Ripple, a very expensive dressage horse came to The Therapy Barn to have some difficult behaviour ironed out. He would stop mid stride and wriggle in an effort to avoid going forward. He had taken his jockey for an impromptu hurtle round the school a couple of times and they had parted company on a few occasions. The day after he arrived I tacked Ripple up and pointed him up the drive. He planted his feet and wriggled. Ignoring his objections I insisted he moved off (arm waving, pony club kicking) so he went.
Ripple had not been hacking for a while so that is all we did for several weeks. In the school he would plant and wriggle so we did more weeks of hacking. Gradually Ripple spent more time in the school and we started taking him out to do some Novice tests. After several rubbish attempts, he is getting proper marks again now and gaining points. Ripple's owner has kindly given him to me now so I can continue the work and enjoy having a lovely 'posh' horse.
If he makes it as a dressage horse it will be incidental to his other job as chief entertainment officer at The Therapy Barn.
Fixing Finley - This is a long term project. In all the years I've known horses, Finley is the most damaged. At eight years old he's got a long life ahead of him so carefully unravelling the pain and panic is key to him enjoying the rest of his life. A very well bred danish horse, Finley has been lucky in that his last two owners have realised he is too far gone for them to cope with and have sought a better solution. Now he isn't going anywhere, he's staying with me because I have completely fallen in love with him. Finley has been in a state of perpetual panic for a long time. Interestingly, if all you want to do with him is stroke his nose he is completely relaxed. Anything else and watch out. He is very quick to turn, snatch a leg, run off, leap in the air.
Six months on and two days ago I mounted Finley and walked two circles and dismounted. It has taken that long for him to realise every day is a good day. There are no dramas anymore. Next, Badminton!
" “Helen Stanners’ work as a remedial horse trainer is of the highest quality. She is sympathetic and effective and I have seen her reclaim some very damaged horses.
Danny Pevsner FBHS |
THE THERAPY BARN Helions Bumpstead, CB9 7AU
