Clinic in Hertfordshire with Dr Helen Spence – 2012

Dr Helen Spence is returning to Hertfordshire!

A clinic at Tyrells Hall, Hertfordshire on Saturday 8th September 2012.

• Would you like to strengthen the bond between you & your horse?
• Would you like to train in a way that increases your horse’s calmness & confidence, yet at the same time improves responsiveness & lightness?
• Have you always wanted to use more reward when training your horse?
• Have you ever felt that you are being pushed to use more pressure than you would wish when working with your horse?
• Do you have a horse that is nervous & spooky or sluggish & ‘switched off’?
• Do you have a young horse that has lots to learn?
• Do you have an old horse that has seen it all before & is bored with schooling?
• Do you like the idea of training in a way that is both gentle & safe for you & your horse?
• Do you want to have a horse that looks forward to being trained so much that they gallop to the gate to see you?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes then this is the clinic for you & your horse!!!

After the enormous success of the 2011 clinic, Equi-libre Horses is organising another one day clinic with Dr Helen Spence of www.helenspencehorsesense.co.uk this year.

We already have a fabulous group of people booked on – this is going to be a wonderful learning experience. As such places are now very limited indeed to ensure everyone gets as much learning time as possible from the day.

We are lucky to be able to have a really nice small group and so everyone, including the spectators, will be very much actively involved in the day in terms of the demonstrations, practical exercises, theory discussions and question and answer sessions.

Dr Helen Spence

Helen Spence has a PhD in horse behaviour & a degree in psychology. She teaches riding & lectures in horse behaviour to postgraduate level, runs clinics for horse owners & equine professionals & offers advice on behaviour problems. Helen also has a deep understanding of classical riding and makes use of clicker training as well as her in-depth scientific knowledge in equine behaviour.

Helen’s way of working is a gentle, positive approach to horsemanship which improves the relationship & understanding between horse & rider through application of psychological theories, understanding of horse behaviour & ethology, natural horsemanship & classical riding principles. Helen specialises in training using positive reinforcement and the clicker.

This approach will be of use to everyone from novice to expert, but is particularly useful for young horses, the more nervous horse & rider or horses that are lacking motivation & enjoyment in their work. It is also incredibly valuable for those working with horses for a living, in particular those working with youngsters.

Using the clicker as an aid to training horses has exploded in popularity in recent years. Rightly so, since it is a fantastic way of working. However, just like any other training tool, it is not a magic wand, and is only as effective as the hand that holds it. In order to become a good trainer using the clicker you should be prepared to take the time to learn the science of the clicker (in other words the theory and the practical skills), which you can then marry with the art and understanding of correct and safe biomechanics within the training of the horse. You often hear people refer to ‘clicker training’ as a method in it’s own right. Helen prefers not to take that approach. To Helen, there is good, bad and mediocre training, regardless of the method taught, and she prefers to educate people to improve their overall training skills, so that they can then understand all the different methods out there, and choose to work in a way that they feel is ethical and effective. Almost more important is the posture, the movement and the positioning of the spine which we reinforce the horse for. This requires experience and understanding of the principles of classical equitation in order that the horse is rewarded for correct posture and movement.

If this clinic would be of interest to you, please do get in touch on jo@equi-libre.co.uk

Jo Hughes

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas is very nearly upon us and the year’s end is drawing near, so where exactly has 2011 gone!?  

Looking Back

It has been such an incredible year for Equi-libre Horses, I have been very hectic with a fully booked diary of lessons, clinics and workshops. I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it and continue to be blown away by the progress that all of my clients have made.

It’s been such a joy to meet so many wonderful people and horses; to have seen these partnerships grow so beautifully has been a true privilege.

Looking Forward 

We have so many exciting things in store for 2012! Clinics, workshops, demo’s, talks and some fabulous news to share too!

I am just so humbled by the incredible support that Equi-libre Horses has had thus far.

Thank you all so very, very much indeed! I can’t wait to see everyone’s progress in 2012!

In the meantime, we hope you and all your animals have a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

Jo, Chris, Dancer and Norman