The Starting Process

Stage 1

Building trust / Teaching to Lunge / Laying over / Bareback Mounting

This first stage is completed as a cohesive unit, that is built on gradually as the horse allows. This is all practiced 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.

Stage 2

Introducing gear

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.

Long reining

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.

Stage 3

Mounted with saddle / Establishing walk and trot

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.

Stage 4

ESTABLISH Canter

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.

riding out of the arena

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.