Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2015 | Page 97

EQUESTRIAN

Training horses
with Robert Booth BHSI
Equine trainer
Rodgebrook Horses

Tel: [phone]
www.rodgebrookhorses.co.uk

Thirty years of training horses

O

n August 24, 1985, just over thirty
years ago, we started a small
riding school at Great Pan Farm.
In 2004 we moved to Little Rodgebrook
Farm which is where our business is today.
Over those years we have made
some lovely friends, worked with some
lovely horses and people, and have
established a working small business.
The horse world is a tough place to make
a living, but if you are hardworking and
determined it can be very rewarding.
Although there is the everyday hard
work to do there is a lot of satisfaction
in knowing you have helped somebody
to understand or improve their horse.
Gaining experience from watching and
working with other professionals, going
to shows, conferences, horse sales, etc, is
very enjoyable and i nteresting. All the time
you’re learning and gaining experience,
and of course the horses themselves teach
you something new every day from big
surprises to just pleasure.
Most of our business since opening
the riding school has been breaking and
schooling young horses and teaching.

Flying Frigate
at our first ODE,
Tweseldown 1985

I wish I had kept a record of how many
horses we have broken in, I would guess
it is in the hundreds.
Some of our own produced horses have
gone on to do wonderful things. Some of
our pupils have progressed to high levels
with their own horses, which is also very
satisfying.
Of course it is all ongoing and there

have been some disappointing moments,
ups and downs, but it is never boring. Of
course we couldn’t have done it without
the support of our families and some
special friends helping out. Making a
living out of a sport you love is a privilege
and thank you to all the people and
horses that have made it possible. We
look forward to many more years!

Useful tips on training
your horse: Side Reins

A

training aid I use on a regular
basis with most of my horses
are elasticated side reins on the
lunge, particularly when breaking
in prior to being ridden.
They help accustom a horse to
the feel of pressure on the bit,
and reward the horse when it
gives or flexes to bit pressure.
They teach the horse to

accept a contact and rein aid.
For the more experienced
horse they help with self
carriage, straightness and hind
leg engagement. Both reins
should be adjusted to the same
length and to the level of the
horses training and introduced
gradually. ie longer for the green
horse.

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