Neil Davies 
Can you help me with a nappy horse. He is great at home and if I take him out schooling/riding away from home. But at competitions he gets nappy – he will warm-up at the practise fence just fine but when it’s our turn, sometimes he jibs/ does little rears and refuses to go into … Read more
Q:Would you, given large enough paddocks with safe fencing, run a group of eight horses as a single herd, or split into two or three (or more) smaller groups? If you split them, would you split by age/gender or have a mixture? Tara, via email Hi Tara, From your question, I can tell you … Read more
q: Do you have any opinions on if it’s better to turn horses out in mixed gender or single gender herds, or does it make no difference? I’ve always had geldings, but have been offered a mare, who has only ever lived with other mares. I could potentially keep her on her own (but nearby) … Read more
I’ve seen many big name trainers working with horses and I don’t agree with much of what they do or what they say. I don’t agree with harassing horses with ropes and flags, or letting them buck with the saddle, or chasing them until they’re distressed. Every week I get emails from people whose horse … Read more
My recent visit to the US made me realise how ingrained bad training ideas have become. Unfortunately, so many of these beliefs are accepted far and wide. Ideas like you must become your horse’s leader and you must gain his respect have been marketed for the last thirty years. Thinking like this leads to many … Read more
When a horse lays his ears back and bites, the handler invariably moves out of the way and yells “No” or “Don’t bite” or something similar. After all, people don’t want to be bitten. Then, a few seconds later, the handler hits at the horse. The horse knows this is coming and may ‘counter punch’ … Read more
FOR YOUR HORSE’S SAKE By Neil Davies When you walk into the stable Don’t try to show who’s boss Your horse won’t understand you And he’ll be at a loss Instead, just go and rub his head Be kind, and furthermore When you walk into the stable Leave your ego at the door When you … Read more