www.help4horses.co.uk

Happy boys!

Welcome to my web site!

Based in Fife, Scotland, I, Julie Irvine, have both owned and worked with horses for more than 30 years but following a visit to a Monty Roberts demonstration I was inspired to change my whole attitude to working with horses to achieve so much more with them. I enrolled on the Oxfordshire based training courses with Kelly Marks in early 2006 and discovered the “secret” to working with horses in a non-violent, non-stressful way in which you work in harmony with the horse and in a language that they understand.

On my return home, it was suggested that pupils work along side Recommended Associates to gain experience in horse training and problem solving. I therefore contacted Morag Higgins, as she was the only Intelligent Horsemanship’s Recommended Associate for Scotland at the time. Morag now offers her own training system which collates thoughts and teachings from many inspirational trainers such as Monty Roberts and Mark Rashid and I was one of the first people to reach instructor level in this system. However, I believe it is extremely important to broaden your knowledge and always strive to find additional and better ways to work in harmony with our equine friends hence I am constantly adding to my "tool-box" by working with and taking inspiration from others. I think it is important to not focus on one training "system" as this can lessen your ability to help horses and to “think outside the box” should problems arise.

With my broad knowledge and experience, Equine Touch body work training and Solution Saddle fitting, I am able to look at the horse as a whole to help get to the bottom of any issues you are having. I look at, and take into account, feeding, husbandry, work-load, past history, training, tack and equipment, experience of the owner etc to try and build a clear picture and identify potential areas of concern. It is essential that I am able to distinguish between bad behaviour that is caused by pain and fear or learned behaviour.

I have had amazing results working and helping horses - and you can too!

"Tell Me And I Will Forget, Show Me And I Will Remember,
Involve Me And I Will Understand"
Confucius

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Well, after a very busy and interesting year, its time to do it all again! In 2011 I again met and worked with many fantastic people and their horses - some of the training horses included backers, horses with a fear of loading, buckers, spooky horses, a horse that couldn't be caught and I also got to work with a beautiful, but opinionated 11 month filly. She came here as she hadn't had to leave her mum (as initially she wouldn't go into the lorry!) but after some persuasion, she loaded into a trailer and after only a few days work she was being caught, being lead beautifully, even through and around spooky things, would lift her feet happily to be picked and rasped and would load without hesitation into a trailer or her lorry, much to her owners delight! As well as helping horses though, I have enjoyed helping owners build bonds, regain confidence and trust and just enjoy their horses again through 1:1 help or through my courses. Seeing an owner, who is desperate to bond with their horse, with a tear of joy in their eye at the end of a session, is the reason I love this job!

Following on from the success of last years clinic, I am delighted that Peggy is back for 2012!

Peggy Cummings - Connected Riding 2 DAY CLINIC and 1:1 PRIVATE LESSONS, HERE MAY 2012:
From years of classical training and research of various riding styles, Peggy Cummings has developed Connected Riding© methods to achieve freedom of movement and self-carriage for both horse and rider. Her technique is based on reciprocal connection rather than force; it enhances performance through better communication between horse and rider.

Connected Riding© is a holistic approach to classical riding principles that bio-mechanically enhances freedom of movement for the performance, health and longevity of both horse and rider.

Connected Riding © will help you and your horse:

. use your body more effectively to aid your horses movement
. ride without pain or stress
. become willing partners through increased connection

I am therefore delighted to announce that Peggy with be hosting a 2-day Weekend Clinic (alternatively you can have a 2-hour private lesson only) here on 19 & 20 May 2012. Riding numbers are limited to ensure lots of 1:1 with Peggy - pls note all spaces were booked quickly last year. If you are unable to attend for a full weekend, you may be interested in having a private 2-hour lesson instead? Lessons can cover Ground and Ridden work. You can also attend as a non-riding participant (Auditor). Auditors will be encouraged to take part in all aspects of the clinic and can lean as much as the riders.

Connected Riding techniques are based on reciprocal connection rather than force. You will learn to use your own body to enhance the performance of you horse. The clinic covers three aspects.

1. RIDER AWARENESS: the rider practices exercises to release holding patterns in their body and to find neutral pelvis. When the rider is in neutral, the horse can free himself and move more effectively.
2. GROUNDWORK: Bringing awareness of holding patterns to your horse. You will learn how to help your horse release tension and learn to collect from the ground through a combination of stationary and moving bodywork.
3. WORK UNDER SADDLE, putting it all together for fluidity of movement together with your horse.

Rider fee is £220. Riders are limited to 9 to insure individual attention. Auditing (spectators) £25 per day or £40 for 2 days. Auditors may participate in the rider awareness exercises.
1:1 2-hour Private Lesson is £125 per person.
Interested parties should fill out a Registration Form and payment in advance.

If you are interested in attending, please contact me directly for a registration form or via Peggy's Website

North Highland College - Stable Management Course: do you want to learn how to care for horses? Maybe you already have your own horse and want some qualifications? You can combine home study work with attendance here for practical work every other Tuesday at 7pm. This years course starts Tue 7th February, but enrolment after this date is possible. Please contact Bertie Whiteford on 07855 180226 for more information. Funding available via Independent Learning Accounts (ILA) for some students.

Bitting Demo: I have been asked by many people for advice on bitting. As it can seem a complicated area, I have asked an expert in bits and bitting, Elaine from WhiteRose-Equestrian to come along and host a demo. You will have the opportunity to learn about bits types and fitting and if you prefer you can bring your horse to "try before you buy"! Elaine also provides a fantastic "bit-hire" service if you are fed-up buying countless bits to try out on your horse. Please contact me if you are interested in this and if we have enough people we will arrange a mutually convenience date.

Courses: If you are interested in building a better bond with your horse I will be hosting my groundwork courses again this year. Please click on "Courses" for more information.

Equissage: I am delighted to announce that I have purchased an Niagara Equissage machine and hand-held unit. This is available to all liveries and also is available for hire. It provides a deep cycloid-massage© to the whole horse. Due to the unique action of the therapy, the pad actively improves circulation, eases and tones muscles and promotes lymphatic drainage. Please contact me for more information of visit www.niagara-equissage.com

Vouchers: Following the demand for vouchers in the run up to Christmas I have decided to make these available all year. If you think a loved one, friend or your horse would appreciate learning how to create a better bond, please contact me for information. Vouchers can be used for course attendance or for 1:1 training sessions here or at your yard.

Retired old man enjoying his daily massage session!

FOR SALE: Cloudy is a 14.1HH 15 year old grey connemara gelding. He is a good all rounder sadly outgrown by his owner. £1800 ono but a good home is more important! If you are interested in this super pony, please contact Gavin on 07703 403446

10% off Equissage session at your yard with this voucher

(2 or more horses required at same visit)

www.help4horses.co.uk

Coupon 001

This website should give you a guide to what I do and how I work but if in doubt please call to discuss any issues, concerns or worries you may have about your horse and I'll be delighted to try and help you both.

DISCLAIMERThe writers on this site are horse owners who like many others are trying to find better ways of handling, riding and generally caring for their horses. Everything written about here is our own personal views and for others to think about and try if they want, we are not saying ours is the only way, or better than any others. We at help4horses believe that we must all do what it takes to keep our horses healthy, happy and contented, we just hope this site will make it easier for natural thinking people to find answers to questions.The links on this site are purely for others to look at, we do not endorse any products or sites, those here are ones the writers have found to be beneficial to themselves in their own research. Each reader has to make their own mind up and the writers on this site do not claim any benefits to other peoples horses.

Please get in touch to offer comments.