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The horse is a prey animal—he does what he thinks you want him to do, or what he thinks he has to do to survive. If we require more of him than he is capable of freely giving we might make an obedient horse, but he won't be soft, willing or adjustable.
People forget, or maybe never knew, that it's not the stallion, it's a mare who leads the herd. She isn't the biggest, bossiest or the strongest horse—she's the horse the others trust the most. So keeping the trust of the horse, while building his body and adding to our shared vocabulary on the ground, prepares him mentally and physically for our partnership under saddle.
If new experiences feel good and he can approach the conversation with his next rider with confidence and curiosity, then I've given him his best chance for a good life.
Working at the horse's own pace of physical and psychological development, Taylor's focus is on teaching the horse to carry itself in a weight-bearing posture with softness in the bridle. By adopting the non-verbal language of the mare, she establishes a bond of trust and respect, without using coercion or force. She adds to the young horse's instinctual vocabulary with in-hand work, encouraging equality of movement, cadence and balance at the walk, trot and canter. Under-saddle training to a fit, relaxed and confident youngster is a natural next step, resulting in a safe, willing and free-moving partner ready to be finished in any discipline.
Training
The most effective rehabilitation and fitness conditioning programs are a delicate and methodical balance of tools and protocols that gradually strengthen and stabilize, without inspiring the horse to compensate elsewhere for injury or weakness. Taylor's biomechanically sound groundwork and riding, along with the deep medical knowledge and extensive experience of equine sports medicine and injury rehabilitation specialist Dr. Bri Henderson, allow for program and treatment changes in response to the horses's cues and day-to-day progress. This gives your horse the best chance of a full recovery and prevention of re-injury.
Rehabilitation
Taylor's approach to lay-ups is partially informed by her own experience with surgery, bed rest and physio as a teenager. A serene barn environment with plenty of equine companionship, lots of positive attention, and a consistent, predictable routine helps even the most high strung horse relax. Her meticulous attention to veterinary protocols and prescriptions, along with the absence of force or coercion, ensure a safe and effective recovery. Whether your horse is on stall rest, requires intensive post-surgical or wound care, or just needs time to let down and recover from a hectic show season, Taylor gives him the same daily, one-on-one attention you would if you had the time and resources.
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Resumé
Taylor's whole horse philosophy and deep concern for horse welfare has led her to train and work under some of Canada's most knowledgeable and experienced equine professionals, and continues to fuel her ongoing study of classical riding and its relationship to equine biomechanics and well-being.
Beginning as a toddler on her grandparent's horse farm, Taylor's early years in the saddle included lessons and horse camp. Interested in learning best practices from across horse sports, she worked summers as a groom at a top thoroughbred breeding facility, groom and exercise rider for a rising FEI jumper, and groom and exercise rider at a polo club.
While a student at the University of Guelph, she expanded her knowledge of equine management and nutrition as manager, head groom and rider at an A Circuit hunter-jumper barn. Working closely with the farm's veterinarian, Dr. Mary Bell, she furthered her knowledge of sports medicine and injury rehabilitation.
Returning to Toronto as the head trainer and barn manager for a well-known warmblood breeder, she apprenticed under former coach, breeder and now internationally-recognized equine behaviorist Tina Barnes in British Columbia, while continuing to lesson and participate in clinics with local and international professionals.
Taylor began accepting requests from coaches, trainers and owners to provide behavioural consultations and (re)starting services in 2013. She expanded to accept veterinary and farrier referrals for lay-ups and rehabilitation riding in 2015, consolidating her operations and relocating from Dufferin Township to King Township in 2017.
All of Taylor's clients started as personal or professional referrals. But whether for a performance athlete, young prospect or seasoned campaigner, every owner has to make their own, personal leap of faith when they entrust someone else with their horse.
If it's more details you're after, click on the menu. But the best way to know if Taylor is who you've been looking for is to give her a call—or better still, make an appointment to meet her and tour the barn.
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