Sandi Austin (Head Trainer) My firm but non abusive method of teaching does NOT instil fear, as my extensive experience has taught me their methods of body language, and this is what I respond to. I thoroughly love groundwork which enables 'my' horses to be patient and well mannered. Horses are naturally herd animals, and I am a leader of their herd and understand how they behave and talk to each other. I learned to work hard and escape into the equine mind.... I thrived on both.      I was raised on a 90 acre Thoroughbred racing farm in Washington State, USA which was one of the premier racing/training facilities on the West Coast of the USA. We often had 100 or more horses on the facility. We handled all aspects of training, breeding, surgery, grooming, and layed up of injured horses, whose need was to be kept in top condition at all times. I actively assisted with the surgery and then took on the recovery process which often went on for months. These horses were frightened and in pain, and I knew as a little girl, that I would spend my life helping horses feel safe and secure in a human environment. At the age of nine I trained my first pony 'Apache' and by the time I was 14 we had won hundreds of awards. I searched and found after amny months 'Lar Bar King' a Quarter Horse gelding, a Three Bars son off the King Ranch in Texas, and competed on the West Coast with many awards in all aspects of Western Riding. At 18, I was offered and took a training job with a very reputable Arabian farm in Oregon State. These animals also needed to be understood the same way because of their spirit and zest for life. At an early age, I began watching other trainers in their sessions, and found that their 'proper' and often brutal methods to get a horse to submit was, in my opinion, a matter of human ego rather than understanding the animal and its mental stability. A very keen part of what I love to teach to horses and owners alike, is that groundwork and careful communication are essential tools to a sound and stable progression. Even during a firm lesson, horses can learn and know absolutely that they are safe. My happiness comes from this basic truth and ability to communicate in horse terms. For every human that THINKS my methods will not work, there is another that KNOWS that they WILL AND DO WORK. These people give me the hope and strenght to continue, because they care about their horses and their well being which I believe is absolutely essential. At 25, I was given a managers job working for Penny Paterson at Cedar Crest Farm, and within a few years, as a team, we became one of the Premier Miniature Horse Farms in Western America (a groundwork teachers dream). It was here that I was instrumental in setting up the FIRST Black Tie Sale, and first introduction of Argentinian horses from Senorita Angelica Falabella and her Ranch in Argentina. Unfortunately due to some of Penny's personal health concerns, the farm was later disassembled to both of our regrets. However we found excellent homes for all our four legged friends. It was at this time that I opened my own personalised training facility at my home, and I worked many western pleasure prospects, trained advanced mountain and trail horses. This produced a very consistent gait and muscle control and all these horses proved to be very effective in the show ring and very light mouthed, steady and safe. This is my true love...the freedom of the mountains. These times were some of the most unforgettable years for me and I met many dear friends running my farm. Also at this time, I became a regular freelance trainer for a big client in Hawaii, where I worked with some amazing animals both unbroken and young, while also refreshing the older horses, which included breaking the main stallion on the farm, who was allowed to run free in the herd (Snow Prince, pictured below with Mike).   It was not until September 5th 1995 that on one trip to Hawaii I met the new trail guide and fell hopelessly in love with him. Mike came to stay with me on my farm and helped set up an office and also proved to be an effective and reputable part of my training stable. I moved everything over to England and we got married on March 7th 1998. I freelanced for a while and then set up a training facility out of a DIY in Hassocks which proved very worthwhile and due to costs we decided that we wanted to put our money into our own property rather than someone else's and purchased after 2 years of looking, Ailby House which really was both of our dreams come true. My love and vast lifetime of experience with horses is impossible to detail in such a limited space(it could go on for ever!!) The core of true training can only be judged through experience and knowledge and I HAVE both. Photo by kelly Graphics We now provide a service for everyone from all walks of life in order for them to truly appreciate the joy and passion of THE HORSE. It is for me, an opprtunity to incorporate all my skills as a horse communicator, on our own property, as well  to be able to travel to other peoples facilities , with many amazing results and with a flawless record. SOMETHING I AM VERY PROUD TO SAY AND UPHOLD.