Equestrian Training Services

23/06/2024

A soft and focused mind will soften the body.
Some great progress with the mighty Gus. Now the schooling can begin.

Develop the mind first, then the body.

26/05/2024

For your consideration on behalf of owner.

Oberon SA aka Obi
10 years old, PRE, gelding bred in the UK by Star Andalusians PRE Stud

This horse is extra special to me, I was his main carer for the first 6 years of his life. All of his foundation training was done by myself and he has been educated slowly. During this time, he has learned to work at liberty and schools in-hand and on long reins. I backed him in his 5th year so he has had lots of time to mature.
He is great to do in all ways, in and out of the stable. He hacks out alone and in company and he's good in traffic.
Obi is one of the nicest horses you will meet, he loves people and is always keen to learn.
This is a special horse, so a special, confident and knowledgeable person is required.
PMs only

26/05/2024

For your consideration on behalf of owner.

Oberon SA aka Obi
10 years old, PRE, gelding bred in the UK by Star Andalusians PRE Stud

This horse is extra special to me, I was his main carer for the first 6 years of his life. All of his foundation training was done by myself and he has been educated slowly. During this time, he learned to work at liberty and schools in-hand and on long reins. I backed him in his 5th year so he has had lots of time to mature.
He is great to do in all ways, in and out of the stable. He hacks out alone and in company and he's good in traffic.
Obi is one of the nicest horses you will meet, he loves people and is always keen to learn.
This is a special horse, so a special, confident and knowledgeable person is required.
PMs only

23/05/2024

For your consideration on behalf of owner.

Hansen is one special horse. He has a temperament to die for and a heart the size of the moon. He will suit someone confident and knowledgeable.
PMs only for owners details.

I am considering finding a new home for my rising 7 year old Connie/WB X. He’s a classy, athletic type approx 15.3hh
His sire is Hans Tastic by the KWPN sire Hans by Kojack who jumped to 160cms, his Connie dame is not recorded.
I’m finding it hard educating a youngster whilst doing justice to my other 2 horses and running a business and my gut feeling is that we are just not right for each other.
Franck and I have spent the last 2.5 yrs going back to basics with him using natural horsemanship methods. Working in-hand, liberty and ridden. He’s been ridden tackles and leg yields to be mounted. He’s got a fab walk, holt and trot and his canter work is progressing nicely. He’s very willing and straight forward and has a wonderful temperament. I’ve taken him to Somerford Park summer camp twice and done XC, polework, SJ clinics, farm rides. He has a lovely honest jump which he enjoys. However he can get anxious when in new/exciting environments. This is why he needs an experienced, confident but kind and sympathetic rider. Ideally someone who can continue with his natural horse training. I am currently hacking him out more to build his confidence. He does hack out alone, in company and is good in traffic. He’s good to catch, clip, farrier (he’s barefoot as he has amazing feet), dentist, load and travel. Up to date with vaccs, teeth, farrier and worming.
This is an incredibly difficult decision, so no time wasters please. I have lots of photos and videos if genuinely interested. I live in the Worcester area. Please pm if you can give him what he needs and can offer him a 5* home.

09/05/2024

Work in progress with Gus. Thank you Sue Roberts for trusting me with your boy.

01/05/2024

29/03/2024

Thank you to all my clients for your understanding and kind words while I have been off my feet due to some minor health issues. Biggest apologies if I haven't responded to messages. I will be in touch with everyone very soon.

21/02/2024

Some progress with Hansen riding tackless.

13/02/2024

Simple, light and respectful communication creates a peaceful partnership.

09/02/2024

Hansen beginning to work tackless.

31/12/2023

For all the dressage instructors out there who are still telling their pupils to "hold their horse on the bit" with no explanations or comprehension...have a read.

https://eclectic-horseman.com/the-definition-of-on-the-bit/?fbclid=IwAR2fqTvmZ9dVSA7MESeCXvazJxaLEbVi_CJzuM1AV6sQpcd_spmvdIpYk5s&mibextid=xfxF2i

Written by Dr. Max Gahwyler and Bettina Drummond There is no other statement used so often in Dressage riding as the horse should accept the bit, be on the bit, etc. And very often when you go to clinics or shows, it's the predominant preoccupation of riders, trainers and, unfortunately, often also....

25/12/2023

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2024

26/10/2023

All in a days work! 🙈🙅‍♂️

23/04/2023

Great clinic today, thank you all for taking part. Everyone did so well and all the horses behaved impeccably. Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

22/03/2023

Groundwork and Horsemanship in the Show ring

There seems to be an increasing amount of Judges in the show ring, who amongst other criteria, are looking for a freely moving horse connected to their handler. To show a horse at its best it needs to understand how to use his own body in movement and groundwork skills will enhance the elegance of the picture presented, whilst horsemanship will create a strong connection with their handler. The horse needs to be with its handler and those that move before a Judge in sync with their handler creates a harmonious show for the Judge.

When a horse either runs away from the handler, refuses to stop or is dragged along, it does not show the horse in the best light. However when trained to transition paces and move through our body language the horse will relax and become attentive. We can use our shoulders to guide the horse around a turn our strides to create flow and our energy levels to increase or decrease pace.

The handler needs to go into the show ring with a plan and a responsive horse. With a loose lead rein the handler should direct with subtle signals to change pace and direction and keep the horse interested and on cue. Positioning should be at the horses shoulder, remembering that in both groundwork and ridden our shoulders match the horses shoulders.

Groundwork teaches the horse to be relaxed, attentive and responsive and lateral work helps with suppleness and strength. Taught correctly both will inevitably create a quiet, free moving horse waiting on instruction. Such work also creates correct posture and muscle development all of which enhance movement. Groundwork can also teach collection, extension and a square halt all of which are necessary to show the horse off at its best before the Judge. Refined horsemanship skills will help the horse and handler cope with any showing anxiety as they will be less concerned about the environment around them which should mean that all energy can be directed to present the horse rather than control the horse.

Performance in the show ring is another example of how proper foundation training using groundwork and horsemanship is so useful in all disciplines throughout the horses lifetime and is not just a part of early training in preparation for ridden work.

Franck Jeanguillaume

www.equestriantrainingservices.co.uk

20/03/2023

With spring around the corner, I have some vacancies available for backing, schooling in-hand and ridden, problem solving and much more.
for more info and bookings you can send us a message or visit our website www.equestriantrainingservices.co.uk

13/03/2023

Spaces are available for yard visits and training livery.

04/03/2023

Learning to work at liberty is as valuable to the horse as it is to the trainer.

24/12/2022

Wishing you and all your four legged friends a very good Christmas.

13/12/2022

www.equestriantrainingservices.co.uk

06/11/2022

Something different yesterday. An introduction to trick riding for Abi.

03/11/2022

Delighted to have one of my articles published in the "Haflinger society of Great Britain" annual newsletter.

www.equestriantrainingservices.co.uk

16/10/2022

Meet Izzy, she has come to stay with us for a few weeks to help her overcome her separation anxieties which causes her to be over reactive to her environment. In these cases the main work is training the horse to focus its mind which will install some calmness and promote softness, that will allow her to learn to deal with her own anxieties.

www.equestriantrainingservices.co.uk

07/09/2022

Sometimes play and dance time is all that is needed.

22/08/2022

Backing horses

Each first or new experience for a young horse is highly influential on their mindset irrespective of their temperament and none more than the backing process. Done sensitively to the individual learning and acceptance process of the horse it can be very rewarding for both the horse and trainer. Done badly it can frighten the horse whose fear is often shown through its “bad” behaviour. Often the human then becomes the disciplinarian rather than the teacher.

Once again, I have been asked to re back a young horse. He was sent away to a “professional” trainer to be started under saddle, but has come back with distressing behaviours causing the owner to loose all confidence. This comes to me as no surprise when I look around and I see “trainers” advertising with pride a “4-week turnaround” publishing videos of young horses cranked up in pessoas, side reins, or other contraptions and being made to go around and around in endless circles with no instruction or guidance as to where to place their feet or how to carry their body. Sometimes the first time the rider is introduced it is done in the stable, which I believe is very dangerous and where the horse is trapped and has no choice but to comply. It is then ridden in a very tight false outline with no chance of escape from strong hands attached to metal bits in young uneducated mouths, whilst also being jabbed in the ribs.
Many owners I have worked with want to be able to spend some quality time with their horse hacking around the countryside, in the school or at small events and just love being with their horse but this initial backing process has left them with an unmanageable horse for them.
The mistake that is all to often made when backing horses is that the process is highly geared towards the aim of riding the horse with the aids that we know but they don’t. We must teach the horse with patience and understanding so that the aids means something to him. If horses are just forced to comply with no understanding then they don’t learn how to control their own mind and body. When released from restrictions they have no idea what to do so will only do what they think is right for them using their natural instincts such as flight or fight. We know ourselves that it is a lack of understanding or the fear of the unknown that raises our anxiety levels or leaves us confused and it’s no different for the horse.

I have learnt over the years that when backing is done slowly from the ground without artificial aids and letting the horse develop naturally at his pace he will have learned how to deal with his own anxieties by keeping his mind focused and learn how to use his own body so that when mistakes are made, by either him or the rider, he will not loose confidence. Most importantly he will have an open mind and he will always be keen to learn and happy to work. Happy horse = happy owner = a happy life for the horse, remembering that they are totally reliant on us for the life they have.
When you have the horse’s trust, confidence and willingness on the ground then the ridden side just becomes a simple continuation. It should be easy and stress free with a calm, patient and attentive horse. Once backed (which to me only means acceptance of a rider) the continued education under saddle should be conducted in the same manner, the horse should be confident, moving freely forward and responding softly to the rider’s aids before being asked anything further. Each step of education should flow from a solid base.
Keeping a happy and comfortable horse should be the main aim in throughout all training. There is no time scale and no gadget can ever replace the tactful hand and observant eye of a knowledgeable trainer.

Franck Jeanguillaume
www.equestriantrainingservices.co.uk

07/07/2022

This weeks antics!

https://www.equestriantrainingservices.co.uk/

04/07/2022

Delighted to have been asked to judge the "Concour d'Elegance" classes at the Haflinger Breed Show - Great Britain on the 23rd July Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex

The Haflinger Society of Great Brittain is a Registered Charity that devotes itself to the promoting, breeding & importing of purebred Haflingers in the UK.

21/05/2022

I have been working with this adorable little guy (yearling) on general handling, leading, picking feet and so on. On our last session I noticed the trailer was open and I couldn't miss an opportunity so on we went...

16/03/2022

Liberty

Liberty has recently become very popular within the horse community. What does liberty mean? Is it absolute freedom or qualified freedom? Are horses taught to act freely but according to specific rules or is it a flowing conversation between two beings?

Both work equally well and can be extremely beneficial to the horse/human relationship but there is a distinct difference between the two. Qualified liberty (or trick training) often involves an expected outcome and to reach that cues may be given. Cues may be specific and also include equipment such as clickers, poles, headcollar, schooling stick, treats. Movement might include teaching the horse to bow, flank up, lie down, rear, back up etc. I am not against this as it can be a valuable way to build a horses confidence and understanding and tap into their curiosity and mind. It’s a way of channelling energy and thought. However to me this still places the relationship in the servant and master camp and to that extent is contradictory to the true idea of liberty, being absolute freedom of choice and expression between two minds.

Absolute liberty is often achieved through play, observation, presence and freeing our mind of human traits to exploit and control. It is important to have an understanding of horse behaviour and psychology because the conversation offered by the horse can be missed. They are direct but subtle in their communication and what they don’t say is often as important as what they do say.

If you take time out to be with your horse on a one on one basis your liberty time with your horse will just flow without the need to be taught this skill. Most definitely you can be shown and given the approach but ultimately it is a state of being between the two of you and no different to any true friendship you may have.

Franck Jeanguillaume

https://www.equestriantrainingservices.co.uk

06/03/2022

Today I met Claire and her lovely mare who had some trouble loading. After spending a little bit of time with her so we could establish and redress her real issues, loading became easy. Happy horse, happy owner 🙂

http://equestriantrainingservices.co.uk