Whitesands Equestrian

16/05/2025

Side by side they lay to rest
One serene
The other a mess

23/01/2025

12/11/2024

My friend Mal has come for a week of training with her handsome PRE Ragnar. And what a week to pick.

With such beautiful weather we had to make time for some fun at the beach too 🐎

If you fancy coming for a block of concentrated training get in touch. I have a lot of positive feedback about it- it’s fun, horse friendly and gives you plenty to work on at home.
We have guest boxes and turnout, and there is accommodation in nearby Dunbar.

13/08/2024

I am looking for someone to work a couple of mornings a week on the yard.
Mostly poo picking, feeds, mucking out, and other general yard work.
I would consider a working pupil arrangement if you have a horse and are interested in learning Légèreté. I have no accommodation on site though so you would need to be local.
Driver’s license preferred as you will be driving an ATV.
Must be calm and confident around horses.
We are a quiet and holistic yard with a natural approach to keeping horses. If you think you might be interested in the position - paid or working livery- please get in touch.

Thanks x

22/05/2024

Jade and Ultimo.

This week we have been working on Ultimo’s ‘lift ‘.
Demi arrets to raise the neck help a lot, but with him we never had the feeling that he was 100 percent light nor accepting poll flexion with a lively mouth. He would regularly try to drop the base of the neck and open his poll.

Today we experimented with the effet d’ensemble. With a very targeted and precise action of the spur at the girth it is possible to stimulate lift of the ribcage, almost rounding the horse’s back. In Ultimo’s case we used it to help with poll flexion and release of the lower jaw, but it can also help neck extension.

The lift in front hugely heloed his posture, giving him stability and cadence in the trot. We also had the added benefit of an improved walk rhythm, the effet d’ensemble curbing his tendency to lateralise.

Légèreté in the mist!

21/05/2024

Patz Carlow and Connie

Day 2 of a 3 day course. I always think we need 3 days for things to really sink in. Here is Connie , who is an Irish Draught with a tendency to be strong and fast, her back legs pushing out behind her.

Patsy is learning how to rebalance and consequently slow her down, lifting her neck and flexing her poll to give that exquisite feeling of lively lightness in the hand, and a shift of balance towards the haunches. In this position Connie can manage her momentum instead of feeling a bit on the forehead and out of control. It is after all important for a horse to feel we have control of them- the real trick is having control in a decent of the aids. The rider must have excellent timing, good balance and a very thorough understanding of the “mise en main” (bringing in hand).

We all know how difficult it is to ride like this, but wow is the journey worth the effort!

Lovely work today Patsy.