Archive for September, 2008

Christine and Murphy sucessfully completed their first Partnership Course last week.
Christine arrived with her confidence in tatters, and hadn’t ridden out on Murphy in 10 months. With coaching and unconditional support from Tracey, Christine was hacking out by the end of the week, and has been enjoying the countryside since getting home. We are looking forward to seeing them again when the weather perks up and wish the pair the best of luck with their new relationship.

15 members of the TopTriangle Team came to Learning To Listen last Sunday for a team building day with a difference. Split into 3 groups, each had a horse to work with, building relationships with their new team member and working through tasks. The afternoon brought more horsey exercises, including riding - a first for most of the team members. A great day was had by all and we felt we learnt as much from them as we hope they learnt from us.
Since being back at work, all of the group have reported positive changes to an already thriving team, with them all feeling that they are thinking along the same lines and working towards one giant goal.

This week, 5 more enthusiastic horse lovers descended on Learning To Listen. Pete, Chuck, Lynn, Lynn and Leisa were all greeted by some very unusual sunshine, which suprisingly stuck around all week!
During their week they covered everything from Joining-Up and long lining to bombproofing, bareback riding, stunt work (as demonstrated by Pete above!) and even got in a trip to study the mares, foals and stalltion at a local stud.
Their week finished with a gorgeous demonstration in front of their friends and family. We wanted to thank them for a great week and can’t wait to hear what they get up to when they get home.

Last weekend we waved goodbye to Chance and Princess (now named Foxy Princess!). Both mum and baby travelled home well, and are now out at gras enjoying the sunshine with Victoria’s other mares and foals (Foxy pictured above, right, with new friend Bombay Sapphie).
“Chance is like a different horse, she comes trotting over to see me when I go into the field” - Victoria, owner of Chance and Foxy

Internationally reknowned equine behaviourist Richard Maxwell ran another clinic at Learning To Listen last weekend. Four horses and their owners turned out, along with 45 spectators, to learn all they could from Max during the day.
We would love to run more clinics at Learning To Listen and would appreciate your thoughts on what you would like to see. If you have any ideas, please let Alex or Tracey know.

Pandora, the unruly racehorse featured on C5’s Vets In Action, passed her starting stalls test at Beverly this week.
Pandora has been in training at Learning To Listen as she wouldn’t go in or stand in the starting gates on race day. After failing one test, she had only once chance left before facing a 6 month ban from racing. Sarah and the Team came to her rescue and, fingers crossed, she will go on to enjoy her racing career.

Psychedelic (Dylan)
17.2hh
9 years old
Coloured gelding

Dylan is a lovely horse looking for a loan home.
He was bred to event although due to personal circumstances his potential has not yet been reached. He has been lightly competed at RC level at the ages of 4 and 6 and since then has done lots of hacking and some schooling.
Dylan loves to learn and needs a confident rider to take him on and help him achieve his potential.
English and Western tack and rugs come with him.

For more info please contact Holly Brown on 07824 877865

We have lots of mares and foals in training at Hill Top Farm at the moment. Mum Chance and one month old Princess (pictured above) came to us for handling, having had very little in the past. Both Mum and baby are doing very well, with Princess now wearing her first halter and Chance learning to have her feet picked up.
Jeanine’s Brooke and Listen and Emma’s Dancer and Chance are now making friends in the field. We are aiming to wean all the foals together when the time comes, so look out for news of their progress.

Sarah has been asked by the Your Horse Magazine to be one of their new behaviour experts, answering their readers’ most challenging questions every month. This comes as part of a relaunch of the magazine, which will have an entirely new look and layout.
The first magazine in the new series will be out for sale on October 9th. We would love to hear what you think about Sarah’s articles.

We now have special accomodation available for clients travelling long distances to visit Learning To Listen.
Our luxury apartment is based in the beautiful city of York, and would make your visit to Yorkshire extra special. For more details please visit www.luxuryapartmentyork.co.uk