Testimonials
I wanted to thank you for all your help and support in my successful return to riding. After several horrible experiences, my confidence was at an all time low and I was almost ready to give up the dream of owning my own horse. I decided to give it one last go and turned up at your yard; terrified. You immediately filled me with confidence as you appeared to understand exactly what I was feeling. You spend a lot of time talking to me and understanding my fears.
I never felt rushed or criticised and always felt in control of the speed of my progress. As I was always the only person in the class I got all of your attention which has resulted in my riding improving dramatically. Your horses also gave me confidence, they were relaxed and not spooky but were also responsive; they really looked after me. I was soon confident enough to hack out alone again.
I really loved coming for my lessons and found that I learned lots every week. What made your lessons very special was your knowledge and understanding of horses and horse psychology. You taught me to understand and anticipate the horses by recognising what their behaviour was communicating. You also taught me ways to cope with the unexpected.
I was soon ready to buy my own horse and again you were there at my side with lots of helpful advice. When I found the horse of my dreams I kept having lessons and as a result I have developed an understanding and bond with my horse which is fantastic.
Thank you Henri, for sharing your knowledge and for your patience; enthusiasm and understanding. I cannot recommend you and your techniques highly enough..... you put a smile back on my face. Best wishes
Fiona Kilburn
After a couple of years trying different riding instructors ranging from strict dressage trainers to traditional BHS style I was disheartened. I came away from my lessons feeling more confused, in pain and struggling to envision a style that would suit myself and my young Andalusian X filly.
A name kept cropping up when I asked around for a recommended instructor so despite being 45mins away I decided to try a lesson with Henri Plag.
Henri took me back to basics, despite me feeling like a complete beginner it all started to make sense. Her horses reflected my successes and mistakes beautifully. In 10 short lessons I have learnt more, am able to ride more affectively and enjoy more than with all my previous lessons in 25 years. It’s more like riding therapy and you come away with a real sense of achievement. I know my responsibilities as a rider and can teach a horse their responsibilities. I regret not doing it sooner as this knowledge would have benefitted myself and previous horses.
Pain is on the whole a thing of the past as I am no longer holding horses together and I see the results in the horses way of going. I do and will recommend Henri to all who would like to try and look forward to improving more and more under Henri’s care.
Caroline Hewlett
When I first met Henri I was having some terrible problems with my horse. My mare was tense and anxious nearly all the time she was ridden and would buck a lot when jumping. I had her checked by vets, saddlers and osteopaths and was pretty much at my wits end. I had been told by many experienced horse people that my horse was a fairly hopeless case and just being naughty and trying it on with me.
From the start Henri’s approach was very different. Not only did she help me to re-school my horse, she helped me to get to the bottom of my horse’s behaviour which had been caused by back pain from an inappropriately fitted saddle. She put me in touch with a good saddle fitter and then helped me to school my horse in a way that strengthened the muscles in her back and increased her topline. She helped both my horse and I to regain our confidence in each other and become a partnership again.
With Henri’s help, we are now competing and getting consistently good marks in preliminary and novice level dressage and have started to show jump once again. None of this would have been possible without her help and guidance.
I find Henri’s lessons invaluable and I always learn something in every session. Henri has a very positive approach to any problems or schooling issues that may arrise and finds solutions that are specific to that horse and rider combination. She is always smart and punctual and very professional. I can’t recommend her highly enough.
Zoe Dykes
’I would strongly recommend Henri Plag as an instructor, she has opened my eyes to a new way of communicating and understanding which can only benefit my relationship with my horse. She has an intelligent approach using positive reinforcement, her methods have also helped me on the ground. I am now optimistic and enthusiastic for our future learning together’
Louise Wiltshire
