Zoe from Lincolnshire asks Melanie:

Hello Melanie, I’ve stumbled across your website after searching for local natural horsemanship lessons.  I have recently taken a lovely pony on loan, she is a cob with a hint of Arab(!) which makes her sensitive and spooky.  I’ve been riding a long time but am no expert – I would love to create a parelli/MR type relationship with my mare so that we could do groundwork together that would enable her to relax when we ride and become less spooky.

She is kept in North Somercotes near Louth in Lincolnshire – I have limited travel options at the moment, could you let me know if you would be interested in spending some time with Misty and I to get a great grounding in these techniques?

I look forward to hearing from you, thanks Zoe

Melanie’s Response:

Hi Zoe. I will happily come over for a day to work with you both…..or you could come here, either with or without your horse, for a day.
Come the summer you could bring your horse and keep her here for a few days and have a thoroughly horsey few days. You would work with other horses for part of the time . See what you think. Kind regards Melanie

Melanie has recently featured in the East Riding Journal.

Melanie Watson uses the herd language of wild horses to tame disturbed equine creatures. Will Ramsey discovers the part cows played in her training – and learns why Melanie hates the term ‘horse whisperer’ . . .

You can read the full article here: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/thejournal/features/Harnessing-herd-instinct/article-1721075-detail/article.html

Phyllis from West Yorkshire asks:

My husband and I bought a 7 yr old 15.3hh Warmblood x Lippizaner in Feb 09. We have been told he is more like a 4 year old. Soon after we bought him he got an infection on his sheath. He spent a week at Ledston Equine Clinic and lost loads of weight.

Long story but we were then told that he had a bad back which has been treated but we have been told that my husband (14 stone approx) is too heavy to ride him. I am a 60 yr old novice rider with a confidence problem. I’m finding it difficult to carry out the training myself, especially during the winter months. I use the small indoor school at the livery yard and although he is quite well behaved but to be honest on occasions he scares me.

He is stabled full time at the moment and turned out with another horse for brief exercise in the outdoor school. With the weather the way it is at the moment, would it be best for me to wait until spring to arrange training with you as I feel it may be difficult for me to carry on with
the training whilst he is as lively as he is at the moment?

Melanie’s Response

Hi there Phyllys. Happy New Year. I could not agree more in your stopping working your horse. It is an impossible time of year at the best of times without having a horse that pressures you on top. There is much to gain and very little to lose, in waiting for the conditions to become consistently more favorable.

I have , for my part, stopped working 2 of my youngsters. They are not suited to being picked up and put back down again. There fore the wise choice is to simply wait. That way I have not created problems or tensions by trying to keep them in work. I do hope I have been of some help. Do not let anyone tell you that you have made the wrong choice. We all choose what is right for us.

All my horses go out for virtually the whole day……that way I keep them all sensible. All I can advise is as much turn out as poss and the least amount of time stood in. My 5 year old is now turned out full time (as of last week). I am not cruel; she is well fed, well rugged and has the permanent company of the others that live out full time. Everyone needs to remember that a horse is a horse at the end of the day and extremely well equipped

Anna from Buckinghamshire asks Melanie:

“Hello, I have recently been having troubles with my horse Spider. He is normally very uneasy in his canter and charges at the jumps. I think he was broken to drive a cart, but he has only had 3 owners. The girl before us mainly used him for competitons and what my instructor calls a ‘typical teenagers pony’ And thinks he was potentially just jumped too high and fast. And the lady who had him before we were not told much about, but that she bred himWhat could i do to help him? – Anna ”

Melanie’s Response

Hi there Anna. Happy New Year.

Your instructor is most probably right in her assessment of your horse. Quite how much difference can be made at this stage is down to you.
Your instructor has most probably started trotting pole work and grid work with you. That is the way forward. Patience on your part alongside repetition.

Learn how to use the passoa and train endless canter transitions using that once you have your horse working happily in it. All this takes time and patience on your part but you can train this horse of yours out of these old habits by being methodical. I sell a training dvd on how to use the passoa properly. It explains everything you need to know and do with it to get it right.

I do hope I have been of some help.
Kind regards Melanie Watson

Kimberly from Leicestershire asks:

Hello I am just making enquiries and looking for some advice I have recently bought a 2 year old colt, he has been gelded and is a very kind natured horse, he is calm and easy to handle, he is a pure bred Spanish horse, someone has told me that when he reaches 3 years old I will have to send him away for breaking in for riding, I can not bear the thought of it he is like my child I spend hours a day just loving and caring for him I can not imagine being apart from him for even a day.

I do not know what to do about this I know it is a little way off yet as he is only 2 but I keep thinking about how quickly the years go, is there anything that could help me without sending him away your advice would be most grateful.
Thank you Kimberley

Melanie’s Response

Hello Kimberley. I am a little confused here. When you bought a youngster, how did you envisage getting him trained when the time came? Do you think that all trainers are cruel or harsh?

It is a very important thing for your horse to be sent to a good trainer for him to be started. You must not do this yourself, as you are too close to him. The first thing that will happen will be for the trainer to get rid of all the bad habits that you have allowed him to develop. He is very likely to be in trouble for things you have allowed by treating him like he is a baby or puppy… he is a horse.

Please, your horse does not need a best friend; he needs you to be his leader. Kind, calm and firm. He is a horse at the end of the day and not, as I have seen so much in the past, a horse ruined by being perceived as a child replacement.

It is right and proper for your horse to experience new worlds in his time. That way he will develop confidence and gain pleasure in all that he comes across in life. Hide him away and he will always fear the unknown and that is both wrong and greatly unfair on him. He has a future ahead of him where he needs to stand tall and be seen, not shy away in fear of anything new or strange. You will think I am being harsh but I am being very true and fair…. please don’t take any of this the wrong way… gain from what I am telling you.

My sincere best wishes Melanie

The weather is always a good topic of conversation whoever you are and whatever you do. For those of us who choose to work outside it has an extra, hugely horrid impact when the weather is bad! In all the years I have been working with horses or on farms in general, I have simply never known the land to be so drenched and so damaged as it is this year. The gateways and access points are literally knee deep in mud. Trying to get the large Haylage bales out across land to horses that are wintering out, is like an army expedition each and every time! The tractors sink as soon as they enter the field and the ensuing mess is enough to break your heart!

As dismal as the conditions are now, the good lord usually allows us the opportunity to heal the land come spring and summer. What appears a vision of desolation in mud now will bounce back to life come late spring time. That thought is sometimes the only thing that makes me feel better when I am on my mobile phone beseeching someone to please pull me and my tractor out of the field as I are stuck fast (again!)

The horses themselves do surprisingly well as a rule. Providing they are supplied with supplementary fodder in the form of adlib Hay, Haylage and, or, hard feed if needed as well, then they have no reason not to thrive. They however, just like us, hate the wind and the rain. They shelter themselves against a tall hedge, backsides to the weather and their heads down! In that position they will patiently wait for the rain to pass, though the sight of them always brings the words THOROUGHLY DEDJECTED to mind!!

For my part, I always have my horses wearing thick waterproof rugs……sometimes 2 as is the case right now. These keep my animals warm and dry ( as well as making me feel less guilty that they are not in nice warm, dry stables! )

There are some health issues associated with wintering horses out. Vigilance on the part of the carer is essential to keep the risks to a minimum. If a horse sustains a cut in a wet and muddy environment, then the chances are that it will get infected. Daily attention with first aid will hopefully be enough to allow a good heal to take place…..all dependant on the severity of the cut of cause. Sometimes the animal has to be given a coarse of antibiotics and, or brought back inside for the time it takes to heal.

Other ailments associated with these horrid conditions are “Mud Fever” and “Thrush”. The first affects the skin on the leg which breaks down as a result of being constantly covered in thick wet mud. The skin becomes open to a fungal infection which becomes very painful, the leg swells and the skin becomes encrusted with deep scabs. These scabs become the umbrella for the bugs to live under and hence have to be removed. The affected horse needs to come in for a few weeks to be nursed.

The second ailment “Trush”affects the underside of the foot. This is basically a foot rot as with sheep and cattle. A mixture of both these ailments was the torture which our soldiers suffered as “Trench Foot” during the First World War. Totally impossible to treat effectively in such conditions but hopefully one can keep under a measure of control (or again bring the horse in to a dry environment with daily treatment.)
Different breeds of horses cope better than others. Obviously the hardy Native type horse is better armed to thrive than say a Thoroughbred. However, if the carer provides adequate forage and is diligent in their observations then it merely needs a hand from a “Higher Power” to help improve the lot of the wintering out horse!

On that note I will leave you with a picture of my little herd doing what they do best……eating! I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas and I wish every one a happy, successful and DRY New Year!!!!

Melanie.

A question from Debbie, Berkshire.

Hi Melanie. I am 40 yrs old and have been riding since aged 5 yrs, I have had a 5 yr break to have my kids and bought an ex racehorse in September this yr. He’s adorable, 23 races and retired 3 yrs ago with a tendon injury. He’s quite well mannered but has a few problems and I am scared of doing the wrong thing, so wondered if you could advise me a little.
Putting the bridle on is a problem, I have to bribe him with a polo mint to bring his head down he throws his head really high and threatens to rear up.

I have ridden him approx 3 times per wk up until about 2 wks ago, due to bad weather and my kids being poorly, so he wont get much riding over the Christmas period until kids back at school. He is stabled and I put him on the walker once a week and he has 1/2 hr run in the field and maybe 1 session lunge work per week at the moment. He throws his head a lot even when I ride him and when I watch back his races on the track he also did this, he is in a snaffle and no extras. He is stubborn, he pretends he doesn’t know how to walk or trot, we have tried following another horse in the school, it helped a bit, but I cant get him to canter!

I have been doing natural horsemanship with him, so lots on the ground, he follows me, and sometimes charges at me and stops at the last minute a bit scary…. I haven’t ridden him out on the road yet, as I am a bit concerned that he and me are not ready, I also think I may need a stronger bit. I don’t know if you can help I was looking at your courses but in Newbury Berks – along way from you. Do you have any advice or maybe a training planner I can use, so I have goals and targets that I need to achieve with him. My aim is to dressage him, as when he does trot he is lovely and bouncy, he is 8 yrs old. Any help would be much appreciated

Thank you, Debbie

Melanie’s Response:

Hello Debbie. Thank you for your email. I have lots of ideas to help you…too much to put down on here.

Please give me a ring on 07720758425 anytime and I will be very happy to talk you through a training plan. All that you are experiencing is very common to the type and his past life.

Please do not put a stronger bit in him. He is already in fear of his mouth. There is much I can help you do.
Speak soon. Kind regards Melanie.

(ps. read through my blog posts… there is a lot on the subject of help with ex racers.)

Natasha from Surrey asks Melanie

“I’ve got a nearly 5 year old tb mare. She didn’t had a good time in the racing yard. She puts her ears back on anything (it is better now then it was 6 month ago) she also bites. She just bites after everybody who walks past when she’s in the stable. I really do love her and I want her to stop that and enjoy her self. She’s aright when she’s tacked up she even puts her head on my chest and wants a cuddle. Please can you help me and my mare?”

Natasha.

Melanie’s Response

“Hi Natasha, thank you for your email. Your mare bites out of habit stemming from a time where she felt she had to defend herself. Life has not always been kind to her most probably. Some mares, on the other hand, are very dominant and habitually bite as a role play in being in charge of you and what they consider to be their space.

I would really claim to be able to stop your mare from biting forever in 1 days work. During this day we will turn your relationship right round to where she looks to you as her leader and a really safe place to be.

You would have a great day with plenty of laughs and smiles as well as the serious side.”

Melanie

Melanie’s website is now set up so that any new blogs, events or updates are added to the website, will automatically be published to both Melanie’s Facebook page and Twitter. You can now stay up to date with Melanie’s activity by either subscribing to the RSS feed, becoming a fan on Facebook, or following Melanie on Twitter.

We are pleased to announce that Melanie will be holding a ‘De Spooking’ workshop at Active Rider’s event being held on 18th – 20th February 2010 at the South View Equestrian Centre, Cheshire.

The workshop will be a mixture of a sit down workshop, with a demo horse – looking at what typically spooks show horses, why things spooks them and what we can do to help avoid/prepare & react to this. After this workshop Melanie will be staying around for ridden sessions to help coach people on a one-to-one basis.

On the second day Melanie will be holding 1-1’s with attendees, giving you the opportunity to speak to her and receive some personal coaching, planning and advice.

Find Out More About Melanie’s Workshop

The event on Active Rider’s web-site:
http://www.activerider.co.uk/camp_details.php?id=140

Active Rider’s Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24462944820

Melanie’s profile on Active Rider:
http://www.activerider.co.uk/visitors_detail.php?id=91

Vanessa from Cumbria asks Melanie:

“I am having problems with my 20mth old Warmblood colt (Fernando). I believe the problem is there because my colt had been ‘hand-reared’ (his dam died before he even had the chance to suckle from her).

I purchased him at 7mths old and the problems began at about 1 year old.  I myself use Natural Horsemanship and I indeed used my knowledge with my colt, but it seemed to have no response to him whatsoever, and he simply became more and more out of control.  His actions include ‘nipping’, ‘charging’ and ‘rearing’.  In the end I sent him away for some intensive work as I wanted to Show Him and attend Young stock Evaluations as I bought him to keep entire and breed from him.  When he came back he was a lot better but there was a ‘whip’ involved and during the handover I was told to “always keep the whip in his eye line, and don’t feel guilty for using it if he tried it on”.  On his return he was definitely improved but we always had to be ‘one step ahead’, anyways he had a accident ‘got his back leg over the bottom of the electric fence and cut the front of his back OS Hock) 1 week before his Evaluations.

So we treated his leg, rested him appropriately and then turned him away for 2 months. The day quickly came around for us to start working with him again, all we do is a little walk out in hand (10mins) and lunging (5mins in walk & trot), on the occasion Fernando was extremely aggressive and he kept challenging my partner, definitely not out of confusion as he knows how to lunge on both sides, and indeed had lunged as expected for a couple of minutes, but then he seemed to just wanted confrontation, the 8th confrontation he got the better of my partner and reared up and then charged at him with his head back and ‘decked’ him (in fact hospitalised him).

So then I tried the tactic of COMPLETELY IGNORING him, of which I did and Fernando’s attitude completely changed, he was respectful, walked up to us with his head low and things finally were on ‘the up’…. But 2 days ago he started again, and is so bad that I cant even lead him to turn him out, or even get in the stable to change his water, rugs, hay-nets without him trying to bite and trying to barge me out of the way at the door. Please can you help?”

Melanie’s Response

Hello Vanessa. Interesting email from you. One for me to really get my teeth into!

Unfortunately my first thought is how unsuitable the basic nature of your horse is to ultimately become an entire or future-covering stallion. They don’t all make it that far, by any means, for the very real reasons you are talking of. Think 2 years further on down the line when he is under saddle and you are starting to ask real questions…. not merely manners, as is the case just now.

Once he covers (which you must never do until he is trained and doing a job) will he be able to relax working and cover when required?. On the face of it just now then I think not.

Sadly my words of wisdom as seen from outside of your box , will not be what you want to hear.  I feel that your boy has a strong and very dominant character and will somehow always be in trouble for feeling how he feels naturally… simply because it does not suit our dreamed of plans.

Look at Winnie Jackson. He had a miserable life as a dressage stallion abroad. When he was completely sick and virtually un-ride-able he ended up with Malcome Pyrah to try show jumping. Same thing till they finally cut him…now he jumps for the Irish team.(hopefully happy)

We had a 4 year old here last year…So out of control, angry, dangerous, huge (16.3), strong and impossible. Sure we changed his way of being and he became more settled and easier BUT as a career dressage horse he had to be cut…. (.not long after he left me) not because I had failed in any way but because his life was always going to be miserable because he could not help feeling the way he felt naturally. He was always in trouble and found it so hard to work and concentrate as needed and expected. He is now being groomed, hidden away from public glare, for the London Olympics. (Hopefully happy)

Sorry for telling it how I see it . I will be very happy to help you guys BUT just think on 1 or 2 or 3 years down the line…… How trainable is he if he stays entire? How will he ever find pleasure in simply being alive?

Please don’t feel that I am choosing the easy path, I’m not. Saying all this to you is extremely hard but I need you to think on and be completely honest with your selves.

If you feel that I am wrong then I will concede happily and help all I can.

My fantastically bred horse Yorkie was bought to event… He turned out to be agoraphobic! Not helpful. I tried for 2 years (and a huge amount of money I hasten to add!!)! It did not suit my plans to fail. How ever he is now working at Advanced Medium and I show jump 1.20m with ease. NOT MY ORIGINAL PLAN!!!!!!! But he is happy all safe in an arena!

Please get back to me when you feel you can. I will support you any way I can.

Kind regards Melanie

Carol from Lancashire asks

“I have just imported a 2yr Pre Andalusia Colt just turned 2yrs 15/06/09 from Spain he his very calm and well mannered in the stable I am just getting him used to me being around he will tie up while I muck out around him picking his feet up he is getting used to his rug he loves being brushed he has stopped trying to nip me now, I am really pleased with him in the stable he will lunged but I am not doing too much with him.

The problem I am having is walking him on the halter he has not had much halter training he tends to drag me not as much going out to the paddock but going back to his stable, I don’t seem to have much control, with him being around 15.1 and I am only 5.4 I am finding it hard he tends to go in front of me and ends up with his head and neck in front of me and I am having to keep stopping to move him over I was wondering if one of your rope halters would work and how do you use them?

I am hoping to keep him entire as he has such good breeding and I am hoping to do dressage with him and any advise would be much appreciated I live in Wigan Lancs .I am hoping to get him professional broke, I have had lots of experience with horses been riding 40yrs and broke two of my own horse in but Charlie is different I want to compete on him as my others have just been ponies for hacking my gelding was 24 when I had to have him but to sleep 5yrs ago Megan my Mare is 9yrs old I have had her from being born she is a brill hack hope you can help me as I don’t want him to know he can just run over me. Looking forward to hearing from you”

Melanie’s Response

Hello there Carol. Thank you for your email.

Your young horse sounds wonderful and I can see why you would chose to keep him entire for choice.

He is a real candidate for the rope halter training and you will bless the day you learnt it, as he gets older and more mature! This training is perfect to both produce and keep complete respect for you as handler and keeps you as his herd leader forever. (Such help when there is Testosterone floating about!)

I will happily come over for a day and work with you both. When I leave you will be fully armed and 100% confident in all aspects his further development. He will be respectful and in complete attention when you have hold of him.

Send me your postcode and I will let you know how much your bespoke training will be. I have just been to West Yorkshire to turn a very wayward and dangerous colt round. The results are fantastic.

Kind regards Melanie Watson.

Lisa from Norfolk asks:

“Gosh where to start! I bought my 14.3 seven-year-old mare in July after careful consideration, as she is a mother daughter share. She was born at previous home so obviously very relaxed there, since been moved to a new yard she has now become un-rideable, she naps badly even getting her away from the barn is impossible, I have had her teeth done, sharp points were found but since the teeth were sorted she has got worse, I have bought a new fitted saddle which I am still waiting for, the plan was to go back to basics and long rein which was going well. She throws her head forward yanking you out of the saddle. This stopped with the long reining for a time, last week when long reining in the school she spooked and bolted I let go thinking she won’t go far but she jumped the 5 bar gate and went back to the barn.

Now long reining has become a battle she gets so angry she bites the grass! Sick of been told to sell her for about £200 (I paid £2500) suggested to my daughter we sell her and she cried for 2 days till I said we will try and sort her out, I think she is scared and don’t want to fight her all the time, have done join up with a dually which went well, she also tries to bite me when being groomed and cinching up girth, really don’t know what to try I waited 20 years to have another horse and seem to be living in a nightmare, any advice would be great, thanks.

Lisa.”

Melanie’s Response

Hello there Lisa. Thank you for your email.

Your pony is suffering from separation anxiety. All that was safe and familiar to her has gone. She only feels safe when she is back at the stables with the other horses. There she has made bonds.

However she has not bonded and does not feel safe with you or your younger daughter as yet despite your best efforts. It is all a matter of relationship building. If she felt that you were a safe place to be then she would happily be where ever you are…ditto your daughter.

This pony has been badly affected by this move (total upheaval in her eyes), which has happened to her, not because of her. That is the way of their world, the choice is not theirs to make. Most cope fairly well.

Yours must be a little fragile in her make up which is why she has not adjusted well and is now manifesting itself in violent behavior. All she wants to do is feel safe and protected.

I think the best way forward is for me to come down there and work with you all in your own environment for a day. That way I can change how you all feel about each other, your relationship with the pony is the most important one to harvest.

Then I can start to change the way your pony feels, thinks and reacts in and around her “home”. She will let go of her fears and look more to you for leadership. If you send her off for re-schooling now then this still does not sort out the issues at home or the way you all feel about each other.

Have a think and let me know.

Kind regards Melanie

Vicky from East Riding School has asked the following:

“Just recently my 19yr old TBx (Garth) has seemed a bit depressed, he has become very clingy to people whilst he is in the field & stable and seems to stand at the gate all day waiting to come in yet he is not cold and there is grass available. He is eating and the vet has had a quick look and didnt find anything wrong. Is he feeling his age and should i fully retire him or should i continue to take him out hacking? He doesn’t like being in the field by himself so he goes out in the field with my 2 youngsters could this be part of the problem?”

Melanie’s Response

Hi Vicky. How nice to hear from you.

I hope your dad was ok after his lesson.!!!! Your old boy is most certainly feeling his age. He simply does not want to be in a wet cold field all day any more. No doubt he would be happier doing less time out and more time in…though this is not really always a good thing. If he is happy hacking then great, keep going.

The more active he is the better for his overall well being…. he may disagree! You are not doing anything wrong with him in general. If he could have just the morning out then he may be happier. Not always possible I realise!

Keep in touch.
Kind regards Melanie

Hi, I have a Mare who was given to me as she was going to be shot by her previous owners because they couldn’t load her (polo players who had no time for her and couldn’t sell and unloadable horse!). I don’t know the reason she stopped loading but i suspect she had a fall early in her life in a lorry (she is only rsing 6 now). She is lovely in all other respects (although a typical flightly tb!) I am slowly building up trust with her and have started being able to take her on short journeys etc, but would like an expert to come in for a period of time to work with us to just make sure everything is heading on the right track and to try to work through her tension when loading anywhere apart from home (getting her on at home is easy it is getting her back on once we have been somewhere that will prove a challenge). She will make a lovely PC pony for someone if only I can get this cracked. Do you do call outs to yards? If so how much do you charge working alongside me and my ho
rse?
Hi Alex. You have just asked me to do my favourite job!!

I will happily come down for a day to spend with you both. She will be very happy in that space and maybe putting herself in by herself too. You will learn a whole new way of thinking and in turn, will improve your relationship as a result. Its such a fab process to see your horse putting all her fears away and grow in both understanding and confidence.

We do this in 3 sessions as a rule.We need to get the ground work done so that we can test it by travelling some where to play, then you load her easily to come home. A dastardly plan!

Sarah Has sent me this problem.
hi. i have just recieved 2 5 month old foals yesterday and to be truthful dont know where to start with halter training. i have never had foals before and have only had experience with my 2 shetlands. any advise would be much appreciated.
thanks.

The first step is  obviously getting a halter on them in the first place, which wants to fit them comfortably. They may have to live in them for a while depending on how unhandled they are. If they haven`t been tied up before then this is one of the most important steps in any horse`s life. They must accept being restrained in this way. Done quietly and with care, this procedure  does n`t have to be too traumatic. They will pull and tug…DO NOT LET THEM BREAK FREE. (unless its an emergency) It will not take them long to accept this but it requires patience and time from the owner to achieve the result. Daily tiying up is essential in the early days and so is their whole  routine in general. Loads of quiet handleing, brushing, leading around in general inc next to traffic etc. When you let them go in the gate way of the field, have them turn to face you before you release them. All these little things help create a peaceful future and happy horses. Have fun and good luck. Keep me posted with progress!

Watch the highlights from Melanie’s first live Instinctive Horse Training event at Bishop Burton College in Spring/Summer 2009. You can also watch this video directly on Melanie’s Youtube Channel.

Dianne asked me this question.

In May I  purchased a cobxtrotter 5 year gelding. aged 4 he was in an accident on the road in driving trap. This has obviously left him very traumatised and he was turned away in a field for six months although he had an injury to his muscles in his groin (which were not dealt with at the time but he has now been treated by a horse sports therapy lady as he was one-tenth lame so he is not now in pain and sound and beginning gradual straight line work. He was backed to ride in Jan 2009 by the lady I bought him from. He is friendly, likes people and is good to hack alone, company, no problem to mount up and not nervous of rider in the saddle. He had two panic attacks with me on him, started off by noises behind him. He bolted and bucked until I came off on both occasions.  He has panic attacks. Can you advise if he can get over this traumatic experience.

When I get horses it to retrain after traffic accidents or that are terrified of certain things like tractors ,then we go about it by reversing  the pressure.  The panic/flight mode which is deeply instilled in any horse comes to the fore at momments of fright or perceived fear. All horses will instinctively turn and run away from the noise, image or imagined threat. If your horse lacks self confidence in any way then even the armour-plated,Teradactyl type sparrow may cause an unexpected shy or threat to bolt. This inturn can frighten the rider, who will most probably react badly themselves…..usually by grabbing the reins(causing an afirmation for the fear)… this is usually an instinctive reaction from the rider too. Can you start to see a pattern imerge? No one is at fault here. The rider has to do whatever they can to gain control back.

We work our horses through the natural system ground work to gain their respect and their trust. Next we start to set up scenario`s which will potentially cause the flight response. We get the horse to face the fear and take 1 step towards it…at the same time the “fear” itself will move away. The more the horse gains confidence towards the object or noise, the more it moves away.  The horse ends up feeling empowered because it has faced the fear and pushed or chased it away! We then build on this over the days to real life situations. Always praising the horse for making the right decisions. This method anyone can do at home but please feel free to ring me for advise before you attempt this  at home.

Watch the teaser for Melanie’s upcoming Television Show on Horse TV. You can also watch ‘She Saves Horses‘ directly on Melanie’s new Youtube Channel.

For more information about Melanie’s upcoming television show, keep an eye on Melanie’s blog.

I have this question from Eilidh.

“Hi there, i am having some problems with my 5 year old dutch warmblood. I have had him nearly two years now and he has come on leaps and bounds since he arrived. However i find that these days we seem to be hitting a wall! He is generally a calm horse on hacks or in the school but has lately become cockier. His first and only show we went to a year ago was a nightmare. he looked around excitedly and a moment later he had reared up over backwards damagin both our egos.”

I do a mixture of lunging, schooling and hacking to try to keep things interesting. I ideally would like to do some showjumping and a little dressage. the problem is that he can out of the blue be very boysterous and be hard to control. I am finding it hard to teach him to come onto the bit and to stop running with his face in the air.

He also is finding it hard to understand the concept of schooling calmy and can at times be very overpowering. I am thinking of sending him to a professional for some extra work but have no idea of the implication or costs of this.
Can you help us at all? Thanks for listening!

 
Well…where to start!! Given the information you have offered up I would have to say that this young horse  does not see you as his leader just now. It is time that his energy was directed into something he really enjoys.. eg jumping. It is very hard not to make a real issue out of a problem sometimes. The art of knowing what to do and when. Because this horse is starting to flex his adult muscles ,so to speak, I would advise that you seeked professional help. 2 weeks away with a very good trainer will bring him back into attention and put some new respect rules into place.

That gives the trainer enough time to learn to understand your horses` strenghts and weaknesses and find how to channel them. The horse should be more established in the basic work and be feeling confident in himself and this new role!!! The 3rd week is about getting you 2 back together as a team..Very, very important that you give your self that time to learn what has been done and how to do it yourself.

You will not have done anything wrong up to this point. Just like children, horses mature and get stroppy. Try not to be his beast friend . Dont put up with a lack of respect from him. Keep his attention and dont resort to pain or violence,. That, like children, will make him angry with you…not respectful.

 
I`ve had a question form Jodie….
I Have a 11year old mare tbx, 16.1hh. we think she has done point to point before, or racings, as she will not school andd she always jogs. it has got to a stage where i cant school her because its a big circle, soon as i give the rein she bombs and when i take she fights. is there anthing i can try to help me to be able to school my horse, and have a good walk trot and canter, because everything i do she just wants to bomb around!!! thankyou

Jodie`s problem is a very common one. There are 1000`s of ex racehorses out in the public domain because they are sold so cheaply when their racing career finishes. These horses do not have any basic training for this new life they have found them selves in. They have no streering, balance, bend or brakes. They blow up with stress and lose all rational thought at times.

We start retraining these horses on the ground. We use the natural approach to calm them down and allow them to let go of stress. That way they can learn to think things thro and start to make decisions. They are then immediately nothing like as dangerous. We teach them to bend and stretch both latitudinally and longitudinally. We teach them how to be calm in halt by ground tieing them (A mental not a physical tie up ) We teach them to lunge in the PESSOA set long and low , to teach them to use all their top line muscles for the very first time. The PESSOA  is a great place for all you owners to start. Used correctly it will do nothing but good. I have a training step by step guide in the use of the PESSOA on video available on my site. How to fit it, use it and when to increase its degree of difficulty. I have gone out of my way to produce this so that the help is out there for everyone who has a similar struggle.

Starting by usung the PESSOA will give your horse voice commands, rythem, balance without the weight of the rider to contend with and start to give longitudinal stretch. A great place to start!!!!

Here’s a question from Emma:

“I’m wondering if you could help me? I’m 16 and a year and a half ago i bought an ex-racehorse. Merlin (the ex racer) seemed calm and happy so i loan him and he proved to be a handful but i thought i could handle it. His ok now but still very afraids of coloured poles and all types of jumps – especially puddles? can you help? he will lead over them but jumping is another matter for him.

Also he isn’t head shy but gets very wound up if you go to touch his ears? i was also wonddering if you could give me any tips for when i ride him – as in canter he gets faster so i give half halts then he gets faster then see’s something and starts to freak over nothing. His not uncontrolable but it makes me so frustrated that i know he can do it but he just misbehaves because he feels like it. Please help. thankyou Emma x”

Ex race horses do not understand the basic rules with which an ordinary riding horse would know and perform. They have no conception of patience and calm acceptance in certain circumstances….ie coming home or waiting quietly at a road junction. They are rigidly straight and have no understanding of flexion, both longitudinally and laterally.

Unless they are properly retrained and these new rules put in , then they continue to stress and show erratic and sometimes dangerous behaviour. The natural way of training is so good in this type horse as it puts in the ability to think. If your horse can think then it is letting go of pent up stress and is starting to make decisions that are done rationally.

I’ve had a question from Adeline in Northern Ireland. Adeline asks:

“I have an young horse who is 2 years and 4 months.  I have been told by several people that he is too young to be broke in.  Is this true and if so what is the appropriate age?”

Hi Adeline. Good question. As a rule you would think about starting to formaly work a youngster at 3 years old. How ever , the more handleing you do with them before , the better. Leadind out in traffic for example. Washing them and generally doing things which will so apply later on. Your horse may not be mature enough to cope with all the lunging and mental concentration before that point.

Melanies Radio Interview

As spring is on the doorstep, watch your horse,s diet so that he is not a candidate to get laminitis on the spring grass

Join Melanie for a live demonstration of her horse training methods. Whether you are a novice rider, pleasure rider or competition rider, Melanie will have something for everyone.

You can also apply to have your own horse used as a demo candidate. Melanie will work with you and your horse for the demonstration, and you will need to be confident enough to do this in front of up to 500 people.

Please fill out a quick form and we will be in touch with you.

Lastly, there will be a competition on the day to win Melanie’s custom training ropes and rope halter.

Date: 25th April 2009
Time: 1.30pm – 5.30pm
Venue: Bishop Burton College of Agriculture

For more information on the Demonstration or to buy tickets, please visit our online shop

Today I’ve returned to Sophie and Mike after 3 months. I am delighted to see what a fabulous relationship they have and realise why I do my job! Mike has been jumping Sophie for fun and she has a natural flare and enthusiasm for it. Today I taught Mike and Sophie the basics of grid jumping and it was great fun, well done them!

Melanie.

Cara Asks:

I have a horse on loan who I’ve had for about 3 months. She has always been at the same yard and has always been tricky to catch in the field. However in recent months the problem had got worse. She will not allow you close to her, even if you are carrying treats and if you do step close to her she becomes violent and will lunge out, kick, rear and charge at you. When you managed to get hold of her she simply runs away, and she is strong and hard to hold on to. We have tried different approaches with little success. Although once she is in from the field, she is perfect in every way. Any advice is gratefully received.

Hello Cara, thank you for your question. Fundamental changes need to be made in your daily routine. A good place to start is to restrict her area of turnout i.e very small area with electric fencing. Leave a 10 or 15 foot long rope attached to her head collar. When you want to catch her you can quietly get hold of the piece of rope. She will resent this at first and probably try to run away but you will be able to consistently keep hold or re-catch her without any fuss. She will work out that you have the advantage and you’ll be in a better position to praise her and make her feel comfortable. By repeating this process you will empower yourself where she presently has the upper-hand.

You have to start somewhere with this horse, and this is as good a place to start as any. By daily repetition your horse will start to feel less threatened and not feel the need to be so defensive. If she doesn’t feel the need to attack you then her violence will subside and you’ll be winning.

After being away from riding for a lot of years I bought a steady cob to begin riding again now I have the time. Unfortunately, due to a very nasty road rage incident between my horse and the driver of a particularly large lorry, which left my horse, traumatised and terrified in traffic, I looked in the Yellow Pages for someone to rehabilitate and retrain my horse to restore his confidence in traffic.

After trawling through various names offering horse re-training, I decided on Melanie Watson. I could not have made a better choice by choosing her. Subsequently, since being involved with horses again, I have realised how well known and how very highly respected Melanie is by equestrian owners of all disciplines and from wide areas, not just locally.

After a long conversation on the telephone where she outlined her strategy, she left me to think about, with no pressure to bring the to horse to her. After a few days, I contacted Melanie again and arranged to take my horse to her stables for rehabilitation where she actively encouraged me to visit and watch the progress that she was making with the horse. Nothing was hidden and all of my questions were answered completely and honestly.

My horse spent six weeks with Melanie, and in that time the change in him was remarkable. She has restored his confidence considerably; he was much more responsive in his general handling. Despite all Melanie’s efforts with my horse, my confidence was so badly shattered that I was only able to ride him with her walking beside me, which was not a long-term solution.

After another heart-to-heart talk with Melanie, it was decided that the best option would be to sell the horse and for me to try and regain my confidence by going to a good riding school in riding in an enclosed, secure space. She showed the horse to respective buyers for me and even transported him several miles free of charge, to another person who had showed interest in purchasing him. After a couple of weeks he was sold and I was sorry to see him go.

I am still in contact with Melanie and I cannot thank her enough for everything that she did to try and put my horse and myself back together again. The fact that I did not have the confidence to ride my horse again is no reflection on Melanie at all. Whenever she was there I was able to ride him, but unfortunately without her there to bolster my confidence, my courage failed me completely.

I was very lucky the day I picked Melanie out of the phonebook. She is such an honest and open person and a great friend to have who certainly knows her stuff has far as horses are concerned. During the time my horse was with Melanie, I saw her training/retraining various types and temperaments of horses and she was never anything else than calm, effective and professional in her handling of these animals.

Melanie has supported Yorkshire Wolds Riding Club for probably longer than she cares to mention, being part of the furniture is one of her many jobs as club trainer. The club is a small club and its aim is to support riders who want to learn more about riding their horse in a non-competitive, unthreatening training environment.

Melanie is incredibly adaptable and can provide a session for the two people who turn up one week to the twelve who decide to come the week after. Everyone who comes along gets something out of the session and Melanie provides feedback to everyone afterwards about what they have achieved and what they can do to carry on the work at home.

Anyone who knows Melanie will know that she has a unique sense of humour and this comes over frequently as she tries to get us to understand exactly what she wants us to do. She is renowned for prancing around the school trying to demonstrate what the horse should be doing (you really have to see it, it’s hilarious). Even the horses have been seen to roll their eyes in exasperation!

What do we value most about Melanie? It is her undying faith that one day one of us will get it right, her belief that every one of us has potential to achieve a balance between our own expectations and a happy horse. Her enthusiasm, endless encouragement and the way she knows each horse intimately, what it can do, what it can’t do and (especially in the case of my horse Norman) when the horse is leading the rider up the garden path! It is her ability to have you constantly stretching your expectations as a rider, without leaving you feeling like you will never get there, and ultimately her genuine pride when you achieve your goals whether that be staying on right through the whole lesson, competing at your first novice test or jumping the whole course clear!

Jackie Ingham
Club Secretary

Early in 2007 I bought my new boy 5 year old ‘Little Joe’, who at 16.3hh wasn’t so little at all. After a very promising start to our partnership bit by bit his character started to change, resulting in increasingly violent rearing and broncing episodes. Following a couple of lucky injury escapes a friend suggested I give Melanie a call for help and assistance.

Melanie paid Joe a visit and concluded that many of his problems stemmed from remembered pain from his past. Melanie worked with Joe to overcome his psychological problems and fears and excellent progress was made, his usual friendly, willing character returned and he happily accepted being ridden and we began to plan when he could come home. Unfortunately out of the blue his behaviour became extremely unpredictable and dangerous which led us to believe he has suffering from a brain tumour. Ultimately after many discussions with both Melanie and my vet I had the difficult decision made to have him put to sleep.

Despite the sad ending in relation to Joe the knowledge I gained from Melanie has proved invaluable. I learnt so much from her, she has a vast understanding of how a horse’s mind works and how they react to situations.

I now have a new mare and have put the knowledge I gained from Melanie to good use with Moonlight. She’s a big girl and knows how to use her weight and size against me. By using the techniques that Melanie taught me, Moonlight’s behaviour on the ground is now as good as her ridden behaviour is.

Melanie – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, many many thanks.

Before I start my story I would like to say that if you have a problem horse or a horse that needs retraining then you have found the person that you need. You really will be giving your horse the very best opportunity in its’ future life. I have met a great number of excellent equestrian trainers, but no one compares to what I have seen Melanie achieve.

I rode quite competitively as a youngster and we as a family, come from a very equestrian background. Due to other commitments, I had to stop riding until recently. I then saw an advert for Sophie. She was 5 and at this stage, unbroken and described as a little sharp!

When I saw Sophie she had been brought in recently, having lived wild around the Bradford Airport area. She was definitely very sharp. She had a head collar on that was cutting into her face and she had scars on her neck and feet. We later discovered that she had been caught up in barbed wire as a 2 year old (Melanie took the time to track down the breeder to try and identify what had caused the physical and mental issues the horse suffered from). The sensible person would have walked away, however I saw a horse that I liked and although she was thoroughly DANGEROUS, I bought her.

When I got her home I soon realised that I had made a terrible mistake. I did not have the facilities, time or the experience to deal with this horse. I have broken horses before and ridden dangerous horses but this was a different league. The thing with Sophie was that it was ‘fear-based behaviour’ so a harsh approach would have been wrong. She was so explosive and powerful, I knew that I needed help.

By chance, I happened upon Melanie. She has given me a fabulous horse and given Sophie the ability to live a normal, fulfilled and hopefully, a successful life.

The techniques that Melanie used were different. The principal is that horses are herding animals and that the herd is lead by the matriarch. If a member of the herd is misbehaving it is dealt with in a certain way by the matriarch. It is the study of this behaviour that underpins a lot of Melanie’s work. Coming from a traditional background I viewed any other techniques as “Natural Horsemanship” and to some extent dismissed it.

The difference when comparing Melanie to others is the way that she cures the problem and more importantly trains the owner so the work can continue back at home. I was embarrassed by the situation I found myself in. Melanie and her team never looked down on me or made me feel stupid as a lot do. The yard is not state of the art, but it is professional, friendly and puts the horses before the economics. Melanie’s yard is probably the cleanest and best run that I have ever seen.

My only expectation was to have a horse that I could sit on. My expectations were exceeded by 100%. I had a calm, level headed and respectful horse. It was like the mad chip in her brain had been removed. I ride this horse down very busy main roads with trucks travelling at 50mph driving towards me. She has the biggest jump I have had the pleasure to sit on and we could not be happier.

All of this has been achieved without beating her up. It is also surprisingly affordable. What you can’t put a price on is the chance Sophie has had and the life she can now lead. I have no doubt that she would have ended up being shot if it had not been for Melanie and the thorough work she and her team put in.

All I can say is a big thank you to Melanie and her team for an amazing job.
Mike.

Question:
My horse won’t stand still for me to tack up or when I want to mount.

Melanie’s Answer:
Your horse is showing behaviour concernment with one of 2 things.

1. Stress and the fear of what is to come ( a bit like a visit to the dentist for us! ) by association with the arrival of the tack.

   He could be uncomfortable with his mouth or jaw, or maybe your saddle doesn’t fit very well and is causing discomfort.

   If may well be remembered fear from his past life causing him to worry.

   He may have pain somewhere in his body.

   If the arrival of the tack is the only time he fidgets then this avenue needs exploring. Equally if being mounted is the trigger then one is led to the fear of pain, impatience or some past historical incident.

2. The Other explanation is a general lack of manners. If the horse tends to be rude in his stable, or just in general then there are probably too many grey areas in his training. He doesn’t need to be harshly dealt with but the handler always needs to give clear instructions, backed up by positive reinforcement.

   Make him feel comfortable at all times. Do not be impatient – just be firm and repetitive. You must be comfortable place for your horse to be at all times but he is NEVER the leader.

Question:
My horse is impossible to catch. He runs away from me and I have to use food. This can cause a problem with the other horses.

Melanie’s Answer:
Out in the field is the only place your horse is free to have power over you!

Make a point of going into the field NOT to catch him. As you get near him send him away from you like you are not just interested in him. Play him at his own game. Walk past him, go beyond him and keep sending him away.

When you see that this is simply not the fun it used to be for him, his expression will change. Watch out for his ear nearest you to drop sideways. When this happens he may well be caught. Turn your back on him and rustle a packet of polos! if at this point he comes to you don’t turn to face him. He will come along sideways. Give him a polo and walk away from him. Chances are he’ll follow you.

DONT always go in to catch him. Play this game, reverse the pressure that he puts on you. Having 8 inches of rope hanging from his head collar is really useful because you don’t then feel the need to grab his head. This bit of rope will fall into your hand you have caught him quietly.

Question:
My horse won’t load into my trailer, he is not frightened, just really stubborn!

Melanie’s answer:
The age old problem! You need some professional help. The natural technique that I use cures the problem by changing both you and horse’s way of thinking. All confrontation is taken away.

Your horse must respect you and want to go where you go. It all comes down to relationship, comfort and mutual respect at the end of the day. I bet the trailer isn’t the only issue you two have together.

Fear of the trailer and claustrophobia is another issue altogether. Ring me and we can talk it though.

Question:
My horse gets his tongue over the bit when I ride. What can I do about this?

Melanie’s Answer:

First stop – get a professional dentist to check his teeth. Your horse is showing an evasion in his mouth. Somewhere along the line he has not been well handled by a rider or has had a too severe bit in to the point where he has sought comfort by pulling his tongue back.

Youngsters being broken in try this tactic sometimes and the trainers must stop this habit quickly or it becomes established. Try riding in a bit-less bridle for a while if you feel that your hands are soft enough. The change may do him some good.

There are rubber tongue guards in saddle shops that you could experiment with. Going back to basics is always a good thing like lunging in a bungee rein over his pull, through the bit and attached to the girth between his legs.

This should help him lower his head softly and encourage a head carriage whereby the bit just hangs quietly in his mouth and he carries the weight of his own head himself – not through the rider’s hands.

This is a common problem with ex Race Horses who have never been given a chance to except the bit and where the training has been stressful.

Question:
What can I do to be safe out riding during the gloomy winter months?

Melanie’s Answer:
Always wear high visibility clothing. There are loads of products on the market like High-visibility Jackets, Vests, Leggings etc for the rider.

Again, there are loads of products for your horse to wear from Rugs to florescent boots and tail covers. All this helps drivers of cars to see you out on the roads in murky daylight.

Did You Know?

1. If there is an accident, by ringing 112 on your mobile you will reach all the emergency services from your mobile via satellite. So even if you have no reception on your mobile you can always access the emergency services.
2. If you have no battery left on your phone – by ringing *3370# this will give you emergency power via satellite to make that call.

This is a poem written by several of my clients as a present for me:

Spud with the Rope Halter

Spud is awkward to load. He always takes an hour to get in a truck or a trailer and always requires a team of people on hand to help!!

The photos show me gaining his attention and trust using ‘pressure on’ and ‘pressure off’ techniques with the rope halter.

	Working with Spud on the ground to gain his full attention, trust and obedience.
	Note his ear position – it shows he is thinking about me and not what is going on around him
	Spud in complete attention
	This is Spuds habitual response to being loaded. He stops on the ramp, his head in the air – he’s going nowhere!!!
	Reapplying pressure NOT PAIN
	Spuds attitude starts to change
	Spuds head is down, he is relaxed and happily following me
	A happy, soft, forward thinking horse that is actually IN THE TRAILER!!!

The partnership between Raydar and myself.


Loading quietly and happily.

Raydar had been in training with me for several weeks. He is an 18+ hand Hanovarian who used his size and weight to intimidate everyone. He hadn’t been ridden for a year. Raydar was a very unhappy and very stressed out horse – both in the stable and in the field and this displayed itself through his rude and bargy behaviour, he had no attention span and zero trust.

He was almost impossible to load into a trailer or a wagon. He would drag his devoted Mum all over and she would end up with rope burns and bruises from being pulled and pushed around. He would reverse, head in the air, shooting down the side of the trailer. His Mum was amazed to see how quickly he came into attention with me, how soft and relaxed he was. The loading was never an issue with me as the horse would follow me to the ends of the earth, happily and respectfully.

I have returned again and again to Melanie for help, advice and schooling since buying a horse from her over 2 years ago. The horse was everything she said it would be. Always on the end of a telephone her advice is simple and true, at all times with the best interest of the horse at heart.

Melanie’s a breath of fresh air when it comes to horses, brutally to the point and honest, her experience, wisdom and understanding of how the horses mind works, the close connection she has with the most awkward and problematic of equines and how she resolves them is inspiring to watch. But it doesn’t end there as more importantly Melanie also imparts the techniques and understanding thus making sure that you understand why and how to manage situations when they occur so that you continue the positives to guarantee that your horse continues to be happy, willing, calm and obedient in every circumstance.

I first met Melanie around 10yrs ago when I started to visit her yard to exercise a friend’s horse. From the first moment I saw Melanie working her ‘problem’ horses I knew I was witnessing something very special. Melanie is a phenomenal horsewoman in hundreds of different ways but what really impresses me is the way she is able to work with a horse and truly understand its problems and fears and how to help. I have seen Mel use a variety of techniques, traditional methods, her own variety of natural horsemanship and many other non-habitual methods but always with understanding, a great deal of care and infinite patience.

About 6 years ago I got my own horse – a 16.2” 11 year old thoroughbred gelding who had been in racing all of his life. He was beautiful, with stunning paces and an affectionate nature on the ground. He was also incredibly sharp, spooky as hell, prone to panic and haunted by his past. Mel and her team of experts at Skidby re-trained First Light and with their help and Melanie’s expert advice, training and enthusiasm, First Light turned into a happy, well balanced, forward going horse who used to babysit the young or problem horses. I could take him to the riding club and to local dressage competitions. He even learned to jump sensibly!! I learnt more than I would ever have believed possible from owning an ex-racehorse but it could have gone horribly wrong without the support and expert tuition I received from Melanie.

Unfortunately First Light got a serious bout of colic in September 2008 and had to be put down. To the end Melanie and her team were there, helping and offering me invaluable advice. It is a constant source of comfort to me to think what a fabulous life First Light had after his racing career and much of that is due to the expert re-training he received. Many ex racehorses do not get this opportunity.

Earlier this year my 16-y-o TB decided that he wasn’t going to load into his trailer any more. We spent hours trying everything to get him in, but each time he got two feet on the ramp he jammed on the brakes, put his head in the air (at 16.3hh it doesn’t leave you much room to negotiate) and refused to go any further. This behaviour was made doubly frustrating by the fact that at some point each time he would just say “oh OK then” and walk happily in as though there was nothing wrong. And there wasn’t – at the other end of the journey he was always calm, interested and ready to go to work – no fear, nervousness or sweating from being in the trailer or going on the journey.

The last straw was a late night journey home from Riding Club (made no difference whether he was leaving or going home) when I was left alone with him refusing to load in a dark lorry park, in the rain, polos and carrots long gone…

Melanie told me that the fix was a session with the rope halter. I had seen her flexible approach using natural horsemanship methods work well with many other problems, and she thought he would respond quickly, being a rather precious and sensitive type of chap. And he did – within half an hour he was loading – up the exit ramp as well – over and over without any hesitation. The key message was “there is no ramp” – not Matrix jargon, but a real statement to hold onto. And it’s true – he is either in the trailer, or out of it. The opportunity for hesitation has gone because now I expect him to load and my body language, subliminal messages, call it what you will, all tell him there is no ramp and therefore no problem.

We haven’t had a problem since, and I can’t explain (except of course to all those others who have been in that dark, lonely lorry park, or worse still been surounded by well-meaning people who want to beat the horse in with sticks…) how much simpler and easier it is to travel. He loads himself, leaving me to stay outside and just close the ramp behind him. Without any kind of force, stress or agression, Melanie has quickly, effectively and permanently taken one of my the biggest worries out of travelling to competitions – now all I need to do is get myself ready on time!

Having purchased Ash (a 15hh, grey gelding), I was assured that somebody would be able to help me to train him into a ‘normal’ horse…..however, after trying 3 different instuctors, Ash was still as nervous/anxious as ever!

Very basic things such as – standing still whilst you get on, walking (instead of constantly jogging) and stabling him (was very stressed out when inside) all needed to be addressed in a non-aggressive manner, Ash had undoubtedly been subjected to some brutal treatment in the past!
Thankfully, I got in contact with Melanie and she supplied the exact style of re-training that my horse deserved.

Ash and his anxieties were addressed in such a simple (when you know how) and pain-free manner, that it was a real pleasure to witness my horse’s transformation!
My only regret being….that I didn’t ring Melanie first!

Jennie Hardwick

Bebe

Anne brought Bebe to a demonstration to get some advice and help – mainly with the mare’s attitude. She was VERY aggressive – to handle, in the field, in the stable and particularly to feed. She was also incredibly tense and very dangerous to ride. She was bad to saddle, when the girth was done up she would fly round and bite the handler and she NEVER stood still.

You will see from the photos what happened during the demonstration and Anne also got some help after the demo with Bebe’s stable manners and a specific training programme to help the mare lay down her defences and trust people.

By Jane Pearson-Moore, South Dalton, East Yorkshire – 25/10/2008

Nearly 10 years ago Melanie Watson enabled me to pick up where I left off with my riding… after a 20 year break!! She carefully and skilfully nurtured me back to a position where I felt able to compete on my very own horse. She then ‘found’ me my beloved ‘horse of a lifetime’ – JJ.

Melanie’s patience and good humour whilst I bonded with JJ will be forever remembered.
Since this time Melanie has remained a close friend to both me and my family, with her talent as a highly skilled all-round horse trainer and rider becoming more widely known as the years go by.

Dear Melanie

I am writing to thank you and Karle for helping me with Rosie.

I was having trouble getting on Rosie and asked you for help. You told me that after your training she would be so relaxed that she would stand still resting a leg while you got on. You also said that I would be able to hack her along the road and if I could come along each day I would learn such a lot. I thought WOW, but could it really be that good? But Melanie, you were true to your word.

I thought that I would just be watching, but from the first morning you got me involved with grooming and tacking up. Every strap and hook had been put on correctly. I had a particular problem with the boots and no matter how many times I put them on the wrong way, you or Karle always had time to show and explain and you never made me feel stupid! You took me by surprise when you asked me to lunge and long rein Rosie, especially when I went on the road with her. You were constantly reinforcing my bond with Rosie and building my confidence with her. Each day learning to do something different and a little harder. If Rosie had a small problem it was that she could be a little impatient at times. As her mother is impatient, I assumed it was a family trait. You explained to me that it is just as important that a horse learns to relax as it is to go forward. You spent a lot of time with Rosie just standing still scratching her bottom and I shall never forget long reining Rosie in Skidby at a road junction with men digging up the road behind her with a loud pneumatic drill (which Karle had asked the men to keep on!) She just stood there in an open rein while I scratched her bottom. Buses and cars were going past in front of her, WOW!

It was fascinating watching you and Karle back Rosie the American way, teaching her to move away from pressure and feel comfortable when she was near you. Yes, she did rest a leg when you finally decided she was ready for Karle to sit a stride.
When I rode her I was impressed how responsive she was to my voice and leg, how she would turn if you tapped her shoulder and stop when I gently pulled the neck rein. Not to mention the fact that she was totally unflappable out on the road whether it was young boys on skateboards or motorbike riders speeding past.

Thank you Melanie, you have given me hope that I will be able to ride and enjoy my home-bred horse.
Next year when she is ready to re-back as a four year old I won’t be wasting any time having anxious moments I will bring her straight to you.

Thank you

Gill Furman, Laxton, East Yorkshire.

Dear Melanie,

Ref: Annual General Meeting Thursday 20.06.08

Everyone who attended the meeting thoroughly enjoyed your stimulating presentation and thank you so much for being our guest speaker. Members were still talking about your enthusiasm long after you left.

We learnt a little about your world and hopefully you found out some interesting facts about us.

Thank you once again

Yours Sincerely

Mrs. M Clarke
General Manager