Above The Saddle

Above The Saddle Freelance Equestrian here to help you and your horses succeed on a daily basis. Do you need a hand with your horses?

Ensuring they are cared for and exercised as well as you having time for your life is quite a balancing act. Freelancers are a great way to get support with your horses. I am happy to help with coaching, training, riding and even the yard jobs. Just to ensure you get to enjoy your horses and work towards your goals. As I am only 5ft I am also great with the kidos pony. Helping them stay exercised

or offering training when needed. I know for some size is an issue - how can someone so small be around the big horses? I have experience with 19hh horses, including the chunky types. I think it's about the training styles to if we're suited. How do you know you're getting a knowledgable freelancer you can trust in? My Qualifications:
UKCC L2
BHS Complete Horsemanship Stage 3
B+E Test
First Aid
Safe Guarding
Complete DPD sessions

Fully Insured.

The other day I had an analogy, it helped the rider at the time. I've had time to refine the analogy:Using your leg is l...
03/06/2026

The other day I had an analogy, it helped the rider at the time. I've had time to refine the analogy:
Using your leg is like approaching a door.

Imagine knocking on a door.
You can stand there tapping on it all day and make plenty of noise but the door won't actually move.

To open it, you apply pressure to the door. The moment it opens, you stop pushing.
Riding is much the same.

If we constantly nudge with our leg, many horses learn to ignore it because it never changes.
Instead, ask clearly: hold until you get a response then soften.
The release is what teaches the horse they found the right answer.
Ask. Response. Release.

The journey with horses is rarely linear.As much as we’d love it to be smooth and straightforward, there are always bump...
29/05/2026

The journey with horses is rarely linear.
As much as we’d love it to be smooth and straightforward, there are always bumps in the road.

Sometimes we feel like we’re making real progress, only for something to suddenly feel as though it’s gone “wrong”. It’s easy in those moments to spiral into frustrations, self-doubt or even feeling like we’ve failed.
But without those challenges, we would never continue progressing, adapting, or learning.

I honestly don’t think I’ve met a single person in the equestrian industry who has ever truly “finished” learning. The best horse people continue to evolve constantly; adjusting, reflecting and growing through every stage.

Those difficult moments can really test you. But working through them is what builds resilience, feel, understanding, and skill.

If there’s one thing I’d hope people remember during those downhill spirals, it’s this:
Perception matters.

Try shifting:
“this is what I’ve done wrong,”
to
“this is what I can learn which is how I can grow.”

Progress with horses is very rarely about perfection. More often; it’s about patience, reflection and continuing forward anyway.

Taking the time to pause within a session shows up far beyond the arena.In a dressage test, it’s the difference between ...
26/05/2026

Taking the time to pause within a session shows up far beyond the arena.
In a dressage test, it’s the difference between a halt that’s held and one that’s truly relaxed.
At shows, it allows a horse to stand and wait without stress.
Out hacking, it creates a horse that can stop and stay settled, wherever you are.
It’s not just about standing still, it’s about how they feel when they do.

Standing isn’t doing nothing.It’s where the learning actually settles.For forward horses it teaches them to come back do...
19/05/2026

Standing isn’t doing nothing.
It’s where the learning actually settles.
For forward horses it teaches them to come back down and relax into their body.
For steadier neddies it becomes a reward, which makes them more willing in the work.
It’s not about stopping randomly, it’s about choosing the right moment.

12/05/2026

The little pony I mentioned in a previous post about backing, see her in action:

Mounting and standing
Walking
Trotting
Obstacles
Traffic
Hacking behind
And starting to take the lead

Not rushed; just quiet, consistent and thoughtful education to build confidence and understanding

Have you ever just stood with your horse mid-session?Not cooling off. Not finished. Just paused.Most people ride: warm u...
05/05/2026

Have you ever just stood with your horse mid-session?
Not cooling off. Not finished. Just paused.
Most people ride: warm up → work → cool down.
But they skip one of the most important parts:
Processing.

Wondering on the best steps to safely back your pony? This gorgeous girl had been sat on before, but when it came to tro...
28/04/2026

Wondering on the best steps to safely back your pony?

This gorgeous girl had been sat on before, but when it came to trot things felt a little too big and created higher energy moments.

The owners were looking for a pony sized rider to help & that’s where I came in.
We’ve built the foundations for:
• calm, confident mounting
• clear, consistent communication
• introducing obstacles without overwhelm
• taking her out hacking into the real world

She’s really starting to settle, understand her job and grow in confidence with every ride.

If you’ve got a young pony, or one that doesn’t feel straightforward under saddle, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I specialise in giving ponies the right start, so you can enjoy them long-term.
📩 If you want someone to assist you and your pony

Videos coming soon… 👀

Horses can be our reset button. A chance to switch off, shake off the cobwebs and just breathe.As much as I encourage yo...
22/04/2026

Horses can be our reset button. A chance to switch off, shake off the cobwebs and just breathe.

As much as I encourage you to keep learning, improving, and developing with your horse; it’s just as important to enjoy them, to be present and to remember why you started. I try to hold myself to that too.

Here I am with my 18-year-old pony, enjoying a 🪻 hack with friends. No pressure. No agenda. Just good company and fresh air.

I'd love to know something you and your horse have done recently just for the joy of it?

18/04/2026

‼️ Equine Influenza confirmed case in Surrey ‼️

We would like to make our clients aware of a recent confirmed case of equine influenza in Surrey.

Since April 2026, the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) network has been made aware of 6 confirmed outbreaks across 6 separate counties in England, so it’s important to remain aware and take sensible precautions.

We encourage all horse owners to stay vigilant for signs of respiratory disease, including fever, inappetence, coughing, and nasal discharge 🤧 If you are concerned about a horse under your care, please contact the clinic on 01342 300008 and our veterinary team will be happy to help.

While we do not want our clients to panic, it is important to keep this in perspective. In most cases, equine influenza causes mild clinical signs and will resolve with minimal intervention, supportive care, and anti-inflammatories.

Protecting your horse starts with vaccination 💉
Vaccination helps reduce viral shedding, limit spread, and decrease the severity of clinical signs. And with current outbreaks, it is more important than ever.

🎉Back on Track Flu Vaccination Amnesty – May Offer 🎉
• Book your horse’s first or restart flu (or combined flu and tetanus) vaccination in May
• Receive the second (21-60 days later) vaccine FREE

This is a great opportunity if your horse’s vaccinations have lapsed or if you previously chose not to vaccinate. Even horses that don’t travel are still at risk. Equine flu is airborne and can travel miles, especially where other horses are hacking, competing, or near bridleways.

T&Cs
• Standard visit fees apply
• FREE visit when 3 or more horses are booked at the same yard
• ⁠Offer applies to first-time vaccinations or restart courses only and does not include routine annual boosters.

Spaces for May are limited, so please contact the clinic on 01342 300008 or [email protected] to book your appointment and get your horse back on track and protected.

Team LEV 💙

Address

England

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