Well it seems like an absolute age since my last blog… and it is, I apologise!. I’ve had a lot of ‘stuff’ to deal with on a personal and emotional level and I really feel thankful for all the support from friends especially in the horse community.

So… what has been relevant for me lately – I’ve attended lots of CPD, which at one time just felt like hoops you had to jump through. But with far better subjects to visit and experience with excellent hosts, its been great learning – and how I love to learn! I think the day you stop learning is the to day to stop and think!! This is especially so with horses and their care, management and training. We must as horse educators, embrace new scientific and experiential knowledge or we open ourselves up to criticism and failure, failure to the horse. I still always though look at the horse in front of me to assess their needs.

When I reflect how I was taught and trained many many years ago when first embarking on my equestrian career it is very different to how I think, feel and train horses now. I so wish I had the knowledge and wisdom all those years ago with particular horses I’ve had as my approach would be very different. I always remember some wise words from Mr Alec Lyall from Snainton Riding Centre in Scarborough when first training for my Intermediate. He said “Every horse will teach you something and if not its time to get off” I now really appreciate those words.

In these days where SLO (Social Licence to Operate) is more important it’s imperative that we listen to our horses needs. There is an excellent explanation of SLO Taken from the World Horse Welfare:-

‘Social licence is a way to describe public acceptance of an activity. When an activity has society’s approval or acceptance, it is said to have a ‘social licence to operate.’

World Horse Welfare

The social licence of horse sport is being challenged – as questions are increasingly being raised about the involvement of horses in sport due to concerns about their welfare and safety.

There has been a lot of bad press recently regarding abuse of horses in training and with the use of mobile phone cameras and social media on which to post this is now increasing.

I feel one of the first things we can do is to unitise as an equestrian community instead of clashing with one another. I see this most on Facebook where someone may be asking for advice and all the people commenting start arguing with each other about who is right? Firstly I feel any veterinary advice should be sought at the vets, it is usually where management advice and training advice is sought. Not one size fits all though and there are usually many factors to consider. Just because someone has a different approach or opinion doesn’t necessarily mean wrong or right. This is what is great about working with horses there are so many different approaches to take to suit the individual.

So long as what we are all doing suits the horse first and foremost and their health and welfare needs are met and it suits their owner and we appreciate each others differences then we can hopefully gain public acceptance of how we use horses wether thats in sport or leisure.

I attended an excellent CPD day organised by NW BritishDressage at Kelsall Hill in March entitled “Two athletes, One performance Sport Science Day”.

The day focused on how we can influence the rider and horse separately to achieve an improved performance as a partnership.

There was input from Sport and Exercise Psychologist Professor `Moira Lafferty who explored the role of your mind on performance. Danny Webber spoke about nutrition for the rider which is is so often overlooked. We all give the very best nutrition to our horses but neglect ourselves which when we ride have to think of ourselves as athletes so why not fuel ourselves as such?

This was followed by an excellent talk on strength and conditioning for riders by Simon Cushman. If we want to do our horses justice we have to be as fit as possible in the right way in order to help them more. Don’t get me wrong I am not ‘holier than thou’ I love a chocolate digestive! but I have joined a gym and regularly do yoga to help me do my job better.

Jess Dunn gave a lovely talk on her ‘dressage journey’ and then we were treated to a lovely lunch!!

We then had talks about equine dentistry (Vicky Rowlands), a very insightful topic of ‘Behaviour Issues or Pain? delivered by vet Kerry Comb. This was followed by equine physio Rachel Greetham who gave invaluable advice about improving performance from a physio’s point of view. I loved her suggestion of using walk poles 2x daily (put 5 poles out and leave them there) on the way to your field so horses are led over them on way out and back in from field. Fab idea if its possible to do on your yard.

The day ended with a great talk by Ian Hughes, a remedial farrier who was so open minded especially when questioned about barefoot practice. Again what suits your horse and you has got to be right.

It was really interesting to see and hear the common connections with each of these experts in their own fields and how one would approach something differently, however all had one common aim – to work as a team and for the good of the horse.

I love it when I hear that farriers, barefoot trimmers, vets and physios along with saddle fitters and trainers can all work together – I know sometimes it is a logistical nightmare. However it can be achieved, so long as we are all open minded and respect each others expertise.

Another great CPD day I attended in April in Ruby at the wonderful Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex which is like ‘horsey heaven!’

This was a Centre10 day which I always love as it’s great meeting up with other like-minded coaches who have become great friends.

We were treated to excellent rider training demonstrations given by the renowned Mary Wanless and Salle Ede both C10 coaches too.

We had a classroom session first with Mary who explained her ethos and focused on how riders learn and the influences of memory and the power of using imagery when coaching. She then coached a rider really using the basics and spending a lot of time in walk with a very calm and methodical approach. It was interesting to see the riders feel uncomfortable with the changes Mary was making with them but the difference in how the horse went was amazing – far better balanced and allowed to go forwards. She really explained the importance of biomechanics and I was delighted later to be able to buy her book at the end of the day and am relishing it – lots of pictures in it which is great.

We later reflected with the riders on their feelings and how they felt the session went – so important in all of us to reflect even though sometimes its not what we want. Something I’ve learnt from C10 is the use of a hot and cold de-brief. The hot de-brief being the immediate discussion after an event/session when feelings and emotions can often be high either positively or negatively. The cold de-brief being a few days or even weeks later which allows for more reflection and a more detailed analysis and something I encourage my riders to do. This is why the ‘off-horse’ sessions I provide via zoom are so important as we can also identify patterns and can develop a plan for improvement.

I’m reading a very interesting book at the moment by Chris Hadfield “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth” This has really resonated with me as we must enjoy the training rather than thinking of the end result.

Chris says “I love learning new things, I volunteered for a lot of extra classes, which bulked up my qualifications, which in turn increased my opportunities at NASA. However, success, to me never was and still isn’t about lifting off in a rocket (though that sure felt like a great achievement). Success is feeling good about the work you do throughout the long, unheralded journey that may or may not wind up at the launch pad. You can’t view training solely as a stepping stone to something loftier. It’s got to be an end in itself. The secret is to try to enjoy it.”

He also talks about the variables that are out of control (so true when we ride horses!) but it’s having the right attitude during the journey which is what keeps him steady and stable and heading in the right direction.

So messages for now are the importance of teamwork and collaboration and to enjoy what you do with your horse.

I am now hosting clinics at various venues rather than at my yard which sadly I have no longer connections with regarding the running of it, nor the care of the horses. I am still coaching there though for riders on site and of course freelance at any yard and the lovely Friezland arena is only down the road too! I have finished teaching part time at college for the summer so have lots of availability for either mounted or dismounted sessions and equine sports massage.

As always I’m ever thankful to my very supportive network of friends and colleagues and of course my wonderful son and daughter and let’s not forget, my ever faithful companion in Ron who lifts my soul on those difficult days.

Creating Good Habits and the Value of a Great Support Network

Summer Reset

World Horse Welfare