A BHS St III trainee and Alfie
George and his owner
Larry and a client - at the end of a good session
Alex - being trained on how to train Timber
Larry and a client - helping each other!
Rider Training
"Holistic" Riding
How
Gilfach aims to offer a truly 'bespoke' rider training package that is suited to the individual rider. As we know our horses very well (their strengths and weaknesses!), we can assess each rider that comes to us for tuition quickly and painlessly. You will be guided as to where we feel your riding-skill/technique is now, where it needs to be given your circumstances and ambitions. We then enable you to work on these "issues" in a non-intrusive, evolving way through subtle, but highly effective, teaching methods.
Our philosophy is that we owe our horses we ride, to ride to the best of our abilities. Horses are expert at being horses. People are expert at being human. We have to meet in the middle. Our horses have to be trained to do their bit, and us riders trained to do our bit.
Lessons are available on one of our well-schooled, well educated and characterful horses. Each of our equine team has something different to teach their rider, and will give you their best when you give them yours.
We can also offer instruction on your own horse, either here or at your (local) venue - please enquire for details.
Beginner or novice riders will be taught on the lunge until their balance, rhythm and body-tone are good enough to be in communication with the horse under saddle. No corners are cut.
What
Instruction/tuition can be given in all aspects of horsemanship. From learning the basics on the ground (horse psychology, handling and care), through learning the initial stages of balance, rhythm, body-tone/communicating the basic aids, timing; to improving the rider's ability to ride a range of horses well; through to learning techniques for training a horse. Classical principals are followed throughout - there are no shortcuts to good horsemanship. We owe it to the horses that we ride & train, to ride well.
Who
Riders (or potential riders)...
- from the age of 5 years old to around 80 years old! (maximum 14.5 stone)*
- who wish to come for just one lesson (e.g. for a "treat"), or to ride regularly -weekly or more often - for the sheer enjoyment of riding
- who wish to improve their general standard of horsemanship for riding with confidence, and/or their riding for their own horse's sake, and/or the performance of their own horse
- who wish to improve their understanding and practical skills of general horsemanship, horse care and knowledge
- who wish to confirm their knowledge and experience by taking Professional Horsemanship qualifications (e.g. BHS Horse Owner Certificates & "Stages")
When
Our doors are open generally seven days a week.
Lessons are available seven days a week between the hours of 9am and 4pm.
Private lessons are available, or if you have a group of similar minded/ability friends, we can offer group lessons (max four people per session).
Private lessons generally last for 45 mins. Group lessons, two to four riders, last for one hour.
We restrict the amount of school work our horses do to one to two hours per day and up to 4 days per week.
We also offer training towards Professional Qualifications
...Namely, British Horse Society Stages & Horse Owner Certificates
For details of these, please click here.