Cliebrig Equine

I work with a lot of horses who are anxious - for one reason or another. I've come to the conclusion that teaching our horses to stand still and present and calm is the most important skill that we can give them in their training.

A few years ago, when a horse couldn't stand still when I was handling or riding it, I would send it forward - asking for changes of bend and pace, aiming to keep the head low. Horses appeared to calm down - but it was really only because I had given them something to do and focus on, rather than worrying about the monsters around them. Now I want to teach them how to stand and find their own calm before I get on them. Just like we teach circles and transitions and lateral work, we need to teach calmly standing still. Then, if things go wrong while I'm riding and I ask my horse to stand still, he already knows how to calm himself. Then we can set off again, rather than all that anxiety building up and up towards an explosion.

It might take some time, but giving a horse the skills to find their own calm becomes the solid, strong foundation of all of the rest of the work that we ever do with them. We want a horse who can jump across country or in an arena, show off in a dressage or show ring, chase cattle, or play games - and then calmly stand ringside or at the trailer or truck while others are having their go. It doesn't come naturally to a lot of horses, so it is a skill to teach and reward. Horses are designed to quickly and easily amp up - the adrenaline builds and flows fast - keeping them moving will keep them amped. We need to ask them to stop to reduce their energy levels.

How calmly can your horse stand?

I am back to nearly full function now, so beginning to start back with my coaching and riding training. I won't ride newly started horses for a bit still, but I can support you to do the training your horse needs so you can ride or handle them.
All ground work, anxious or stressed horses (and riders / handlers!), leading, tying up, float loading etc.
I'm currently in Canterbury.
I look forward to catching up with old clients and meeting new ones!!

Four weeks tomorrow since my hip replacement. Physio in the hospital said I could ride my bike as soon as I could get my leg over it. She actually said it was one of the best things I could do for rehab! So today I dropped the seat right down and had a go - it was great!!! Then Tegan and I went out for a road ride. She's trying to get her pony fitter and that's quite hard going around in a paddock. Lovely big verges for trotting and cantering!

I’m home!!! Well, actually at Cam Wright and Tammy Steeves place in West Melton. Mostly just using one crutch, able to walk inside with no crutch - and have been told to basically just keep doing that. Surgeon has said I can do most things but not to push through pain. He has a special technique which stops hips dislocating. He did say I should wait a while before riding again!!
I have a follow up appointment on 5th June.
Onwards and upwards from here!!

My latest news!!
Just letting everyone know that I am booked for a hip replacement on the 30th April. It’s happening in Christchurch because I found an excellent surgeon and he can do it soonest.
As many of my horsey friends and some others know, I’ve been struggling to do much because of this hip - the result of a fall off my horse 10 years ago. ACC are covering it, after me advocating for myself, so it happens sooner and privately.
I’m so looking forward to being pain free!! So many things I’ll be able to do again! Kayaking, canyoning, more riding, jumping, walking, climbing - putting shoes and socks on😂!!

Random photo chosen!!!

This is not my horse, but one I worked with for a few days. Please PM me to be put in touch with her owner. She is a lovely mare. Anna describes her as quirky, but I'm not so sure!! But then, I do prefer mares!! And quite like quirky too, so I guess my boundaries are a little stretched!
Located Cambridge.
Lovely natured 15.3hh, 12yo TB x Arab Stationbred. Born October 2011.
Has been out of work the past 3 years due to family commitments.
Prior to this we were having dressage lessons, she has 3 nice paces. Has done some little jumps, jumps well. Also some farm riding. Limited outings and low mileage.
She is very sensitive and anxious, which makes her difficult on the ground.
Has been doing some lessons with Anne Macaulay and developed a lot of confidence within a short time with her. Responds well to Warwick Schiller type natural horsemanship, and also positive reinforcement/clicker training. She has a lot of buttons in this area, and we have had lots of lessons with Bex Tasker, even trying some brideless riding. She is about to start having some clicker training lessons under saddle again with an experienced r+ trainer.
Pulls back when tied if she gets a fright. Anxious to load on the float but does improve with doing this consistently and with someone who can give her confidence.
The pros are she has a lovely personality and when she is in work and in a routine with someone she trusts she goes nicely. She has never bucked or reared while being ridden, though can put in a violent spook. Her feet are great, she has barefoot trims every 5 weeks or so, and is good for the farrier. We use positive reinforcement during her trimming sessions.
I have had her for 8 years and am very fussy about where she goes for her own well-being and future. The only reason I have decided to make this difficult decision is because I am having another baby and she already has so little done with her now and she is too young to retire forever.
Needs a caring person with a lot of experience and confidence, who can see these behaviours are due to anxiety and not so-called naughtiness, and the means to get lessons if necessary.

Do I know anyone who’s looking for a 13 hh pony? Relatively unknown past, probably limited schooling and I’ve not seen her under saddle but working with her on the ground and is calm and obliging. I think her teeth say she is 6, but owners say she is 9 based on the age the previous owners said - but they also said she is 14:2, so I’m not convinced they’d have the age correct! Pretty, grey, moves well. Would be an excellent project pony for someone for summer.
PM me directly (Anne MacAulay) for more information.

Order now - even if it's just for the fabulous photos!!

I’ll be interested to see the outcomes from this.

EIT | Te Pūkenga Executive Dean’s research to investigate happiness in horses Ground-breaking research into how thoroughbred racehorses express positive emotions in their interactions with humans is being done by a team including EIT | Te Pūkenga Executive Dean and...

Hello everyone, I’ve not done many posts over summer. I started the summer with an accident (body boarding - not even riding!!) but am recovered and on the move again.
I’m currently in Southland, and moving up the South Island. I have to be in Waikato mid May.
I can give you ideas and methods that you can use to build a connection so you can train your own horse to be the horse you want - whether that’s to have fun hanging out at home or to go out competing.
I can work with horses with problems, or horses who are straightforward. I train riders and handlers to use techniques which teach horses to look for the required response in a calm and relaxed way. Not all issues can be fixed immediately, but if you are motivated, I believe that many of the issues riders and handlers get frustrated by can be sorted with time and understanding.

If you would like me to visit and work with you and your horse, please let me know. If I can fit you into my schedule I will do.
If you just want me to visit, so you can show off your lovely horses, I’d love to do that too!!

The best way of contacting me is by PM to Anne MacAulay.

Feel free to share this post.

I'm on my way to Central Otago. So looking forward to meeting lots of new people and horses!

National Aerial Operations Plan 2023 consultation We're inviting feedback on our 2023 national plan for TBfree pest control operations. Responses are due by 30 September 2022.

Comete is proving to be a fast learner, going from ground work to being ridden in only about 6 sessions. Here we see why he’s go so good so fast - he practises on his own! Here you can see him practicing with the poles laid out for walking and backing 😂😂.

My model involves working with clients and their horses for a couple of sessions and then asking them to work by themselves for a few sessions before I return again. It’s really effective - gives people and horses the chance to try things out on their own and think of questions and issues they are having.

I'm on my way north! If you or someone you know, wants support in developing a strong relationship with your horse, feel free to contact me.
For Horse Handlers and Riders with ♥
Are you a wanting to:
Listen to and understand what your horse has to say?
improve your relationship with your horse?
connect and stay connected?
Problem solve – ‘what’s not working – what next?
Explore philosophy of approach as well as method?

Anne MacAulay of Cliebrig Equine can help you with all of this. She will kindly examine your horse and your processes, identify “holes” which may have been skipped over, and give you a pathway of training specific to you and your horse. Anne has worked with a wide range of horses and handlers over several decades. There is no ‘one technique to fit them all’ - each horse is unique. Anne brings her extensive multi-disciplinary knowledge with principles and techniques from a range of training methodologies to find a solution which is best fit for you and your horse. Anne takes a collaborative approach to her coaching technique to empower and inform. In group situations there is the opportunity to discuss alternative techniques and work out what will work with each horse.
To learn more search facebook : Cliebrig Equine and Cliebrig Equine Group
• Learn how to listen and interpret what your horse has to say
• Take home a method and practice that will give you and your horse engagement and connection as a framework for what you aspire to achieve
• How to deal with those ”off days”
• Suited to all levels and disciplines
• individual assessment of your horse

Where group sessions are organised:
• on-going support and network available
• supportive atmosphere with like-minded equestrians
• small group numbers: maximum of 5 / group.

Challenge yourself to be the best partner for your horse.

Costs start at $80 / hour for individual sessions. Costs for group sessions or clinics will be worked out depending on numbers, venue costs and travel.

Anne travels around Aotearoa in her camper van with her Jack Russell terriers and a variety of horse handling equipment. She can come to you, working with horses at your place, or you can arrange an alternative venue. She will be in the Hawke’s Bay area for the 2022 winter from mid June - mid August approximately.

For further information, phone Anne on 027 872 7791, [email protected]

Please feel free to contact either me Anne MacAulay 0278727791 or Catherine 0272955204 to make enquiries.

Cliebrig Equine Travelling Aotearoa to help you train your own horses and ponies. Supporting you to produce the best

Exciting news!!
I am back in the horse game (hahahaha, never left!). I'm now a travelling horse trainer. So I get to continue to travel around Aotearoa, and also work with people and horses as the horse handlers work on improving their understanding and relationship with their horses. I'm so looking forward to it!

I'm currently in Nelson. I've got a white water kayaking course in Murchison in a few days. After that I'm heading to Canterbury, so if you want some time with me, let me know.
I've got a clinic happening near Greymouth in March - once the flyer is completed, I'll post a copy here - and then will continue on south.
Feel free to share this around. I've included some information on this page about how I work, so have a read of that and feel free to message me for more information. I'm trying to work out how to create a "files" section! Business FB pages are different to personal ones.

Anne MacAulay
027 872 7791

Over the last couple of months I have been parked up at a friend's place near Te Awamutu. I have been working with two of her kaimanawa ponies - 147.5 cm 8 year old mare and her 14 hh 5 year old son. Both ponies are going really well now - and I am moving on soon. Is there anyone looking for a pony? Free lease, or lease to buy situation. You will have to come a handle them and ride them first before Rebecca will allow you a lease.
Awa is a very capable jumper, and really should be eventing. I've shown her in novice saddle hunter classes and really happy with how she went. I've done one XC jump schooling session with her and in that one session we went from jumping logs on the ground to doing some of the easy 95cm jumps. She needs work on combinations in both SJ and XC. Very quick learner, if given the chance and not hassled. I've also done sheep and cattle work on her. She's a true 4WD model, and if a horse could go there, I'd happily take her. She can be reactive, so not a nervous or novice ride.
Tama is her son, 5 years old, 14 hh and chunky!! He's a very good doer. He's more laid back than his mum, but can still be green. He's worked under saddle in the round pen and all around the farm. Done a little bit of sheep work and up and down steep hills. His preferred speed is slow. He's beginning to do pole work and jumping. With the correct training, he's going to find this easy. He'd be suitable for a novice rider in an experienced household.
Scroll down this page to see photos and videos of them both - nothing in the last month or so, but they do show temperament and attitude.
If you are independent and capable and live close to Korakanui, near Te Awamutu, Rebecca might consider a lease in place - she doesn't have time to spend hours helping or supervising. Please message me if you are genuinely interested.

As I am beginning to put together a plan for working with people who are working with their horses, this is part of the foundation of the way I want to work.

Whenever we ride in public or are involved in group situations with our horse, there are always so many different dynamics that we need to contend with. If we consider ourselves in isolation, we have the various concerns or thoughts about what riding in a different environment can bring.

On top of that, we have to tend to our horses and make sure that their needs are being met and they aren’t being placed in a situation where the any discomfort they face outweighs the skills they have to be able to emotionally self-manage.

And then we have the instructor or clinician (should that be the situation) who, for better or worse, adds to the dynamic depending on their intention, style of teaching and/or focus.

There’s a lot of moving parts.

One thing that I’ve always anchored myself to on the various adventures I take myself on with my horses is this principle or thought:

At the end of the day, I’m the one who has to keep showing up for my horses.

Not my instructor. Not the people watching or those around me. Not my critics or supporters.

Me.

Tomorrow, it’s me and me alone, that catches my horse, saddles up and gets on.

And as a consequence, I have to take full responsibility for the situations I place both myself and my horse in, and advocate for both of us.

If I ignore my intuition; if I push past our capabilities in the moment in an effort to keep up with others; if I shape shift to fit the situation instead of being there for my horse, it’s easy to find yourself in a situation where you and your horse lose confidence, or worse still, get hurt.

And pushing on in spite of myself is something that I’m no longer willing to do.

Of course, there are those times when we know that we are ready and it’s time to step up.

But there are equally those times when we need to use our voice and simply say, not today.

Not today as a means to keep showing up tomorrow. Not today as a means to advocate for yourself and your horse.

Bravery exists both in the doing and the not doing.

And sometimes it gets practiced in the simple words of Not Today.

Onwards.

❤️ Jane

Who is in the Waikato with a tough float loader? I’m offering a free float loading session 🤗🐴 That entails working on stop, go, turn and yeild and then going on and off the float. How challenging the horse’s previous experiences have been, will dictate how much we get through. However, you will be left with a solid plan and the tools to continue by yourself, or you can book me for another session. ❤️

Rebecca has great skills and understanding of both the science of learning in horses, and the way each individual horse thinks. She is also very good at explaining what she is doing and why. This would be a great week for any horse and their human.

To kick start things off! I’m offering a week’s free Agistment and training for one horse! Just tag a friend below and share the page! Drawn on the 24th December and horse can come anytime after Christmas 🎄