Joe Midgley horsemanship

A solid foundation is vital in progression, but where is it that youre aiming to go? Your destination - the performance horse! Not circus or stand up comedy, the performance horse is a horse that has been nurtured to the height of his ability, he is at the peak of his athleticism and responsiveness.

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It is sad, but most riders go their whole life without feeling the lightness that is a well trained performance horse. imagine cantering with your horse perfectly soft, but you cannot feel his mouth. Imagine getting a flying lead change purely from a shift in weight. Imagine your two legs being replaced by four - that is a true performance horse.

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We emphasise on the kindness of our training methods. So many trainers force a horse into doing things. Joe often says that scaring a horse into things will always work, until something comes along that is scarier than you. Trust on the other hand, that isnt so fickle.

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Joe trains horses in a number of disciplines, here is a list of just some of the main movements we expect from our more advanced horse:

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Side pass

leg yield

half pass (walk, trot and canter)

Spin/Turnaround - Western horses on the inside hind foot/General riding/Dressage horses outside back foot

Flying lead change

Standstill to canter

Canter to standstill

Speed control - Gallop to collected canter, Canter to walk.

Speed change through the seat, not the leg

Complete movement of the shoulders and haunches while moving forward

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All of this should be achieved on a loose rein, but still with good softness and self carriage. We have trained, coached and produced horses that have gone on to successfully compete and win at; Dressage, Showing, Showjumping, Trek, Reining, Ranch riding, Western pleasure and more up to national level! And with a horse this good, imagine how easy it is hacking out!