If communication between a horse and the handler breaks down it can lead to bad equine behaviour, frustration and resentment on both sides. Advice of the “he’s just trying it on - give him a good wallop” variety may be offered, but obviously pain and fear will only increase the bad feelings. Steve believes that it is important while training problem horses to change their behaviour that there are three main stages in establishing a successful training partnership with a horse or pony -

Compassion - Consideration - Cooperation

By following these stages, he can help a horse to understand what is required without causing stress. A stressed horse will switch off and refuse to listen to the trainer, leading to bad behaviour. They will react purely by instinct and the opportunity to teach them something will be lost. Yes, they can be stressed and forced to do something - but unless they have been given the opportunity, through training, to think things out for themselves, in the same situation they will again make the same ‘mistakes’.

The aim isn’t to turn out automated horses. If it’s in a horse’s nature to pull faces when a human passes by then that’s OK. However if he pulls faces AND tries to bite a chunk out of you then he needs training to convince him that life would be better for all concerned if he altered his behaviour! Most horses prefer an easy life and when they are shown (with kindness and consistency) what is expected of them they are normally happy to oblige.

TRAINING DAYS - days can also be arranged for preventative training - so that handlers can get it right before any problems are unwittingly created. By learning the basics of leading, asking, recognising a 'try', going soft or fluffy feathers etc., clients can gain confidence which will communicate itself to the horse or pony.

These training sessions can either be on a one-to-one basis or a group session with a maximum of six students.

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