Debbie Topping Training - Equestrian

15/08/2026

Shame my top hat & Tails only gets used now when I go to the Rocky Horror Show 🤣

14/08/2026

Who’s looking forward to drag/ trail hunting this season, which packs will you go with? I’d love to see photos, post in comments.

23/07/2026

A very true and honest article. Forcing an outline is detrimental. We’ve all done it, hopefully we’ve learned.

I’m pretty sure I lamed my horse by riding her “leg into hand.”

That’s not an easy sentence to write.

Nine years ago I bought Daisy, a bum-high ex-broodmare with more than a few trauma triggers and set out to “do dressage.”

I did everything I believed was right.

I lunged her in a Pessoa because I’d been told she needed to learn to work over her back.

I took lessons with talented, successful competition riders.

I was taught to ride her more firmly from leg into a firm hand.

She fought the contact but eventually her head came down.

She produced huge amounts of power from behind but all that power poured onto the forehand and into a heavy contact.

At the time, I thought we were making progress. We could eventually do a lot of advanced tricks.

Now I watch those old videos and see:
- a horse with no real thoracic sling stability
- dysfunctional movement patterns
- hind limbs producing force without being able to carry weight
- stifles and hocks under strain
- a body that was becoming stronger at compensating rather than stronger at functioning

Then she went lame.

The diagnosis was catastrophic damage to her left stifle.

Looking back now, I think I spent years asking a body with significant asymmetries to work harder instead of helping it work better.

She was naturally built on the forehand; her right hind was weaker; her pelvis lived in an anterior tilt.

I didn’t know how to address any of that
so I did what I’d been taught.

I added more leg, held a firmer contact and chased more power and eventually the left hind succumbed to the stresses of over-compensation.

I don’t write this because I want to blame trainers or say everyone riding leg into hand is harming their horse.

I write it because I know there are riders doing exactly what I was doing: following well-meaning advice, trying their absolute hardest, and believing that more power must be the answer.

Sometimes it isn’t.

Sometimes the answer is improving the quality of movement before asking for more of it.

Now I know more, I can do better. Daisy reminds me that learning is about giving our horses a better future than the one our yesterday knowledge would allow.

If this story resonated, follow my page. I share the mistakes I’ve made so your horse doesn’t have to pay for them.

27/03/2026

If you could haves go on any horse from past or present, which horse would it be? …. And why?

13/02/2026

Still some places available. Come and have fun, either in hand or ridden.
An introduction to PIEROGI clinic.
Sunday morning February 22nd @ Robinsons Equestrian Centre.
Everyone welcome to have a go.
Small groups of an hour £20 per horse.

🐴An equestrian discipline that we introduced over the last 2 years. Can be done IN HAND or MOUNTED ( including lead rein)

🐴🐎👶👩👴👩‍👦This discipline is for all ages and sizes of both horse /pony and handler/rider.

🙈Not a discipline for the adrenaline junkies as speed has nothing to do with it but more those wishing to improve their horsemanship .
👩‍🏫The early levels are at walk or trot only, this is a” have a go “ clinic . Where help will be on hand.
🎖️ The option to take certificates will be available a few weeks on.

It is a discipline to encourage body awareness, an understanding of how pressure and release works, it improves the bond and communication between horse and rider/handler, improves the horses flexibility and co ordination. It is therefore a very beneficial discipline for any age of horse/pony. Ideal as a form of valuable physio for horses with slight issues, strengthening their frames.

The course will be constructed mainly with poles ( not jumps) some raised slightly off the ground , boundaries and targets. You will be given help on how to achieve completing the hazards, this may be stepping over the poles, basic lateral moves, rein back between poles, accurately placed halts etc. hazards are not designed to be spooky.

• Any tack as long as it is correctly fitted, considered humane, and is used correctly will be allowed.

*Standard Hats and suitable footwear are mandatory. Including in hand.

• Whips including schooling whips may be carried but are only allowed to help position , gently encourage and guide the horse.

📞To apply please phone or WhatsApp Sarah on 07398 700973

20/12/2025

I couldn’t agree more. I understand that people are kidded into thinking it helps as the horse appears to have got a better “ mouth” ( it hasn’t it now works behind the bridle) if you produce to the standard to have known that wonderful feeling of a horse that’s in self carriage and truly between your hand a leg, please don’t revert to gadgets , instead of learning how to , in order to create an image that you believe is correct but is actually physically damaging and seriously limits producing a good level of performance. .

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HcEWturEu/?mibextid=wwXIfr