We have just got back from a trip to Menorca which was and always is an 'equine treat'.

Menorca has one if not the highest equine densities in Europe with over 3,000 indigenous pure breed .Menorcan horses in just over 700 km of land surface.

The presence of so many of these horses is due to the enormous love and admiration the Menorcan people have for these magnificent creatures..

This beautiful and unique species of horse play a leading role in the local fiestas of the different towns around the island.

These horses are predominantly jet black with strong manes and a lively look. They are noble, strong and swift.


I have been visiting the island and enjoying the many and varied equine activities, such as the fiestas, the dressage shows and the trotting racing for over 25 years.

We are currently investigating the possibility of buying and bringing back a Menorcan horse to join our stable team.

If you would like to know more about these horses and the fiestas please do get in touch with me and I will happily share my knowledge of Menorca's equine delights.

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Find out more about our horse riding adventures at http://www.offpisteriding.co.uk

Horses and their interactions fascinate me ...

Here is a poem I will leave you with as a compliment and expression of
my thoughts in the previous blog as I feel it encapsulates what horses can bring to one's being.

From day to day and year to year
It's you that makes me whole
The pounding of your hooves
Sparks magic in my soul.

Who could match out joy?
None would be so bold
As we canter through the meadows
In a dance of ages old.

You were a gift from Heaven
On Earth you give me wings
And even Angel envy
The joy such freedom brings


We will travel the world over
And track the rainbow to its end
We will find our pot of Gold
And continue 'round the bend.

Our Gold may come as trophies
Or ribbons flashing blue
But these things matter little
My Treasure lies in YOU.

I have been inspired to start to write this blog for several reasons:

* horses and their behaviour fascinate me
* peoples interaction with horses fascinates me too
* in my opinion there are so few good sources information about the true nuances of horses

So I thought it would be interesting and fun to share my observations and knowledge with others who may be prepared to share and debate their thoughts too.

If you find my blog as boring as watching paint dry I shall stop writing them - I promise.

So, here is my first foray.

All my life, for as long as I can remember there has been a special place in my heart and mind for anything equine. In particular I marvel how these amazing creatures let us into their lives and if we apply patience, observation, love and care we can become part of their herd, part of their gang.. In the case of my dear old horse George he has allowed me to be his mate.

Please don't think I am some batty woman who places their horse/horses above all else but I do place them in that inner circle of importance along with Dave (my husband) my parents, my brother, sister-in-law, nephews, Jemimah and other family members and friends. In other words, they are part of the fabric of my life

I tick with the rhythm and mood of my horses. I can look out the kitchen window and if George is in his field I can tell by the way he is grazing, standing, by the way he holds his head if he is okay or not. He can't really tell me so I have learnt to read his body language and his actions. He has the ability to communicate with me and show me how he feels too. But I have to watch and observe. This is why I have become very interested in the relatively new concept of 'Equine Assisted Learning (EAL).

Equine Assisted Learning is all about learning with horses. For many, many years all over the world there has been horse riding schools, horse riding centres, horse riding holidays. All of these are on offer for those who are interested and want to go there to ride, and be around horses.

If you think back to your experiences of these places how many of them taught you very much about the horses themselves? Did they explain and demonstrate to you that how you approach and treat a horse can influence and affect your relationship and enjoyment of that horse?

I am intellectually very interested in adding the offering Equine Assisted Learning, (EAL) to the Off Piste Riding concept Dave, Jemimah and I offer at www.offpisteriding.co.uk

EAL is a modern and fresh way of teaching. leadership and relationship skills but instead of the more traditional concept of leadership training ie training programmes with people in meeting rooms in corporate hotels EAL is on the ground with horses.

Being able to manage one's horse has been essential to leaders for centuries. Just think back to our school books with images of kings, queens and generals on their horses. Even the word 'manage' is derived from 'manage' which as we know is the French word for a riding school.

So, by learning with horses, we are simply offering leadership and enhanced communication skills in a more 'of the moment' and modern way.

In simplistic terms, this approach helps people understand through working with well mannered and happy horses what impact their approach and unspoken messages have on those around them and how they can affect performance.

What I do feel and know from my own experience with horses is that how I approach my horse and the mood and energy I give out can affect my horse enormously. Just like when we go to work - if we approach situations in an angry manner we engender a similar mood or reaction back. If we hold a meeting with enthusiasm and energy we have the opportunity to help raise the energy levels in a room full of tired people.

Horses are quick to respond to changes of energy around them. They definitely bond with some people more quickly than others and my observation is it is largely down to our approach, how we read them that impacts on this.

What do you think? What have your experiences been?

Next week I plan to give some clear and tangible examples of how I have observed the enormous changes we can make if we spend positive time on the ground with our horses.

The challenge of off-piste horse riding

Off – Piste Riding is an experience which aims to provide exciting horse riding holidays for riders capable of tackling a challenging route through extremely varied terrain, which is off the beaten track. In other words, “off piste”.

Off-Piste riding is not nose-to-tail trailing. It’s over terrain that can be steep and narrow, or open and wide. You need to be a competent rider, who has ridden outside a ‘sand school only’ environment. You need to be comfortable in the saddle for four to six hours a day, able to rise to the trot and control your horse at canter and gallop. You will need to keep up with a group of a maximum of four riders plus your guide.

Please remember, you ride at your own risk. We advise you to have your own insurance and you will be asked to sign a disclaimer. Please don’t be alarmed as our horses are well mannered and well versed at this work. We obviously, take every precaution to ensure your holiday with us is safe and fun but as with any ‘sport’ activity there is an element of risk.

For more information visit our web site:- http://www.offpisteriding.co.uk