Willow Bend Horse Hotel

I have always loved horses and lived on them when I was a kid. I left school at 17 and we moved to the city, and never having children I just worked and worked with a vision of moving back to the country sooner rather than later and resuming my passion. 23 years later, in 2005 that all came to fruition. Without following any one style of training I rely on what horses have taught me along the way and find I always try to see things from the horses' point of view. I respect the relationship horses have with each other in their herd. Bearing this in mind, it seems a lot easier to teach them on this level, than trying to make them understand how we humans think - we are the smarter ones, so it is up to us to adapt to get results. With a need to establish oneself higher up the pecking order in their perception, once that happens everything else seems to fall into place. Horses are born followers, not leaders in general, so as soon as they know who is in charge, they seem to naturally relax and be happy to take direction.

With horses, the key of the interaction seems to be: HE WHO IS ABLE TO MOVE THE OTHERS' FEET, IS DOMINANT or, THE BOSS. Something I always have in mind whenever I am with my horse whatever we are doing. The horse is then able to work it out in a way HE understands - not by force, no bullying tactics, not because he is scared. The horse can make his own mind up, and where the mind goes the body follows - quite handy when we are talking about several hundred kilos of horse. The beauty of horses is they are quite happy to have humans as part of their herd, as they have for thousands of years and they love to please, all they want is to understand what it is you want them to do and with good foundations in place, teaching them is easy.

Inspirations:

“Horses are consistent and logical. The horse will do what is easiest for him. If you make it easy for him to buck you off, kick you, and run away, that’s just what he’s going to do. And more power to him. But if you make it easy for the horse to be relaxed and calm and accurate — and also have it be a beautiful dance between you and the horse — it won’t be too long before he’ll be hunting for that just as hard as you are. Whatever you make easy for the horse, that’s what he’s going to get good at.” by Buck Brannaman

Other trainers such as Sylvia Scott and Stacy Westfall have also served as inspiration and have helped bring me up to date with a lot of the methods they use. Finally, thanks go to the best pony club instructor a kid could have, the late Mrs Jean West. A wonderful, capable, inspirational woman who believed in me and taught great foundations.