Leah Dowson Performance Horses

17/09/2025

No more chasing the weatherbeeta bag. The new mechanical cow flag is up 🙌🙌

09/09/2025

My large float decals now available to purchase through Rocket Pony Design ❤️🖤

🐴🐴🐴
LDPH Y'all need groundwork float decals are available to purchase through Rocket Pony.
These are $20 for 11"x11" size.

05/09/2025

Thank you West Coast Cowboys for having me back. Good luck at this month's competition. 🏆

Another thanks goes to Vicki Allender for taking photos all day. ❤️

02/09/2025

Dedication to learning is how true progress is made. Growth as a rider comes not only from practice but also from humility—understanding that it’s perfectly okay not to know everything at once. Sometimes I wish I captured photos or videos of every rider on their very first lesson here, just so they could look back and see how far they’ve come.

This image, however, marks a milestone moment. ❤️
This rider has been an instructor’s dream—willing to start from the very beginning, committed to their homework, open to constructive feedback, and consistent in their training.

So what makes this photo so special?
Jenny has successfully climbed the riding ladder and has now progressed to riding in romal reins—a significant achievement that reflects her dedication, patience, and hard work.

👏🎉📈

29/08/2025

Today was massage day. Taco getting a much needed session with the amazing Gina. Can't believe how absolutely sweet and cuddly this boy is. ❤️

05/08/2025

One thing I love about my job, is I get to meet some really amazing people. Kindred, you're definitely one of those. Thank you so so much for the Rum 😘❤️🥃🥃

04/08/2025

To everyone who entered, you made picking just 6 extremely difficult!!

But dont worry, round 2 is about to come.

Winners of the give away decals are....

Sabrina Deeva
Juanita O La
Rachael olden
Nadia Louise
Kylie Fay
Karly James

Pop me a pm with your address and I'll get those right to you ❤️

27/07/2025

Give away time
I've got 6 bumper stickers up for grabs.
To be in the running, you just need to:
👍Like my page.
🐴Drop a photo of you and your horse in the comments.
I'll be picking winners at random.

17/07/2025

Thought for the day:

These are not my words. I was planning to write an almost exact post on this subject. But Ian has already written it perfectly
Ian Leighton Horsemanship

I still get asked regularly if I can take a young or green horse to further it’s training.
Often as not the request includes a story about how everything was going ok but then one day outside pressures caused it to act up.
The request is generally to enhance it’s knowledge or change their mindset so that they can handle all types of scenarios and be calmer and better behaved.
Often these requests are never attached to an aside like “can you teach me how I should handle and ride a green or inexperienced horse?”.
The onus is all on the horse to be able to carry (no pun intended) the rider through any situation that may arise and keep them safe.
That is too much responsibility for a young or green horse.
Your horse needs some support and help while it gains experience.
Regardless of your knowledge of horses or riding or a particular discipline you may find a green horse a challenge if you are inexperienced with them.
Many older horses can be much more forgiving of mistakes and have more experience of the world.
It takes more than a stint at a trainers to make an experienced horse.
Often there is a way through but it takes the help of people with the experience. Hands on help.
It also takes a little fortitude and the ability to not make your horse feel trapped with your hands or legs no matter what occurs.
Most of what is called acting up would not have occurred at all if the rider had acted the way the horse needed them to.
The first thing that it takes is the recognition that to ride young or green horses you may need to have yourself trained.

17/07/2025

Something to remember before you even go catch your horse for a ride. It'll make all the difference for your horse. ❤️

15/07/2025

🚫 Deemed Unfit for Use – A Hard but Necessary Conversation 🚫

This is a topic that rarely gets discussed openly.
While I’m proud of my success rate, the reality is that not every horse who comes through my gate is suitable for the job they were intended for. There are times when a horse is deemed unsafe or unfit for use under saddle, and while it’s never an easy decision—especially when working closely with an owner—it is one that must be made with care, responsibility, and honesty.

Some horses present with serious behavioural issues or dangerous vices. Whether those issues can be worked through often comes down to one critical factor: work ethic. A horse's willingness and attitude can mean the difference between a successful riding career, being rehomed to a more suitable situation, being retired to a paddock—or in the most unfortunate cases, being humanely euthanised. I’ve met horses I truly believed were a danger to future riders, and while it’s confronting, safety must come first.

It’s important for owners—especially those purchasing unbroken horses—to understand: you are not starting with a clean slate. You’re buying a horse you haven’t seen ridden, and haven’t ridden yourself. A great relationship on the ground does not guarantee the same connection in the saddle. That’s why part of my role is assessing not just the horse, but also the rider’s ability, experience, and intentions moving forward.

The most concerning situations often arise when owners overestimate—or aren't forthcoming with their riding experience. Breaking in a horse is not about delivering a ready-made schoolmaster. You’re receiving a green horse with developing skills and a need for continued consistent training. Sending a young or challenging horse home to a rider who isn’t confident or capable puts everyone at risk.

When I make the call that a horse isn’t suitable, I don’t wait until the end of their stay. I will usually let the owner know by week two, once ridden work has begun. Occasionally, if I’m unsure, I may take until week three. But I don’t believe in continuing to take your money for a horse I don’t believe will bring you joy or success. When this happens, I give you options: take the horse home, or allow them to stay longer and continue training with full transparency.

Even if a horse leaves my program early, I do my best to support owners by offering guidance and advice on how to move forward safely and realistically.

This job isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, you're the last chance a horse gets. The responsibility of making the right call—for the horse and for the rider—carries real weight.

At the end of the day, you don’t pay me to tell you what you want to hear—you pay me to tell you the truth.

14/07/2025

⚠️ Cancellations & Waitlist Update ⚠️

Three years ago, I made the decision to discontinue the standby list. Each year, the list grew longer, and with very few cancellations, it became increasingly difficult to accommodate everyone—often resulting in disappointment for those who missed out. Unfortunately the waitlist, isn't returning.

Please note that I am typically booked 6 to 9 months in advance, so forward planning is essential when considering booking your horse in for breaking in.

Any cancelled spots will be advertised as they become available and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

A non-refundable booking fee is required to secure your place. This fee is deducted from your total training cost. You may transfer your booking to a different horse, provided the new horse can fill the entire allocated training period.

The booking fee must be paid within 7 days of the spot being offered, or it will be passed on to the next person on the list.

Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards,

Leah x