Equine Groundwork Education
Jo has years of extensive experience training many horses for pleasure, hunting and competition, including winning multiple state championships in dressage on multiple horses and a senior hunter championship. Jo was successfully assessed and awarded the title of Professional Equine Specialist (ES) with Eagala in 2015. Since becoming an ES Jo has studied horses through a different lens.
Having a herd of up to 10 ponies & horses & my EAL programs allowed me the opportunity to view the horses as unique individuals within the herd. As individuals, their personalities & emotional needs remained constant whether alone or amongst the herd. Observing their behaviours & responses to stimuli & situations within the herd culture has given great insights to how human interactions can meet & provide the safety & trust needed to merge the prey animal with the human preditor. Together, horse & human can be grounded & present, being fully aware of each other & therefore considerate of each others needs.
EGE begins with observation & learning how a horse communicates ie the language of the horse. This opens up an endless array of opportunity to work with your horse in an appropriate, soft & positively assertive way. It considers the position of the horse. Confidence grows alongside self esteem which enables the horse to feel safe & trust the handler. This journey is built on trust & respect, pressure & release, asking & thanking. a true friendship & partnership experience for both.
John Saint Ryan explains the human is the master but the horse is not the slave. Throughout the groundwork education at Donovan Park the handler is guided to provide clear requests using body language & cues that are meaningful to the horse as the horse understands the most subtle of body language cues & changes in energy. This is their language. The handler learns to seek & read the varied facial expressions & body postures & behaviours of the horse to be able to interpret them with speed & accuracy. The handler learns how to increase & decrease their energy to be more or less assertive, in a supportive & non-threatening way. The horse cannot learn through fear or from anger so much skill is required from the human to understand, read & apply well timed fair requests of the horse using the language they understand. This fosters a bond of safety, trust & respect between human & horse which allows the human predator to support their horse (whose strongest instincts are to flee, fight or freeze) to be body aware. That is to be thoughtful about their hoof placements & remaining present with us as we partner together whether on the ground or in riding.
EGE is the foundation of horsemanship. It is an ideal preparation to becoming a first time horse owner or for an existing owner looking for deeper understanding & connection with their own horse. EGE is highly recommended as the precursor to horsemanship clinics as horsemanship cannot begin until the handler can identify & read the horse, understand equine mirroring, effectively communicate in their language with clear body cues & learn to be present & grounded with the horse.
Donovan Park offers singular or small group sessions as well as intense workshops for EAP’s, Equestrian Coaches & Trainers of all levels.
Cancellation Policy
In order for my business to remain sustainable I require at least 7 day’s notice of your intention to cancel your booking. If less than 7 day’s notice to cancel is provided the booked session will still be charged the full fee. In the event of a prepaid package a credit may be given to rebook provided a doctor’s certificate is provided in the event of unavoidable medical reasons
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