The Evolution of training the horse.
This photograph recently popped up on my phone.
This is Charlie, a three-year-old horse, and the very first horse I ever backed. Seeing him again reminded me just how much horse training—and my own approach—has evolved over the years.
I’ve been training horses for over fifty years. That makes me sound rather old… although I certainly don’t feel it!
What fascinates me most is not simply how long I’ve been involved with horses, but how dramatically training methods and our relationship with the horse have changed during that time. When you look back, it’s no surprise that training has evolved alongside the horse’s role in our lives.
In the UK and much of the Western world, horses are no longer essential to industry, transport, or the military. Today, most of us enjoy our horses for leisure, sport, therapy, and companionship. Breeding has changed too—there are far fewer heavy horses, and many are now bred specifically for competition. Whether this is always the right direction is a debate for another day!
Although I wasn’t around in the era of the working horse, when I was an apprentice the training philosophies I learned were still heavily influenced by military and workhorse traditions. Many of those methods are still used today—some successfully, and others that perhaps deserve a thoughtful review.
Backing Charlie – Then and Now
I started Charlie nearly 45 years ago—“breaking” as it was called then. He was a lovely 16.1hh registered non-thoroughbred gelding.
Remarkably, we walked him three miles each day to a local indoor school. That journey included crossing the A38, walking through a village, and leading him up a steep, winding country road. (I’m absolutely not recommending this approach today!)
I was fortunate to have an excellent mentor who guided me through the process. Charlie was first taught to lunge, learning voice commands for walk, trot, and halt. Once he accepted the saddle, bridle, and side reins, we leaned across him. When that went well, I was legged up and led around—sitting quietly and hoping for the best.
The next stage involved being sent out on the lunge in walk and trot. I placed a great deal of trust in the person holding the lunge line—because if she let go, I was in real trouble! Thankfully, she didn’t, and everything went smoothly.
In those days, we didn’t long-rein or teach horses to understand rein pressure before backing. The only contact with the bit came from side reins. Looking back now, that approach feels very limited and, in many ways, unclear for the horse.
How My Training Has Evolved
Since Charlie, I’ve backed many horses of all shapes, sizes, and disciplines. Over time, my methods have evolved through experience, continued learning, and adapting to each individual horse, owner, and set of circumstances.
Today, I prepare horses far more thoroughly before a rider ever gets on. Timeframes have changed too—rather than working to a fixed four-to-six-week schedule, I allow as long as the horse needs. In reality, this often saves time in the long run.
The focus is on building strength, balance, and understanding—ticking every box before moving on. I aim to give each horse absolute clarity about what is being asked of them.
I now do little to no lunging with young horses. Much of their early education is done in straight lines, which helps develop balance, symmetry, and straightness through the body—essential foundations for carrying a rider safely and comfortably.
This approach minimises confusion, fear, and injury, and helps keep horse, rider, and handler as safe as possible. Above all, it creates solid foundations for the horse’s future, whatever discipline they go on to enjoy.
Getting on for the first time should be the easy part. While there are never guarantees, careful preparation greatly increases the chances of success. And of course, backing is only the beginning—there is still much to learn and many muscles to develop.
Supporting Horses and Owners
Backing and producing young horses is not for everyone. It requires strength, balance, feel, clear communication, confidence, patience, and consistency. Just as importantly, it requires the ability to recognise subtle signs that a horse may be confused, uncomfortable, or struggling—physically or mentally.
While I no longer take in backing or schooling liveries, I work closely with many clients on their journeys with young horses—from foal handling through to backing and early schooling. I often help horses (and riders) by revisiting foundations, clarifying understanding, and improving behaviour and performance when things haven’t quite gone to plan.
For some owners, sending a horse to a professional to be backed can be the right choice. If you do, I always recommend watching as many sessions as possible. This allows you to continue the training consistently when your horse returns home, giving them clarity and confidence through familiar communication.
Charlie’s Legacy
After backing Charlie, my circumstances meant I had to sell him. He went on to work successfully as a whip-in for the local hunt, while I continued to school and exercise him for his owner. A few years later, Charlie and I were lucky enough to enjoy a season eventing together—my debut season with British Eventing.
At that time, there were no BE80, BE90, or BE100 classes; you went straight in at Novice (110m). During that season, we won two Novice events and gained 19 BE points. I owe a great deal to that beautiful horse.
Always Learning, Always Evolving
The most important thing to take from all of this is that training is never static. We are continually learning more about how horses think, feel, and respond. Every horse is an individual, and staying curious, open-minded, and willing to adapt gives us far more tools to support them.
No two horses are the same—and even the same horse can be different from one day to the next. Thoughtful, sympathetic training allows them to develop with confidence, understanding, and trust.
This is Charlie, a three-year-old horse, and the very first horse I ever backed. Seeing him again reminded me just how much horse training—and my own approach—has evolved over the years.
I’ve been training horses for over fifty years. That makes me sound rather old… although I certainly don’t feel it!
What fascinates me most is not simply how long I’ve been involved with horses, but how dramatically training methods and our relationship with the horse have changed during that time. When you look back, it’s no surprise that training has evolved alongside the horse’s role in our lives.
In the UK and much of the Western world, horses are no longer essential to industry, transport, or the military. Today, most of us enjoy our horses for leisure, sport, therapy, and companionship. Breeding has changed too—there are far fewer heavy horses, and many are now bred specifically for competition. Whether this is always the right direction is a debate for another day!
Although I wasn’t around in the era of the working horse, when I was an apprentice the training philosophies I learned were still heavily influenced by military and workhorse traditions. Many of those methods are still used today—some successfully, and others that perhaps deserve a thoughtful review.
Backing Charlie – Then and Now
I started Charlie nearly 45 years ago—“breaking” as it was called then. He was a lovely 16.1hh registered non-thoroughbred gelding.
Remarkably, we walked him three miles each day to a local indoor school. That journey included crossing the A38, walking through a village, and leading him up a steep, winding country road. (I’m absolutely not recommending this approach today!)
I was fortunate to have an excellent mentor who guided me through the process. Charlie was first taught to lunge, learning voice commands for walk, trot, and halt. Once he accepted the saddle, bridle, and side reins, we leaned across him. When that went well, I was legged up and led around—sitting quietly and hoping for the best.
The next stage involved being sent out on the lunge in walk and trot. I placed a great deal of trust in the person holding the lunge line—because if she let go, I was in real trouble! Thankfully, she didn’t, and everything went smoothly.
In those days, we didn’t long-rein or teach horses to understand rein pressure before backing. The only contact with the bit came from side reins. Looking back now, that approach feels very limited and, in many ways, unclear for the horse.
How My Training Has Evolved
Since Charlie, I’ve backed many horses of all shapes, sizes, and disciplines. Over time, my methods have evolved through experience, continued learning, and adapting to each individual horse, owner, and set of circumstances.
Today, I prepare horses far more thoroughly before a rider ever gets on. Timeframes have changed too—rather than working to a fixed four-to-six-week schedule, I allow as long as the horse needs. In reality, this often saves time in the long run.
The focus is on building strength, balance, and understanding—ticking every box before moving on. I aim to give each horse absolute clarity about what is being asked of them.
I now do little to no lunging with young horses. Much of their early education is done in straight lines, which helps develop balance, symmetry, and straightness through the body—essential foundations for carrying a rider safely and comfortably.
This approach minimises confusion, fear, and injury, and helps keep horse, rider, and handler as safe as possible. Above all, it creates solid foundations for the horse’s future, whatever discipline they go on to enjoy.
Getting on for the first time should be the easy part. While there are never guarantees, careful preparation greatly increases the chances of success. And of course, backing is only the beginning—there is still much to learn and many muscles to develop.
Supporting Horses and Owners
Backing and producing young horses is not for everyone. It requires strength, balance, feel, clear communication, confidence, patience, and consistency. Just as importantly, it requires the ability to recognise subtle signs that a horse may be confused, uncomfortable, or struggling—physically or mentally.
While I no longer take in backing or schooling liveries, I work closely with many clients on their journeys with young horses—from foal handling through to backing and early schooling. I often help horses (and riders) by revisiting foundations, clarifying understanding, and improving behaviour and performance when things haven’t quite gone to plan.
For some owners, sending a horse to a professional to be backed can be the right choice. If you do, I always recommend watching as many sessions as possible. This allows you to continue the training consistently when your horse returns home, giving them clarity and confidence through familiar communication.
Charlie’s Legacy
After backing Charlie, my circumstances meant I had to sell him. He went on to work successfully as a whip-in for the local hunt, while I continued to school and exercise him for his owner. A few years later, Charlie and I were lucky enough to enjoy a season eventing together—my debut season with British Eventing.
At that time, there were no BE80, BE90, or BE100 classes; you went straight in at Novice (110m). During that season, we won two Novice events and gained 19 BE points. I owe a great deal to that beautiful horse.
Always Learning, Always Evolving
The most important thing to take from all of this is that training is never static. We are continually learning more about how horses think, feel, and respond. Every horse is an individual, and staying curious, open-minded, and willing to adapt gives us far more tools to support them.
No two horses are the same—and even the same horse can be different from one day to the next. Thoughtful, sympathetic training allows them to develop with confidence, understanding, and trust.