Our Training

Training using positive reinforcement (R+) is our primary and preferred training approach here at Abbey’s Run Equestrian. We are not R+ purists because sometimes, unexpected things happen and it’s using whatever tools we have in our toolbox to be the least aversive possible while keeping everyone safe.

While Sarah was never a fully conventional trainer, always looking for better ways to be with horses for herself and for her students, it was still a big change, shifting to training with R+. It was some 8-9 years ago that Sarah started to change her training approach, initially as she had run out of other options with a challenging horse (or rather, a horse presenting as challenging in the environment he was in). Since then, Sarah has continued to learn more and more about training using positive reinforcement, the body of scientific research that sits behind it, the mindset shifts that go along with it. Sarah (and Benn) and have been thoroughly exploring R+ with their horses, and have been absolutely loving the approach, the ethos and the results. Never has Sarah had so much consistent fun with her training nor such a close partnership with her horses - we want this for our students too.

In working with our human students, we are big believers in the values of kindness, authenticity and clear communication.

Our instructing now is primarily done virtually. While in part, this has been a produce of the Covid pandemic, it’s a direction we were already planning to move in due to the awesome and unexpected advantages that teaching virtually has over in-person:

• you and your horse get to stay at home where you’re most comfortable - no effort & cost in transporting your horse anywhere

• training with your horse can be done at a time that works for you both - there’s no having to train in poor conditions just because you have an in-person lesson booked

• your learning sessions can be short and sweet - quality over quantity - not pushing for an hour lesson because that’s the normal

• you get a record of your learning that you can refer back to many times - no struggling to remember what was covered in your hour lesson

• we can assess the impactful nuances that are happening in your training that can be easily missed in person

• we can work with people all around the world

• we don’t have to spend time travelling which means we are more rested and more able to be working with our horses - which means we are our best selves when we work with you