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25.2.06. Working with Syd, an ex-racehorse who has physical and behaviour problems. He was in poor condition but is responding to his tratment and re-training.
4.9.05. Started work with Shadow Captian, an ex-racehorse and his new owner. The start of a new career.
12.4.05. Went to work with Mrs. L. Smith and her two, 2 year old geldings (one warm blood and one Dutch bred). She was having problems leading both with rearing and escaping. Both were walking and leading like lambs with the owner and stable staff when I left. Another happy partnership.
31.3.05. A great big THANK YOU to the Jones family - Gwyn, Shirley and Sian-Marie, at the Eastcote Archery Centre in the Scottish Borders, for the donation of three field water-troughs.
23.10.04. I have just had a series of questions and answers published in YOUR HORSE MAGAZINE - See Sep-Oct issue, 2004 pp. 9-13.
Rhea is a six year old grey mare who could not be handled and had lost trust in human beings. She had so many behaviour problems - she didn't understand what was asked of her, she couldn't be shod, couldn't be ridden, couldn't be caught, refused to go into her stable and had a reputation for being nasty in the box. The horse was living on its nerves and did not eat well. She was not relaxed about anything going on around her and she was an unsafe ride.
Rhea came to me in August 2003 for a period of twelve weeks. I re-built her confidence and trust in humans and within six weeks I had her shod for the first time without the need for sedation.
I took her to lunge in the sea as part of her programme and she loved it. She responded well to being schooled loose in the ring and accepted a rider and her behaviour in the box was transformed. Within eight weeks the owner, who had a baby three months later, was being led on Rhea's back. The horse clearly understood that she had to be gentle.
'I like this horse because when you ask her to do something she thinks about it and she tries to please you'.
Rhea has now gone home for time out so that she can have fun in the field and can be stabled at night. She has a specific daily programme and I visit her on a regular basis to see how she is getting on. This has been a great succes for Rhea and the owner and her friends can't believe she is the same horse.In the owner Susan's own words:
"Before I met Andrew it is fair to say that Rhea had a very uncertain future ahead of her. As I was pregnant at the time of all these problems I was getting to a stage where I was no longer willing to handle her. It was not worth the risk. In my head I just thought this horse is “mad” and I can’t keep her any longer unless I get help with her. On meeting Andrew he assured me he could do work with Rhea that would “turn her around completely”. Andrew has achieved all that he has said he would and has been very honest with me on the way. I am pleased to say that Rhea is now a happy horse, full of potential, whose future is looking bright!" Rhea has now been successfully re-homed. I am currently working with Belle and Webster in West Lothian. Belle is an unbroken pony and Webster is an eleven year old Cob. I am giving the owner lessons in showjumping and supporting her in working with her ponies. All are doing well! Belle has come to the stables to be broken and has settled in well. She has accepted the bit and we are working with her slowly to build her confidence.
I have also been showing 'Darcey' for Mrs. J N Cameron, at the Border Union Show and last weekend at Thirlestane. She was well behaved for her first outing and we managed a sixth place - not bad having only handled the horse for twenty minutes before the show.
I have also supported an owner to buy a five year old 15hh bay mare who was shown as a youngster and won a few championships, in hand. This looks like it is going to have a bright future.
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