So I dusted off my white stilettos and headed back to my roots down in sunny Essex to work with a problem loader with an extensive and impressive list of misdemeanours and hell nos to her name. Previous visits by other trainers hadnt been succesful at all, so I was really looking forward to the challenge of working with the fabulously named 'Slinky' I created a small safe space to work in with panels to begin with and some shaping walking across the ramp, giving Slinky a clear solution to what was being asked. Once we had her walking through nice and positively, I could then teach her to come off the pressure of the line and everything just fell into place. Reading what a horse needs and what method to apply and when is vital part of horsemanship. Well done Slinky!!
HUGE THANKYOU TO EVERYONE THAT RECOMENDS ME, THERE ARE LOTS OF GREAT HORSE TRAINERS OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE CAN USE SO I ALWAYS REALLY APPRECIATE THE MENTIONS.
CAallie following the line even away from the tempting grass!
Callie the pony from Friday was at the farm this evening for some practice away from home, Paige her young owner doing a super job with the confident leading.
Last week was a very busy week, starting with teaching over last weekend with a super group of students and then adjudicating on exams, at E-quine.com for their students completing their 3.5 year study. We have some smashing horses in for work at moment which the girls have been cracking on with, the gorgeous Ravina ( black sensitive filly in some previous videos) was out hacking prior to going home for a well earned break, we had 3 new arrivals and a couple of horses came to practice loading away from home (a free service we offer to all horses we work with prior).and finished the week with a home visit to this gorgeous little pony called Callie to help with her loading issues. Callie was certainly sassy but lots of fun to work with!!
Loading practice for Leroy today, away from his home. For all the horses that I work with in their own environment, I offer this service of a chance to practice away from home, under supervision free of charge, to use whenever. Its a great way to encourage an owner practicing both loading and journeys and gives an owner piece of mind that when they get somewhere different with their horse, with all the distractions they know they can cope, so really building the confidence in both horse and owner. Leroy was a star!
Yesterdays loader was a super sweet boy, he was a little over dramatic to begin with, just frustrated I think on not understanding there was room for him on the box, but he really turned a corner. Thankyou Jezza and Charlotte for letting me be a small part of your journey. Always great when owners send you next day videos!!
So today was first canter day for Ravina, the beautiful, sensitive filly from last weeks video....
Making sure before going to canter the first time that they are really opened out in the trot is really important to avoid any bucking. Each horse is different and we dont always do first canter in the pen, sometimes we just let them fall into it uphill on a hack as its more natural, but with Ravina being sensitive we made decision for her that she needed a pen canter to begin with.
#horses #coltstarting
Same horse, same session, growing in confidence.
Check out these couple of little videos of the girls helping a very sensitive filly through her first time trotting under rider.. Great work from Loes and Daphne and super to see the beautiful Ravina growing in confidence. Knowing when to push a little and apply pressure with energy and when to release that is vital learning....
I dont tend to post too much these days, often life gets in the way and im not one for blowing my own trumpet too often! There are lots of good trainers out there, but after a busy week, full with lots of super successes with some wonderful horses, ably assisted by Loes and Daphne, I thought id share these nice words from this afternoon's loading problem owner.
Grant came and worked with me and my boy today. Last year we had loads of loading issues, September he needed to be boxed to the vets for an operation and after 5 hours of getting nowhere, we ended up sedating him and lifting one hoof after the other . Stressful is an understatement, and I’m sure as much for him as me. We had “hard no” two days later when it was time to come home, this time the vet sedated him after about 20 minutes so not quite as stressful but not the answer for ongoing loading . Since then I’ve not tried and have felt very defeated and hopes of going on adventures with my pony, nowhere in sight.
Well after about 40 minutes spent with Grant, I now have a different pony…………
Enjoy your weekend folks, the sun is shining for once this summer. I might have earned a Henry Westons! ☺️
Looking for demo Horses for Cotswold show this next weekend, Saturday 6th, Sunday 7th July Cirencester GL7 2BU. Any behavioural problems considered or just a nice youngster or something that needs some desensitisation work or is very slow to load. Must have own transport to get there. Please call Grant on 07548374289 or pm me here. Thanks in advance.
Its always great to read kind words and play small part in peoples success stories.
"Had the best day out with my little boy yesterday and I can only thank you for helping us with our loading issues! We’ve been practising loads and you literally made the world of difference to him. So thank you!"
