Equitatio has been a dream of mine for a long time. I've been self employed with horses for over 10 years now.
I'm a registered and fully insured ABTC- ATI, ( Animal Behaviour and Training Council - Animal Training Instructor) (for equines).
Prior to this, I gained a lot of knowledge and experience working on a variety of yards and with many different horses. These have included riding schools, dressage yards, showing yards, event yards, racing yards and studs. I've worked with horses from 18hh to 32".
I spent 2 years working in Austria and Switzerland, on a couple of yards. Some of that time was spent working for Pepo Puch who, following an accident, went from Olympic event rider to winning gold at the London 2012 Para-Olympics. I looked after his and his wife's horses and I was there the first time Pepo got back on a horse following his accident.
But my ultimate aim was to have a job where I could work with horses and their owners. When things haven't always gone to plan, my first question was always, why? I never wanted to feel as though I was forcing a horse or that the horse was doing something because they felt that they should. I want my horses to enjoy our time together and want to do things together. I now hope to bring the same ideas to other people and their horses.
This has led me to look into many training methods, question the use of tack and aids and look into management, enrichment and feed. Occasionally I've ended up with horses who have been deemed "nutters" by others, but have turned out to be amazing, willing horses once their fears and anxieties had been calmed.
I strongly believe that horses should be treated like horses. Their natural instincts and behaviours need to be considered and worked with.
Now, I would like to share my findings so far, along with my continuing journey in the equine world, with you, through this site....
We got this!