Charles unique blend of classical and natural horsemanship abilities allied with his uncanny ability to empathise with his students offers a great opportunity to those wanting to learn how to improve their horsemanship skills.
Charles also offers the following, all work done personally by him:
Young horses started and backed
Horses ridden away or schooled on
Problem or remedial horses re-schooled / re-educated. Limited places so booking is essential.
You may not feel you have a problem horse, but you dont need a problem with a horse in order to improve the relationship you have with your horse. Using natural horsemanship techniques, Charles can help with many common problems:
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Poor stable manners
Pulling away / napping
Rearing
Headshy / Biting
Wont be caught
Kicking
Bucking / saddling problems
Stopping at fences
No brakes
Unmanageable away from home
Resistant and leaning on the bit
Mounting / standing still
Natural horsemanship techniques will help you understand the underlying issues and Charles will help you overcome the problems. With his classical training he will also help you ride more effectively and with more understanding.
There are no quick-fix cures, but we can guarantee help that is effective and enjoyable for you both, and you get the benefit of tuition from a fully rounded horseman who is highly skilled in many equine disciplines.
Mission Statement
The mission of Charles Wilson is to teach you the principles of Horsemanship:
to enrich your knowledge and enjoyment of riding
to clarify and improve your position ,balance and seat
to improve the horses co-operation and willingness
to demonstrate connections and similarities between natural training methods and classical riding
to teach according to the needs of the individual rider and horse
to guide you through the journey with respect and understanding
to provide a safe and positive learning environment
Charles Wilson natural Horsemanship instructor
I have been around horses for most of my life; early experiences were mainly long gallops along the sands of the mouth of the River Dee. I undertook my BHSAI training at the Scottish equitation centre. I then trained in Holland with Henri Gilhys, a respected Dressage trainer. After leaving Cambridge University, I took a years stud management course at Newmarket. I then worked for Colonel V D S Williams who brought dressage to this country; he was a truly great horseman who took no shortcuts in the training of his young dressage horses. Following his death I began training and competing my own horses, always trying to refine and improve my horsemanship with trainers such as Baron Von Blixen Finecke & the Bartle family at Markington. During the 1980's I evented, did BSJA and BHS dressage, team chased and point-to-pointed, all with horses backed and trained by myself.
Once we became involved in showing and breeding coloured horses, I concentrated more on dressage, but the dressage was rarely as light and soft as I had hoped until I understood natural Horsemanship techniques. Natural Horsemanship has given me a better understanding of Horsemanship; we use techniques the horse finds easy to understand, and now train all our own horses this way. I now teach natural Horsemanship on group courses or individual lessons, and also start young horses and help problem horses. I help people to relearn the enjoyment of being at one with their horse.
Charles Wilson on Millstone Lad winning 1 Day Event 1980
Charles Wilson on Cotwell eventing 1982
Charles Wilson on Millstone Lad at Bramham 1984
What is natural Horsemanship and how can it help my horse?
It should be remembered that all the best in natural, or any other form of horse training, remains the same, respect for the horse, firm but fair treatment and communication.
In natural Horsemanship, we do not force the horse with mechanical means like draw reins, tight nosebands, harsh bits or brute force. Using those methods, horses can become either dull or frightened and aggressive.
But if we can develop a partnership based on communication, the horse will co-operate willingly and be a pleasure to ride. The communication is based on body language in much the same way that horses communicate with each other; to begin with, this partnership is developed with ground work where we can more easily see if the horse is working correctly and more softly. The horses are then ridden on a halter with loose reins to develop relaxed and free paces (and our own balance).
When the bridle is introduced, it is used in a refined way with soft contact, developing the horses balance and athleticism. To develop the partnership between rider and horse further, liberty work tests the communication and trust between you. The emphasis is always on getting the horses mind and emotions sorted out, once that has happened there are no limits to what you and your horse can achieve.
History of natural Horsemanship
Whilst many horsemen through the ages have used natural techniques and trained horses through understanding and the psychology of horse behaviour there have been many more who have relied on mechanical means. The extremes of harsh breaking-in were practised widely in the USA & Australia, but also in these countries were those who did the opposite. In the USA, the Dorrance brothers are regarded as legendary horse trainers, training the natural way since the 1920's. Through their influence, "modern" natural Horsemanship techniques have become more widespread. When Monty Roberts came to this country with his language of "Equus" in the 1980's he became the first trainer to show radical different methods to a British audience, more recently Pat Parelli has introduced his Savvy System which is an excellent introduction to the natural Horse World.
There are various systems now practised throughout the world, (of varying degrees of quality!) Personally, we have found Australian natural Horsemanship and their former instructor Jayne Lavender excellent.