Harmony Stables

Harmony Stables Harmony Stables offers own-a-pony sessions, pony parties, pony days for our retrained/rehab ponies

https://www.harmonystablescic.com
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Saturday Dressage at Maelor Equestrian Centre summaryBetter late than never! So we finally got a few of our ponies/horse...
18/11/2024

Saturday Dressage at Maelor Equestrian Centre summary

Better late than never! So we finally got a few of our ponies/horses out to a dressage this year, it was a very successful day

We had to brave the weather especially in the morning but everyone managed as well as we could and all of the horses behaved very well. All horses came back having achieved rosettes, well done to Poppy Ames for get 1st in both Junior intro and prelim on Casey, along with Olivia Malone for winning your junior intro also on Zeus. Well done to Mia Peacock on Dolly and Seren Sewell on Luna for completing and placing in your intro tests. Also well done to Mia for completing your first event! Well done to Elinor Taylor on your boy, Jammy, for completing and placing in your Intro and Prelims, taking him to his first ever dressage tests and giving him a positive experience.

Deena rode Dolly in Intro 4 and turned out a very positive mark for Dolly (this was also Dolly’s first dressage tests (to my knowledge anyway (I know she definitely hasn’t done dressage in over 4 years anyway!))
Zeus did a good Prelim test and I quote “was rather jolly in the canter”…. Well we are going for happy, healthy, well rounded ponies and horses. They definitely don’t do the job for their riders and trust me, every individual had their own lessons during the outing on Saturday as well as overcoming their own obstacles. I know full well Jammy and Luna had a very joyful bronk in the warmup, feeling very well in themselves indeed! But every rider throughout remained in control and caring towards their ponies, demonstrating our values at Harmony Stables. Ride the horse you have on the day the best you can! We are very very proud of our horses and riders.

Well done Harmony Stables Team, let’s keep moving! And let our family grow bigger and better every year 💞

18/11/2024

"Advanced training is just the basics done really well." - Ken Ramirez
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"Training often fails because people expect way too much of the animal and way too little of themselves." - Bob Bailey
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"Please just do your homework." - Fred

16/11/2024

Cobs: the equestrian version of a Swiss Army knife! Strong reliable and will turn their hoof to anything!! Cobs you’re the best 🥰

14/11/2024

Hi all, due to cancellation we have a slot opened up for tonight, suitable for someone who can fit 13-14hh pony, own a pony from 4pm or group lesson at 5pm
Please message to book

12/11/2024
Due to cancellation we have a slot for own a pony session tomorrow (tues 12th) from 4pm, group lesson at 4:45, please me...
11/11/2024

Due to cancellation we have a slot for own a pony session tomorrow (tues 12th) from 4pm, group lesson at 4:45, please message to book

🎄🎁 Get Festive with Harmony Stables! 🎁🎄This Christmas, give a gift that gives back! Support our 18 incredible ponies/hor...
10/11/2024

🎄🎁 Get Festive with Harmony Stables! 🎁🎄

This Christmas, give a gift that gives back! Support our 18 incredible ponies/horses by purchasing from our holiday collection:

✨ 2024 Harmony Stables Calendars – Filled with beautiful moments of our horses!

🎫 Gift Vouchers – Perfect for riding lessons, "Own a Pony" sessions, Pony Days (including our Xmas Pony day Special on the 21st), or a unique equine therapy experience.

❤️ Sponsor a Pony – Directly contribute to a pony’s care and get updates about your sponsored friend! (please note that calendars are included in certain sponsor packages)

👕 Merchandise from Rural Panda – Show your support with tees, hoodies & more! https://theruralpanda.co.uk/product-category/harmony-stables/

🐴Booking onto Own a pony sessions and our monthly Pony Days

🌟 Every purchase helps cover our ponies' essential routine care! 🌟 this includes veterinary care, physio, rehabilitation/retraining programmes, dentist, tack fitting services as well as reiki treatment

Visit our page or message us to order & make a difference this holiday season!

Hi all, we have availability tomorrow (Saturday 8th) for:Tiny tots 1/2 hr session at 10amOwn a pony session from 10am or...
08/11/2024

Hi all, we have availability tomorrow (Saturday 8th) for:
Tiny tots 1/2 hr session at 10am

Own a pony session from 10am or group lesson at 11am

adult/taller teenager private lesson

Please message to book

07/11/2024

So that’s no stirrups tonight out the window! How are we meant to plan for these things when they’re this close!

Thank you so much to everyone who booked onto our Halloween sessions today! These are a few photos by a few of our volun...
31/10/2024

Thank you so much to everyone who booked onto our Halloween sessions today!
These are a few photos by a few of our volunteers on their first attempts so the camera settings weren't quite right but still hope that they capture some good memories. Hope everyone has had a Happy Halloween 🎃

November Dates:Sat 2nd Nov - Private lessons available or Own a pony from 1pmSun 3rd Nov - Own a pony from 10am or group...
30/10/2024

November Dates:

Sat 2nd Nov - Private lessons available or Own a pony from 1pm
Sun 3rd Nov - Own a pony from 10am or group lesson at 11am

Tues 5th Nov - Own a pony from 4pm or group lesson at 4:45
Thurs 6th Nov - Own a pony from 4pm or group lesson at 5pm
Fri 8th Nov - Group lesson at 4:45
Sat 9th Nov - Own a pony from 10am or 1pm, Group lesson at 11am or 2pm
Sun 10th Nov - Own a pony from 10am or group lesson at 11am

Tues 12th Nov - Own a pony from 4pm or group lesson at 4:45
Thurs 14th Nov - Own a pony from 4pm or group lesson at 5pm
Sat 16th Nov - We're away at Dressage this day, when we know what times come through then we should be able to offer afternoon sessions
Sun 17th Nov - Own a pony from 10am or group lesson 11am

Tues 19th Nov - Own a pony from 4pm or group lesson at 4:45
Thurs 21st Nov - Own a pony from 4pm or group lesson at 5pm
Fri 22nd Nov - Group lesson at 4:45
Sat 23rd Nov - Own a pony from 10am or 1pm, Group lesson at 11am or 2pm
Sun 24th Nov - Own a pony from 10am or group lesson at 11am

Tues 19th Nov - Own a pony from 4pm or group lesson at 4:45
Thurs 21st Nov - Own a pony from 4pm or group lesson at 5pm
Sat 30th Nov - NOVEMBER PONY DAY from 9am
Sun 1st Dec - Own a pony from 10am or group lesson at 11am

Limited Private lessons can be dotted around these sessions so please let us know if there are any of these days where you'd like to book one however, Sundays are very limited for private lessons.

Please remember that prepayment and 3 day cancellation policy applies for all bookings on a first come first serve basis.

Please check out our website for our price list and a list of our services

Please message to book on or WhatsApp 07734356065
Photo credit :Bee_SnapHappy

Another few photos from the Halloween Pony Day by Bee_SnapHappy
28/10/2024

Another few photos from the Halloween Pony Day by Bee_SnapHappy

Thank you to Bee_SnapHappy for being our 2024 Halloween Pony Day photographer, absolutely gorgeous 💖🎃🐴
28/10/2024

Thank you to Bee_SnapHappy for being our 2024 Halloween Pony Day photographer, absolutely gorgeous 💖🎃🐴

27/10/2024

Dominance theory was a terrible mistake, that even the scientist who cataloged it, regrets doing. The deep level of misunderstanding that happened based on inappropriate studies just spiraled out of control into a culturally accepted excuse to train and work with animals with force and punishment.

Dominance theory was the idea that animals, horses included, have a linear dominance and set roles within the herd. The idea that there is a set leader, a decision maker, who controls the other horses' behaviors through threats and the other horses love this horse as their leader. The idea that horses have a linear set hierarchy that determines who's in charge and only changes if overthrown by someone stronger. These deeply flawed ideas have lead people to believe that they can be the leader horse by mimicking equine behavior, they misunderstood, justifying their use of forceful physical control and punishment to train behavior. All under the idea of being a "good leader".

The thing is, science is constantly growing and self-correcting. As we spend more time actually studying horses in various scenarios and environments, and each species individually, their family units, their herds, packs, groups, etc... We have learned this concept of dominance is wildly inaccurate and deeply unhealthy, only seen in extreme, inappropriate environments (like old overpacked zoos with many unrelated animals, as the original studies were based on).

What's really going on then? What is Dominance really? Do we need to be dominant?

Horse herds really work in a much more fluid and dynamic manner, it's not a linear hierarchy. Horses make decisions based on need, if someone has a need, they satisfy that need, the other horses stay with them out of social bonds and safety in numbers. A secure, confident horse will be more likely to make decisions that lead away from the group, while insecure, nervous horses might be less likely to make decisions, sticking more closely to the center of the herd. This isn't leadership or dominance, just confidence, in themselves and their world. This changes constantly. A confident horse may be more clingy and insecure if they have a pain problem, if they're pregnant, or if they're sick. This dynamic is constantly flowing. Who makes the decision, is up to how much the individual wants something. Who stays or goes in the herd is based on social bonds, friendships, familial relationships, and resource needs.

What was frequently mistaken as "dominance" was actually determined roles of priority access to resources. If a resource is limited, the herd knows who has first access, usually the bully. This varies by resource, my sweet itch mare has priority access to the shelter, while she doesn't care about defending food resources. She may shove everyone out of her way for shelter from bugs, but someone else may shove her out of the way for food. A group of 2 might pair up to move off a single horse who would typically move either of them individually. This access to resources is determined with little squabbles, but usually is limited to just some body language threatening gestures. It would be unhealthy if the herd were to compromise each other in fights over resources, when they have the bigger threat of predators they need to remain safe for. We only see extreme linear resource guarding in domestic settings where resources are limited. If hay is fed in limited supply one horse may always get priority access. If there isn't enough shelter, one horse may not let the others in it. This isn't dominance, but resource guarding. This isn't leadership, but the opposite, a horse who is deeply insecure in their resources, in their safety, violently defending themselves. If one horse resource guards excessively, most of the other horses avoid them, ignore them, don't want to groom with them, and don't want to risk dealing with them. They're like a human child bully, so insecure in themselves they act out against everyone else to try to soothe their need.

Ethology has also shown that horses do not think humans are horses. Even if we mimic their body language, they do not equate us as horses. We don't have a place in their access to resources, because we aren't sharing their resources. We are their PROVIDERS. We are the ones giving them their resources, it's our job to understand herd dynamics and ensure our horses have adequate resources in appropriate ways so there is no need to fighting, insecurity, or herd stress. It's not our job to challenge our horses for access to the very resources we are giving them! We are their caretakers.

Dominance and access to resources has nothing to do with training, only knowing how to provide care and management without creating unhealthy or dangerous equine interactions.

Training should be done with a compassionate understanding of behavioral science and how to apply positive reinforcement. It has nothing to do with herd dynamics or dominance, or even strong leadership, but rather clear communication, compassionate care and gentle behavior training.

Additional resources
https://www.awla.org/uncategorized/alpha-dogs-dominance-theory-fact-or-fiction/

https://www.clickertraining.com/node/2297

https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/dominance-when-an-outdated-theory-wont-go-away

https://news.asu.edu/20210805-discoveries-myth-alpha-dog

https://journal.iaabcfoundation.org/horse-dominance-1-28/

https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/dominance-leadership

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/debunking-the-alpha-dog-theory/

https://positively.com/dog-training/article/ethology-why-pack-theory-is-wrong

https://www.rover.com/blog/alpha-dog-meaning/?msockid=323ef8c5489068da23bbeaa549916988

https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/dominance-when-an-outdated-theory-wont-go-away

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Buckley
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