18/07/2026
In our previous lesson (see the post below ⬇️), Bridget was working with Woodstock Smokin’ Eddie, teaching him to calmly park himself beside the fence and be ready to be mounted.
This is such an important part of the starting process.
I’m certainly not the only trainer who uses this approach, but I genuinely wish more people did.
This is how it should look when someone sits on a horse for the very first time in that horse’s life.
Eddie is mentally prepared.
Throughout the process, he has always been given the opportunity to say “no” if he wasn’t ready. Today, he’s choosing to accept a rider.
Bridget is confident, relaxed, and present. She’s watched Eddie engage with the process, make good decisions, and willingly choose to take this next step.
Another huge part of this approach is safety. If at any stage either Eddie or Bridget feels uncertain, Bridget can simply step back onto the fence. There’s no pressure, no panic—just confidence and choice.
But the real safety comes from all the work that’s been done beforehand.
Before Bridget ever sat on Eddie, she prepared him from the safety of the fence using movement, sound, and touch. This isn’t desensitising—it’s about developing mental engagement, understanding, and readiness in both horse and human.
The first time you ever sit on a horse—especially your own horse—is a truly special moment. It only happens once.
We owe it to our horses to make that experience as positive and enjoyable for them as it is for us.
This is what true horsemanship looks like.
Thank you Bridge, for trusting me to be part of such a special milestone.
This is a massive part of why I love guiding clients through the starting of their horses, and can honestly say it’s more rewarding than starting a horse for someone myself!
***I missed Bridge actually getting on! She was pretty keen and I couldn’t get my camera fired up quick enough!!😂😂😂
