Hi Elaine,

Thought you might like an update on Spices progress, We have worked every day except one and the progress is impressive the shoulders are going away pretty well she is now moving as I move in towards her even on her right side which we really struggled with the first few days. Both front feet are up and relaxed and we got some progress with the back feet at the weekend. I have started walking her out of her comfort zones to let her figure out that she has to do it everywhere small improvements every day, she has started to do a series of enormous yawns half way through the sessions which is causing me to get the giggles, I have to stop and compose myself, we are having fun-at last!

Thanks, Louise.
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We had our first session with Elaine Heney of Irish Natural Horsemanship last Friday. It was brilliant, things are on the up and up. Bobby had settled a good bit after his gelding but having done some work (well alot) with Elaine he was and has been the perfect gentleman. We have gone from using me for target practice to the most gentle soul. What a difference it has made to have some one with such expertise guide you and create an understanding between the horse and human. If there is anyone in Ireland struggling with their loved ones (of the horse type) I really recommend you get in contact with Elaine. Her ability to work with both the horse and the human is fab. I reckon she is a magician in disguise really. Siobhan, Carlow.

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Just a note to thank you for all your help on Friday Elaine. It seems to have given my daughter a lot of confidence & our horse a lot to think about! He is picking everything up very quickly. Richard, Cork.

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I learnt that you don’t have to use violence to train horses. Thank you Elaine. Pat, Wicklow.

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Elaine talks sense, knows her horses and more importantly is an excellent teacher and communicator of ideas. Dave, Dublin.

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I learnt how sensitive horses are, and that they can be trained from the lightest touch. Thanks Elaine, Lilly, Tipperary.

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I learnt that practise makes perfect Lucy, Waterford.

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I really enjoyed the lateral work, and learnt that there are many roads you can take with natural horsemanship. Clare, Tipp.

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I learn how effective small steps can be when training horses.
Olivia,Waterford.

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Thank you, you have been a fantastic support from early on and given me the encouragement and guidance to continue. Dublin owner.

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I’ve realised that I can have higher goals than I had previously thought possible, for me & my horse. Joe, Wicklow.

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Hi,

I’m new to this board and had a lesson with Elaine on Sunday. I’d like to post it up here because I’d like people to know that Elaine is very talented teacher. Can I just start this by saying last night I went to my horse, the day after our first lesson. I still can’t figure out who had the zen experience, me or the horse, or maybe both of us, and maybe at the same time!

Anyway here’s what happened. Poor Elaine had to come up on a very cold and windy day to the yard for our first meeting. Elaine was very quiet, still and unfussy. To be honest I felt like I was being examined, never mind the horse! Suddenly I was wondering if I was leading on the right leg walking to the stable door.

Off to the arena and we began our groundwork in the rain. We started doing flexion things on either side of Beoga. He does everything too quickly, too fast. Elaine showed me how to release the split second I get a less-than-negative response and before his feet started dancing. I could see his frustration while these things were introduced to him – he kicked out, shook his head, dropped his head, waved his hinds, whatever he could do to evade me he tried it. We worked with him on flexion, touching his face, and backing up.

To be honest the most valuable piece to me was realising that moment when he become pliant or soft. When I felt his resistence go. For example, sometimes he would move his head, but he was pushing against me. Then there’s this moment then when he softens…

So last night I did my homework, or rather he did. He did it with such an attitude of “yeah you want me to look left, right, across, move backwards, whats the big deal???” Then riding him, although my lesson was groundwork, the idea of that softness was in my head, and rather than our usual half-halting escapades, I felt moments of him going soft in my hands again, and I rewarded him. And he learned something! It was a whole new riding experience. It was so enjoyable!

Like I said I don’t know if it was me or him that had the zen-like experience.

Thank you Elaine!
Soracha.

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Hello Elaine

I just wanted to let you know that I am over the moon with how [my young horse] is getting on with Olivia, she is doing an amazing job with him. I went down to ride him today. I really am so pleased so thank you very much for putting me in touch with her.

Thanks again

P.
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Thanks for the lead to Olivia. She did a terrific job backing my mare. I will be taking another filly to her by years end and another friend had hers there now as well. Give my name anytime as a reference for her. She did my mare totally natural and was really reasonably priced.

Beth.
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Hello,

Fantastic clinic. Thanks so much for organising it. Lovely bunch of people. Hope you have taken lots of notes! I so need them! He [Steve Halfpenny] is such a lovely guy, fab horseman and amazing teacher. So amazing to get all three things in one person. As I said before book me in for the next clinic!

Liz.

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Hi Elaine,

Thanks for the detailed write ups. I had a ball at the [Steve Halfpenny] clinics and learned so much! Thanks again for organising everything and best of luck with the other clinics. Star & myself have so much to practice!!!

Sinead.
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Thank you so much for all your hard work organizing the Steve clinics. I really enjoyed the weekend ( and so did Mani I think! ) and have so much to think about and practice. Steve is brill and I just wish I could have loads more lessons with him as there is so much more I need to know (I am saving up for all the DVDs).

I particularly enjoyed learning how important it is to know the footfalls of the horse and how we can help them put their feet in the right place, I can’t think how to explain it though. Learning how to do an indirect rein to do a hindquarter yeild was cool too.

Michelle.
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I can’t thank you enough for bringing Steve to Ireland – what an amazing horseman AND teacher… I cant wait for him to come back! I am reeling from all that I learnt and finally feel its coming together at last. Well done you on all the organisation, as always your kindness and generosity shining through to make these clinics go well for everyone. A big big thank you from Hamish and I x

Mandy.
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Hi Elaine,

Just wanted to say thanks a million for a great couple of days, me and Tulla really enjoyed them. I love Tom and Sarahs [Widdicombes] way of teaching it really made a lot of sense. Count me in for a clinic with them when they come back over!!

See you soon,
Ciara
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A massive thank you Elaine for bringing Tom and Sarah [Widdicombes] to Ireland. They were just great and a real pleasure to meet. We learnt heaps and heaps, met lovely people and had a great time all around. Mandy

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