I have been working with and training horses for 30 years now. My early education started in France where I was taught by a former officer of "Le Cadre Noir de Saumur" which ingrained in me the classical approach to my training, which has remained steadfast over all the years I have been around horses. This early training taught me the importance of perseverance and dedication as it was not always easy. We were pushed to learn for ourselves and find our own way to develop and reach our ability and there were plenty of falls and low points along the way.
Following this training I travelled around Europe, joining the circus working with Horses and then at the age of 21 replied to an advert looking for competent riders to joust. This took me to Germany and following an audition and 2 weeks training I started my jousting career which later led to trick riding and general stunt work. However, training horses within the classical school was always part of my work and eventually I based myself in the UK to pursue this alongside stunt and film work.
Over the years and even now I keep an open mind as to how to adapt the skills and knowledge that I have acquired over the years to meet the training needs of the horse. I too am always learning and I strongly believe that a good horse trainer never takes a fixed approach or a system for granted. There will always be a horse or a training issue that doesn’t fit the system or the “norm” and for me, this is the type of work that I like to get involved with.
I believe that my mixed career of training and working alongside horses around Europe means that I never expect the same pattern of training to work for all horses. Sure, we all follow a path as that gives structure but it is just as important to have the confidence and ability to sit back, think and perhaps stray off the fixed path and find another way if a system is not working. I like to call it “change the metal”.
Most Important Factors
Patience, compassion and being openminded are important factors to properly train horses who, have their own minds, fears and needs and are so generous in what they offer to us. Letting time work for the horse rather than the horse to a fixed time frame is also important but unfortunately not always possible. Observation is another factor so often missed in the hurry to train the horse and achieve success. Without quiet observation key indicators from the horse can so easily be missed, whether this is an offer of a try to do what is being asked or the start of an undesirable outcome or behaviour.
As a trainer it is important to propose and not impose yourself on the horse. To be confident and positive but not arrogant or a bully. Finally a reward for the slightest try is what sets the horse mentally on the same path as the trainer. I do not advocate any one type of reward as it all depends on the horse, but it might be just a release of pressure, standing still together and just chilling out, finishing the session no matter how long it has been, a rub or scratch in their favourite place or even a treat. This is where it is important to get to know the horse you are training and find the appropriate way to reward and of course the timing of this reward is crucial to the horse’s understanding of what is being asked.
Top Tips
• Let the Horse be your guide and be kind and patient.
• Ask for help from a professional that you can connect with and engage with.
• Be true to yourself and realistic about your goals and the horse’s potential. Are you capable of doing this? So often people take on a horse that might be too much and don’t admit their own limitations or weaknesses leading to problems for the horse and unhappiness for the owner.
• Owning a horse is emotionally and financially expensive so set yourself up for success and enjoy the good times and ignore the bad times. There is always another day to train.
• Be honest and authentic.
• Training is never a finished article but unfortunately is often time and financially challenging but we owe it to the horse to do it right.
