Ottolina

15/10/2025

Last week I went to the Equine Welfare Symposium, leading the way for horses. This was organized by NIVA, North of Ireland Veterinary Association. It was a full day of inspiration from several professionals over different subjects.

Helen Spence about understanding learning and its role in equine welfare. Bridging the gap between science and practical applications in the horse world. This subject is close to my heart and comes to play a lot in my role as trainer and instructor.

Abigail Bunyard a passionate Dorset based farrier. Talked about the role of farriery in equine welfare and performance. Also the importance and need for regulation in Northern Ireland! I have noticed myself that there are areas with a shortage of farriers.

Tamzin Furtado spoke about understanding human behaviour to improve companion animal welfare. How to help people help their horses. Understanding and responding to unwanted behaviours REALLY is complex: * Why does the behaviour happen, making sense of it. * What to do, potential solutions to help the horse. This is also an area I find myself in a lot. Having clients who have a problem with certain behaviour, the journey to figure it out can be quite interesting. What emotions are behind the behaviour is a first to figure out. The whole picture of how the horse is kept, what he eats, what kind of training he gets it can all come into play. But I love a puzzle and I love horses, combined with years of experience, I can often make a difference for the horse and the owner.

Roly Owers talked about Traceability: Global Lessons, Local Action - The global perspective on Equine Traceability. Explaining what traceability really means, the combination of horse ID, location where the horse is kept ID and recording movement. Now is the big push to get all locations where horses are kept an ID. Tracing movement will be a future step to be worked out.
Julia Shrubb and Ashley Robinson addressed sustainable parasite control. The importance of testing before administrating wormers, the right choice of wormer and field management.

For me, coming from the Netherlands, also a good way to hear about equine welfare in Northern Ireland. Combining that with my own experience gives me a bigger picture.

29/09/2025

Lovely message from Claire Gomblensy-Byrne: "Back on the middle sized one this morning, it's been a while! Thank you Linda van der Horst! We are both more confident after our chats, our lesson last Monday and your follow up messages. Onwards and upwards! Looking forward to our next lesson and I will try my best to not fall off getting on!"

22/08/2025

Some thought about riding a circle with your horse.

Riding the perfect circle can be a lot more difficult than one would think. But is is such a great way to work your horse. To work on balance, bend, softness and autonomy.
If the horse is not balanced, he/she will not stay on the perfect round circle but fall out or in. If the horse is stiff, he/she will not be bend/flexed from head to tail and will probably look outwards or strait ahead. If the horse has no autonomy, he/she will need/seek constant support from the rider.
What I see a lot is the rider doing their best to get that perfect round circle, by doing a lot, by micro managing every step of the way.

So how do you approach it when you and your horse struggle? The best way is to first get a clear idea about what exactly the horse is struggling with. Is it that he/she is not balanced? Is he/she stiff or very one sided? Does the rider "help" too much and in that way interfering with the horse's ability/autonomy in the work?

Most of the time it is best to address these issues separate and use the circle to test how you have done. Crucial is how big you ride the circle by the way, use the same size on both sides! Does it get easier, smoother, more balanced then your training is paying of.

ps. As a Centered Riding instructor I will also look at the riders balance, awareness and communication 😎.

30/05/2025

First impression, nothing much going on here ... 😎
So what is going on here? A big yellow lorry came into the arena and backed into the corner to then dump a load of shavings.
What makes me really proud? This little mare used to be highly reactive, to sounds, machines etc. Look at her now, walking around with me, very relaxed! Not bothered in the least. Let me tell you that a lot of training hours went into this. Changing a life time of habits in a 20+ year old is not done quickly 😀 ❤️

16/05/2025

Some gentle TLC for this lady ❤️.

18/04/2025

The value of groundwork, getting a true connection with your horse.

09/04/2025

I have been writing in my blog about my riding sessions with Molly (32). But basically, the training is all done from the ground and the riding brings it together in a way that Molly and I both enjoy. Even if weeks go by that I do not ride her the training always continues. Keeping her shoulders loose and her hind legs flexible. Training her core muscles so she stays strong.
This is done by groundwork and “in-hand” training. I use poles and natural obstacles along with lateral work.

Then the riding is a way of integrating all the training. And the liberty work is just for fun and to have some variety in our time together. Not to forget in hand grazing when the fields are closed!
A video compilation of riding and work in liberty from last week:

The training of Molly (32) is all done from the ground and the riding brings it together in a way that Molly and I both enjoy. The riding and the liberty wo...

14/02/2025

Sharing a post I wrote in a group about training. Yes, the horse needs to be well trained. But the rider need to be balanced with an independent seat.

In my previous post I mentioned "So when teaching I focus on the training of building up a strong flexible horse. A horse that thinks and works with you. To be light in your hands while strong enough for collection".

Here a picture how "light in your hands" can look like. Djarra was traumatized (not ridable) when I bought him. It took 2 years to get him fysically healthy, mentally and emotionaly took a bit longer 😎. So if we could get here, riding bridle less you can too!
PS. I do not expect people to ride bitless, but in balance 😃so the horse can be in balance on his own accord!

24/01/2025

My journey with Molly started last summer. Molly had not been ridden in a while and is 30+, so we would need to take this slow following her pace. First building up strength and then work on balance.
In September I wrote how the training wheels were off, Molly no longer needed my support through reins and legs to stay up and straight.
We had a break due to losing molars, Xmas holiday and a period of frost.
This week Molly and I were back to riding. I got confirmed yet again you do not need to ride daily or weekly to make progress! Because after 2 months off she was better than before.

When I rode a halt, she stopped nice and balanced, no side stepping to regain balance.
Cherry on the cake: Going from A to C in a straight line with square halt, circle left and circle right. The proof is in the pudding watch the video.

06/12/2024

Last week I was in Donegal to work with two horses. This is Callum getting an explanation how to move through a Labyrinth. First I had to lead him every step of the way. But not by pulling on the lead rope! Just being close and in front so he could follow me. He loves to just follow and not think of anything 😃!

Then he got the idea of actually moving through and not just walking straight out over a pole! I am still in front, but with lots of room for him to think and navigate by himself.
Super proud of his work ethics 💚