E.M.T. HORSES - CLIENT UPDATES

NEWS OF RECENT IN-MATES

Page Update: 28th April 2008

"Murphy" ("Murphys Law")

Little ex-racehorse, Murphy ran on the flat and over hurdles. Murphy is here to further his re-schooliing both on the flat and over fences.

Typical of the ex-racehorse, Murphy didn't work through his back. The horse had had trauma and that increased his reluctance to accept training work to engage the quarters and achieve the all important "working through the back".

To see some training photographs of Murphy and what a difference a month of corrective training can make, please click here.

Here is Murphy with his owner, on their way to 10th place in their first dressage competition - and finished 10th.
(photograph with owner's permission, courtesy of Neil Fortescue)

Murphy was out again on 25th April but was a little phased by a more busier venue. However it is all good experience for both him and Lizzie.

They came for a training session on Sunday during which we encouraged Lizzie not to go forward when Murphy pulled against her, but instead use more leg to bring him back to her i.e. keep him working through from behind rather than [Murphy]trying to avoid using his back by pulling himself onto the forehand. Lizzie also has a tendency to look down and let her reins get too long - both very common faults - but nothing that cannot readily be resolved.

"Roo" ("Parkways Don Sandro" - Sandro B - Sandro Hit)

Roo came to us for backing. His owner has done a superb job of introducing a bridle and saddle plus teaching his good manners on the lunge line but difficulties arose with actual backing.

Now back with his owner, Roo is enjoying hacking out and is also being prepared for his first dressage outingon 12th April.

Watch this space.

"Delta"

This 3 year old warmblood by Pilot came to us for ground training and backing.

He was quite coltish in his behaviour and full of cheek making him a really fun character to work with.

With such horses it is important to keep them mentally stimulated so that the happy temperament remains so.

Delta was quite straightforward to back but he was easily distracted, preferring to play, so the odd playful kick-up of the heels was only to be expected - but as long as we achieved our aim, there was no problem to this stage of his training..

"Rocky" ("Rock Salmon" - Silver Patriarch)

Rocky came to us as he was quite sharp and not enjoying his work quite as he should have been; he was readily parting company with his riders(!), hence the conventional riding length to start with!. Having been with us for a couple of months Rocky is now back in training with Alex Hales.

Rocky had his first run on 29th December at Newbury and finished a very respectable 2nd.

Unfortunately Rocky's second outing has had to be postponed due a training setback.

"Milly"

Milly

Milly had a lay off of at least two years prior to her arriving with her current owners.

We gave Milly a full m.o.t. and a few weeks of basic schooling to gradually re-introduce her to being a ridden horse once again. After a few months of gentle work with her owners Milly came back to us to to step up her work load and increase her suppleness + examine her jumping ability.

By the time Milly went home both the girls that ride her, were happily tackling fences despite not having jumped before!

We also used Milly for "Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme" rider assessment!