| At Xenophon we include in the
training of the horse a variety of activities: general
handling, lungeing, in-hand work, work over cavaletti or
raised trotting poles, and a little jumping. We don't
compete very much these days - not because we're against
competition, but a) because we don't have the time, and
b) because we like to concentrate on working with our
horses, in the process building up a rapport with them
and learning more about how they respond to their
training. So on this page you will see people and horses taking part in
various activities together, and in the process,
hopefully having fun!
Brian and Racheal out for a hack with Toska and Kruger, June 2006
Kruger and Toska with Racheal and Brian, June 2006
Racheal and Brian with Kruger and Toska at Penshaw Equestrian Centre, 2003
Brian and Toska at Penshaw Equestrian Centre, 2003
Brian with Kruger and Zareeba
Brian
grooms Nivalis We never forget that Nivalis is an entire horse, and that this means he is sharper, more reactive and potentially more aggressive than most other horses. However, because of his superb temperament, and because we have established such a good rapport with him, we can allow him a great deal more freedom than many stallions are granted. Here Brian grooms him in the yard, without any restraint whatsoever - and he obviously enjoys it!
Nivalis takes a mint
Like many horses, Nivalis loves Polo mints. He is so gentle that he will take a mint from between one's lips without ever grazing one with his teeth. Nivalis adores human company. Here seen with his friend, Joanne
Brian lungeing Nivalis
Although Nivalis had been bitted for showing in-hand (Arab Horse Society rules require all entire horses of two-years-old and over to be bitted), when it came to lungeing him in preparation for riding, we felt that a bit would prove too much of a distraction. Like many Arabians he is very sensitive, and in training this sensitivity can result in sensory overload as the horse tries to cope with many new physical sensations as well as mental demands. So, to keep things as simple as possible, we started him off in a plain headcollar. This was all the control he needed, as the picture shows! Backing without tears
Joanne sits on Nivalis for the first time. A scratch on the withers helps, and Nivalis reciprocates by grooming the back of Brian's neck.
Joanne riding Nivalis
Brian and Nivalis relax in the field after a ride Roxzella gives a
young friend a riding lesson Nivalis's mum Roxzella is just as sensitive as he is, and here Lorraine discovers how adopting the correct position in the saddle helps Roxzella to step out more freely.
Lesley riding Zareeba Arabians can jump!
Many people believe that Arabians can't jump - well, they certainly can, as Zareeba demonstrates here! This was his first ever show-jumping round, and although the jumps are only small, like many novices he is jumping much higher than he needs to. Arabians have to be allowed to work things out for themselves; if the rider interferes with them too much - or is unbalanced - they can become worried and may start to refuse. Kruger just before his first
showjumping round Like his half-brother Zareeba, Kruger can certainly jump, but much of the time he simply doesn't see the point! He prefers dressage, or going out for long hacks, but he still enjoys going to shows as long as there's plenty to eat! Kiri and Brian at a local show
Kiri has lovely paces and is very comfortable to ride, but unfortunately she had to be retired from ridden work because of an injury. Here she and Brian are shown just after winning their class at a show. Tiff and Brian
Tiff (Mikenah) has beautiful paces and is lovely to ride, but sadly she travels very badly, so we simply have fun at home with her. Here she is shown with Brian just after a ride round the fields. Imzadi gets used to a saddle
We don't work to a set timetable for backing youngsters - they are started off and backed when we think they are ready. Every horse is treated as an individual! Imzadi has been backed and lightly ridden, but we will do no more work with her until she is older and stronger, and her back and abdominal muscles have been further developed by lungeing, long-reining and in-hand work.
Kruger gives Mark a riding lesson
Racheal and Kruger
Racheal lungeing Toska |
Nivalis ridden in a headcollar
