tracey duncan taking care of training
Developing a blended approach to training As a child I dreamed of having a
relationship as you saw in the films, galloping along a beach, tackless, with
the wind in my hair in complete harmony with my horse. As I grew up I followed
many horsemen/whisperers and played with the riding school horses in my own way.
I fell in love with a new arrival that was on trial; he was proving way too much
for riding school customers and was going to be sent back. I pleaded with the
owner of the school and she said "I’ll give you a chance to turn him around". He
was about 6 years old and I was about 13 years old at the time, and he’s only
just retired from the riding school at the grand old age of 30. He was one of
her best ponies. From this I went on to riding the neighbour’s horses, and this
is where I caught the eventing bug. I went to an Agricultural College and gained
a First Diploma, National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and BSC in Equine
Sports Performance, as well as gaining my BHS Stage 3 and PTT. Alongside my
degree I was working for top international Eventer Francis Whittington. I have
always been interested in good horsemanship, but my current horse, Woo, is the
reason that I now believe in it being the most effective way of communicating
with horses. Woo was bought from a dealer’s yard – chosen in part for her
undeniable jumping talent, but also because I couldn’t bear to see how unhappy
she was on that yard. She had a look in her eye that said “Don't leave me here”.
The nerves of the dealer’s groom when asked to show her and her skittish manner
should have been the warning signs that this was not an 'easy' horse, not to
mention that the dealer had said I would be her 5th home this month! After I got
Woo home, it was very apparent as to why the groom had dreaded riding her so
much. Not only was she 'crazy' to ride, she was just as dangerous on the ground,
both when led and in her stable. All of my trainers at the time advised me to
have her put down or to sell her (if I could!) because she was so dangerous, but
something inside me knew that she was misunderstood. I could sense that she
didn't want to react in the way she did all the time. I found a form of
horsemanship that helped micro manage her, but I wanted more. After attending a
Horsemanship event in 2009, I haven't looked back. It gave me the direction and
tools to build a meaningful relationship with Woo. She is now the best partner I
could have ever dreamed of. She has gone from a horse that I was advised to put
to sleep due to her being so dangerous, to my best friend and soulmate; she has
toured the UK with me demonstrating our partnership. She's gone from physically
shaking in a show jumping arena and stopping at fences to loving show jumping
and being a great team member for the local riding club, and is successful at
British Eventing. For me good horsemanship has become more than something to
turn to in order to resolve problem. I have found it a more effective foundation
for any horse’s training. I believe good horsemanship is the best way to start
and to develop any horse's training. It can help whether you want to learn how
to understand your horse better, enjoy your horse more (and that could mean
having a horse that loads easily), stands still to mount, jump whatever you ask,
being calmer at shows, or if you want to ride bareback and bridleless. I am
passionate about good horsemanship and competition and enjoy the two becoming
one. I have spent the best part of a year over in the USA, learning and
developing myself as a horseman and teacher. I continue to strive to be better
each day as a horseman and instructor My approach starts with listening and
reading your horse, identifying what are they trying to tell you, and what do
they need from us for the partnership to grow. How can we adapt the way we are
with them so they are happy and you can have a harmonious relationship.
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