Silversand Horsemanship

Hi Steve

I am an instructor at the Highveld Branch for Disabled Riding in South Africa. I would just like to tell you of the difference your work has made to my lessons and my ability to help our very special riders.

We use 10 ponies to assist about 100 children of various disabilities. I am not sure if you have done work with RDA in Australia, but I am sure that you are aware that it is essential for a therapy pony to be able to perform his work in a confident and relaxed manner. About 6 months ago our organisation employed Natalie Stobaus. She is an avid follower of your methods and attended your workshops when you were in our country.

I can't stress enough how much difference she has made to the well being of our ponies and to the quality of work they are now able to offer in lessons. Natalie has not only re-schooled the ponies in your methods but also re-schooled our voluntary leaders. We generally have one person leading the pony and up to 2 people holding the rider.  Now our leaders have more tools, and are better equipped to handle the horses, no matter what the situation.  There is no more biting and kicking in lessons and the ponies are happy to move forward and to work with equipment like balls, pool noodles, bean bags etc. I also feel more confident asking riders to sit facing backwards etc and trust more of the ponies to handle the unusual work we do. We have always had a pony or 2 that would accommodate challenging situations, now all of our ponies will. Our ponies are all selected for their temperament and have always been schooled. The difference I have noted, however, is that they are more relaxed and willing to work. They also spend far less time in the stables and are moving around in a herd.

As a result, the quality of the ponies walk has improved and thus the therapy we are providing is better. The ponies ability to move themselves around in balance has allowed me to explore more avenues in my lessons, keeping the rider and the ponies interested and engaged.

I would be very interested of any work you have done with the RDA in Australia. I would also like to invite you to visit us if you are ever in South Africa again.

Thank you for making a difference.

Regards

Claire Helfrich

I attended a 3 day clinic last year with Steve and couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed it.  This clinic was something different for me having spent many years in eventing and dressage and recently taking up endurance riding.  However, the clinic was being held close by and I wanted to know more about groundwork and basic horse behaviour  I attended with my 6yo arab gelding who didn’t have any particular problems that bothered me but I was looking forward to understanding  horses better and getting a better connection with them.

By the end of the 3 days I couldn’t believe how much better I was understanding my horse and how much easier it is to get them to do something if you know how.  The biggest revelation for me was how important our timing is when asking them to do something and how we need to know where their legs are to be truly effective with our aids.  The groundwork is so good for getting to know where their legs are and moving their legs around, however I need lots more practice under saddle to perfect this!!  My horse seems to respect me more and I find that I can communicate with him better and understand why he does what he does (well most of the time anyway!).

I am looking forward to doing another clinic with Steve later in the year to learn even more.

Kerrin and Kismet