How to Train Your Dragon: Principles of Horsemanship and General Practice

This clinic is for you if you are:

• Frustrated by your horse's behaviour
• Annoyed with your lack of progress
• Want faster, more effective training methods
• Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of online natural horsemanship content and need some translation and clarity

The day is a Practical Training Day with Joanna Lowes and Rachel Parsons

Designed for riders and handlers who want to develop clearer, more effective horsemanship, we teach the structure of how to train using equine behaviour and natural horsemanship principles.

The day does not have a set, repeatable structure. We run the day depending on weather patterns and the needs of the people and horses that come. Every one of these clinics is quite different and suitable for repeat attendance.

We aim to be inside for 1.5 hours, and get plenty of practical hands-on training inside the barns when it is wet, or in arenas when it's dry.

Why This Day Matters

Rather than adding more “things to do,” this day focuses on understanding the principles that sit above all good training decisions. This will instantly allow you to solve your own problems better, and make good decisions in real time, with any horse, in any situation.

Suitable for all levels, and ideal for repeat attendance.

Many riders get stuck switching between different methods, hoping the next technique will solve the problem.

Whilst horses do respond to methods — it is a far far slower training process than using clear principles, patterns and processes. These are mostly unspoken about in our British riding culture - but very much used in other countries.

This day helps you:

• Understand the difference between methods (what you do) and principles (how and why it works)
• Develop the ability to adapt to the horse in front of you
• Improve your timing, feel, and decision-making
• Build more consistent, reliable responses from your horse

This is about becoming a thinking horseperson, who can work with, and choose when, to "ride the horses mind, not just the horse's body".

What We’ll Focus On

This clinic is grounded in the core principles of effective horsemanship, drawn from the work of leading trainers including Warwick Schiller, Monty Roberts, Tik Maynard, Noelle Floyd and many other multi-discipline trainers.

We’ll explore and apply these principles, along with many others:

1. Work with the Horse You Have Today – respond to reality, not expectation
2. Make the Right Thing Easy – clarity through simple, achievable steps
3. Create the Tool Before You Use It – prepare before applying pressure
4. Change One Thing at a Time – avoid overwhelming horse or human
5. Application of Aids – timing, feel, release and consistency
6. Ask “Yes” Questions – set your horse up to succeed
7. Anticipation – recognising patterns before they escalate
8. Isolate, Separate, Recombine – breaking problems into workable parts
9. Revisit the Basics – strengthening foundations rather than skipping ahead
10. Use Work and Rest Thoughtfully – understanding how horses learn from release

These principles are not a checklist — they are tools for thinking, observing, and adapting.

In the Classroom and In the Arena

This is a practical, hands on day with a strong focus on real application.

You can expect:

• Live demonstrations and problem-solving with horses
• Opportunities for hands-on work (if bringing a horse)
• Observation and discussion to develop your eye and timing
• Real-time coaching to help you adjust, not just repeat

We will work through common training challenges, showing how principles guide decisions more effectively than fixed techniques.

How We Work

Led by Joanna Lowes and Rachel Parsons, with additional instructors where appropriate, we aim to maximise individual attention and practical learning time.

Our approach is:

• Clear, direct, and grounded in real horsemanship
• Supportive, but focused on skill development
• Adaptable to different horses, disciplines, and experience levels

What You’ll Leave With

By the end of the day, you will have:

• A clearer understanding of why things work (or don’t)
• Improved ability to read your horse and respond effectively
• Greater consistency in your handling and riding
• Practical tools you can apply immediately at home

Most importantly, you’ll leave with a shift from:
“What should I do?” → to → “What Else? and What does this situation need?”

A Note on Mindset

While this day is focused on horsemanship, we recognise that your internal state affects your timing, feel, and decision-making.

We may touch lightly on:

• Staying present under pressure
• Resetting when things don’t go to plan

But this is always in service of better horsemanship, not as a separate focus.

What to Expect

• Practical, arena-based learning
• Clear demonstrations and explanations
• Group discussion and reflection
• A focus on doing less, but doing it better

A Final Word

Good horsemanship isn’t about finding the perfect method.

It’s about understanding the principles well enough to adapt, adjust, and respond — moment by moment, horse by horse.

That's what we'll practice here 🐉

Practical Info:

🕙 Time: 10:00am – 4:30pm (arrival from 9.30am for coffee and support before we start)
📍 Location: Coetir Bach Farm, Maesybont, Carmarthenshire, SA14 7ST
💷 Cost: £125 with your own horse | £80 without a horse
🍲 Lunch: Soup, rolls, homemade cake, teas and coffees included
🪑 Bring: A camping chair, notebook, and weather-appropriate clothes. Haynet if accompanied by your equine friend.

🚛 If you are bringing your horse and require transport, Coetir Bach's Joey AKA JJ's EquiTaxi can be booked in advance 🚛

Please note that only those with tickets can be admitted, unless given express permission in advance. Please also note that a 'with horse' ticket secures a space for ONE horse, additional equines must be agreed in advance via joanna.lowes.horse.training@gmail.com

Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the course are non-refundable. You are welcome to resell or transfer your ticket to another participant at any time. This is often the simplest way to free up your place. We may occasionally maintain a waitlist and, where possible, help swap places. However, we cannot guarantee a replacement. Your spot is confirmed when payment is received. We aim to be fair and flexible while keeping the course sustainable for all participants.