Liberty: Building a Calm, Smart, Athletic Horse
Liberty is where horse behaviour, strength, and performance come together. It’s about developing your understanding and communication while shaping your horse into a truly athletic, capable partner. Sean doesn’t just teach Liberty as a set of techniques; he uses it as a tool to help students understand the way horses think, learn, and respond. For us, Liberty isn’t about tricks or showmanship; it’s about developing an understanding of your horse’s mind, why they do the things they do, and how they learn. Through Liberty, you’ll learn to read what your horse is telling you through their body language—and, more importantly, how to shape their response. The 4 Liberty Pitfalls Every Trainer Faces Four common pitfalls can stop your Liberty work dead in its tracks: Building a Dialogue This isn’t just about theory—it’s about results. By using Liberty to create more dialogue, we can teach horses how to be smarter about navigating pressure, and how to become problem-solvers and super learners. This translates into every other aspect of your training.In just a few days, people walk away with a deep understanding of horse behaviour, a better understanding of their horse as an individual, and a new level of skill in applying that knowledge to their training. Skills for Groundwork, Riding, and Beyond The lessons learned in Liberty clinics don’t just apply to Liberty work—they transfer directly into every other aspect of your horsemanship, whether you’re doing groundwork, riding, or competition training. The principles of Liberty build confidence, understanding, and mental flexibility in your horse, and those qualities carry over into everything else you do with them. Sean’s approach offers a clear, sequential pathway for developing dialogue with your horse. Every exercise builds on the one before it, ensuring rapid progress and a lasting transformation in your partnership. With this method, students make progress quickly—because they’re not just learning techniques; they’re learning how to think like a horse.
10 Years of Transformation: Celebrating a Decade of Clinics in the New Forest
10 Years in the New Forest This year marks 10 years of clinics in the New Forest. We began with the idea of creating a fully immersive clinic for our students. We wanted to offer them the opportunity to enhance their partnership with their horses in a short space of time and to challenge both them and their horses with terrain, group riding, and exercises they couldn’t find anywhere else. Finding the Perfect Location We searched the country for the right location that had everything we wanted to offer and eventually settled on the New Forest. We had originally planned to run this clinic for a year or so, then move on to find somewhere new and more challenging, but what we found was so much more. The New Forest has provided everything we asked for. We wanted gentle rolling hills and quiet shaded forests for our Intro group— and we got it. We wanted more challenging peaks and valleys and long stretches of soft grass to gallop on— and we got it. We wanted to offer our students a safe environment to swim with their horses— and we found it. The more we explored, the more we realized that this was the perfect place to stay. Over the years, our New Forest clinics have become a bucket-list experience, a must-do for students from all over. Using the New Forest as our Arena We describe these clinics as a ‘clinic on the trail,’ as they are a far stretch from a simple guided trail ride. Throughout the clinic, Sean helps students use the open moors, winding tracks, hills, trees, rivers, and lakes as varied locations to work on their horsemanship and enhance their partnership with their horses. The Clinics We Offer: From Intro to Advanced Intro Clinic: Building Confidence and Exposure The Intro clinic focuses on helping students and horses build confidence and gain exposure. It is ideal for young or inexperienced horses, or slightly nervous trail riders seeking more exposure. This clinic is slower-paced than the others, but students still work on the essential skills needed to expand their confidence and deepen their partnership with their horses. Intro-Intermediate: Strengthening Partnerships This clinic is designed for students looking to strengthen their partnership with their horses. Sean helps students navigate more challenging terrain, use higher gaits, and gain additional skills. Intermediate-Advanced: Taking Your Horsemanship to the Next LevelThis clinic is all about taking students and their horses to the next level. Sean helps people work on mental and physical challenges, refine higher gaits, and master the ingredients for more complex manoeuvres, including jumping, flying changes, quality gaits, and distances. The Evolution of Our Clinics: Techniques for Success Over the years, these clinics have evolved. Sean has developed a strong and successful set of techniques and patterns, which he shares to set students and their horses up for success. His methods ensure that progress isn’t fleeting and can be taken home and applied to daily training. Highlights Over the Years Each year, these clinics have their own special highlights. But as I look back over the years, if I had to choose one thing that stands out the most, it would be the pure joy on people’s faces when they feel their horse swim beneath them for the first time and the stark changes in horses and students from walking out of the gate on day one to returning after their last ride. It truly is a transformative experience for both horses and riders, and I consider it a great pleasure to be part of it each year. A Special Place: The New Forest in Our Hearts These days, the New Forest holds a very special place in our hearts. There are not many places left on our small island where you can find such wide open spaces to explore and enjoy. For me, and so many others, there is no better way to experience this than from the back of my horse.
Understanding the Core Principles of Applied Horsemanship
Applied Horsemanship is about creating a strong bond between horse and rider, grounded in trust and mutual respect. But what core horsemanship principles make this approach stand out from traditional horsemanship methods? Understanding Horse Behaviour Great horsemanship begins with a deep comprehension of horse behaviour. At its essence, horse behaviour encompasses what the horse does and how they feel about it. As owners and trainers, our mission is to influence both their actions and emotions positively. Here’s how you can embark on mastering this fundamental aspect: Mastering these five key elements will transform your partnership, making interactions more intuitive and rewarding. Keep The Horse In The Horse In today’s world, it’s easy to think something is amiss when a horse behaves naturally. However, horses are simply responding based on their innate instincts and past experiences. Applied Horsemanship aims to preserve the positive attributes of a horse’s natural behaviour while gently addressing any negative tendencies. By maintaining their “horse-ness,” we ensure that our training respects their nature, fostering a more genuine and effective partnership. Great Riding: The Heart of Leadership No matter your equestrian goals or chosen discipline, enhancing your riding skills is paramount. Effective riding is about more than just physical prowess; it’s about leadership and communication. Here’s why improving your riding is crucial: Developing greater rider tact not only makes you a better horseman but also enriches the overall partnership, regardless of the discipline you pursue. Purpose and Goals: The Roadmap to Success Without a clear purpose, our efforts can feel aimless. Setting defined goals provides direction and meaning to your horsemanship journey. Whether you aim to compete, enjoy leisure riding, or simply strengthen your bond with your horse, having clear objectives helps you stay focused and motivated. At Applied Horsemanship, purpose-driven training leads to more fulfilling and sustainable outcomes for both horse and rider. Embrace the Journey with Applied Horsemanship At Applied Horsemanship, we’re passionate about helping you build a meaningful and effective relationship with your horse. By embracing these core principles, you’ll enhance your horsemanship skills and create a lasting and joyful partnership. Ready to take the next step in your equestrian journey? Join us at Applied Horsemanship and experience the difference that understanding, respect, and purpose can make. Let’s create a harmonious bond that stands the test of time. Feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule a session. We’re here to support you every step of the way! Conclusion: As a horse training, Applied Horsemanship isn’t just about mastering techniques; it’s about creating a lasting, respectful relationship with your horse.
