Cuthbert the luscious and other friends...

I enjoyed a day-trip to Horseworld at the weekend, during which time Sarah Weston and I did a bit of work with a few of the residents there. The highlight for me had to be watching Sarah doing a demo at the visitor centre with beautiful coloured horse called Cuthbert. He had arrived at Horseworld as a stallion and had to be kept entire whilst they waited for the prosecution against his former owners to go through. He was gelded earlier this year and has just begun his education under saddle. He really is a beautiful horse, and I was sorely tempted by him as my next 'classical' project.  One young visitor summed it up when she remarked that 'Cuthbert is lush' after he was longreined and ridden for only the second time during the demo at the visitor centre. He has great potential and will make somebody a very good ridden horse.

I also worked with a very tiny filly called Patience who had been seized as a result of a neglect and cruelty case and taken to Horseworld on the brink of collapse. You can see her in the photos, looking very skinny, but much better than when she first arrived thanks to the care and expertise of the staff at the centre. We worked very quietly and informally with her in her paddock just getting her used to the presence of people.

 This little mare arrived as a result of a cuelty case and is due to have her foal at any time soon.

 One of the newest arrivals at Horseworld, whose Mum was thankfully rescued and arrived at the centre before she gave birth.

 Rusty is absolutely petrified of people, possibly the result of being roughly handled and pinned down. We work with her quietly using advance and retreat in a small space, but she finds it very difficult to deal with and spins, charges round and throws herself on the floor in sheer panic. She does however, have a good interest in food, so there is hope that clicker training might be effective with her.A huge amount of time and patience will be required to make progress with this little mare.