Red Gum Equine Services

03/06/2026

Daryl will definitely be coming back to Darwin next year, I suspect that clinic will book out rather quickly.

02/06/2026

James on day 2 of the clinic. One of my big goals for this horse over the 3 days was to get him moving out without "jangling", just roll forward confidently and calmly when asked. I would have liked to have picked up canter but we had other things to work on instead, so we didn't get to canter but I'm not worried, I have time with this horse and lots of it.

The other big goal was to start moving him into being ridden in a snaffle bit. In the past I've introduced the snaffle bit in a kind of two rein fashion. I put the halter with rein setup that the horse knows and responds to then I put a bridle on over top also with a set of reins. Doing this I can switch between the two depending on what I'm doing and how the horse is going. Sometimes I can pick up both in such a way that one is in play more or less than the other. I asked Daryl's thoughts on it and whilst it's not the way he would do it he also said if I was handy with using 2 sets of reins then sure thing, give it a go :) So I did and I will probably ride James a bit more with this setup until he's going super softly in the bridle and doesn't need the halter back up.

Different to how others do it for sure but works for me.

02/06/2026

Wowzers, what an incredible 3 days riding with and learning from Daryl and Beth Crowe, absolutely amazing. It's actually rather difficult to accurately put it all into words without writing a sod off big essay but I'll try.

There was absolutely no judgement in the arena over the 3 days, no criticism, just 2 people who were happy to be there helping others with their horses and sharing their knowledge. When something good was happening in the arena you knew about it, if you needed a correction and guidance you got it and when things were improving you definitely got told you were on the right track. Firm but fair, kind and encouraging as well.

As for what I learned...... nup, sorry, too difficult to put into a simple post. My horses and I are all the better for having spent the 3 days with Daryl and Beth that's for sure.

Thanks to all those who came along and helped make it the awesome weekend it was. Watching everyones progress over the 3 days was awesome to see.

Huge thanks to Daryl, Beth and Lacey for coming to Darwin and working with us. It's going to be a loooooong 12 months until the next clinic but we know it will well and truly be worth the wait.

31/05/2026

Day 3 of the clinic with Daryl and we have the joys of doing clinics in Darwin when there's defence force training on. Exercise Diamond Storm in full swing on the last day of an awesome clinic. This definitely will not be Daryl and Beth's last trip to Darwin.

31/05/2026

Toughness of Wandandian Horse Gear and Rug Repairs haybags are James certified ✅️✅️✅️🤣🤣🤣

31/05/2026

James showing off that CEN Horse Nutrition shine with thanks to North Horse and Co - Complete Nutrition for bringing this goodness to the Top End.

30/05/2026

Awesome first day at the clinic with Daryl Crowe 👌 James was keen and alert whilst Penny did a big sigh and dozed off as for her it's just another day in the office 🤣

Looking forward to day 2 and 3 😁

28/05/2026

There are days when I have to pinch myself that this horse is in my paddock 🥰 Looking forward to seeing what we can achieve over the next 3 days 😁

Clinic starts at 9am tomorrow. Fence sitters welcome 😊

28/05/2026

😁😁😁👌👌👌 Bring on the weekend.

Landed in Darwin this afternoon in time to see the sun set over the beach ahead of a 3 day clinic Fiona Bond has organised for us Sat -Monday and we can’t wait!

27/05/2026

How my horses unload regardless of whether they've been on the float for 10 minutes or 13 hours. When I got James his training to be this good started immediately. I don't accept anything less than this every time I unload my horses.