A little bit about me
I can't remember the first time I met a horse, or the first time I rode one of the gorgeous Haflingers in my native Austria approximately 30 years ago, but I do remember that horses have always seemed both magical and natural to me.
The warmth of their muscular bodies, the softness of their quiet eyes and the telltale aroma surrounding horses have been the source of exhilaration and relaxation throughout my life and has given me a unique appreciation and love for horses.
Being born and bred in Austria (the teeny tiny but beautiful country wedged between Germany and Italy), I started training and competing dressage horses from a young age. After taking a break from competitive horse sport to try my hand at a corporate career (and meeting my true-blue Aussie sidekick Brendan), moving to Australia has expanded my interest and training to western disciplines (and a stubborn desire to learn how to rope like a pro - something that's still on my bucket list ;)).
However regardless of the discipline, good horse(wo-)manship is at the heart of creating a great horse. To me, a great horse is a relaxed, willing, soft partner - not just under saddle, but in everyday life! This is why my training focuses on creating excellent horses that are safe and fun to be around - whether you're taking them to the farrier, through a running creek or chasing a buckle, ribbon or rosette at your next local show.
To make you feel safe and sound, I also have a number of recognised qualifications and other paperwork:
The warmth of their muscular bodies, the softness of their quiet eyes and the telltale aroma surrounding horses have been the source of exhilaration and relaxation throughout my life and has given me a unique appreciation and love for horses.
Being born and bred in Austria (the teeny tiny but beautiful country wedged between Germany and Italy), I started training and competing dressage horses from a young age. After taking a break from competitive horse sport to try my hand at a corporate career (and meeting my true-blue Aussie sidekick Brendan), moving to Australia has expanded my interest and training to western disciplines (and a stubborn desire to learn how to rope like a pro - something that's still on my bucket list ;)).
However regardless of the discipline, good horse(wo-)manship is at the heart of creating a great horse. To me, a great horse is a relaxed, willing, soft partner - not just under saddle, but in everyday life! This is why my training focuses on creating excellent horses that are safe and fun to be around - whether you're taking them to the farrier, through a running creek or chasing a buckle, ribbon or rosette at your next local show.
To make you feel safe and sound, I also have a number of recognised qualifications and other paperwork:
- HSA Senior Instructor
- HSA Trail Guide
- First Aid & CPR
- Blue Card
my training approach
My training approach is based on care, kindness and compassion - rather than "training" your horse, I work with your horse to incorporate their natural instincts and their way of thinking at every step of the way. Whether it's horses or people, there are always many different ways to achieve the same outcome.
My desire is to help my clients find the gentlest and most effective way to communicate with their horse and incorporate the horse's mind into every training session.
My desire is to help my clients find the gentlest and most effective way to communicate with their horse and incorporate the horse's mind into every training session.
is horsemanship about treats?
Absolutely not! Most people are quite surprised that I don't "treat" my horses in the conventional way. However, horses aren't actually all that food motivated and many people who treat their horse do it to make themselves feel better, rather than positively reinforcing a training lesson for the horse.
As herd animals, most horses are natural "pleasers" - in my training approach I utilise this natural desire (as well as many others) to find a horse's "try". A horse with "try" is a horse that thinks before it acts - a horse with "try" can engage in a two-way conversation with their handler / rider and establish a relationship that is based on mutual understanding. For me, good horsemanship is about both relationship and skills:
Skills without a relationship will often result in an "automaton" - a horse that will offer the movements required by the rider but is otherwise mentally "checked out". While horses with a lot of skill and little relationship can compete very successfully, many of them are unreliable mounts who are more than happy to part with their rider at the first opportunity.
Relationship without skills is arguably even less desirable - you'll end up with a 600kg+ pet who will happily walk all over you without thinking twice about it.
Combining good communication and practical riding and handling skills builds confidence and trust in both the rider/ handler and the horse - and from there, the sky's the limit!
As herd animals, most horses are natural "pleasers" - in my training approach I utilise this natural desire (as well as many others) to find a horse's "try". A horse with "try" is a horse that thinks before it acts - a horse with "try" can engage in a two-way conversation with their handler / rider and establish a relationship that is based on mutual understanding. For me, good horsemanship is about both relationship and skills:
Skills without a relationship will often result in an "automaton" - a horse that will offer the movements required by the rider but is otherwise mentally "checked out". While horses with a lot of skill and little relationship can compete very successfully, many of them are unreliable mounts who are more than happy to part with their rider at the first opportunity.
Relationship without skills is arguably even less desirable - you'll end up with a 600kg+ pet who will happily walk all over you without thinking twice about it.
Combining good communication and practical riding and handling skills builds confidence and trust in both the rider/ handler and the horse - and from there, the sky's the limit!