PIONEER EQUESTRIAN COACHING
Biomechanics in Action
Ride With Your Mind® Horse Riding in the Cotswolds
Our Horses and Ponies
All of our horses and ponies are schooled by us at least once a week, to ensure the quality of your experience is high. We have a range of different sizes and breeds, so there is something for everybody! Each horse does a maximum of two lessons each a day to ensure sufficient rest.
Siena - 15.1 hh Appaloosa Cross Cob
She has been with us since the day she was born! She jumps like a stag (though I don't anymore...). She is very good with novices, but loves to go a bit further with more experienced riders. She has done fun rides and beach rides and Le Trec with a 7 year old. She competed at the National Appaloosa Show 2021 at Hartpury College for the first time with her human mum, my daughter Amber, where they won a couple of rosettes. We are planning to go back next year!
Loves: her food, her mum and Toto (amazingly!)
Doesn't like: not being in charge in the field!
Apache - 15.1hh Appaloosa Cross Cob
He is a very different character! He really wants to please his rider and is a sensitive, loving little boy. Not generally for very first lessons, though he has been ridden by 8 year olds; you can lead children, children on ponies ;) or dogs from him. He also has a big jump, though more suited to more experienced riders to do this as he can be quick. He has also done fun rides and a couple of shows when there has been time. He also went to the National Appaloosa show 2021 with one of my lovely sharers, Tilly (now my assitant coach), also winning a rosette. We've been back a few times and had great fun.
Loves: being scratched under his chin
Doesn't like: not doing his best.
Folly - 15.1hh Cob Cross
Folly was bought for my niece originally, quite a few years ago now. Back from Sussex, she is now with us for the foreseeable future and loves being back with her daughter, Siena. She has done quite a lot of showjumping and can be speedy but is also an old hand at looking after novices.
Loves: hacking and going out to events
Doesn't like: not having carrots!
Honey - 13.2hh Welsh Section C
Honey is a cracking little pony..small enough for the kids but big enough for small adults. Been there, seen it, done and got the t-shirt (and probably the rosette as well) we are very lucky that her lovely owners trust us with her...literally worth her weight in gold...
Loves: Being outside with her mates, hacking and jumping.
Doesn't like: Jumping slowly...so we practice!
Elliott - 16.2hh Cob cross
This lovely boy was quite a handful when he arrived...Having been rescued by his mum and breeder after falling out with numerous humans (who probably just weren't as bright as him!) his future wasn't looking too rosy as his mum's life had got significantly more complicated due to poor health.
When he first came he was so angry and wouldn't give anyone the benefit of the doubt.. Now, over a year later he has done a fun ride with me in a bareback pad and has taken numerous clients out hacking and is getting used to being ridden more in the arena by my more experienced clients.
Loves: Going out on hacks and fun rides, likes jumping too.
Doesn't like: Being told what to do!
Todd 15hh Cob cross
Todd is on loan to us from a lovely family who have had him for 10 years and done lots of competing with him..he's a cracking pony club eventer and very experienced..but don't be fooled...he's a kind and curious boy but to get the best out of him, you will have to be paying attention and working your little jodhpurs off..dont worry..we'll help you!
Loves: Attention and hacking
Doesn't like: Being in very much..can't blame him!.
Poppy 12.2hh Welsh Section B
Poppy, in the middle here, came to us after her owners out grew her - she is often ridden by Olivia and other adults as well as children. She's cheeky and full of fun and we are very fond of her!
Loves: food glorious food and....mud!
Doesnt like: Siena...at all!
Toto 16.2hh ex-race horse
A more recent addition to our little herd...he spent most of the last year just learning to be a horse again..he evidently hasn't forgotten his past life however as we now have to have 5 foot electric fencing to stop him jumping out! He has just had his front shoes put back on after his feet have had a break and have toughened up quite a lot. He is a kind and mostly calm ride..but never forget Thoroughbreds are incredible and scopey athletes..though I will admit..he reminds me of a greyhound..would rather be upside down on the sofa taking it easy than expending unnecessary energy!
Loves: Siena , his new BFF to all our surprise, as Siena hasn't liked anyone, apart from her mother occasionally, for her whole life...
Doesn't like: puddles or getting his feet wet!
Finlay 14.1hh Connemara
Finlay was lucky enough to be in a next door stable as I was doing one of my body work case studies..he'd come down with raging laminitis and his owner couldn't give him the time he needed to nurse him back to health...so rather than put him down, she gave him to me. Bringing him back from the brink has been one of the most satisfying and terrifying things I have ever done (as I also trimmed his feet with guidance from Nick Hill)..but here he is...safely away from the grass..much to his disgust....
Loves: Grass..I think he never thinks about anything else..poor baby!
Doesn't like: Ponies smaller than him in the field.
Sheba (affectionately also know as Peewit) 16.1hh TB
This little one is proof, if it were needed, that I am a little bonkers...rescued because she was going to be put down at barely 4 from the racing industry, trying to get her over the trauma and injury of her past has made me question my
sanity more than once but I thought she deserved a chance... Actually very sweet to ride, her stable manners still need a little work..but we'll get there... I'll find a better photo too or I will be in trouble with the girls, pictured her showing her the new fields and checking her new saddle fit. But...Im not allowing myself to rescue anymore ex reacehorses.. As a client, you can be proud of helping provide horses like this, who would have thrown away like rubbish, a new purpose and a safe and happy place to live out their days.
Loves :Toto..dont tell Siena!
Doesnt like: Sharing her food..too many memories of being a hungry horse with a tummy ache..