14/07/2025
Here is an overview of the services I provide in my clinics and individual sessions:
1. Q: What inspired you to create this Introduction to Horsemanship Clinic?
A: I want to share some of the knowledge I've gained from studying and doing horsemanship courses in the USA for over 20 years. Creating awareness of how important attunement is to forming the unique connection that is possible when horses feel seen, heard and understood.
2. Q: Who is this clinic designed for? Is it suitable for beginners, experienced riders, or both?
A: The clinic is suitable for beginners and experienced riders, anyone who wants a better connection and therefore partnership with their horses.
3. Q: Can you tell us more about the focus on building connection and trust between horse and rider?
A: Building connection and trust is vital for effective communication between human and horses. It also causes horses to feel safe which is their primary need. Hierarchy of a horse's needs: 1. Safety 2. Comfort 3. Play/Interaction 4. Food. Trust for the rider is also important in order for them to feel safe handling and riding 500kg prey animals.
Skills and Techniques
4. Q: Why is creating clear boundaries with a horse important, and how does it improve the horse-rider relationship?
A: Clear boundaries are important as horses feel safe with good leaders. Boundaries create a familiar structure which provides an essential stability in the partnership. If there aren't clear boundaries a horse may take over the leadership role to fulfill their basic survival instincts. Boundaries are neccessary as humans are small relative to horses and can get hurt if horses are allowed to behave without regard for the human.
Riding and Problem-Solving
5. Q: How do you guide participants to increase responsiveness in their horses when riding?
A: Increased responsiveness is achieved initially through groundwork. Your horse will learn to read your intention and energy through certain exercises and this is then followed on with basic yields in the saddle. Usually once connection improves and there is the appropriate use of intention, energy and cues then responsiveness follows.
6. Q: What practical techniques do you teach for reducing tension while riding?
A: Practical techniques to reduce tension while riding: Bending for relaxation, hindquarter partial and full disengagement, riding freestyle (ie loose reins) at all gaits and not using the reins to control the horses forward movement.
Mindfulness and Connection
7. Q: How does mindfulness play a role in horsemanship? Can you share a grounding exercise that participants might learn during the clinic?
A: Mindfulness, the skill of being purely present is vital to help horses feel safe. Safety in the herd is achieved by the awareness of the herd members, being alert to possible predators is deeply ingrained in horses. Once we are present we can show horses with our body language we notice any changes in our environment. Box breathing is an effective tool to ground us in the moment.
8. Q: Why is energy and body language such powerful tools for communication with horses?
A: Energy and body language is how animals communicate amongst themselves. Horses particularly are not very vocal (like Hollywood falsely portrays 😂). Horses are particularly tuned in to the intention and energy of predators which humans are considered. Hence we as riders or handlers need to learn how to manage our energy and thoughts in a way that feels safe to our horse.
Outcomes and Goals
9. Q:What can participants expect to take away from this clinic in terms of their skills and confidence?
A: Outcome of clinic. Participants can learn 1) how to be attuned to their horses 2) to understand the basic types of pressure that motivates a horse to yield. 3) to read their horses body language and respond appropriately. 4) with this knowledge above to be safer and more confident to handle and ride their horses.
10. Q: Do you have any success stories of riders who’ve transformed their relationships with their horses through your methods?
A: Yes many successes!
Marketing Angle
15. Q: How does this clinic stand out from other horsemanship workshops?
A: Coming from an English sport background myself I can integrate the horsemanship knowledge and skills in a way that can benefit the English rider whether they are pleasure riding or competing.
16. Q: What’s your vision for the future of horsemanship, and how do you hope this clinic contributes to that vision?
A: Vision for the future of horsemanship: My goal is to empower horseriders and handlers with a deep understanding of a horse's nature and how to develop a connection and language which improves the partnership for both horse and rider. I hope my clinic helps people to find out the cause of any undesirable behaviour and how to solve it in an enlightened, progressive manner with equine welfare being the foremost priority.
