- Tracy James Natural Horse Centre in Spain
Jessica Dewar
I grew up in the center of Edinburgh City. Every year getting excited about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The shows we had tickets to see, or the street performers we would gather around to watch. Not many horses there but it will always be home.
In the holidays I would go to Barend, where there are horses. The family would stay in an ‘A framed’ chalets and the yard was just across the road. I smile thinking back to the drizzly mornings, pulling on jodhpurs and rubber boots. We all have similar stories I am sure. I learnt to ride here. One year our crazy parents said yes to loaning 3 highlands over the winter. Adventure.
The next horsey adventure I had in my gap year. I mustered cattle on horseback in ranches in Australia. It was amazing to spend 6 hours a day in the saddle. I think this is when I realized life should always involve horses.
Returning to the UK I started my degree. BA Theater Design and Production and loved it of course. I kept horses on the side still, seeking out any equines in the area that where happy to be scratched over the fence. In the summer breaks I attended courses at Hartsop Farm with Intelligent Horsemanship. These courses kept my appetite wet to learn more about our equine friends’ world and how they perceive it.
Following my degree I signed up for a Diploma in Horse Care and Management. While studying in the library I found a book about horses called ‘Whispering Back’ by Nicole Golding and Adam Goodfellow. I read it, finished it then emailed them asking if I could work for them at Moor Wood Stables. They had a position and I started in August 2011.
I have been living the dream since then it is the only way to describe it. Working with horses using compassionate training methods is my dream. Working with like minded people is a pleasure. I spent just over 2 years at Moor Wood. Where I met all kinds of equines. My favorites had to be the resident herd and the youngsters we had in for backing, each an everyone was a teacher.
All has changed. I have moved to Spain seeking new teachers. I am looking forward to the warmer climate last winter was cold! The fabulous atmosphere, establishing relationships with all two and four legged members of the farm and of course the learning curve.
Have a look at what I am up too at
