I couldn’t be happier with the result. Bella has come back like a changed horse. She went away as a cranky stroppy teenager and has come back a sweet, gentle, calm mare who is a pleasure to own. I must say James has got the most amazing facility's and the whole place is clam, friendly and relaxing.
During her time there I visited her there on the 2nd week. Watching James work with her and many other horses was a real eye opener. I learnt so many tricks/tecnics and skills just from watching him. I really got to see what focus really meant!
I was shocked to see have far Bella had progressed in only a week! I must confess I had to do a lot of licking and chewing to get my head round the idea of her being a ridden pony! After seeing him work with her for a week I was even more convinced that I had made the right choice in sending her. My old mare was there having some schooling so it was great to see her and her new owner again too.
When I returned after the 3rd week for the two day hand over, I was again shocked at how far she had come and I was privileged enough to get a private lesson with James in the afternoon. He went through all her training and made sure I was up to speed on what I need to do when I got home ….. Then I got my 1st ride on her!! Wow!! I couldn’t believe how good it felt to finally be on her. She was so calm and steady that it was as if she had been doing it forever. James talked me through Direct and In-Direct Reins, Lateral Flexion, Follow the rail and transitions.
After riding for about half an hour in the indoor arena, we went and played with some clover leaf patterns in the outdoor arena, then headed off round the savvy park to ‘check fences’.
On day two of the handover all the colts and their owners, escorted By James, Josh & Janine (his working students) went on a trail ride in the Whiltshire countryside. It was great to see all the horses being such cool, calm and collected partners and we all came back beaming from ear to ear not wanting to get off!
We traveled home the next day, and even though I was sad to leave James’s (I would have happily move in!) I was looking forward to being able to ride Bella at home.
Big thank you to James, Vicky, Josh & Janine for making us both feel so at home and If anyone gets the chance to go I STRONGLY recommend it. It will be the best decision you ever make for you and your horse and I can't wait to go back with Bella for some Clinics!
Here are the links to the video's of our first ride together. Enjoy!
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