Training
We are a friendly, professional western training establishment catering for all disciplines and levels of horse and rider. Whether your horse is for competition or for just plain riding enjoyment, we aim to get the best out of them and to make your riding safe and enjoyable so that you can have as much fun as possible.
Starting
We start all young horses with basic groundwork in the round pen, getting them comfortable moving their feet and understanding moving away from pressure. Once they are comfortable with this and accept the saddle we start the mounting process, all the time progressing at a speed that the horse is comfortable with. A horse will always let you know when they are ready for the next step. All horses are started bitless. Once they have a good understanding of flexion, pressure, basic lateral exercises and can walk, trot and canter in a relaxed manner we introduce the bit.
Almost all the horses pictured on this website were started here and have been shown successfully, some to National Champion level. We recommend a minimum of six weeks for starting a young horse, although more time produces a more solid foundation.
Instruction
We welcome everyone for lessons with their own horses at Wye Oak Farm or, for convenience, arrangements can be made for Michael to come to you. Michael is a WES qualified instructor with a first aid qualification. He is only a phone call away.
Clinics
Michael is available for clinics throughout the year. If there is a group that want to get together, he can come to you helping to reduce your costs. We can arrange clinics on anything from basic riding to advanced manoeuvres for the show ring. Please contact us for details.