What led you to Rachael?
My friend saw an advert in our programme guide at Your Horse Live and suggested I go and have a
chat to help me deal with the grief of losing my old horse and how I can work in a better partnership
with my current horse.
Was your call helpful?
Massively. It was an absolute privilege to talk to my beloved horse who I lost tragically over a year
ago and whom I do not feel I have ever truly got over. It was wonderful to hear his personality shine
through on the call and was also hugely emotional to know the partnership we had was just as
important to him as it was to me. It was also great to talk to my new boy and start to try and
understand him better to improve our relationship and also hear the differences between them
both. It was conducted kindly and sensitively and I could have chatted to them both all night.
Was it what you expected?
Yes and no. Rachael was very clear in how the call would play out and what to expect but I am often
sceptical and was genuinely taken aback by the accuracy of what each of them said. Some things did
not immediately resonate but since the call, I have thought more and more about them and found
the correlation between what they said, particularly as I was very emotional, especially when talking
to my boy who had passed. I felt a huge sense of comfort and clarity.
What were you most surprised by?
The personalities of both my horses – exactly as expected but also so funny to hear how eloquent
both of them are in their speech! Also the accuracy of the information passed to me. I was also very
surprised how easy it was to ask Rachael to talk to them – it didn’t feel awkward or weird which I
thought it might. I loved that my boy who passed away didn’t want to say goodbye either – just ‘ I am
always here’ and an ‘until we meet again’.
What was the most valuable aspect of your call?
Knowing the partnership I had was mutual and that my horse did not blame me in any way for his
death. It was also so lovely to hear how grateful he was that I was there and how tragic it was for me
and that not many people would have been able to be there. He felt it was the strength of my
character that helped me but that I should not let that define my memories. Also being able to
reassure my new boy of our relationship but also ask questions surrounding him to better
understand his personality and behaviour.
Did our call save you time and/or money in identifying and remedying an issue?
Time for my new boy really although the key theme that came through with him was patience so I
feel it has set us both off on the right path and was good to know he will encourage and support me
in sharing new experiences with him as I contemplate my first dressage test away from the
familiarities of home.
Has your horse or pony’s behaviour changed following the call?
Yes but I know this will be gradual also. Behaviour on the way to the field this morning tested me, I
listened to the advice he gave me – against how I would normally react – and he was the picture of
calm and behaved just as he described he would if I listened.
A potential client is on the fence about whether to have a call with me; what would you say to
them?
Do it, whatever your concerns or reservations are – you will not be disappointed. Go into it with your
eyes and ears open, it’s ok to be cautious but the value you will get far outweighs this feeling.
Is there anything else that you’d like to tell me that I haven’t asked about? My friends have been
hugely surprised when I have described the things that were said. Many of
friends have only known one or the other horses I have owned so it has been interesting to tell them
things that came up in the call that they have said or advised. One friend used the exact same words
as my current horse to help with his behaviour and was flabbergasted when I told her!
