The equusense approach to training - is consistent, fair and appropriate to the individual horse. However, it is of paramount importance that the horse is both physically and mentally ready before any formal training is undertaken.
Starting of Youngsters
Each horse will be treated individually, they start the process with a series of sessions in the roundpen to establish trust and respect, they will then be introduced to tack and longlines. The long lining exercises will then progress outside the roundpen and around the farm, they will be introduced to tractors and vehicles.
Only when the horse is completely comfortable and responsive to the longlining, will a rider be put on board in the round pen. The horse once responding to the rider fully in the round pen will then be ridden around the farm, and out onto the lanes.
Ground Manners
The most common thing you will ever do with horse, is the thing you do nearly everyday – leading in and out of the stable, field or school etc. But, it is amazing how many people put up with their horse pushing or pulling them around whilst they are doing this. Horses that virtually run over you to get out the stable everytime you open the door, or take off when you take them out the field, or perhaps wont go back into the stable once you have taken them out.
All of these are very common problems that people just put up with.
Loading Clinics
The most common 'complaint' of all, a bad or non loader. Again using Equus, asking a horse into a trailer becomes just another request for them to trust what you are asking them and follow where you go. We can come to you, as clearly getting them into as trailer to get to us - is precisely the problem! As with everything we do, we start with ground work, and then progress to the trailer. If the horse has had a really bad experience with a trailer, and has genuine fear, then please refer to our problem section.
Long Lining
Many people see the advantages to long lining, but are afraid to try because they think they, or even worse, the horse will get all tangled up. In practise this rarely happens and with the right instruction the benefits over lungeing are plain to see. This method of working with the horse from the ground is invaluable particularly with a young horse, or one that is perhaps 'dangerous' to ride, in order to educate or re-educate them to the aids given by leg, hand and voice.
