Training Day at Hendrelas Stables

(as told by Nagtrader)

Hendrelas Stables near Lampeter, West Wales held a training day in July of this year. The proprietor, Sharon Askey kindly invited me to come along, and even offered me a horse to join in with the group should I wish. What an opportunity, I accepted like a flash despite not really knowing what to expect from the forthcoming day! (I’ve always been on the impetuous side!)

Mr Faris Collins had been asked to take the day, and luckily for us he had agreed. Faris, a BHSI is a well-respected and much liked tutor. His vast experience with horses ranges from being the Chief Instructor of the Singapore Equestrian team, to freelance instructor and trainer to stuntmen and women on films such as 'Sharpe’s Rifles' and 'Braveheart'. His many students have included the likes of Vanessa Redgrave, Bert Kwok and Isla Blair.

Although he lives all the way down in Torquay, Faris kindly agreed to teach the training day and share his time with us. It gave us all the chance to see his unique way of communicating with the horse, and encourage the horse to work with us rather than against us. Sharon decided that she wanted to keep the places limited, enabling Faris to work on a more individual basis. Even though the publicity had purposefully been kept to a minimum, once the word was out that Faris was teaching, hopefuls soon began ringing. Those who were unable to participate with horses did benefit from Faris’ knowledge though, as quite a number of spectators arrived throughout the day to witness his magic.

Despite wet weather the previous few days, the day began dry and sunny. Sharon has recently had a beautiful manège built, so whatever the Welsh weather threw at us, we would still be able to work with our horses. The manège is certainly impressive, and visible as soon as you approach Hendrelas Stables, which is only ten minutes from Lampeter town centre. It is possibly one of the most splendid sights I have seen in a while. On passing through the large main gates your eyes immediately take in the larger-than-average working arena, with its innovative surface and drainage system, which overlook the new stable block.

Once I had been introduced to everyone the excitement began to rise. I took a walk to the arena and saw all the equipment that I presumed would be used. Now, not knowing what to expect, I could not comprehend how things such as a large ramp, a frame covered in plastic that resembled a window, various flags, poles, cones, and plastic sheeting, could possibly be introduced into a day such as this. I was about to find out!

The day began with groundwork, and an understanding of the horses’ desire to be led. As Faris told us, “…if you do not lead the horse – the horse will lead you.” (Mmm, reminds me of my cob at home!) We encouraged the horses to become more aware of our body language and us of theirs, and were taught the importance of where and how we position ourselves in relation to what we are asking. Faris expertly explained how we could achieve so much more in our relationship with the horse, if we all learned to ‘speak the same language’. The horses, who were being worked on long ropes and specialised headcollars, were moving away from us and back again when we suggested, they were, on the whole, moving around us at a pace we set, and took responsibility for their own footing and balance. Once Faris was happy with progress so far, he suggested that we start introducing some of the ‘props’ set up around the arena. To begin with he showed us how to encourage the horse to walk over plastic and through cones, by being driven rather than dragged! Apparently this can encourage a poor loader to box – a fact Faris has proved with poor loaders in the past. We were then shown how to ask the horse to go up a ramp and down the steps at the other side.

Next we moved on to asking the horses to go through the ‘window’ - a frame covered in plastic. I have to say as someone who has sat on horses that have had a 'Mickey fit' at a carrier bag in a hedge, this was quite impressive to watch (and do). Even the horses that had never seen the apparatus before obliged once they understood what we were asking of them. They showed total trust in their handlers not to ask anything of them that would be beyond their capabilities.

After lunch, we were shown how this training feeds into our mounted work. Initially, the method of riding which Faris advocates appears quite distant from how we are conventionally taught, but as the day progressed the importance of it became clear. The riders aides are, to begin with, exaggerated to leave the horse in no doubt as to what is being asked of him. Gradually, over a period of time, the aides are refined, and eventually they become minuscule in their application, yet speak volumes to the horse.

Finally, the pièce de resistance, Faris brought out two fire sticks. The horses were all untacked and wore only their headcollars with the rope attached. It was at this point that I began to truly understand the importance of having total trust both from, and in, your horse. Fire has to be the scariest thing a horse will encounter, and yet within a relatively short space of time, every single horse walked between these batons without any fear whatsoever. If this is not a testament to Faris’ teaching, and the natural approach of speaking a language that everyone understands - I do not know what is! Obviously, it goes without saying that none of these ‘stunts’ should ever be attempted at home without expert guidance. Faris’ enormous knowledge means that he would know what to do should something go wrong, he can also read the horses and knows when to stop or change direction. If you are interested, go along and see how it is done first!

Even at the end of the day, as we led the horses back to their stables for the final time, Faris encouraged us to reverse our horses into the stables rather than lead them in. Though I understood the importance, I did wonder if we would all manage to achieve this. Well, we did. It was a terrific sight to see all the horses reversing into their stables almost in synchronisation. The pleasure seen on not only the handlers’ faces, but also the faces of the horses was palpable.

On leaving I felt many different emotions. They ranged from sadness that the day was over, a thrill at the things I had seen and learnt, and an excitement at the thought of maybe being able to put just one or two new ideas to my faithful cob at home. I did not really know what today would consist of, and though I knew that Faris is a BHSI, I had an idea that today’s work would be something completely different – I was certainly not disappointed. The magic that emanated from watching what he was doing with those horses on the ground was absolutely clear for everyone to see. Spectators and handlers alike were mesmerised by the obvious communication he had with all the horses in the ring that day, including those he had never met before.

Though it did shower occasionally throughout the day, nothing could dampen our spirits. Sharon had the all-important kettle in the tack room for warming mugs of tea or coffee, for which we were very grateful. And the music system allowed us to work with the likes of Robbie Williams – now how many people could offer that at their training day? (I would just like to add that Robbie was especially impressed with my efforts!) The horses thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, and the amount of comments made on the improvement shown in the horses from the beginning of the day to the end said it all. There was not one person there who hadn’t agreed the day had been enormously beneficial for both horse and handler.

And Finally…

Faris’ way of training is a perfect blend of classical training, mixed with a good helping of understanding, gentleness, compassion and consistency – and that goes for the handlers as well as the horses. Faris shows a unique magic and calmness toward the people he is teaching, and most of all to the horses he is working with. It is a magic that few of us can ever hope to emulate though something that we can all strive to aim towards.

It strikes me that many people of different ages and abilities consider their way to be the only way. It’s so refreshing to see a group of horse-lovers getting together and handing some of the responsibility back to the horse. Allowing the horse to take responsibility for some of life’s questions. I now appreciate that the horse has an innate desire to be led, and if led with kindness and consistency he will willingly work with you. Maybe you will never ask him to follow you up a ramp, through a sheet of plastic or even past fire, but we can begin to understand the unique and magical relationship that can be shared with our horse. The only thing he will ask of us is that we are always and consistently fair, generous and calm.

If there’s one thing I’ll take away from today – it’s seeing horse and rider working as a team.

May I take this opportunity to thank Sharon for allowing me to participate in such a thought-provoking day, and to Faris for teaching me the fundamentals of true horsemanship!

Faris practises Photonic Therapy - alternative treatment for humans, horses, dogs, cats etc and is involved in Furusiya - training in the traditional art of handling weapons on horseback.

Lampeter is in West Wales, and has many excellent boarding facilities for those who wish to visit the area.

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