Contemporary Equitation

07/05/2026

I get asked about this loads because people are super conscious about getting it 'wrong'. The truth is, every horse is so incredibly different so it's important to approach them as such.

Using treats:

This is always a contentious one amoung many many circles...you have the traditionalists that hate using food and think it promotes biting, you see the purists who think it's not 'real' if you use treats, then you see people who DO create biting behaviour because there wasn't a correct boundary or the people who may have missed cues and timing and inadvertently rewarded the 'wrong' behaviour.

My view is that positive reinforcement, whether that from a treat, a scratch (not a pat please, research shows horses don't actually find this pleasant!) or body language, should be integral to all equine training. Treats really come into their own when we are trying to teach something complicated or that the horse may lack motivation for...they can help clarify the exact moment they get it right and lead to quicker and more enthusiastic learning. HOWEVER, if treats are given for behaviour when we don't ask for it then this can create a huge lack of clarity and the horse to pull out a whole host of 'how about this?' to obtain a food reward. A lot of more alternative trainers really used to hate treats...but there is a change in direction more recently and as our understanding of equine behaviour evolves then we too should evolve our approach. I find it wild that it is completely accepted that we train dogs using a food reward but when it comes to horses people can be completely up in arms on both sides of the fence!

It is important, however, to emphasise that we should aim to train in a way where the horse is motivated to be with us (whether that is ridden, liberty, trick or groundwork) and sees us as a safe space rather than a pressure release. This should not rely on treats but a much deeper understanding of what our horse is trying to communicate and how we can best show our understanding of that in how we train 🦄✨

23/04/2026

This video illustrates perfectly why I'm always talking about pressure stacking and release behaviours, ft Emirates 🤣

When horses are repeatedly pushed through situations while showing subtle signs of tension, confusion or concern, that pressure often builds up. Eventually, something small can tip them over the edge into having what appears to be a random or uncharacteristic 'over the top' response.

If we prioritise steady and slow learning to begin with and learn to recognise when our horses need processing time, they trust that we won't put them in dangerous situations. In turn, this helps them learn to manage their own bodies and emotions to problem solve instead of panic...even if the biggest passenger plane in the world is next to them ✈️✈️

07/04/2026

Big well done to this pair on a huge amount of progress over the past 6 months and MJ really improving position, strength and use of the right muscles 💪🐎

05/04/2026

24/02/2026

We've nearly made it through the dark and muddy months! I cannot wait for days to be a bit brighter and teaching in the evening sun again ☀️

A few quick reminders:

🦄 I book up very far in advance, I'm currently booking dates for April / May - please remember to get dates in asap to avoid disappointment, I'm away for two weeks in March so will be less likely to squeeze people in, but don't worry, I'm back just in time for the clocks to change and the lighter nights 🥳

🦄 I am currently taking on more clients in the Chester / Tarporley / Tattenhall direction so if you have previously enquired before I covered as much of this area please do shout!

🦄 Clinics! I will be setting up some more groundwork clinics and dates for the diary - updates to follow but get in contact if you'd like to arrange something on your yard! If I can demo / talk with your horse you will get a session for free but you must have been taught by me before.

18/02/2026

I feel a bit like death today owing to an endo flare up, tiredness from pony shopping in Portugal and having about 50 travel vaccines yesterday (not a pity post, this is the reality for most of us horsey people who juggle a lot in order to have our horses!)

I was feeling a bit guilty as the horses have had the past few days off and a bit too much energy 🤣 this is a prime example of why having a really good relationship on the ground can be a fantastic alternative to ridden work for both us and our horses 🫶 Luca is bringing all the enthusiasm while I'm there in my equidry with pretty low energy and low key aids...he's very much demonstrating how training in a positive and fun way means that the horse is engaged and actively wants to work with you even when you're feeling low energy.

Of course if I was constantly like this he would probably become less engaged and less than enthusiastic, but he's actively compensating for my low energy here because we've got a relationship that allows for that. If he was trained through more forceful methods he would probably have told me to do one and gone for a roll 🤣

Just food for thought about how again, training on the ground isn't just the ends to a means of good quality ridden work, but another essential tool in the box of having a happy, fun and engaged horse that really wants to work with you!

23/01/2026

Helping a horse to bend and move their body correctly is so important in order to support the rider. Groundwork, specifically gentle lateral work in hand, is soooo fundamental to this and still, so often gets skipped in favour of quick fixes or corner cutting methods which often don't promote longevity or support joints.

I find that you can see amazing differences in topline and self carriage even from short, regular 10 or 15 minute sessions.

A couple of links below for those of you like me that like some further reading. The first shows the simple benefits of just including backing up in your groundwork routine. The hyperlinks should work - message me if you need them sending 🥰

🦄 Backward walking in-hand causes greater dorsoventral range of motion and increased lumbosacral flexion compared with forward walking, indicating enhanced engagement of the back and trunk that may support core strength and stability.
Jobst, I.D., et. al. 2024. Trunk kinematics and limb movement of horses walking backwards and forwards in hand and lifting a single limb. Veterinary Journal. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023324001412

🦄 Training focused on balance, coordination and equal strength on both sides is recommended over enforcing 'straightness' to support welfare and symmetry.
Krueger, K., et al. 2022. Laterality in Horse Training: Psychological and Physical Balance and Coordination and Strength Rather Than Straightness. Animals. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/8/1042

I can't remember who I said I would find this one for...in essence, ridden and in hand shoulder in is magic for regaining calm and focus!

🦄 Lateral exercises such as shoulder-in were associated with increased parasympathetic activity and behavioural signs of relaxation compared with longitudinal exercises, suggesting that properly executed lateral work can positively influence both the physical and emotional state of horses during training.

Mendonça, T., etc al. 2020. de la Guérinière was right: shoulder-in is beneficial for the physical and mental states of horses. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787820300459

19/01/2026

Stretch before contact ALWAYS.

*(bridleless very much optional but teaching independence from the rein to riders and starting young horses with more subtle weight and seat aids and no reliance on hanging onto the mouth is SO important from a biomechanics and lightness perspective).

The lovely Jacob owned by the equally lovely showing us just how much bridleless and stretch strengthening work has helped him start to develop a soft frame and use his body better - he has the typical section D 'uphill' head carriage and could be quite tense but is working completely differently now! 🧡🧡🧡

02/01/2026

New year is a bizarre one... technically it's just over a third of the way into winter in the northern hemisphere yet we push ourselves out of hibernation mode to suddenly run around desperately trying new things under the guise of 'new year, new me'. If this works for you, amazing!! However, a lot of us still feel slower and more restful and this is SO valid and ok too. 

A lot of my posts are about how we can help our horses as well as improve ourselves in the process but this is one purely encouraging self care for anyone who has the responsibility of wading through mud in the dark, often in minus temperatures, to care for our overgrown golden retrievers. It's the most tiring time of year to own a horse and new years resolutions might just be making you feel like you're not progressing enough, as quickly as you want or even be making you feel guilty for not working your horse enough. 

I'm forever breaking things down for horses and riders into smaller more manageable steps to go a little bit slower.... however, you often progress much faster this as you haven't skipped essential stages or pushed either of you mentally or physically too much. There is no reason to not treat our own goals, with or without our horses, the same. 

Take a step back, allow yourself to wait until spring to set goals if it feels more aligned with your energy levels and be kind to yourself - it'll be warm and much lighter before you know it (I promise 😂) 💪💖

Photo kindly taken by which really helps illustrate the power of pauses and slowing down, resulting in some gorgeous moments in this pairs' first ever liberty lesson 🩷

24/12/2025

What a year! Thank you to each and every one of you for the trust with your horses and allowing me to be part of your journey. I feel really blessed to have such wonderful clients, with many of you becoming great friends too (including the lovely lady that took this image!). Wishing everyone and their family (four legged included) a wonderful festive season and start to 2026 🙏🎄✨

Thank you for this picture of me and the main man who continues to teach me so much every day with his enthusiasm and need for very specific cues 🥰