Hi Isobel

Here it is, finally I have managed to write.

As you know we have moved to a different yard, and I think the horses are really going to be happy here. We have a large estate to ride on, do not need to go on any roads, and there is plenty of assistance should one need it. Both Pasha and Henry have made new friends, Pasha hangs out with the smallest pony in the field, he was so persistent to be her escort, that on day 2 she gave in, and now they are always togeter, very unlikely couple. My big mare who normally only likes large horses has this little thing called Toby in tow, and she no longer needs to be close to Henry, who also seems to have found a love interest, over the fence, a pretty little bay girl.....

Isobel, I would like to say a very big thank you for opening my eyes and ears to be able to listen and understand my horses. In the 2 years that we have known you, you have relayed to me what they were saying, including some really querky things, like Henry thought one of the mares had a big bum! It made me realise that my horses don't miss a thing, they make comments about how I ride, whetether they like the tack or not, about my wellbeing and the atmosphere on the yard?! (Pasha said that I had a bad back at the time, and that she was sorry that she was not the horse I thought I had bought, these things brought tears to my eyes)

I remember your first visit, when I did not really know you, and someone recommended you from the yard, I was a bit sceptical, but then you "floored me" by coming out with all these things that my horses were saying, like Pasha was missing a big brown horse (so true, that was her best mate and they moved on, that she did not want to be ridden, which I knew deep down- of course now I know that that is because of her navicular, that she was strapped down and worked very hard after each time she reared with the previous owner, etc., etc. )

I think you really helped me question the traditional methods in horsecare, and now I know that I would rather listen to my horses and they have become my instuctors, rather than the routine saying "you have to show them who is boss". I know that you have once told me that both my horses are not the easy ones, and my goodness, do I know that, however they are also pretty expressive, and I have really learnt to communicate with them. In Henry's case, I sort of knew that he did not like any of his 3 saddles, or bridles, so I thought how about bareback and bitless, this horse has then transformed, from fast and furious (literally), to very soft and laid back. I still can't believe, how simple it all really is, it is us humans who complicate things!

I have also been exposed by you to the alternative remedies, like homeopathy, Dr Bach remedies, barefoot trimming, and to my continued amazment they work!

The work that you have been doing with my horses has really actually helped me in becoming stronger, believing in my decisions and having the conviction in carrying things out that might be against the grain.

Hey, how about finding a new yard on Thursday, packing on a Friday, moving on Saturday, with never having to load up before, doing a pillow talk with Pasha and Henry and telling them that I was apprehesive about doing this, but they needed to help me, you know what, they were perfect!!! I was so proud of them, even though by the time we arrived in the new yard they were totally sweated up, but behaved really well, it just seemed that we were helping each other, and they put all their trust in me, I still can't believe it.

2 weeks on, and we are getting the shoes off, barefoot farrier on the way, and hey presto I believe we have entered a new chapter, where the horses can really enjoy being just that , horses, and when I get on their back it will be because we want to go places together.

Isobel, the biggest change that you have made in me is the fact that I now feel that I can stick with my convictions without worrying "what will everybody else think and say, as they must know so much more than me about the horse world"

You first made me realise that when I told you about Henry really messing up with one of the top instructors trying to ride him, and him refusing to go forward full stop. He went sideways and backwards with her. When I told you about this you said that I should take this as a compliment, that he did not want whatever expert on his back and was only relaxed with me. Well, now I do take this as a compliment, and when we ride, he responds to the tiniest tension in my leg muscles, when I lose balance when bareback, he stops so that I can rebalance myself, and he really appreciates not having any bits in his mouth, I still can't believe that we ride like this, when everybody else told me to put a strong bit in his mouth and strap him down, and that I should longe him before evey ride, ha ha I never longe him now, just get on him and there is no " edge" to get off. That was such a load of ... baloneys, and I used to believe in it.

The most important thing that I have learnt from you is that when the horses do not want to perform it is usually due to a physical/mental pain, and there in no point in showing them who is boss, but treating the problem. And it really helps if you are kind to them , they will want to be with you, and offer cuddles or try to groom you...

I hope that you will listen/treat my horses for many years to come and thank you for opening up my head to listen

My best

Lidia