Richenda Boughton Horsemanship

About Me

I wanted to find an alternative approach to my horsemanship after purchasing a very dominant and sometimes intimidating cob. Every day seemed to be a battle of wills and I was being surrounded by people that advised the usual ‘show her who’s boss’ or ‘give her a good hiding’ way of thinking.

This did not sit comfortably with me and after spending many an hour sitting in the stable crying I was fortunate to be given a book by a friend on Natural Horsemanship. I was immediately hooked and decided this was the route I wished to pursue. I went on to read as much as I could on the subject and stumbled across Colorado based trainer Mark Rashid. After reading all his books I decided I wanted to take this further.

After researching where I could go to learn these methods of horsemanship, I came across Vanessa Bee founder of Positive Horsemanship. I was fortunate to be one of the first four students that went on to become qualified Positive Horsemanship Trainers in May 2006 . This was a great foundation for me, it gave me the skills and confidence I needed to go out and help others. I am currently a Level 2 Positive Horsemanship Trainer, a holder of City & Guilds Natural Horsemanship Theory qualification lauched in conjunction with Parelli, and a HAAT Horse Agility Accredited Trainer, which is an exciting new way to have fun with your horse without having to ride him. For more information on Positive Horsemanship or Horse Agility.

Since qualifying I went on to study with Australian trainer Jayne Lavender, the knowledge she has imparted on me has been invaluable and I am eternally in her debt. Other great horseman that have inspired me and who I study are Mark Rashid, Kathleen Lindley, Tom & Bill Dorrance, Pat Parelli and Ray Hunt to name a few.

In August 2009 I had the opportunity to go to Colorado to study with the amazing Mark Rashid which has inspiring and life changing.

I am now looking forward to new challanges and opportunities that 2010 will bring me. I am excited to learn more from Jayne Lavender and Kathleen Lindley when they visit the UK this year, plus another trip to Colorado to study with Mark Rashid.

My journey has only just begun, it has not only changed my horsemanship but me as a person.

Learning is a life long journey, and unfortunately I will not be on this planet long enough to gain all the knowledge I desire. But I thank every horse that crosses my path and teaches me on a daily basis, they are my greatest teacher and I am honoured to be their student !