Just to say that the lesson on monday was great and how I have noticed the release in my right hip since. I did the upper body exercises yesterday and then went out and rode Ola. I didn't seem to be so stiff yesterday but of course that might have mean't I wasn't doing it properly. I did try to do the exercises on Ola but it didn't work. I need someone to lead/lunge her whilst I concentrate on what I am doing. I hope to get out later and do it again but it is too hot at the moment. Diane

Thank you so much for today, it was lovely to meet your horses and get some good ideas to try with Val, Sophie

Thanks for an interesting session on Sunday, lovely to meet your wonderful horses! it was a useful reminder on breaking things down, recognising the smallest try, and the timing of the release, so it was all good Julie

I have been riding since I was a small girl and for many years rode conventionally with (what seemed like at the time) no real issues. After purchasing a very challenging horse in my twenties I started searching for alternative methods of training and teaching. Although I gained valuable experience and knowledge through these I felt there were still barriers that prevented me from being able to pursue my chosen discipline – dressage. I tried having traditional lessons again but didn’t agree that force was the best way forward for me and my new young horse Hermes. After 6 months we were still not progressing and Hermes was showing signs of resisting which was worrying me and I was at a real loss and didn’t quite know what to do – and then we found Tracy!   From lesson number one everything that Tracy said to me just made perfect sense. Tracy was able to answer all my questions that I had been searching so long for. It was such a relief to have finally found someone with such a wealth of knowledge and expertise but more importantly to me focusing on my horses comfort being paramount. Tracy has taught me how to feel and receive the energy from my horse and understand how my own stiffness and tension is blocking his ability to work correctly. We still have a long journey ahead but I finally feel now that we can progress and only wish that we had found Tracy sooner.   Very few people impress me in the horse world and I can honestly say that Tracy is one of them. Her knowledge and expertise is second to none and anyone who is lucky enough to meet Tracy will undoubtedly feel her passion for horses and teaching shine through. Jackie

Excelda was bred and trained for dressage in Sweden and was given to me by a family friend 11 years ago. She was only 5 and was a very unsuitable horse for a 10 year old, my age at the time, so when she arrived in England she went straight to my trainer’s yard. She took a long time to settle into her new home and it was clear from the offset that she was extremely sensitive and volatile mare with many issues that would need to be addressed in her training. When she was in her field or stable she was an unusually affectionate horse who loved people and attention, however it became apparent that she disliked being handled. When even the lightest pressure was put on her, on the ground or when ridden, she lashed out. She would kick, bite, buck and rear, many times going over backwards. Eventually the trainer made the decision that she no longer wanted Excelda on the yard so she was turned out to grass at home. Over the years we tried many other traditional and natural horsemanship trainers and loan homes, but no one seemed to be able to manage her and she became increasingly hostile. We had her physically checked out numerous times yet were unable to find any physical problems that would result in her unpredictable and aggressive behaviour. At least 10 different professionals told me that she was mad and that she should be put down but I never actually considered going through with it until a month or so before I met Tracy. It has been 15 months since I started having lessons with Tracy and the change in Excelda is remarkable; No one can believe she is the same horse. She has transformed into a relaxed and happy animal who loves her work. Initially we started with Clicker Training to deal with general handling and progressed to cure her separation anxiety and fear of being stabled, along with several other problems. Excelda improved quickly and steadily with Tracy’s gentle techniques and we eventually decided she was ready to be restarted after not being ridden for 8 years. Excelda is now being ridden regularly in a headcollar rather than a bridle and bit, and we have begun working on James Shaw’s amazing ‘Ride from Within’ methods. I am completely in awe of the progress Excelda has made with Tracy and I can’t wait to see where things develop!   Tracy is the most wonderful teacher I have ever had; she is wonderfully inspiring yet also patient and encouraging when things are more challenging. I learn vast amounts in each lesson due to her immense knowledge and experience with horses and also with people. She is a person who really goes the extra mile for her pupils and their horses, and is passionate about what she does. I feel unbelievably lucky to have such a uniquely kind and talented person teach me, and to turn things around with Excelda when everyone else had given up on her. I am adamant that she would no longer be here if it were not for Tracy.   Tracy has really changed my life and Excelda’s too!   Thank you so much Tracy! Calixta

I also wanted to say another Thank You for such an incredible lesson, I learned so much and had so much fun, I think Excelda did too! Looking forward to next week already. Calixta

Brilliant clinic! Add some more dates! Jackie

Thank you for an excellent morning! Sam H

Tracy, fab day, fab atmosphere, fab people to meet & fab to spend time with you Sam P

Thanks again Tracy, it was a brilliant morning! A really lovely bunch of people. Lydia

I  really enjoyed the clinic! Nice to have something close to home for a change! Katie

I first contacted Tracy after my vet recommended her to me. We had tried egg bar shoes, wedges, and even plastic shoes, but were unable to get my horse (Violet) sound. When Tracy first met Violet I had taken her shoes off, but there was an immediate improvement in the way she walked after Tracy trimmed her. Since then Violet’s feet have steadily improved, which is in no small part due to Tracy’s help -  not only with trimming, but also from balancing the minerals in her diet. I have also asked Tracy to do some equine bodywork sessions for Violet, which has unlocked tight areas, and made Violet much more comfortable – in particular Tracy noticing that a recently fitted saddle was in fact, not fitting! Her knowledge of how the horse moves, classical dressage, clicker training, diet and hoof care means that she really does look at the “wholistic horse.” I have found her help absolutely invaluable, without which I doubt that I would be looking forward to our dressage debut (and perhaps even some jumping J) this summer. Thank you Tracy! Adele

"Tracy is a fantastic trimmer. Finn is not particularly happy standing to have his feet done and Tracy has been extremely patient as we have worked with him to improve his behaviour. His feet are now in excellent condition, and through changes in them Tracy has identified changes in the way he distributes his weight and some of the physical challenges he faces. Finn's diet has been completely changed as a result of Tracy's advice and I'm confident that this will help his feet and his overall well being. Having dealt with farriers in the past I've found they work just on the feet, treating them as being independent of the rest of the horse. It is so refreshing to see Tracy every six weeks and have her consider Finn's overall condition, movement and health, and also to hear about the new knowledge she has gained - so much more than just a trim, it's a learning experience!"
Sam and Finn

Tracy has been trimming my two horses for a year now and the change in their feet is amazing, the cracks and flare have gone and even to the untrained eye they look so much better.   The horses both really relax with her, it makes having their feet done such a pleasure.  Not to mention how reliable she is, turning up almost exactly to the minute every visit.  Infact I cannot believe I have found someone so great to look after my horses feet.  I can't praise her highly enough. Michelle, Meg & Jay Jay.

It has been just over 6 months since Tracy’s first visit and the changes in my horses feet is unbelievable. Tracy has been very supportive and has given me lots of advice about how to go about conditioning their feet, what products are best to use when a little extra help is necessary and how to ensure the diet and lifestyle I provide is beneficial to barefoot horses.
 
Recently Tracy has also nutritionally balanced my horses’ diets to the grass and haylage they are on. It has only been a couple of months since I introduced the correct minerals and removed all the unnecessary feeds I was giving them but big improvements are already noticeable particularly in the condition of their coats and hooves.
 
Not only has Tracy helped me with my horses health, she has also contributed substantially to the training of my horses. None of them are particularly straight forward horses and Tracy’s patience and insightful knowledge has been an amazing influence on their progress. When I met Tracy I was at a loss about what to do with regards with my Warmblood mare who was sensitive, aggressive and very unpredictable. Several professionals had told me that the best thing would be to have her put to sleep. However, Tracy introduced me to Clicker training and I am absolutely overwhelmed with the impact it has had on my mare, who has developed into an affectionate, trusting and confident horse. I am sure that none of this progress would have been possible without Tracy’s kind encouragement, wealth of knowledge and support which has been invaluable.

Thank you so much Tracy, and I really look forward to learning more from you in the future.
Calixta, Excelda and Dolly

Tracy has been trimming our horses for just over a year now. The change in their feet has been amazing and I'm sure I learn something new every time she comes.
She has helped out in a lot of different ways including diet advice and introducing us to clicker training which is great fun and I love seeing the horses have to 'think' rather than being 'told' to do something!! I am sure I will continue to learn and look forward to Tracy's visits!                 Kate and Jenny

My horse had been terrified by my then farrier, he resected part of her foot, he lodged her into the corner of the stable to do this and she was black with sweat. She was then difficult to have her feet picked up, let alone shoe or trim.  I then decided to try equine podiatry. Tracy was really patient and took time to trim my horse. A year later I now have a horse which is normal to trim and she has normal feet too. I am so amazed at the changes, thank you Tracy for all that you have done to help us both.     J and A

My horse's hooves have never looked so good! Tracy started working with us early this year and I am very impressed with her knowledge and dedication and enthusiasm. She is always stretching herself to learn as much as she can and is flexible in her approach to horse and human with her eye on the holistic aspects of horsemanship. She is incredibly reliable (always on time!!) and it is a pleasure to work with her. I wont have anyone else touch my horse's feet!!
Lynette Heaton-Jacques and Nautilus

To finally be in a position to believe that we look set to reach our ultimate
goal is totally amazing and after almost three years of some of the most
depressing and emotional times Ive encountered, the rewarding buzz I'm feeling
at the moment is beyond words. I just want you to know how I feel about where we
are at the moment and I do truly appreciate what you have helped us to achieve
with Normans feet in such a short space of time. You're a testament to the trade
and if I did operate a scheme of any sort for suppliers/retailers/services of
any kind, Tracy Wyatts equine podiatry business would be the only one to have
EVER achieved a 5 platinum star award. And you know what a fussy bugger I am for
good service!
C and N

It has been so refreshing to meet someone who understands the true biomechanics of a horse’s body and also who has the ability to deduce purely from its muscular development the exact way in which it is being trained. With such a sincere and deep-seated passion for true and correct horsemanship and a genuine honesty to pass on and educate the owner for the sake of the horse, such a truly classical eye, coupled with such levels of understanding in this modern day is extremely rare indeed.  

Tracy has played a hugely valuable part in my on-going journey and understanding of training horses and the positive, negative effects these different methods have on a horse’s body. She has kindly enabled me to voice questions and offered me the opportunity to have in-depth discussions on all aspects of their care as I continue to learn. My main questions have been the how’s and why’s of classical training versus modern training techniques which I have been researching, learning and trying to implement with my tricky mare over the last few years through various professionals such as body workers, trimmers, instructors etc. I had so many questions and was beginning to get more and more confused about what actually was the ‘correct’ way as opposed to ‘incorrect’. Very few of these previous professionals had ever been able to give me solid and simple but sensible answers to the burning questions I had. 

I think I once described it to Tracy metaphorically as an inner circle at the mountain - top which is completely hidden by mist and clouds from below. As we struggle up this mountain in the mist we come across many other methods and ways along the journey, all of whom tell you that they are correct and classical. Many people are completely convinced by these methods and so never feel the need to carry on further up the mountain side. But just a few people keep struggling on, exhausted, blinded by the mist but still searching for something which may not even exist at all... Something which resonates deep within and drives us to keep going, keep looking, searching.

Then when you are near collapse, your spirit is completely broken you finally meet someone who understands, really understands, and you realise you have just unknowingly stepped through into that sacred inner circle. Here is an elite place where everyone understands, knows one another and above all they have the same selfless and beautiful goals which put the horse’s welfare first and foremost above all else.  

I probably should explain that my mare is now finally using her body and moving truly correctly for the first time in her whole life –she is nearly 15 years old!  

She has spent 8+ of those ridden years in an incorrect position, depending on which  method of ‘correct’ training I had been sucked into believing at the time (!)         
    -Hollow through her back,          
    -Round and deep and behind the vertical,         
    -Lifted through neck, up through shoulder,
    -In front of the vertical  

Which sadly resulted in a combination of the following:  
     -very tight longissimus dorsi muscles in her back due to hollowing,         
     -over large and very tight brachiocephalic muscles in the lower neck,               -weak muscles in the middle of the neck, splenius,         
     -over large muscles in the crest of neck,         
     -weak over the wither, spinalis,          
     -and finally intermittent unlevelness on Right Fore  

Her body has changed dramatically since meeting Tracy as a result of good bodywork, biomechanically and classicly correct training, balanced feet, good diet and a relaxed, natural environment.

Its a long and lonely road to finding the simple truths of how to keep your horse happy and sound - if you have found Tracy, you've arrived. Eternally thankful J and D