Westfields Farm was bought by Rachel Norris and her family in Spring 2008. Having over 30 acres of its own paddocks and meadows, it sits in the middle of the stunning Blackmore Vale surrounded by beautiful countryside with wonderful riding. This was the ideal place to move the business she started in 2006 at a local livery yard.

 

So, Equusense now has a new home, one that is dedicated to the needs of young or problem horses.

 

During the course of 2008 and early 2009, the farm will have 8 new large internal stables in the barn, a round pen, post and rail paddocks, a sand school, and some cross country fences, and will be covered by 24 hr CCTV.

Rachel has been riding for 30 years and has owned many horses from Welsh Cobs to Throughbreds.

 

When she bought two thoroughbred youngsters in 2003, she wanted to use less conventional/traditional methods of handling/training.

 

She then found two books that changed her life. 'From my hands to yours' by Monty Roberts, one of the worlds best horseman, otherwise known as the original 'Horse Whisperer', and 'Perfect Manners' by Montys protégé here in the UK - Kelly Marks.

 

These books confirmed her belief that there had to be easier and more effective ways of training horses.

 
Rachel drew on all the practical advice and knowledge in these books, coupled with attending the Monty Roberts Foundation Course, along with all of the courses required for completion of the Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate here in the UK, as well as additional courses in ‘Riding the Problem/Starter Horse’ and ‘Handling the Untouched Horse’.
Rachel started equusense in 2006, and his since helped many horses that had either been written off due their various behavioural issues, or where owners had simply exhausted all other avenues in the hope of a solution. Rachel has been a guest lecturer at Kingston Maurward College since 2008, her lectures on Equine Behaviour have been part of the Animal Behaviour Foundation Degree course, and she also devised and personally delivers courses on Natural Horsemanship.