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It has been sometime since my last website post. Since the end of June, I have been to the U.K. for 5 weeks during August and into September. The courses varied from horsemanship to Cow Working. The weather was overall quite agreeable with a little rain etc at the beginning of the tour and then towards the end of the tour. It is always good to catch up with those in the U.K. and I have been going over there now for over 20 years. A big thank you to all that attended courses in the U.K. this year and to Tina at Total Horsemanship for all her efforts and the efforts of others in putting this schedule together for 2025. The image below was a trailer loading session in Cumbria. Regardless of what you may or may not do with horses, at some point you are going to have to travel them.

My return back to Australia has not been for rest. On arriving home it was straight back into cattle work and then attending bull sales in the coming week.

What’s Coming Up: Before going to the U.K. we had a home course as well. There is another planned in November on the 22nd & 23rd. There are also courses coming up in Brisbane on November 8th & 9th and I am back in Western Australia from October 16th to the 20th inclusive.

Below I have added a couple of horsemanship articles for everyone’s reading. One is an interview with Mike Bridges by Eclectic Horseman and the other is an article on Equitation. Enjoy!

The above image was from the Cow Working Course in the U.K.

Recently I had time on my return from overseas to listen to an interview with Mike Bridges. I have known Mike for over 30 years now and regard him as a personal friend. He has helped me with my horsemanship and encouraged me to read more to validate existing beliefs and to establish new. I am extremely grateful to all that have played a role in my horsemanship.

For those that are interested in listening to Mike being interviewed by Eclectic Horseman, the link is below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_HTs8CVZrg

The above image was one taken a long time ago, both horses were Mikes.

Equitation is a title that will either excite you or bore you. I recall Buck, speaking briefly about a conversation he had with Ray a long time ago now. I hope that I am not misquoting here, but Ray mentioned to do the exercises, that he spoke of in his classes, in order to do them well you would have to ride well.

I have now been teaching classes for over 30 years now and have been lucky enough to do this all over the world. As a result you see a lot of riders and a lot of horses. I am also more of the belief now that many times you are not teaching, more trying to cause awareness, that hopefully results in a positive change for both horse and rider.

Creating more awareness in a riders posture and in their riding can result in positive changes for the horse. It is easy to have good posture when the horse is in balance but when the horse is out of balance the rider tends to follow the posture of the horse.

In a recent course in the U.K I noticed the rider, riding with too much inside rein and as a result the horse was falling out of balance. When correcting the overuse of the inside rein and with transitions the horse went from being nervous and anxious to being able to have a lovely canter. Again I am reminded of keeping your horse in balance between your legs and hands or in your rectangle if that analogy is easier to understand.

Another incident I encountered in the U.K. was of a rider riding with their shoulders behind their hips and grinding with their seat or riding their saddle and not their horse. They commented that their horse was heavy in the hand. When you observed their riding position you could see they were pushing their horse into their hand with their riding posture.

When speaking of equitation, the timing of the conversation is as important. If you put too much emphases on posture then riders tend to become very stiff and do not follow the movement of the horse and are maybe more sitting than riding. As your sense of feel develops and your feel for balance develops then maybe your posture and overall equitation improves as well.

The above is not in anyway meant to condemn anyone, we are all guilty of the above and far worse I suspect. If we can be more observant, remember and compare and work on ourselves I am sure that our horses will improve.

The above images are of horses at different stages of development, from only having a couple of rides on them to others that are a little further along in their development. Riding well, is far harder than most will give credit for. Riding is more than the art of not falling off, to ride well takes a lifetime of dedication.

I am a little late for the U.K. summer, I am almost there. My blog and social media absence of late, has been due to busy schedules with horses and cattle. It has been a very good season this year, in my area of Australia, I know that not all are as fortunate.

While we have had a few cold winter days and a couple of light frosts, the grass is still pretty good for this time of year.

In my last blog, I was on a large cattle operation in North Western Queensland and since then we have been busy with riding and starting outside horses, plus preg. testing and bull testing our breeder herd and weaning.

At the end of May, I was in Brisbane for a weekend course, it was good to catch up with friends that I have not seen for a while. We are looking to repeat this course again in October and are just in the process of working out actual dates.

Mid July we have a home course , if you are interested please email me at [email protected] There are still a couple of rider positions available.

In October, I am back to Western Australia in Serpentine at Horsemanship First. I am loosing count of how long I have been going to Jenny & George Jackson’s facility in Western Australia. I am guessing that it is over 12 years. I am very grateful for having hosts that are committed to their own horsemanship and to also helping other like minded people with their horsemanship.

At the end of the month I travel back over to the U.K., this year will mark 15 years that I have been working with Tina at Total Horsemanship. We have had a lot of fun over that time, Tina’s husband Roger, while keeping a low profile has also been a big part of that 15 years. It has actually been a little longer with the zoom courses that we did during covid.

In that 15 years and in some cases longer I have met many wonderful people and their families in the U.K. and I look forward to catching up with again in August.

I have put together another horsemanship article below, that will hopefully be a beneficial read to all.

Why Do A Horsemanship Course:

Is probably a question that many people have either asked themselves or their friends have asked.

There are many answers to that question;

• I need help with the horse that I have.

• You want to get better and improve your horsemanship.

• You enjoy being around likeminded people.

• Enjoy learning.

• Handling different horses and situations.

The above are a few reasons why you may want to attend a horsemanship course. There are many other reasons as well.

Often what you thought horsemanship is about, is different to what it is actually about. Each course is different , the horses are different, the people are different, the environment is different.

You learn to have a more lateral approach than be so direct. As an example, many riders/ horse owners initially think that they have a trailer loading issue to discover that there were many other things were not that great. As a result of their horses gaining more confidence and understanding and being better prepared. Horses then loaded into the trailer.

Feel, Timing & Balance are words, that have an elusiveness about them, that you may wonder if they will ever become more than words. With time, experience and judgment those words allow a meaningful conversation to exist between yourself and your horse.

I would also say that you look at things differently or you have a different perspective, you do not blame your horse for what takes place. You look to see what you could do to help your horse not be that way. Your attitude and your presentation are important.

Horsemanship is more than just ground skills and ridden skills, your ground skills prepare you and your horse for riding. Horsemanship in the way that Ray spoke of, was not something that you did when someone was watching, it was also what you did when no-one was watching, and it was just you and your horse. Horsemanship is not a technique, or in my view a discipline, it is a way of working with any horse. You are always trying to improve your knowledge and understanding. In many ways your are working on yourself more than the horse.

There are times of frustration and there are other times that money could not buy. It was just you and the horse. When you try and explain to family or friends that are not horse orientated, the conversation fades away without ribbons or accolades. It is not a road of competition with others, it is your road to walk.

When I reflect back to that first course with Ray, I did not know what I did not know. There has been a lot of water go under the bridge. Horses that I would have found challenging, are now horses that have become nice saddle horses. I still hear Ray’s words, and the words of all that have helped me over the many years, when I ride.

It has been a little while since I last put pen to paper. I was then in Western Australia, this time I am in North Western Queensland at Barkly Downs cattle station. Barkly Downs is a large cattle station, owned by the Australian company, ACC. To be able to come out onto large cattle stations of this nature is an extraordinary experience. Words do not do justice to the size, scale, the great people and hospitality of all involved here at Barkly.

At home, it has been busy with stock work and outside horses, plus a home course. This continues to be the case for May and June. It has been a wet year, and thankfully without major flooding. We are very grateful for the rain, and thankful to not have incurred stock losses or property damage.

Towards the end of July, I travel back into the U.K. for an August schedule. Hopefully the weather will be kind .

With these articles it is sometimes a little challenging to know what to write, that is going to be helpful to those reading.

In a recent conversation late in the afternoon and with daylight fading. I was reflecting, and trying to find words to encourage a small group of riders that had just finished a 3 day young horse course. This course was quite diverse and included starting horses under saddle, handling foals, plus some slightly older ridden horses. Everyone had done very well and it had been a really good 3 days with great outcomes for all. I have tried to write a version of that conversation here.

The horsemanship path, can at times be a lonely path, where it is just you and your horse. There is nobody to take photos or video, no one to tell you that you are doing well or encourage you. It is just you and your horse.

There will be times of despair and am I doing the right thing or otherwise. There will also be those times when it starts to fall into place. The words, cliches and sayings that your teachers, mentors constantly said to you. That you first listened to intently and could recite in a heartbeat, start to have meaning, with time they become your words.

Flexion means more to you, than just bending your horses head around, even though you will still check your horse out on it. The quality of what you are offering your horse is more important than just going through a series of check list exercises and ticking boxes. You are feeling for your horse both on the ground and when you ride. While having your horse jump a jump or work a cow or just ride down the road is still important. You are thoughtful, considerate, understanding of your presentation and preparation and of your horses needs.

Everyone is on their own road and in those moments where things fall into place, even if it was only briefly and your horse feels right on. Those times are what make those days that are long and or challenging times worth it. It is your horse giving you feedback and saying your good.

Money cannot buy the above, you have to do the homework and gain experience to give you perspective and judgment. The horsemanship road is not all about technique, when starting off, you may need to have some ground and ridden skills to stay safe. Your attitude and having a good heart is equally important.

Safe Travels to all.

It seems that only recently I put together a January blog and now we are nearly through February. At home in Queensland we have been blessed by good rain for the start of this year. Causing us to reschedule our home course for March. There are only a couple of spaces left on the course, if you are interested please message me for more information.

Presently I am in Western Australia, with a day or so R & R waiting for the dolphins to appear down here at Mandurah. On my return home in the next few days there are outside horses arriving and stock work and flood fencing to get done.

I should also mention that we are presently looking at doing a course in the Brisbane area at the end of April, again if anyone is interested then please email [email protected] Below there is a short video of one of the horses that I have started while over here. I think to date this horse has 5 rides on him. There are a few other short videos available for those interested in viewing and there is an online course available from the website www.davidstuart.com.au

I have added a horsemanship article below , hopefully these small articles are of help.

Horsemanship: The horses in the images and video have only had a handful of rides and are rising 3 year olds. At the end of yesterday’s session a question was asked of me. When would you turn these horses out? Many may have different answers to this question. First I do not have competition or the outside influences of others to contend with here. I am just looking at what is going to be the best outcome for the horse.

The answer I gave to the above question was, I would turn them out now. I would give them 3 -4 months spell then bring them back in for a few more rides and I might repeat this again and by the time they are 4 they will be in a good place to start riding on a more regular bases. Some horses are going to be more physically mature than others. A lot of what I would do would be more at the walk and trot and while not avoiding the canter. The canter would only consist of a small amount of the ridden work.

With more sensitive horses I think that this approach also helps them to be more settled mentally and emotionally and not be overtaxing on the horses physically.

When horses have been handed well prior to starting under saddle. There is going to be a lot less stress on horses and humans when it comes to starting under saddle.

Online Course – The Start

The online course –  The Start; is exactly that, it is designed to get you started.  There is 4 videos with 2 hours and 40 minutes of video content. The videos include ground and ridden work. In addition there is also a trailer loading, plus a saddling and bridling video. The lessons and notes associated with each of the videos I trust all will find useful.

While this course may not replace attending one with your horse. We sincerely hope that this online course provides information to all that are wishing to progress in the pursuit of developing a nice saddle horse.

While the information is applicable to young horse starting, this is not a young horse starting course.

You have unlimited access to this course for 12 months

$170.00 inc. GST

Shop now

It has been a couple of months since my last website blog. The end of the year is upon us and I wanted to take the opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The year has been a very busy one and since I returned from the U.K. I have felt like I was chasing my tail catching up on things, that is not necessarily a bad thing either. I was also wanting to thank everyone for their continued support and friendship. To be around people who are genuinely wanting to continue to improve themselves and their horsemanship is very satisfying.

Next year is shaping up as a busy one as well, the U.K. schedule is already on the website as are the dates for Western Australia. There is a home course planned for early next year as well, the date will be up on the website shortly. We continue to have horses in for starting with the last two horses for the year due to go home on Thursday. I have included a horsemanship article below, happy reading.

Confidence / Rapport

When people watch, participate or become involved with horses, it can be for a variety of reasons. I guess, I would hope that one of those reasons would be that there is a love of horses.

When you look at horsemanship, from the outside. You may ask, why would you want to throw your lead rope over the horses back, rub them with a flag, lead them backwards with their tail. lead them forwards with a rope around the front leg, straddle a pole on the ground, mount from the fence. Ride them with a flag.

There can be a variety of reasons and answers for the above. When you look at things from the horses perspective and understand their self preservation needs and how strong this can be at times, that goes along way to answering the above.

I am not sure that you can have a horse distrust you on the ground, but trust you in the saddle or vice versa. You may get along a little better in one situation or the other. Gaining a horse’s confidence, and developing a rapport with some horses, particularly where the self preservation is really strong is not going to happen in 30 or 60 days. It is going to take a lot longer. With some horses, until you have their confidence and a level of trust on the ground, they are not going to allow you to strap a saddle to their backs and clamber on up.

For the many that commit to this road, it is not a straight one , there are many bends. Your horse now gives you a nicker or calls out to you and that horse a year or so ago would be at the back of the stable or yard and be hard to catch etc, that is a gold medal. Many things will be gained from the road of experience.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. I look forward to seeing you in 2025.

Online Course – The Start

The online course –  The Start; is exactly that, it is designed to get you started.  There is 4 videos with 2 hours and 40 minutes of video content. The videos include ground and ridden work. In addition there is also a trailer loading, plus a saddling and bridling video. The lessons and notes associated with each of the videos I trust all will find useful.

While this course may not replace attending one with your horse. We sincerely hope that this online course provides information to all that are wishing to progress in the pursuit of developing a nice saddle horse.

While the information is applicable to young horse starting, this is not a young horse starting course.

You have unlimited access to this course for 12 months

$170.00 inc. GST

Shop now

It has been nearly 2 months since my last website blog. It seems ages, since I was in a hotel in London, writing a blog for August. My U.K. tour went very well and it was wonderful to catch up with everyone in the U.K. To be able to pick the conversation up from where we left off 5 years ago was amazing. Thank you to all those that made it possible. This was also true of my short time in Spain, Rachael also enjoyed her time over there. Her Spanish vocabulary has certainly increased, my Spanish is still very elementary.

Presently, I am half way through my Western Australia schedule. Again it is wonderful to catch up with all over here in W.A. Jenny Jackson welcomes all who come through the front gates and are wonderful hosts. The horse, in the left image is of a young trakehner horse at the current course in Western Australia.

Current Schedule: When I return home shortly, I have young horses coming in plus a home course at the end of October. If you are interested in the home course, message or email me, as these do fill up. Towards the end of the year, I hope to have next year’s schedule up on website.

I have again put together a couple of horsemanship articles below, happy reading.

Getting Down To The Feet: I am not the first one to mention about getting down to the feet and have spoken of the relevance before. When I heard that said 38 years ago, I could say the words, but nothing more. In learning how to be effective in getting down to the feet, I sometimes did too much and other times not enough. Sometimes you could get things to happen on the ground, but not in the saddle or in the saddle and not on the ground. I had to develop my feel and timing and so now as I look at images I can see that I am having an influence on the horses feet.

What does it mean to the horse: On a horse that I was riding recently, I could feel that the horse was tight and bothered. The horse did not try and buck me off or do anything of that nature, but there was a tightness on the inside of that horse and at some point that was probably going to come out in one form or another.

Through working with that horse in the saddle and freeing the feet up, by moving the hind and forequarters and getting to where I could direct those feet, you could feel the horse start to loosen up and that tightness start to disappear and the horse start to tune in to you mentally.

The images above are of a mate’s horse that I rode in the U.K. This was not the horse in the story above that I speak off. The images show a little of how you can get the horse to start reaching with that front inside leg.

Giving a Horse a Purpose: The video below is from a U.K. Cow Working course that I did in August at Sudbrooke Park Cattle Company. I am of the belief that while there needs to be principle, it is important to give the horse a sense of purpose. While cow working does not always have to be that sense of purpose, hacking out or riding horses outside an arena helps to keep their mind fresh.

Details below, for those that are looking to continue your education.

Online Course – The Start

The online course –  The Start; is exactly that, it is designed to get you started.  There is 4 videos with 2 hours and 40 minutes of video content. The videos include ground and ridden work. In addition there is also a trailer loading, plus a saddling and bridling video. The lessons and notes associated with each of the videos I trust all will find useful.

While this course may not replace attending one with your horse. We sincerely hope that this online course provides information to all that are wishing to progress in the pursuit of developing a nice saddle horse.

While the information is applicable to young horse starting, this is not a young horse starting course.

You have unlimited access to this course for 12 months

$170.00 inc. GST

Shop now