MSL- Equine

MSL- Equine BHS accredited coach with 28 years experience working with horses. specialise in symmetry/correction I am a certified equine ergonomist through Saddlefit4life.

BHS accredited coach who also specializes in symmetry corrective work (straightening), primarily using the klaus Schoneich technique. I am an independent saddle fitter, working with equine biomechanics in order to bring a holistic and non biased approach, aiding equine welfare and client/owner knowledge. Over 28 yrs experience with horses. Recommended through Vets, Chiropractors, Physios and other equine body workers

02/07/2025

Regarding my recent post for high viz.
thank you to all who have replied, the response has been huge.
My post has been raised as a favour due to all horses and their riders safety being so important.
I have fed back the interest to my pilot neighbour and he is going to get their equestrian affairs coordinator to speak to me so that we can get back to you all.
Thank you for your interest and also your patience, we will be back to you soon.
Due to GDPR you need to know that I have a full time job, so enquiries will be passed onto someone within the MOD who has the role of looking after horse and rider safety. Thank you.

FREE high viz for horse riding centres and yards.Did you know that wearing high viz isn’t just about riding on the roads...
30/06/2025

FREE high viz for horse riding centres and yards.
Did you know that wearing high viz isn’t just about riding on the roads and dark nights but it’s also for being seen by aircraft 🚁 too.
Flight commanders often do their military practicing following roads or over large expanses of land or woodland and wearing high viz can mean a change of direction for their flying so not to alarm horses.
Safety is a priority and the BHS and MOD have come together to bring more awareness and a better understanding about being seen. If your yard is interested in receiving free tabards, mesh 1/4 sheets and hat bands in order to keep riders safe you can find out more by private messaging me where I will pass your details back via an army commander pilot who is working hard to create more awareness.
Please share my post and I shall be getting more information soon.

So saddle fit is my area of knowledge however having worked alongside a great bit and bridle fitter I was lucky enough t...
13/05/2025

So saddle fit is my area of knowledge however having worked alongside a great bit and bridle fitter I was lucky enough to learn that we have to unlearn things that we have presumed are good/correct……. Bitting is definitely an area we can improve horse welfare in, by just allowing an expert to fit a bit to the shape and confirmation (not just width and height which we also often get wrong without today’s knowledge) of your horse’s mouth.
Always get a fitter who see’s the horse ridden in disciplines you partake. A proper fitting should take as long as a proper saddle fit.

I totally agree with Jec Aristotle Ballou, and have practiced my straightness technique and in hand work over the years ...
01/05/2025

I totally agree with Jec Aristotle Ballou, and have practiced my straightness technique and in hand work over the years using various brands. Working from the centre of the horse helps to actually create straightness without resistance or falling behind the vertical.
Once your horses can maintain balance throughout its transitions whilst being lunged with a cavesson I have normally felt improved balance and elastic contact when riding.

I wrote a blog post all about why I recommend a longe cavesson—and why it’s one of the most overlooked but important tools for groundwork.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a cavesson different (or better) than a halter or bridle for longeing, this breaks it down.

✅ Clearer communication
✅ Proper alignment
✅ Better biomechanics

This is one of those small changes that can make a big difference for your horse.

💻 Read the full post — link is in the comments!

This post backs is yet another example of a horse just trying to communicate. I have every respect for those who listen,...
17/04/2025

This post backs is yet another example of a horse just trying to communicate. I have every respect for those who listen, and try to spread the message to be a proper horse person….. watch, feel and listen!

I totally agree with this. Too many people have got used to believing everything comes from have a horse on the bit…. Bu...
09/02/2025

I totally agree with this. Too many people have got used to believing everything comes from have a horse on the bit…. But if forced and not part of the horse’s natural rounding and softening from correct riding and being physically able to carry itself, then horse rider harmony is never going to be achieved.

🐴 Why Mindset Matters in Equestrian Coaching 🧠

Last night, as part of my continuing professional development, I attended the virtual Pony Club Conference. This year’s theme was The Fundamentals of Pony Club Coaching, and the speakers were incredibly knowledgeable, reinforcing the responsibility we have as coaches to educate the next generation of equestrians—always with horse welfare at the heart of everything we do ❤️.

It’s no secret that the equestrian industry is under increasing scrutiny when it comes to horse welfare. And rightly so. This should always be our priority. But with the sector now facing more external pressure than ever, the spotlight on how we train and educate riders has never been brighter. 🔦

A key takeaway from the conference was the need to look forward—to educate based on progress, not tradition. Pippa Funnell was particularly passionate about this, making it clear that too often, fundamental riding principles are missing. Watching her speak, it was obvious how strongly she felt about this, and I completely agree—it’s still a major issue in some areas of coaching.

She drove home the point that if we want to be empathetic, effective riders, we must master the basics—correct balance, core stability, and an understanding of the scales of training. 📏 She repeated, again and again, that true connection comes from the leg to the hand—not the other way around. Yet, how many times have you heard instructions like "jiggle the bit," "fiddle the bit," or "flex the jaw"? 🤔 I know I’ve heard them plenty of times around warm-up arenas! But nowhere in the FEI definition of contact does that appear—so I applaud her for making this a sticking point. 👏

Another key discussion was around teaching young riders to understand the horse’s mind—how they think, behave, and how trust is built. 🐎💭 All vital topics. But there was one crucial element missing…

💡 The rider’s mindset.

You can have all the technical skills, all the correct theory, but if a rider’s mindset isn’t in the right place, everything falls apart.

When we are stressed, overwhelmed, doubting ourselves, or fearful, it doesn’t just stay in our heads—it manifests physically. A tense mind creates a rigid body—tight shoulders, stiff arms, gripping legs. That elastic contact Pippa talked about? Gone—because tension has taken over. ❌ Fear prevents a rider from relaxing their arm, allowing the horse the freedom to open their neck over a jump (if they haven’t forgotten the course first! 😬). A lack of confidence creates hesitation, leading to inconsistent aids that confuse the horse. Frustration—whether from perceived failure, comparison, or self-doubt—can result in less sympathetic riding, despite our best intentions.

And this is why I trained as a mindset coach. 🌟

Over years of coaching, I saw these patterns time and time again. Riders want to do their best for their horses, but without addressing their own mental barriers, they will always struggle to deliver what they’re truly capable of.

Yes, riders need correct balance. ✅ Yes, they need the technical skills and the theory. 📚 But if their mindset isn’t working for them—if stress, fear, or frustration are in the way—then like a house of cards 🃏, everything will collapse.

If we truly care about riding in a way that puts the horse first, then we must also prioritise the rider’s mindset. Because when we do, everything else falls into place. 🤍🐎

💭 It would be fantastic to see this element included in next year’s conference. Horse welfare is paramount, and understanding how a rider’s mindset influences their body, their aids, and ultimately their horse’s way of going could make an incredible impact—not just for the rider, but for their horse too. 🙌

I have preached this so many times during my day to day saddle fitting and teaching days. You can stimulate your youngst...
08/02/2025

I have preached this so many times during my day to day saddle fitting and teaching days.
You can stimulate your youngsters brain and teach them many things to get them to a physically stronger place. Building a positive and trusting relationship will also help you determine when something is wrong with your equine partner.

31/12/2024

Reminiscing (born 1964)🐴 (updating as I remember more)
The photo is one of very few I have of me at Pennoak Riding School, Hammersley Lane, Penn when I was a teenager teaching (13-19) for my Mum to earn to compete once a fortnight.
Trained at Fulmer, Porlock, Radnage House, Wellington and with Kate Hamilton FBHS, I (and all the other instructors - a very fond mention here for the oh so kind and smiling Maddie Mackenzie-Wallace who went on to make the Grove in Wycombe her home, Corinne, Penny, Sally, Pauline and ? please send me your name if I’ve forgotten you?) was always kitted out in a hat (still have that one), hairnet, BHS tie (David competes in that still - it's on loan) boots, V neck, often corded breeches and Harry Hall quilt, waxed or "dead sheep" jacket depending on conditions.
But the “arena” (we had 3 in various places as often had three lessons going on at once) was mud, bedding or dust depending on the weather and one was on quite the slope.
“Leading file in succession forward to working trot to the rear of the ride” instruction not coaching.
Noakes was our farrier, Ned Boldero from Bellingdon End Farm delivered our feed, and Bob Baskerville, Terry Horgan and David Long were our revered vets in succession.
A great trip out would involve a visit to a tackshop eg Cox in Chesham or saddlers Kay Humphries in Beaconsfield (is this where my passion for leather started?) and I still remember being measured for my first proper made to measure boots - yes, I still have those too.
The few horses and mostly ponies were out 24/7 Monday to Thursday and then in to work harder at the weekends.
I taught many actors and actresses, who had lied on their CVs, to ride.
Ponies could be ridden without saddles and thatched with straw. When Mum left the yard some of us would often grab our favourites (mine was Jacob) in headcollars and race round the "cross country" course we had built in the woodland between the property and the housing estate where we lived, no saddles or hats because we were fearless. She pretended not to know.
Stables were mostly deep litter but thrush was unknown.
Some bits were undeniably grim - creosoting fencing and stables, reproofing green New Zealand rugs, trotting in liquid mud trenches the shape of an arena, wood shavings were bagged and collected from factories in Wycombe, worm ridden ponies were bought to be produced from Reading or Southall markets, equine births and deaths were matter of fact, the wonderful jumpers I bought on for local dealers, breeders, owners and producers - Maureen ?? from Stadhampton and Kim Barzilay in particular come to mind - were always sold just after I fell in love with them, and, if you got kicked, bitten or fell off you were asked what you did wrong. Chilblains on feet, hands, ears and thighs.
Beefbug*er sandwiches, cake and tea or pop was our fuel. We often ate it with our wellie booted feet ankle deep in the muckheap.
Yards concrete and rough, stables differing sizes and variable homemade construction, tack snaffles, cavessons, quilted pads and GP saddles, and ponies hot strapped were immaculate.
We lusted after the height of sophistication that was the Clarendon sheepskin boot for the horse but never got them.
Thieves were shown the door immediately.
I remember the first Spillers Pony Nuts.
I loved and hated the weekly barley and linseed preparation. Bran mashes and epsom salts, sometimes with black treacle, were Mondays.
We had a chaff cutter. If you got cold you took a turn on that or went onto the muckheap to stomp the layers flat.
I lost the top of my finger to the hind shoe of my horse when my Aunt drove the tractor into the front of my horses stable as I was mucking out. Mucking out was done with skip and hands (gloves were optional) to save on bedding.
I drove tractors, fenced and laid concrete with my parents, rode before school and taught after school and did every piece of homework set (bar the needlework) by my grammar school (Lady Verney High, Wycombe) passing all my exams (bar the needlework). I was denied my horses and any interaction on the yard for 6 weeks before those exams and accepted (I think) the sense of it.
I was going to stay on for A levels with the intention of training as an English teacher. However, one day I was hauled over the coals by my Headmistress for appalling results and insubordination. I let her finish and politely asked which “Dawn” she thought I was. A half hearted apology ensued but sadly it was negated by her turning over my file, opening it, and proclaiming that working with horses (my plan B ) would be a terrible waste of a very good brain. I left her study determined to prove her wrong and I know I’ve done far more good and had infinitely more fun than I would have had in any classroom.
I did not have the best of times at Pony Club, though apart from being called a cheat because my ponies were so fast, I don’t really remember why. Hunter trials at Gravelly Way (pairs "dressing" was the best fun) and shows at Hughenden Manor were highlights though.
Our riding school provided an entertainment in the main ring along with pony rides at the Penn Village Fete for several years. I remember half passing Puff to the Blue Danube.
I won countless “Best Rider” and show jumping classes and won at County show pony, riding horse and working hunter. I trained our homebred 14.3 stallion Scotch Gunner and competed at PSG on grass.
I remember the wonder and terror of sharing the brand new indoor arena at Addington with its fearsome lady owner, the Countess of Inchcape and she was not impressed when I held my line and made her go left to left when she thought I should give way.
I started National eventing at Novice through Intermediate and fell spectacularly at a Midland Bank (major sponsors) when I got bolted with and my horse chested it. I flew the fence on top I think and we both got up to complete. I got Capricorn IV (aka Puff, the Magic Dragon - bought from Charlotte Steele in Askett) fit by hacking for hours and hours. Looking back she was far too fit! Ditch jumping all the way along the side of the A404 to Amersham and Wycombe (there was so much less traffic then and policemen who saw me used to laugh and give me a thumbs up), popping the odd central reservations and numerous hunt fences in and out of woodlands and schooling on all the Commons in between (better ground than at home) would have had a lot to do with that but all my mounts could have gone round again when they got back from cross country.
I evented at Tidworth, Tetsworth, Great Missenden, Little Mattingley, Wellington, and a phenomenal place beginning with G? that had a big brick wall with a long fountain waterfall out the top that stopped many.
I groomed for Ann Quinn, Chris (can’t remember his name and it’s so bugging me but he had the big event yard to the left of the road from Chesham to Dunsmore Farm where the horse trials was?) - thanks to those who told me his name is Collins, Charlotte Steele and Andrew Nicholson when he was at Charlottes and others. I used to ride and lead for the latter at least, wouldn’t fancy doing that round Askett and Princes Risborough now.
I still have oil drums to jump though I gave up purple spray. I can poultice in my sleep. I could still make a haynet out of baler twine though I feed steamed from the floor.
I regret I can no longer throw hay bales about with gay abandon. My hands hurt because I did for so long.
I’ve seen every accident, injury and illness and wish more people would ask for help to avoid them. I used to poke my nose in when not paid but had it smashed so often I now only do it in cases of abuse. Then I fight for those who can’t.
Sweat rugs had big mesh, rugs were held on with rollers with big pads of foam underneath and old quilts off clients beds were always welcome layers. I remember smart coolers and crossover surcingles coming in.
I met my husband by hacking the bridlepath through Town Farm where he lived.
I've no idea of the year but I fell in love with dressage when I watched a very late Jennie Loriston-Clarke canter down Goodwood Hill on Dutch Courage I think to the arena, working her tempi changes, to enter and win.
Stallions earned their livings by escorting hacks and giving advanced lessons, beer was drunk by horses too on pub rides and children rode breakers, gripped with their knees so leaves wouldn't fly out, and worked on yard and led riders from 7am till lights out, earning points for rides. Back marker on a hack was an important job.
I’m still in touch with a number of those children, including two who were Saturday and Sunday yard “leaders” aka managers. I’ve coached many of their children in and out of Pony Club and when we get together we remember Puff, Tika, Damask, Rebecca and her son Gunner, Georgina, Cleo, Bluey, Chloe, Memphis, Snoopy, Cracker, Treacle, Scraper, Mouse, Jacob ridden in a Kimblewick and neck strap who could drop a shoulder so fast, and many others.
A lesson was £2.95 and two hour hack £5.65 I think.
I can close my eyes and see every inch of the yard, and Monica Bainbridges Sheepcote Dell Road, Beamond End, where I began my childhood obsession aged 8 and rode and handled stallions doing their job (Welsh Stud), and smell the tackrooms with glycerine soap, and know I was so very, very lucky to have such a carefree horsey childhood.

Thank you for everything Mum (Sue Chambers) and Dad x

“How much would I give to go back to :.

🩷 THE GOOD OLD DAYS 🩷

Riding your ponies bare back in from the fields. Without a hat.

Putting up a ‘Riding is at Your Own Risk’ sign and that sufficed.

Being dropped off at the yard first thing in the morning and not being picked up until the evening.

Only having a handful of feed options and ‘supplements’ consisted of vegetable oil, salt or garlic.

You filled your livery spaces with postcard sized signs in the local tack shop.

Livery contracts were just a vague verbal agreement.

Horses only had two rugs- a stable rug and a turnout rug. Maybe a string cooler if they were lucky.

The dedicated kids with ponies who had to catch two buses after school just to get to the yard.

Liveries had to speak to yard owners in person or ring the landline at reasonable hours.

The sum total of biosecurity was worming your horse.

Everyone wore Harry Hall jodhpurs bought from the local tack store.

Unsupervised child labour was totally acceptable and everyone mucked in.

The Robinsons catalogue was every horse owners version of Argos.

People just loved spending time with their horses.

The local farmers would be happy for you to gallop in their stubble fields once the crop was cut.

Lunch on the yard was a cup-a-soup or a pot noodle in the grubby tea room.

The kids would take over the arena at the weekend playing chase-me-charlie or gymkhana games.

If you have your horse it’s feed or water in a Tub Trug you were cutting edge.

Bedding options were straw or shavings.

Oil drums for jumps were the norm. Jump wings were for the professionals.

Our version of social media was writing on the white board.

Most horse owners generally only had a saddle, bridle and grooming kit on the yard.

Everything could be fixed with a poultice or purple spray.

If you fell off, you got up, dusted yourself off and got back on.

You could ride out or be at the yard for hours without needing to worry about your mobile signal.

- 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘵”

What are your favourite childhood/teenage horsey memories?

29/11/2024

WARM YOUR HORSE'S DRINKING WATER IN VERY COLD WEATHER 🐴💦

Doing this can encourage them to drink enough when it gets very cold.

Many horses won't drink enough when water gets icy cold, causing dehydration and an increased risk of impaction colic, especially in stabled horses fed hay.

So adding a kettle of boiling water into your horse's water bucket is not 'pampering' them, but could support good hydration and reduce the risk of colic!

Feel free to share 🐴🍏

Looks a good read…. Nice to see his horses aren’t started too early unlike so many.
03/11/2024

Looks a good read…. Nice to see his horses aren’t started too early unlike so many.

30/10/2024

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