine needs more room.
Photo 4 and 5: uneaven panels

Saddle #2🟡 . The trusty old leather AP saddle we all had as kids.
Photo 2: uneaven panels = uneaven pressure on the horses back.
Photo 3: Twisted Tree = a horse who can't move freely on both sides.

Saddle #3🔵. The unbranded old Western.
These saddles typically have a lot going on. This one in particular has a lot to unpack and just like any danoz direct program...just wait there's more!
Photo 2: stiching that connects the tree to the skirt is rotted and falling apart.
Photo 3: old break in the tree that's had a home repair job with newish break next to it. I see this a lot in old westerns!
Photo 4: another break point in the tree. This is where the front rigging(your girth point) attaches.
Photo 5: oops I touched it and it fell off.
Photo 6: this saddle actually kinda looks straight considering.
Photo 7 & 8: ....just kidding. I think this is the most uneaven saddle I've ever come across.

All of these saddles are typical of what i see get put on young horses. All would have caused behavioural issues from the mild tail switch to the spicey 8sec wannabe.

You horses first time with a saddle should be as boring and uneventfully as possible. A happy horse will try hard for you. A horse in discomfort will constantly be looking for a way out.

So when these horses end up in my yards the owner thinks they've done good. But a lot of the time, I need to fix the negative association a horse has with saddles. This then makes the process longer, its harder on the horse and therefore cost the owner more when they were trying to save in the first place. If you don't have a nicely fitting saddle, a roller is just fine if you want to expose your horse to the pressure of a girth.

And before you pick your horse up from the trainers...get your saddle fitter out.
So when you take your new team mate home you're ready to go.

01/07/2024

Just a Monday reminder to be kinder on yourself.

23/06/2024

Cobs, coffee and cake on a sunday.❤️❤️

22/06/2024

Just a leisurely stroll to the local for a quick Saturday arvo drink.

Just a reminder to get your babies out ❤️.

19/06/2024

💰Putting my money where my mouth is. 💵

I'm forever telling clients to get their young horses out to see the world if they want a hope at creating that Bombproof horse everyone keeps searing for. You can't get Bombproof by keeping them in the bubble of your property.

So that's what I'm doing with my own weanling, Raven. On the weekend I took her to her first clinic to test all the work I've done at home. What a little pleasure she turned out to be, even travelling all by herself. Don't let the blue sky's fool you, we got absolutely drenched before these photos were taken.

Get those young horses out !

13/06/2024

I wish equestrian sports were as expensive as ice hockey. 🙃🫥

07/06/2024

The Rocket has come back from lease and looking for her next rider.
This will be a part lease ON PROPERTY in El Cabello

The Rocket is a 14.1 Friesian x Gypsy cob mare. She is well educated with no nasty vices. Lease includes all use of gear, just come and ride. This lease would suit a rider wishing to improve their skills, lessons can be provided. No beginners, intermediate and above. Not a free lease. Price will depend on how many days you'd like to lease.

06/06/2024

One of my favourite pallys came to visit 💛. Nemo has been on holiday for quite some time. He's being brought back into work for his owner.

29/05/2024

23/05/2024

✅️✅️✅️ Bombproof Billy will soon be for sale.
Not much beats a ride out and a stop off for a drink on the way home. 🍺

25/03/2024

Little Billy is also here. He was a carriage horse in the Melbourne CBD. Although broken to saddle he's getting more education to suit his owners needs🖤

25/03/2024

Little Ottar the highland pony arrived last week. Here for ground work and mouthing. This gelding has impressed me so much, he's on a fast road to being the next Olof. ❤️

27/02/2024

🔴Spot has now been filled, thank you. ❤️❤️

⚠️A 2 week training spot has opened up.⚠️
4th to the 18th march. This is open to ground work, inhand training, mouthing, bringing back into work and general training undersaddle.
Pm for more info.

06/02/2024

Lessons at LDPH run Monday to Friday with the very occasional Saturday on property here in El Cabello .
Lessons range from ground work, Ground driving, mouthing, inhand and showmanship, undersaddle and obstacles. All coaching is one on one to ensure you get the most out of your time.
For those worried about reversing a float I have a huge float parking area and zero reversing skills required.

Lesson price for 2024 is $80 per session(between 45min to 1 hour depending on progress).

01/02/2024

Throwback Thursday.
Back to the time I spend my weekends showing for years. It's a rare occurrence these days. Out of all the horses I showed undersaddle, The Minstel and I showed that a Gypsy Cob could have the moves to be in the winners circle time after time. I'll never stop loving the work ethic this stallion displayed ❤️🤍🖤

30/01/2024

🐴A backed horse isn't broken in, but a broken in horse has been backed. What does that mean?🐴

Every horse trainer will have their own definition of what these terms mean. It doesn't necessarily mean they are wrong. So when picking someone to start your horse you need to know how they grade different stages. These are mine...

♦️Broken in. Usually 6 weeks.
Horse stands quietly to be saddled and bridled. Does not fidget at the mounting block and does not walk off the moment you sit in the saddle. Horse can walk trot and canter with decent ballance and tries to be straight through the shoulders. Horse stops off seat cue. Understands leg cues to perform turn on the fore, turn on the hind and the side pass. Trot to halt and halt back to trot. Some horses will manage canter to halt and halt back to canter. They can navigate themselves around obstices safely. Soft responsive mouth and starting to understand flexion and self carriage. Light to leg aids and goes foward with little effort. Horse stands by the mounting block and patiently waits for you to dismount.

♦️Backed.
Horse stands quietly to be saddled and bridled. Does not fidget at the mounting block and does not walk off the moment you sit in the saddle. Horse understands walk on, trot and sometimes canter( this depends on the individual horses circumstances). Horse stops well and may even be stoping off seat aids. Horse willing turns.

♦️Sat on.
Horse has been saddled up and sat on with or with out someone holding.

♦️Mouthed.
Horse willingly takes the bridle. Understands lateral flexion. Horse has been ground driven and understands walk on, turning left and right and halts nicely in the hands. Horse unbridles without throwing head around.

♦️Accepts the bit.
Horse is happy to be bridled and unbridled, can be led around in hand without resistance.

29/01/2024

The beautiful Blyss is back for a tune up. This mare is just magic 🤩. Some extra straightness training for her to keep her balanced.

29/01/2024

Is your bit balanced? 🤷‍♀️
This mainly applies to older cheap bits. But those who rode in the 90s will recognise this style of bit. I still see lots used today. The thick cannons were marketed as a "soft" bit. But I don't think I've ever seen a horse with the room in its mouth to comfortably accommodate this fit. This is a 6inch bit and it was too thick for the Australian Draught horse it came with.

So while the cannons are too thick. This bit is also unbalanced. One cannon is slightly longer than the other. This then causes the join to not sit centred and it applies more pressure to one side. Constantly applying uneaven pressure will eventually result in an unbalanced horse.

28/01/2024

December was such a crazy time that I forgot to post Mr Krowley. A very cute little Drum horse that was here for breaking in. ❤️

26/01/2024

Answer to the previous post:
If you take note at the left cannon on the bit. You'll notice there are multiple marks. This section on the bit should be centred in the horses mouth over a fleshy area. So why are they there, and why just on one side?
Some were correct in saying teeth. But this part of the bit should be no where near them.

This horse was seemingly fine on the left rein. But on the right was unable to flex to the right. That has then over time caused a imbalance in the horses body and slight muscle changes. This horse was unable to pick up her off side shoulder and ride a correct circle. Just constantly counter flexing and dropping the inside shoulder. A few weeks later with straightness training and a different bit, this horse is now moving much more comfortably and happy.

The cause of this was a few things relating to this bit. Photos have been re-enacted using my own horse. The real horse/s in question won't be named in this or any future educational post. Between riding lessons, breakers and educating. People bring me their horse for help. And no one should be made to feel any less for wanting to help their horse and learn.

First the bit is just one hole higher on the near side. Secondly the bit is too big. This is causing a mixed signal to keep left flexion constant. Hence why this horse couldn't comfortably move on the right rein and eventually became "spicy". Because there's a combo of imbalance and being too big, when the rider uses the left rein the center link has too much room to move and slides over on to the near side bar of the horses mouth. Causing instant discomfort and avoidance.

For something so simple, I see this on a regular basis. When was the last time you reflected on your horses movement, attitude and checked your bridle?

25/01/2024

A horses bit can tell you more than you think.
The horse wearing this bit became "spicey".
Can you guess why by looking at this photo?

24/01/2024

Well 2024 is here.
My new years resolution is to post more. Not just updates but some educational to help people to minimise the issues I see most with horses.

Introducing Mr Moose. This boy is on a fitness journey before being offered for sale.

30/12/2023

My last training sessions of 2023 spent at the amazing Cob and Co Stud.
Kelly you should be so proud of what you've achieved so far, it's been a privilege to watch.
❤️🐎

09/11/2023

Please be patient

I will try to get back to everyone who has messaged about booking their horses in.

I'm currently sporting a decent concussion.

❤️

13/10/2023

🔴PART LEASE. With lessons available

The Rocket is available for part lease on property in El Cabello.
Friesian X Gypsy cob mare. 14.1hh.

Looking at part lease while I concentrate a bit more of my time on foal handling at this stage.

Rocket is a delight to ride. No dirty behaviour. She is a very responsive horse with a super light mouth. For this reason alone she will only be leased to a experienced balanced rider

Lease includes use of all gear, with myself covering all usual costs.

This is not a free lease. There will be no option to buy.

10/10/2023

She just keeps getting better❤️
Raven is out of my 75% friesian mare Ebony Park Zaida by the lovely Ebony Park ABE. sire is The Gypsy Cob Du Vallon Dreamers Gold.
Can't thank Kelly Cob and Co Stud enought for helping my dream come true.

06/10/2023

While I specialise in heavy types. I work with all.
Tiny Marley had her first time ground driving today. She's going to be a ripper little harness horse

04/10/2023

Perfect spring day to play with baby cobs at Cob and Co Stud. A visit just isn't complete without saying hi and giving my old team mate "The Minstel" a big cuddle 🥰