All natural horse care in the west of Ireland

I am very excited to be hosting 2 Positive Horsemanship Clinics with Vanessa Bee at my home in Lisacul (near Ballaghaderreen) Co Roscommon in August.

Saturday 2nd August & Sunday 3rd August - Ready to Ride

How many times do you hear the comment that the horse ‘wasn’t ready to ride’? it may relate to an older horse that has been ridden for many years or to a youngster.

In this short course we examine:

• How the horse communicates his unwillingness to be ridden.
• How to help the horse feel better about carrying a rider.
• Basic saddlefitting do’s and don’ts.
• The fitness of the rider, posture, stiffness etc
• Identifying ‘blocks and braces’ in horse and rider.
• Starting youngsters – when possible we will have an unbacked youngster to start as a demonstration.

 Monday 4th August & Tuesay 5rd August - Horse Behaviour and the Pyschology of Training

This module is dedicated to looking at the horse and how he behaves not only to other horses but towards humans.

• we look at the language used by behaviourists
• we identify ‘problems’ and identify how the horse is
• expressing himself and why
• we look at rewards, punishment, negative and positive reinforcement in training
• we look at training methods used by many different horsemen
• we will observe, in the field, how horses communicate with each other
• we examine how horses learn and use their senses to survive
• there will be case studies to discuss and evaluate, students being encouraged to voice their opinions and observations

Cost of each course (2 days) is 200 EURO. A 50 EURO deposit will be required to secure a place. Places are limited so if you are interested please get in touch soon.

nb. Anyone wishing to bring their own horses should make sure they have appropriate insurance cover.

Taken from: http://uk-website.co.uk/courses/index.php 

What is Positive Horsemanship?

(the concept)

...it supports trainers, products & ideas that are committed to the emotional and physical well being of the horse and the handler. We only promote trainers and products that we believe will enhance relationships between people and horses. The Positive Horsemanship team areconstantly researching trainer's methods and equipment to add to their portfolio. These are then included on the website and promoted at events around the country.We are always delighted to hear about any ideas, new or old, that fit into our criteria.

(the method)

…it educates people to observe all styles of horsemanship and pick the bits that work for them and their horses! Using a wealth of knowledge gathered over many years we help people research the various trainers, methods and the psychology behind them and make a decision about what works for them. We encourage them to think for themselves and build their own Horsemanship Programme instead of working to someone else's criteria. We constantly work towards a positive outcome for horses and their trainers.

Trainer  Vanessa Bee

Vanessa approaches horsemanship from the heart. She specializes in building relationships between the horse and the handler from the ground up.

A qualified teacher she understands the frustrations of the pupils, both human and equine, and builds a Positive Partnership that enhances all aspects of the lives of the individual.

More Information on Vanessa.

Vanessa Bee has been around horses for most of her life working in racing stables throughout her teens then driving competitively into her early twenties when she was given an ‘unridable' racehorse as a wedding present. Very soon Vanessa realised that there had to be a better way than the ‘bigger stick, bigger bit method' of riding teaching being offered. It was in 1997 that the journey truly began to develop a style of teaching and riding that Vanessa has called Positive Horsemanship. Vanessa began to read, study and work with some of the greatest horseman of the age. Monty Roberts, Kelly Marks, Jayne Lavender, Ken Faulkner, Pat Parelli, and has used as her guides and mentors Henry Blake, Maurice Wright, Buck Brannaman, the Dorrances, Ray Hunt and Mark Rashid. She soon discovered that there as many ways of teaching horsemanship as there are horse/handlers in the world. A programme simply couldn't work all the time for everyone. With a degree in Education, and a qualified teacher, Vanessa has used her skills to develop a series of courses that teach people of all abilities and experience to achieve a positive relationship with their horses. Vanessa also holds a Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate and is a developing Progressive Counsellor and constantly trains and studies to improve her method of guidance and teaching.

As well as running courses Vanessa will make home visits and works one on one with all abilities guiding both horse and handler on a positive and progressive journey taking them wherever they wish to go.

Please do not hesitate to contact her if you wish to discuss your relationship with your horse.