THANKS TO HEATHER!

[Mike]

Great to hear of your leap forward. I agree, Heather's book is very good - I'm trying to apply what it says into my lessons. You can read my review of the book here
http://www.newrider.com/html/featured_book.html .

Do keep us posted on your progress.

[Gail May]

To all of you who read my previous messages - I thought I would just let you know my progress so far.

I was lucky enough to meet Heather Moffatt who gave me a lesson on the Equisimulator. This was a truly amazing experience and the penny finally dropped with regard to how a rising trot should feel.

On Saturday I had my third one to one lesson and was able to put Heathers training into practise. I felt as if I suddenly was able to walk, trot and even got so far as to get the horse to walk backwards, pirouette to the right and then the left with absolutely no problems.

My instructor could not believe the improvement in my riding! Bearing in mind three weeks ago I was so afraid of getting back on a horse again.

I would also recommend Heathers book 'Enlightened Equitation' as it gives such good clear explanations of her great way of riding.

If I can improve in this way, then anyone can!

Gail

[Heather]

Hi Gail,

So glad to hear that your Equisimulator session helped, and great to meet you and husband, Stuart. As Mike says, do keep us posted on your progress, and don't hesitate to ask any questions that you would like me to answer.

Keep up the progress! Heather

[KarlR]

Gail,

This is simply awful. The next time that you see Heather, persuade her that she needs to move (with the Equisimulator) "up north" - there's some lovely hacking country in Derbyshire! ;-)

I'm really jealous now!<g>

Karl R

[Heather]

Well Karl,

You are in luck! Well known equine scientist, Dr. Karen Hinckley who lives in Derbyshire, is just about to take delivery of an Equisimlator, and I will be coming up at the end of July to take a clinic for the Irish Draft Society at Karen's place!

We have only just released the simulators onto the market, and apart from one in Suffolk, Derbyshire is the second county to have one!

Email me privately for dates and addrss of venue. Hope to be able to give you a lesson then!


Heather

[KarlR]

Fantastic! This is wonderful news. Thankyou.

[Heather]

Great stuff, Gail,

Sounds like you are on the right track now. So glad to have beenof help, and hope to be able to assist Karl and his wife in July. Look forward to meeting them, and I am due to meet Mike this Thursday, so look forward to putting a face to the name at last!

All the best, and keep us posted,

Heather

[Tammie]

Heather, it is great news that your are going to be in Derbyshire, it is not too far away for me. Please let me have your email address so I can get dates and venues from you.

Well done Gail, on going on your first hack. I went on one and I was terrified at how close cars and lorrys come to horses. I think that the Highway Code should have a page that tells drivers how to pass horses. After all the horse came first.

[Gail May]

Further to last weeks 'progress report' just wanted to tell everyone (I hope Heather reads this!) I went on my first Hack on Saturday!!!!!!!

Big step forward for me - and I absolutely loved it!! This greatly increased my confidence and I think I am almost over all my nerves - Please note Heather I was able to sustain a very good sitting and rising trot - all thanks to you. The only thing that I was appalled at was car drivers. As I always slow down and give a wide berth to horses and riders I assumed everyone did the same. Not so! We were nearly run down by a sporty little number and then had a near miss with a Range Rover.

It did not however, spoil my exhilaration at finally getting to go on a hack. Hopefully, I will be cantering soon .

Karl - I am glad you will have a chance to try out an equisimulator - I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

Gail

[KarlR]

I saw an letter to "You Horse" recently where the writer suggested that "Pass wide and slow" wasn't explicit enough.

They suggested "Wide means 1 CAR WIDTH" and slow means "10 mph".

I can only agree, especially on country roads.