Sally Mitchell Equestrian

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Sally Mitchell Equestrian

BHSAI Qualified Coach, Accredited Equitation Science Trainer & Equine Behaviour Specialist. Provid

I can help you become an effective trainer, improve your horses performance, make him / her easier to handle and ride, re-train difficult behaviours and loading problems. Worked and trained with world-renowned trainers Dr Andrew Mclean & his wife Manuela of the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre. Keen to promote their unique training system using techniques based on Equine Learning Theory (the sci

entific understanding of how horses learn) combined with classical training. Please see my website for more information and feel free to call me for an informal chat if you would like to discuss any of the services I provide.

25/08/2025

Over the centuries horse trainers have come up with many names to describe unwanted behaviours.

These labels generally imply that the problem lies with the horse’s attitude or temperament. Labels include nasty, mean, malicious, stupid, stubborn, lazy, difficult, chicken-hearted, honest, dishonest, go-ey, too forward-thinking, too keen, cheeky and arrogant.

These terms that blame the horse are problematic because they justify not looking to ourselves as the problem.

New Age trainers have also muddied the waters with inaccurate, complex, yet superficially salient terms to describe horses, such as 'alpha-mare,' 'leader,' 'dominant,' 'emotional' and 'disrespectful.' These terms imply a sense of permanence to apparent dominance-related issues.

Andrew McLean - Modern Horse Training: Equitation Science Principles & Practice, Volume 2

22/08/2025

Pretty girl, Rio, is still being a little super star 🐴🤩. We have ventured out of the little pen and I have been riding her ba****ck around the rest of the arena.

Just working on all the same things she has learnt during her groundwork and when being ridden in the little pen.

-Walk / Halt transitions
-Step backs
-Walking through the Labyrinth and over poles
-Wiggly lines and ‘50p’s’ to practice her turns.

The next stage is saddle on and some groundwork with the saddle on, before then hopping on with the saddle on. She has already had a saddle on with her previous owner so she should be ok with that but I will not take it for granted, as she’s in a different environment, so I will still go through my usual introductions.

21/08/2025

Ooh I’ll share this again as it’s good information about self/carriage. I surprise myself sometimes 😂.

Bless little Brucey, he was feeling and looking really good this time last year. Unfortunately he’s not feeling quite as good at the moment but let’s hope we can get him back to feeling that way again soon 🤞😍🤞

18/08/2025

First canter up a stubble field for little Brucey 🐎😍.

We had a walk down first to see what the ground was like. Surprisingly it was ok as there was a track that had a good covering of straw so we stuck to that and had a nice steady canter. Until we nearly came a cropper when a dog popped up behind the wall 😯, que a quick dart to the side by Brucey. Luckily both me and the Total Contact Saddle stayed in place so we live to fight another day 😂

16/08/2025

And we’re on 😄👍. This week gorgeous little Rio has been learning to:

- Come towards and stand at the mounting block.

- Stand while I get on and off and basically roll about on her, whilst getting lots of scratches ✊☺️✊, which she loves 🥰.

- Step backs, Walk / Halt transitions and turns with me on.

All in the little square pen which I make in the corner of the arena. Then once I’m happy with her responses we will venture out into the rest of the arena.

She’s being such a little sweetheart 🐴😍

15/08/2025

Poor Snow Po has had swollen legs again in this hot weather ☹️. My Top Tip for cold hosing two legs at the same time is this double tap connector, saves water and saves time 😄👍💦.

Also did it next to the field so atleast the field could benefit from the run off.

14/08/2025

Nice peaceful hack with Treacle this evening, a lovely way to relax after a busy day ☺️. Never any drama with little Treacs, she just tootles along, happy as Larry, such a little star she is 🤩.

Worth their weight in gold these little Super Cobs 🐴😍. Somebody will be very lucky to have this little girly as she is sadly looking for her new forever 🏠

12/08/2025

Little Rio is doing well with her groundwork 🐴😍. She has been learning to:

-Stop / Step Back
-Go (Halt/Walk, Walk/Trot Transitions, Lengthen and Shorten her strides in Walk)
-Turn the Forelegs
-Yield the Hind Quarters,

All in preparation for her ridden work.

I even got the tarpaulin out while we had no wind for once. She wasn’t bothered in the slightest, walked straight over it. Also showing an excellent ‘Park’ while I was faffing about with it, as I started off small and gradually made it bigger.

She loves her scratches so she gets lots of those in between repetitions and also some belly lifts to help her learn to lift her back. She really is the sweetest little mare, really enjoying working with her 🐴🥰

09/08/2025

Aww little Snow Po 🐎😍.

05/08/2025

Meet the next gorgeous girly I have in for backing, Welsh Section D, Rio🐴😍.

I have already been to do some groundwork with her before she came and she was an absolute sweetheart, as her owners have been doing a fabulous job with her so far. Hopefully she will continue to be a little superstar throughout the backing process 🥰

Address

Croft House Farm, Briestfield Road
Thornhill
WF120PA

Telephone

+447801946775

Website

http://www.sally-mitchell.com/

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