Harmony Fields Equestrian

16/05/2023

Brilliant information in this wonderful webinar.

Learn exactly what it is about the pasture that impacts the health, movement and behaviour of the domestic horse, why it matters and the best solutions.

05/02/2023

04/02/2023

Here are Victoria and Guto, working on liberty partnership, mirroring and focus. Guto in a high mental state, putting in his best effort and Victoria striving to minimise her energy and synchronize with Guto. Less is more. I just love working with these two. Victoria works on her homework in between our regular lessons and we are seeing lovely progress. Because he is so mentally engaged without tension, and because our exercises also work in his balance, Guto is developing better muscles and topline. And we all have fun in the process. I was asked today if all of my training was with the intent to ride, the answer is no, not at all. I help build healthy and harmonious horse/human relationships. This comes through paying attention to both the physical and the mental balance of both parties actually, with a less is more approach. This carries beautifully into the riding, however riding is not my main focus. I have a less is more and quality not quantity approach to all elements of my training.

09/01/2023

So excited to be invited back to Connected Hearts Equitation for another workshop, I really enjoyed working with everybody who attended our last workshop. Thank you for your support Sophie !! :-). And an added bonus is that we will be in a beautiful indoor school, good news in Scottish Borders or anywhere in the UK at this time of year! If you are interested in attending this clinic, please contact Sophie. If you are interested in knowing more, or arranging a clinic in your area, please reach out to me by PM.

To follow on from our successful workshop last February, Sarah & I are starting to plan another on the 25th February 2023!
If you are interested please PM me . Here’s some initial information about Sarah & her training:

‘I have been training my own horses according to classical principles for over a decade now, and I became Scotland's first certified Straightness Training Instructor in 2021. I now train and teach independantly and I continue to train horses according to time honoured classical principles, with the additional dimension of being able to train also at liberty.

This workshop will be centered around the fundamentals of training, both the trainer and the horse:

I have some fabulous ideas and techniques that I wish to share; these are not my own techniques, these I have learnt and continue to learn from experts in their fields. ‘

- If you are having trouble training your horse, or you would like to get started with the tools to help set you up for success, in any equestrian discipline, this workshop is for you.

- If you are looking for help with your classical training, this workshop is for you.

- If you want to find new ways to enjoy your unridden horse, or your retired horse, this workshop is for you.

To see more of Sarah’s work check out her page Harmony Fields Equestrian ❣️

01/01/2023

A lovely ride on Nando to kick off 2023! He has had 6 mths off with a check ligament injury, so this was our first ride since we had the all clear. Just a little bit of walking but he was so lovely. Like no time had passed at all! He has to rebuild some muscle and strengthen again, but he remembers all his training. Love this wee man!!

31/12/2022

Happy New Year!

Thank you to my students this year and family, friends, suppliers, helpers and followers. I hope 2023 brings a fabulous year to you all!!

31/12/2022

Lovely progress with Luciana today in her rebacking. Today she accepted me putting my leg over her back. Nearly there. Any small sign of tension and I go back a stage, but today there was no need. I want her to be totally happy again with being mounted.

18/12/2022

Luciana learning haunches in with the rider. She had already learnt this exercise without the rider, so it was easy to take this into the riding. This exercise helps the horse to start to carry more of the weight over the hind legs and to lighten the shoulders as they develop more strength and balance, which will allow freer and more expressive action of the forelegs.

17/12/2022

Just sharing couple of shots of some of my mares munching hay. The moon was really red the other night so i tried to capture it. And the other was a recent snowy day.

13/12/2022

Working with Luciana at liberty, combining +R and -R. Adding the reinforcement of understanding - she learns to follow the target (the whip with the red end) and is also reinforced with a goodie. Both the understanding and the treat are reinforcers. The white whip gives information and light air pressure (-R when i release the light pressure) it is used to point or wave softly to ask a yield of the shoulder or to shift the weight back for example this is slso reinforced with a goodie, every slightest try. In earlier lessons, Luciana has been trained on how to take a treat and respecting my space as she could be overly motivated by treats and seem greedy and dominant. This is due to frustration built up by the witholding of food (diet!) and was something that we needed to work through before we could start actual training as her mind was initially only on the food!

21/11/2022

Luciana and I had a setback earlier this year where she got a fright while I was riding her and she threw me. I don't recall exactly what happened as had hit my head and had a concussion, but both of us were pretty sore afterwards. Now she is frightened to be mounted so I am starting again with consentual training at liberty as this gives her every opportunity to choose to leave if she needs to. I am paying attention to her feedback, giving her time to down regulate when she needs to and taking the time it takes. I am also exploring positive reinforcement which is challenging with a mare like Luciana as she is pretty obsessed by food! It is a super motivatorfor her, but can also trigger dominant and aggressive behavior through frustration if i get the timing wrong. I need to change my thinking here and ensure that she does not get frustrated by any witholding of the food, and I have to make sure we are clear on our polite boundaries when it comes to giving and taking treats. She is such a lovely mare. It's a shame it happened but I see it as another learning opportunity that has me digging once again for answers. She was easy to back originally, the mounting fear is only since our fall. These are some snaps, from today. The first picture is from a few days ago when i thought I might try getting on and she pretty clearly said NO!

19/10/2022

Save the date!! Sunday, 30th Oct 2022. Workshop with Sarah Orr - licensed and certified Straightness Training Instructor.

Whether you are are a dedicated enthusiast, or a beginner, we would love to see you. And it is always lovely to come together and meet up.

This will be a great clinic for you and your horse because our main topic will be about MOTIVATION!
-How to motivate your horse to put in more effort -
🏆 reward their slightest try.
👍give clarity to the horse on what we are trying to teach or optimise.
⏳improve our timing and dosing of our aids, cues and reward.
🔍 observe and 👂listen to their feedback.

Each horse rider combo will have 2 lessons of around 30-45 mins. We aim to finish each lesson after the best moment so the timing is not set in stone. Sarah will be giving a talk and we will try some fun simulations.

Come along and try with your horse, or come as a spectator and learn from the other lessons. If you get hooked we promise you, your horse will love you for it.

This training is a little like pilates for the horse, we teach you how to help your horse to develop a strong, balanced, supple body, building the right muscles and along the journey you will develop an amazing relationship with your horse. Your horses will become happier and more relaxed, but also more motivated to work with you as they grow in confidence and understanding.

Learn exercises that will help any type of horse and any level of rider/trainer, whatever your chosen discipline. Who wouldn't benefit from having a horses that are healthy both physically and mentally?

In this workshop you may see students training in one or more of the following activities:

1. Groundwork
2. Longeing
3. Work in hand
4. Riding
5. Liberty

Stables will be available for the horses and accommodation for the riders if required.

The venue is Dalbeath Farm, Cuddyhouse Road, Cowdenbeath, KY4 9PR. This is an outdoor school so come prepared for all weather. All attendees/participants will need to bring their own chair.

To find out more, to book a place as a rider or spectator, or to note interest in hosting or attending a workshop with Sarah Orr ST Instructor please message Sarah direct or via Harmony Fields Equestrian on Facebook.

Training
horsemanship
in balance

in hand


horses

19/10/2022

Oro has a bit of a bed head this morning!

22/07/2022

Some snaps of gorgeous Oro NG. He is starting to look more grown up, but still only 16mths old. Love this boy! 😍