Mark Weedon has been starting horses for 11 years, working in New Zealand, Ireland, Holland and Denmark.
Horses undergo a four to six week training programme to give them the best possible start for their future. Mark has worked with a huge variety of sizes and breeds of horses.
By the end of the programme horses should:
You can also ask for additional requirements, such as riding bit-less or bareback.
We offer any initial backing that is desired on young horses. Generally, the initial backing is completed over a span of two weeks. We offer this as an option prior to them being fully broken in, once further developed.
If your horse has been deemed dangerous or unsafe, Mark is happy to make his own assessment and offer a plan for solving these issues and a way to move forward. Mark has a wide range of experience with the many different undesirable behaviours that can present themselves.
Once you have made sure that aspects of their health that could be causing their objections have been checked (back, teeth, feet, etc), please contact Mark and explain the full extent of your horse's behaviour, so that a fair assessment can be made.
Mark has a calm and confident approach to his training, and tailors his process and methods to each horse that comes to him. Horses are worked with five days a week, regardless of weather. Their schooling will encompass ground manners such as tying up and having their feet picked out, through to being ridden in an arena and open paddocks.
This first stage is completed as a cohesive unit, that is built on gradually as the horse allows. This is all practised in the open space of the arena, as Mark's process doesn't rely on confined spaces to control the horse.
Trust is built with the horses prior to working, to allow Mark to school them with less anxiety and agitation; by approaching with this idea, they are more relaxed and willing to learn. This is all done first with just the halter and lunge line. From the ground, they are taught to move forward, respond to voice and how to cross over their forehand and hind quarters.
Once the horse is calm on the ground, Mark will begin the process of laying over and then sitting on the horse bareback. By not using additional tack, there is also no risk of the horse or rider becoming entangled.
Horses are introduced to the bridle (and therefore bit), boots, roller, and saddle. The roller is used prior to the saddle, as it is less invasive for the horse.
Horses are long reined in and around the arena. This allows for horses to learn how to steer and stop prior to being ridden, and also provides a calm initiation. For the same reasons, the horses are also worked out of the arena for the first time while being long reined.
Once the horse has become established working with Mark on the ground, and is comfortable with all aspects of the saddle, initial rides will take place.
First, Mark will work to confirm that their turning and stopping aids are satisfactory. Once he has confirmed that this is the case in walk, he will move onto trot.
While trot is established, the horses are exposed to both rising and sitting trot, in addition to many transitions to check that they are still on the aids.
Your horse will be taught how to use their correct canter leads and to maintain balance around corners. Horses are also ridden in three point so they don't become upset by a change in rider position, and will instead continue on in a calm manner with a consistent tempo.
To ensure your horse is not reliant on solely working within the arena, Mark will also ride them across other parts of the property. This ensures that the horses will still respond to their aids, even when under the additional stress of being in an unknown place.
Once your horse has finished their starting process, you are able to come and ride them before you collect them from the property. We find this helps ease the change over, and welcome people to do so.
Mark has been starting horses for the past 11 years, working in New Zealand, Ireland, Holland and Denmark. He continues to travel back to Denmark, for two months each winter, to start horses for Riders Cup.
Mark first started riding at age nine and got his first pony at age ten. He originally competed in Dressage, before moving to Show Hunter, and finally ending up in Show Jumping. In his early starting years, Mark trained with Greg Jaimeson of Chester Farm.
Through David Goodin, Mark travelled to Europe to train with Bruce Goodin at Riders Cup in Denmark. He has now worked at Riders Cup for four summer seasons, and one winter. Initially, he was producing young horses; training them to jump and taking them to their first shows as four and five-year-olds. For the past three years however, Mark is now also in charge of the production of the young horses, including starting them, as well as the initial handling of foals.
Mark enjoys his time working in the overseas stables, as they have an environment of high professionalism. At Riders Cup he was managing the stable of 60 horses; running from broodmares and foals, all the way to their Grand Prix horses. This included at shows, where they could be competing up to 22 horses across four riders.
Recently I had my lovely three-year-old Hanoverian started with Mark. I can honestly say he has been very professional to deal with, sending me regular updates of Valentino's progress with phone calls and video footage.
Mark has a system which gives the horse time to accept new learnings before continuing onto the next step, therefore consolidating each stage. Valentino came back to me a happy, confident and forward thinking horse, ready to begin his career in dressage.
I think Mark did an amazing job, and I have my next young one booked in already!
Mark's attitude and patience around the young horses is second to none, I couldn't have been happier with the service that Mark provided. London came home a confident relaxed little horse.
Thank you so much, I wouldn't think twice on sending any young horses to you!
Mark has a kind confident manner that builds trust with a horse and a genuine willingness to share his methodology and knowledge. Thank you MW Equestrian!
Renzo getting to know the big wide world out at Woodhill forest today. Brave boy. Thanks to Mark Weedon for doing a fabulous job starting him.
We started jumping our five-year-old group today - I highly recommend Mark Weedon who has done a great job starting the Xtreme babies.
Mark at MW equestrian is amazing!
My sister and I sent our babies off to Mark after being given a number of really positive recommendations.
Our horses are the complete opposite to work with, Mark has a real talent for getting to know each horse and what works best for them.
The most important thing for me was finding someone who was gentle and calm to work with my sensitive gelding and I don't think I could have found anyone better to do the job!
Mark's communication on their progress was great and he even sent us videos! He was always super helpful with any of our questions and provided the best care for our babies!
We have been riding them since they returned home and we couldn't be happier with the outcome!
Thanks so much!
Tino had major trust issues, and out of fear he would buck, massive thank you to Mark Weedon at MW Equestrian for all your hard work on Tino over the last 12 weeks - I am truly grateful!
Sent our two-year-old directly to Mark from the stud for three weeks for some basic handling. He did a lot more with her than I expected, and she came home in excellent condition. She learned to lunge, have all the gear on, and was backed. When we collected her she walked straight on the float and travelled well; she has been great to handle. I've already booked her in for breaking. Professional service too - short video clips and follow up afterwards to make sure everything was going good.
Was very impressed with the fantastic job Mark did on my very sensitive big young horse. Came home with a fantastic mouth and nice and forward moving and so much less reactive. Have recommended Mark to my friends, he has a really nice way with horses and is very professional. Thanks Mark.
I highly recommend Mark from MW Equestrian. He was professional, organised and easy to talk to. Our four-year-old pony came home beautifully started, stands when getting on, accepts the bit, forward and lovely and soft off the leg. We will definitely be using his services in the future.
We love meeting our clients. If you'd like to meet in person to discuss your horse, contact us to make an appointment.
Please do not arrive prior to making an appointment.