Posted: 26th March 2015 | Back to news feed
Melanie Cooper from East Yorkshire has ridden since she was seven-years-old, so when she acquired a lovely 18hh (plus!) Pure Irish Draught gelding she honestly thought she would have no problems.
“I own and ride other horses and have always been of the opinion that 'put me on any horse and I’ll ride it', said Melanie. “Then Reggie came along!”
Bred for the show ring, and an in-hand champion at county level, he had real wow factor.
Melanie bought Reggie as a five-year-old. He was broken in but had never hacked out, had been schooled at home or been in the show ring. No problem, she thought!
He was never nasty or vicious, or even wild to ride. Nothing that you could put a finger on, but Melanie found she couldn't ride him out on his own. He would plant himself and refuse to go forward and backed up regardless of what was behind him.
“I wouldn't call it napping as he sometimes did it after an hour’s ride and when heading for home, for no apparent reason. It took three of us to get him near a mounting block so that I could get on! All the time he wasn't nasty he just knew that with his size no one could make him do it, there was just no forcing him,” explained Melanie.
By now it had got to the point where Melanie felt physically sick at the thought of getting on her own horse and dreaded tacking him up, so much so she considered selling her beautiful horse.
The turning point came when Melanie saw Guy doing a demonstration at Selby Game Fair in 2012.
Melanie said:”I saw Guy at Selby Game Fair. And although I was amazed at what he was doing with the horse in the ring, I will be honest, I walked away and said to my husband, he has probably had that horse for years and they both know each other inside out, I bet he couldn’t do that with Reggie! How wrong could I be?”
After much soul searching Melanie finally plucked up the courage to contact Guy.
Following a lengthy phone conversation with Guy, Melanie arranged for him to see her riding in her own environment, unfortunately it was snowing heavily that day but standing outside Reggie’s stable discussing him, Guy advised her to book Reggie in for training as his attitude over the stable door was enough to show Guy of his total lack of respect for her.
Melanie had adjusted her way of dealing with Reggie to suit Reggie. If Reggie moved she got out of the way. Guy had picked up straight away that Reggie was in charge.
Reggie spent four weeks with Guy, going back to basics and re-educating Reggie with spacial awareness and manners.
When Melanie went to visit Reggie after the first week, she wept with joy.
“I couldn’t believe the change in Reggie’s attitude, he was so laid back and enjoying everything Guy was asking of him. The day I went to bring him home, Reggie performed in the coffee morning (he likes a crowd!) and I was overwhelmed with the positive comments I received as his owner,” explained Melanie.
Once Reggie was back home, Melanie found her fear of being around him had gone.
“He is a pleasure to own, he is not intimidating any longer and he is a lovely ride. Anybody doubting Natural Horsemanship, as I maybe did, should think again. I have even been out and bought a yearling now, so that will be going to clinics soon!” she added.
For further information contact 07876 033028, email info@guyrobertsonhorsemanship.co.uk or visit www.guyrobertsonhorsemanship.co.uk
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