Welcome to Equine Insight with me Nikki Burlong

  2018 Clinic Dates 

I’ve been teaching horse riding since 1995 and have taught a wide variety of people and horses, all with different issues and goals.  The main thing that has become apparent to me over the years is that what most people want is simply to enjoy their horse, whether that is achieved by winning a competition, achieving a greater level of training or having the confidence to go for a hack by yourself.

Horses are extremely co-operative and giving animals.  They put up with more than most humans could ever do. I believe they should be treated with the utmost respect and kindness while we train them to behave and perform in a manner that we see fit.

That does not mean that I am soft on them!  Horses require fair but firm handling if they are to learn without confusion.

As such my training methods have the welfare of the horse very much in mind whilst I aim to give each rider what they need to feel fulfilled and happy with their work.

Most horses will move well when left to their own devices, out in the field for example. Most owners have witnessed their horses performing beautiful acts when something excites them out in the field.  

However once a rider gets on everything changes and that lovely prancing beauty falls on the forehand and loses balance.  It stands to reason that the better the rider sits the better the horse can go.  Lets face it if Charlotte du Jardin or Ben Maher rode your horse you would expect it to perform better!  

In 2004 I discovered Mary Wanless’s “Ride With Your Mind” (RWYM) technique.  It transformed my ability to ride and teach and has been the main component of my coaching technique ever since.

In 2014 I qualified as a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner.  I like the Masterson Method because it is a technique that makes you work with the horse rather than something you do to the horse.  This method releases tension in the key joints of the horse that most affect performance, thereby improving comfort, range of movement and reducing stiffness. So for a happy, healthy horse book him/her in for a massage today.