I have always had a great love for the horse and wanted to get to know and understand this wonderful animal.  I increasingly wanted to discover what makes them tick, or not, in some cases.

Horses are my leisure and I have spent time earning my living with them.  I achieved BHS AI accreditation but knew there was still plenty more for me to understand. 

In 1989 the seeds were sown for the path I was to follow when I went to see Monty Roberts on his first trip to the UK.  I later found Parelli Natural Horsemanship and then the world opened up to reveal a host of extraordinary horsemen and women who are all striving to offer the horse the best deal by working with his nature.

Since 2002 I have been fortunate to spend regular time studying with the highly regarded Dave Stuart , former Chief Instructor Equine Ethology UK, including starting young horses.

First ride on a young horse

During the summer of 2005 I spent six months in France at Haras de la Cense, the Equine Ethology Centre near Paris.  Here, under the guidance of Andy Booth, Chief Instructor (France), I passed Equine Ethology Stage 7 and graduated as an Assistant Instructor.

I have learnt about using energy to communicate from Mark Rashid.  I have studied with Ken Faulkner, an expert on how to help the horse move in balance and therefore gain perfect impulsion.  I have watched the Master, Ray Hunt, at work in reading and educating colts.

Many people consider "Natural Horsemanship" to have a very Western image which in some respects it has, particularly as this recent revolution in horsemanship originated on the working ranches of California and Colorado.  However, it is just as applicable to the English rider or the driving fan as it all about what makes sense to the horse.  There is however, much that can be learnt across disciplines.  Studying with Bruce Logan in Texas was not only a lot of fun, but when working with cows the horse very much has a job to do, and he can learn to be perfectly balanced, soft and responsive, just as we would like a jumping or dressage horse to be.

Bruce Logan lets his horse perform

I continue to learn from as many horsemen as I can and am always striving to progress my own horsemanship.  I learn something from everyone about balancing the mental, the emotional and the physical aspects of the horse, and I have learnt that if you listen to him, the greatest teacher of all, is the horse himself.

I have a great interest in how to help the horse use his body in the most efficient way.  It is so important in the goal of ultimate softness and lightness.  This has lead me to also study The Equine Touch a form of non-invasive bodywork which helps to release tensions, imbalance and blockages within the body.  I am keen to combine the two aspects of Equine Touch and Equine Ethology which compliment each other so well, to help rehabilitate horses with physical and behavioural issues.