Horse development

Horse development and foundation work

A kind, experienced and knowledgeable approach to developing young and special horses, supported by a great team of physio, saddlers, vets and farriers.

Ask about a space Horses we have developed

Horse development and foundation work for special horses

Suddene Park offers limited spaces for developing special horses. This could be giving a young horse a foundation in basics, working with an older horse that has interesting behaviour patterns or simply to bring a horse up to an appropriate level for the owner to take on back home, or if the horse is not suitable, finding the right home (sale or loan).

Throughout this development work, we seek to uncover the full potential of the horse for its onward career, whether that be leisure, competition, endurance or simply a companion to have fun with.

We have a very successful track record in providing a kind, experienced and knowledgeable approach developing these horses, supported by a great team of physio, saddlers, vets and farriers.

Development, sales, holiday schooling and re-starting

Some of the horses that have stayed with us

Finton

Finton, a gorgeous 5 year old grey gelding, visited with his friend, the handsome ‘Hotspot’, for a month of schooling, hacking and fun.

Focusing on building confidence out hacking and with other horses, development of more consistent canter work and moving through lateral exercises, Sarah has worked with Fin from the ground and in the saddle.

He has gradually gained more surety with contact through leg, seat and hand and his owner will continue this work using Classical Dressage Training as he matures. We are looking forward to hearing how he progresses and about his outings to competitions in the future.

Blue

Blue is a 9 yo Irish grey piebald. He came to us as a very anxious horse, worried about everything. At Suddene with Sarah and the Team he learned about trust and confidence in the human and human environment. On hacks he used to spook a lot and in the school was very tense and unable to hold a canter for more than a few strides.

He went through an immense development during his time at Suddene Park, learning to relax in the school which enabled him to produce some lovely work up to half pass. He also produced an amazing scopey jump which his new owner is going to enjoy out and about at competitions.

Whilst here, Blue learned to really trust his rider, to take on more responsibility and think his way through situations. We sourced a fabulous new home for Blue close by where he is fulfilling his full potential as a riding and jumping horse.

Dotti

Dotti is a stunning 16hh horse by famous eventing stallion, Jumbo; at 7 years old, she came to Suddene to gain fitness and refine her schooling and jumping. She was keen to play her ‘Left Brain Introvert’ card initially, but after a couple of weeks of a solid work and stable routine, she started to really come into her own and proved to be a great hacking, lead and jump horse.

Her ground skills were already well developed by her owner and Dotti and Sarah enjoyed plenty of time continuing working on these as well as the ridden work. The picture shows Dotti and Sarah at the Faccombe Fun Ride, where we had some fun jumping and galloping!

Dotti still returns from time to time to Suddene for clinics, lessons and the occasional short stay. We love to see her :)

A rider on a grey horse in the menage, with autumn trees behind

Close up of a bay and white horse's head, wearing a bridle

Ludo

Ludo came to us as a 4 year old. He is an Arab cross Trotter and has a very playful and mischievous character. Ludo was completely re-started under the rider with Sarah and has come a long way since then.

Obedience and steadiness were not his strongest attributes, but with a lot of patience and using natural horsemanship psychology he developed into a lovely riding horse and left us for his new home in the West Country.

He loved to work and to move, so enjoyed exercises in the school, and was particularly happy out on long hacks.

His schooling level with us reached Prelim and he competed with Dressage Anywhere at this level. He had more potential to be developed in his pole and jumping work, where he was willing and confident. He was also very suitable for Endurance.

Ludo is a brave young lad who will play all day every day and who was seeking a human who can give him a busy time and a fun job to do.

Mena

Mena is a beautiful young mare who came to us during the Covid lockdown to build her confidence with humans and find herself.

Very sensitive and incredibly responsive; over a period of a few months she settled in and started to relax, build more trust and enjoy life again.

With a great character really beginning to emerge, the next steps in her life were to find her forever human. That lovely person arrived at the right time and fate was sealed: Mena (now Luna) is very happy and fulfilled in her fantastic new home where we are delighted to be able to follow her progress.

Tommy & Scout

The most amazing pair of trail riding ponies, ridden in both English and Western tack, they came to us from a wonderful natural horsemanship trekking centre where business changes meant they were looking for new homes.

Careful management of their exercise and grazing levels was paramount as they both are extremely good doers!

Right Horse, Right Home brought forward some truly wonderful homing options for both ponies. Tommy has found his forever home by the seaside in Weston Super Mare and dear little Scout has gone further north where he is giving confidence to his new young owner.