Lesley Brodbeck has spent nearly five decades working in the equestrian industry. Image by Oz Shotz Photography.
Former top-level eventer Lesley Brodbeck, now a sought-after coach and Chair of Equestrian Queensland, shares practical insights into effective horse training, emphasising balance, awareness, soundness, and the importance of thoughtful, educated, and horse-centred methods.
After nearly five decades working in the equestrian industry, I’ve had the privilege of learning from hundreds of horses, riders, and trainers.
Like most trainers, I have developed my own system. However, it’s fair to say that most of us build a “recipe” based on what we’ve learned from others. I always encourage aspiring young trainers to find a mentor if possible. There will still be plenty of trial and error, but mentorship allows you to “leapfrog” ahead much faster.
Even well-intentioned riders can inadvertently distress horses (and themselves) through a lack of knowledge. Being a good rider does not necessarily make you a good trainer, so it is wise to seek guidance while developing your skill set.
Lesley competed in the sport of eventing to a high level. Image supplied.
LISTEN TO YOUR HORSE
There are countless ways to train a horse. Trends come and go, while some traditional methods stand the test of time. At the end of the day, if the feedback from the horse is positive, you are doing something right.
One thing I do know is that every time we train or ride a horse, we teach them something — good or bad, sometimes intentional, and sometimes not. For this reason, we must be very mindful of our assessments, methods, and outcomes.
Assessing is the art of “reading” a horse, both in and out of the saddle. Awareness is the key to developing this skill. It is essential to be completely focused and present when training — not only for obvious safety reasons, but also to tune into how the horse is using (or not using) its body and to understand its frame of mind. Phones and earbuds are not tools for training horses — unless you are being coached.
TRAINING LIBRARY
In an age of social media, where we are bombarded with information, it is crucial to remember that nothing replaces hands-on experience. Information can easily be misinterpreted, and we need clear understanding in order to communicate effectively with our horses.
Methods refer to your training tools — and I am not talking about gadgets or gear. Your tools are like a library to which you continually add more “books.” They include exercises, ‘feel’, and subtle nuances in your riding, all of which enhance your effectiveness and communication.
There are no shortcuts, but adhering to correct principles and maintaining discipline will save time in the long run. Knowing when to push, when to back off, and when to consolidate depends on each individual horse’s temperament, level of training, and physical strengths and weaknesses.
ALL STARTS WITH BALANCE
Most trainers follow the basic training scale, and the most important fundamental of all work is, of course, balance.
I see a growing trend toward “sending,” “pushing,” or “rushing” in an attempt to create forward movement. However, this often produces speed rather than true impulsion — the kind of energy that is more like torque in an engine. This is just one example of why we need clear outcomes and a solid understanding of how to achieve them.
“The most important
fundamental of all work
is, of course, balance.”
Lesley says the most important fundamental of all work is balance. Image supplied.
As an eventing competitor, I have always worked closely with judges. It’s important that we are all aligned in our goals and are producing the best possible outcomes for each horse.
All horses benefit from variety in their training. Even if you intend to specialise, cross-training is highly beneficial. Gymnastic pole work, for example, is valuable for both jumping and dressage horses.
It is equally important to incorporate easy days — hacking, stretching, and mental downtime — to prevent horses from becoming arena-bound and to keep them fresh and enthusiastic. Exposure to different surfaces also contributes to maintaining soundness.
MANAGING SOUNDNESS
Soundness is a critical and ongoing consideration. As trainers, we must become deeply familiar with each of our equine athletes and adjust training according to the demands of the job and the horse’s capabilities. Our aim is to build the athlete — not break it.
Just as we manage mental stress (both ours and the horse’s), we must also be vigilant about physical stress, which is not always obvious. This is where strong assessment skills are essential. Trainers need to both see and feel even subtle changes in their horses — whether physical or behavioural. The earlier we identify these changes, and support them with good stable and feed management, the better we can influence outcomes and potentially avoid costly veterinary issues.
Lesley believes that working with horses is a deeply rewarding experience and an ongoing pursuit of knowledge and skill. Image supplied.
“Working with horses
is a deeply rewarding
experience…”
Working with horses is a deeply rewarding experience and an ongoing pursuit of knowledge and skill. A good trainer must be multifaceted, with a broad skill set. Empathy, patience, and clarity form the foundation of a trusting partnership and a positive learning environment for the horse. EQ
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