My Training Approach
Two of the biggest drivers of my approach are understanding and prevention over cure.
Understanding WHY a behaviour or issue is happening means I can address the symptom or multiple symptoms at once without the need for 101 different exercises & gear changes. It also means I can stop unwanted issues before they start by simply ensuring every horse is confident and capable both in mind and body.
It also means my clients are able to train at home much more effectively and become competent in their own problem solving skills.
"A horse who is sound of mind, is sound of body.
A horse who is sound in body, is sound mind."
Stage 1
Mental & Emotional Fitness
A stressed or insecure mind creates a tense and restricted body. Reactions become unpredictable or dull and movement feels restricted.
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A horse trained with consistency and clarity feels safe to be guided, but more so, a horse who knows how to process challenges, problem solve and release tension, without becoming overwhelmed, can respond easily to to the every day pressures of training.
Stage 2
Modifying Responses
Every horse has natural defense mechanisms that keep them safe, adding pressure without clarity or exceeding mental or physical capabilities can trigger a flight, fight or freeze response - this might show up as reactivity, anxiousness or pushing into pressure.
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Teaching more productive ways to respond instead of react, through rebalancing their mind and body, means less reactivity and resistance.
Stage 3
Modifying Movement
A horse's posture, muscle tone and movement directly reflect the way they feel, an unbalanced mind creates an unbalanced body that resists fluid motion and struggles to build topline, the reason Stage One is such an important part of our foundation.
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As with humans, horses are also naturally asymmetrical. This means one side often functions very differently to the other, and better symmetry means better balance and a horse who can be guided more easily and responsively.
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Truly creating long lasting change in muscle and movement requires slow, considered exercise that allows time for calibration, control and coordination; this rewires the brain to move in a way that promotes soundness, strength and softness.