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,

I have just spent a day with Sean and he is amazing!!!!!! Sean worked with both my horses one of which is a 6 year and a bit stubborn to say the least and hard to move at times and the other a 3 year old who can be a handful to say the least!! and would not load onto the trailer at all now he walks on like a dream and you’ll never guess it only took Sean minutes!!!

I have always used the conventional way with my horse now I will be traditional the way Sean explained the games and how he put them into play was amazing, I will be honest I was sceptical to begin with but now I am a believer and will be trying my bestest to become a better handler and be the pack leader and let my horse know that they are safe hence making them want to be with me and learn this fantastic technique. Sean has provided me with the foundation to build a brilliant relationship with my horses and the youngsters that I have, Sean is a true horse man and knew exactly what sort of horses I have – he could read them perfectly – I am shell shocked – I am doing this very late at night as I couldn’t wait to tell you all what a fabulous time I had today and Sean has been a real star with both my boys. I just wish that all the horsey people out there would start over using this technique just to see what they could achieve from their majestic equine friends – I think by now you can see I am believer and will be doing this for the rest of my days on this earth. However I know today was just the start and I have a lot of work infront of me but I am willing to go the distance if I can get the results I witnessed to day woo hoo!!! I will of course keep you all inform of my progress!!!!

SEAN IS TNE MAN!!

Lexus

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Hi,

I kept looking for something more suitable and closer to home, and ended up contacting Elaine through her website. She couldn’t come, but recommended Sean, so I wrote to him and got a lovely answer saying that knowledge comes to those who seek it. As I have always included myself in that category, this stroke a chord, and we ended up striking a deal for him to come over and do a 2 day course on the island……… Most of the first morning was spend getting familiar with the tools and the concepts involved, and in the afternoon, we got to work with Misty, our Irish Draft mare (who can be very stubborn and pretty bossy, but responded very well and played the first few games gracefully). Then came Ofram, the Icelandic. Like most ponies, she too can be very pushy, but Sean quickly put her through her pace, and she progressed rapidly.

On the second day, we all went over to Graine’s to watch Sean work with her “wild” Connemara mare, gently but firmly working her to the point where she was happy to give her back feet (something that the farrier, patient as he was, had not succeeded in doing) and follow him in the shed. Then in the afternoon, we worked a little with our two young foals, then got Simbad, our 11 year old gelding, to load himself into a trailer (his willingness to get in there almost without any prompting was nearly comical, in the end).

All in all, a very inspiring 2 days. Sean in undoubtingly a most talented and experienced horseman, and his generosity in sharing his knowledge made this workshop very enriching time indeed. We hope to have him back soon for another workshop, focusing on riden work.

Chevalfou.

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It was a privilege to watch Sean work.

John.

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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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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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