About
ABOUT CATHERINE EDWARDES
ABOUT CATHERINE EDWARDES
Welcome to my site and thank you for reading my page. I truly hope we get an opportunity to train together and share the magic of being with horses. I have always loved teaching and the pleasure I gain seeing your smile of achievement is always a high for me! I prefer teaching the grass-roots riders, the problem, young or unschooled horses and those wishing to take the time it takes.
I have worked in the equine industry for the past 40 years, initially qualifying as a British Horse Society AI, and then working as a freelance classical riding instructor for the past 15. I no longer work full time in the horse industry for health reasons. This allows me the freedom to never put anxiety to put food on my plate before the needs of my customers and the well-being of their horses.
Early in my career I became concerned by the training methods of some of the high-level competitors and among the grass root "standard" trainers. 'On the bit' and outline has become the instant priority rather than slow methodical muscular training of the whole body. Force has become the norm rather than "yoga" for horses. Nowadays we see horses old before their time (life expectancy of European dressage horse is 9 years!) and their needing regular bodywork for aches and pains.
Training under a student of the Classical Master Nuno Oliveira, I began my route along the 'slow path'. Becoming biomechanically aware of the horse’s movement I realised the accepted “nose on the vertical” outline for anything other than a highly trained horse is incorrect and I was forced to think again about the weight of the rein and action of my legs.
Any horse trainer, in my opinion, should be an equine bodyworker to justify asking a horse to perform. Hence I trained as a Masterson Method® Practitioner. Sadly I see horses – often young – damaged by incorrect schooling, use of gadgets and badly fitting saddles.
With knowledge there at our fingertips, it seems incredible to me that we as a nation continue to churn out riding school clients and instructors with the barest knowledge regarding a horse’s well-being. How many out there understand even the basics of saddle fit, dentistry, foot balance etc?
Furthering my knowledge I am training on Caroline Lindsay’s Horse-Saddle-Rider course (first module complete) which deals with the Horse, Saddle & Rider as a combination and resulting in becoming a saddle fitter in 2 years.
I have worked in the equine industry for the past 40 years, initially qualifying as a British Horse Society AI, and then working as a freelance classical riding instructor for the past 15. I no longer work full time in the horse industry for health reasons. This allows me the freedom to never put anxiety to put food on my plate before the needs of my customers and the well-being of their horses.
Early in my career I became concerned by the training methods of some of the high-level competitors and among the grass root "standard" trainers. 'On the bit' and outline has become the instant priority rather than slow methodical muscular training of the whole body. Force has become the norm rather than "yoga" for horses. Nowadays we see horses old before their time (life expectancy of European dressage horse is 9 years!) and their needing regular bodywork for aches and pains.
Training under a student of the Classical Master Nuno Oliveira, I began my route along the 'slow path'. Becoming biomechanically aware of the horse’s movement I realised the accepted “nose on the vertical” outline for anything other than a highly trained horse is incorrect and I was forced to think again about the weight of the rein and action of my legs.
Any horse trainer, in my opinion, should be an equine bodyworker to justify asking a horse to perform. Hence I trained as a Masterson Method® Practitioner. Sadly I see horses – often young – damaged by incorrect schooling, use of gadgets and badly fitting saddles.
With knowledge there at our fingertips, it seems incredible to me that we as a nation continue to churn out riding school clients and instructors with the barest knowledge regarding a horse’s well-being. How many out there understand even the basics of saddle fit, dentistry, foot balance etc?
Furthering my knowledge I am training on Caroline Lindsay’s Horse-Saddle-Rider course (first module complete) which deals with the Horse, Saddle & Rider as a combination and resulting in becoming a saddle fitter in 2 years.
My career now takes me along four routes.
- Masterson Method® Equine Bodyworker
- Freelance classical riding instructor
- Producing instructional DVD for beginners and less fit riders - my goal in life being to make life better for beginner horses and riders.
- Assessing Horse-Saddle-Rider combinations
Freelance riding lessons
Freelance riding lessons
1 HOUR LESSON (within Newbury, Basingstoke, Reading triangle)
Most levels of riders especially those looking to improve their safety, confidence and balance, being prepared to work slowly to achieve results within their own horse's physical and mental capability.
I feel it's unkind to teach a lesson without knowledge of the horse's body. This I gain through a swift assessment to ascertain if further work required before riding - £45. If bodywork not required immediately I will progress to Rider Assessment.
I feel it's unkind to teach a lesson without knowledge of the horse's body. This I gain through a swift assessment to ascertain if further work required before riding - £45. If bodywork not required immediately I will progress to Rider Assessment.
RIDER ASSESSMENT
It is incredible how much the rider affects the horse’s way of going
Thereafter, lessons are £45 for approx. 2hrs. This allows me time to explain theory etc so will not ask too much of the horse. As you progress and more will be asked from the horse, the lessons will become shorter.
VIDEO TUITION
Send me a 30 minute video of you riding (also can be lunging or ground work) and I will send you a personalised report highlighting problems with both you and the horse and how to improve. £35