20/10/2026
Thomas Update 💙🐴 we're all human
Well, what can I say about this little horse? Sometimes, a horse comes along that challenges you, tests your knowledge and ultimately makes you a better horsewoman. For me, that horse is Thomas.
We have known Thomas since his days in the racing, where he was always a horse who grabbed the bit and galloped flat out. (Bolting)
After being sold to Dawn Thacker he was given the rest he deserved to chill his head, alongside the time, care and attention needed to improve his condition, coat and overall health, he wasn't unwell at all he was just not happy in his career, and that's ok.
I then restarted Thomas under saddle at Dawn’s for a few weeks. Although he was progressing nicely, he still lacked a little sparkle behind the eyes, so we decided to take him hunting!
For context, Thomas has historically had an incredibly numb mouth. Years on the gallops had taught him to lean, grab the bit and run through the contact.
For his first outing, I chose a strong Universal bit as a precaution.
Thomas was an absolute star. He was still very strong, but he went beautifully and didn’t put a foot wrong.
However, on our second outing, I made the decision to increase the severity of the bit, opting for a Happy Mouth combination with shanks practically as long as my arms.
My thinking? “He will bloody stop!” 🤣☠️
Well, Thomas had other ideas!
Once again, he behaved impeccably, but our brakes were virtually non-existent. It was a very humbling reminder that more bit does not automatically mean more control.
I still kick myself for that decision but I am not afraid to openly admit when I am wrong ! I always learn.
After giving him a week off, I took the time to reflect and formulate a proper plan moving forward.
I decided to strip everything back to a simple, skeleton bridle and a chunky, hollow loose-ring snaffle. My aim was to allow the bit to move more freely in his mouth, encourage him to soften the contact and, crucially, avoid creating the tension that could trigger his instinct to grab and run.
And do you know what? It worked!
In just three schooling sessions, we are beginning to see a real change. Thomas is starting to settle into a contact. It isn’t consistent yet, and we have plenty of work ahead, but he is beginning to swing through his body, become more pliable and work with me rather than against me.
I can now give with my hands, soften the contact and reward him for the moments when he gets it right.
The progress has been so encouraging that I took him cross-country schooling on Saturday, with a fantastic result in the snaffle.
The video accompanying this post is from tonight’s schooling session in an open, boggy field.
There is still a great deal to work on, but to see this change in such a short space of time is a genuine breakthrough. 💙
I am sharing Thomas’s journey, including my own mistakes, because I believe it is important to be honest about the learning process. We all make mistakes. We all have moments when we question ourselves, and sometimes we allow outside opinions to cloud our own judgement.
With Thomas, I needed to step back, reassess and trust the process. I allowed myself to be influenced by others rather than listening to what I was seeing and feeling beneath me.
That is something I have learned from.
This boy is coming to me for some proper schooling this week for a month or more and I genuinely cannot wait to continue his progress.
This is Thomas after just three sessions in a plain, chunky, hollow loose-ring snaffle.
No gadgets. No draw reins. No quick fixes.
Just time, patience, observation, a few mistakes, and a willingness to learn.
Because sometimes, the answer isn't to use more equipment or apply more pressure. Sometimes, the answer is to take a step back, simplify things and give the horse the opportunity to understand.
Every horse teaches you something.
The important thing is being willing to listen. 💙🐴
Thankyou to Dawn who has also trusted me through all our ups and downs and continues to trust me with her boy.
