Lonesome Oak Horses in Yinnar, Victoria | Horse trainer

Lonesome Oak Horses

Locality: Yinnar, Victoria

Phone: +61 407 560 417

Address: 160 whitelaws track 3869 Yinnar, VIC, Australia

Website:

Likes: 760

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Pet service
• Horse trainer

25.01.2022 Fresh hay rolled out this arvo + a lovely sunset called for a couple photo opportunities! Gotta love Gippsland summers

25.01.2022 Fri-Yay! Wrapping up an awesome week of amazing weather which has allowed for plenty of riding! So thankful for these perfect days which has dried up so much mud and puddles. We finished up the arvo with Summer being a rather large kids pony!... If I trust the horses we've been working on and know the kids will be fine then I'll let them jump on! It does the horse and them the world of good, - the horse learning new riders and the different feel of them, and it's so important for the kids to learn on different horses - all shapes and sizes!

25.01.2022 Look who came for a visit! Mater Man! (And his awesome owner Ebony!) We couldn't believe this fella left us 12 weeks ago! He's had a real good spell since going to his new home with the odd groundwork session, but bounced straight back into work like he'd had only a day off. He truly is a special boy and I said it the day I sold him and I'll say it again, I couldn't have hoped for a more wonderful lady and home for him to go to! ... Ebony has continued Mater on so perfectly and has a fantastic relationship with him, it really makes me so happy! Taking on a horse - especially a green horse - does mean continuing and maintaining training. Just because a horse is broken for 6/8 weeks does not mean they magically turn into a horse with 8 years work. As the old saying goes, you only get out what you put in. Good solid foundations definitely set up a good horse, but again if not built on correctly can easily go backwards, and we see it all the time in the horse world. If you are unsure of your training, or just need some new tools for the toolbox seek help! Lessons, clinics, research, send your horse away for a refresher. Every bit helps in working to achieve your goals for your special friend. Commitment, consistency and pride.

25.01.2022 Little Cleo's little adventure out around the back paddock today! It was her first ride out of the arena and the video pretty much speaks for itself! Water was our only real obstacle, once again showing her stubborn side - when she says no she means it, and threatened to put in a couple rears in telling me so! With these small ponies, using leg pressure is that little bit harder as I'm kicking up under their belly so with the aid of a stick as a crop I was able to get her butt following and pushing through her rearing thoughts, and got some positive results and had a heap of fun! This little mare is such a champ!

24.01.2022 The view on Archie today, and what a splendid day for it! First day of spring did not disappoint!

22.01.2022 I came across this quote this morning, and thought how true - not only in the horse training world but every day life. Focus on the "1%ers" As I've mentioned plenty of times, when starting a new day on a horse, whatever stage they're at, I aim to get the same, if not a 1% better result than the previous training. If I allow release on the small improvements, understanding begins and those 1% increases are the building blocks of a well trained horse.... If we as trainers - and every person who sits on a horse is a trainer (take that in!) - only see the end picture, we'll never be satisfied with the end of that day's result. But if we can set small goals - get a bit of softness in the reins for a couple steps today, or nice soft full circle tomorrow, maybe get a one step start to a side pass or roll back, we're ahead of where we were the previous session, and adding another block for tomorrow's correct learning and most importantly acceptance. See more

22.01.2022 Arena work for Princess and Cleo. Asking for collection with ponies is always a bit harder for me - having long legs I tend to ask more with my hands than equally bringing them up into the bridle with leg pressure as I would a taller horse. I feel as though my feet are almost touching under their belly at times! but nevertheless these little girls are working out what I'm asking and starting to work some nice neat figure 8s and carrying themselves soft and willingly. ... Riding ponies definitely are a busier brained breed, so I don't go overboard on the arena work, as I know it will just p*$% them off and make them sour. We head out the paddocks the majority of the time where they're happier and touch on this every now and then for small wins to build on each session.

21.01.2022 Yesterday I not only said goodbye to my last pup who went off to his new home, (cue tears) I also said goodbye to this amazing boy. (Cue meltdown!) Mater - a rising 4yo paint bred gelding. We purchased this boy earlier this year who was handled and started perfectly and correctly by an awesome lady, so continuing on with him was an absolute breeze and 100% enjoyable. Not once did I butt heads with this boy, and every ride he was miles ahead than the session previously (som...etimes weeks apart.) We always said he was an old 'been there done that' horse in a youngsters body. He was a pleasure to own, handle, and train, and I knew very early on he would only be going to a special home. Riding Mater was like a dance, and one I was very sad for it to end! I cannot wait to see the horse this boy grows to be and I look forward to working with him and his new amazing owner for years to come! Couldn't post this without ending on a blooper!

20.01.2022 Today's ride out on Summer and Romeo. Finally bought a girth that fit this big girl! Summer's owner wanted her out the bush to gain more confidence and relax, so she'll get plenty of that here A little hesitant through the water but once Scott let her assess the situation and relax on each forward step at the first puddle she was keen and happy to walk through the rest from then on. ... Such a lovely big gentle giant! See more

20.01.2022 With windy, wet and cold weather like today, it's best to just kick back and stay indoors on this miserable Saturday! Our "Lonesome Oak Labs" are taking full advantage of it too, some more than others!

20.01.2022 Scott took Marty out for his first ride out the bush Monday arvo. A bit looky in the beginning, but he soon relaxed and plodded along (plodded being the operative word ) I drove out the back road to meet them and see how everything was going, then Scott took him back through the bush, through some puddles and back along the main road home. He was happy poking along at his own pace and almost dozing off in the process apparently! But happily picked up into a trot and canter when asked. This boy is one who we feel is a bit unsure until he finds someone to trust and then really opens up and gives his all.

19.01.2022 A different 4 legged friend than usual but way too cute not to share! My girl Hilda had her first calf last week and I'm just in love! (And filling my phone up with photos very quick! ) I couldn't pass up this opportunity to take this one with her napping under the old horse drawn carrot lifter! Meet little Haven!

18.01.2022 Couldn't help myself! After Princess and Cleo's ride this arvo, we thought it was only fair to have a quick dip to cool off! Hallelujah to warmer weather!!

17.01.2022 Marty - 3yo Thoroughbred - Education and miles. This guy has been with us just on 2 weeks, and today was his first ride. Marty was broken in last year and not had alot done since, so in any green broken horse we take them back to scratch and see what they have/don't have training wise, and this determines what process we take and training tools and techniques to use. I did a few days of groundwork which he took to relatively well, then I put the saddle on for the first time a...fter half an hour of lunging. Unfortunately I never got videos of this, but he reacted in a not so desirable manner! After several laps crashing and banging around the roundyard bronc style, he levelled out and I got to finish on a more calmer and accepting lunge. Hoping that was a once off, we repeated the process the next day, and he repeated the reaction. As soon as he felt the girth, he'd forget all ground control manners and commands, and go into defence mode. Each time the reaction got less and less and a few days ago we were able to saddle, lunge and not get any negative reactions at all. He'd remember how to work in with what we were asking when lunging and we were able to get a breakthrough moment which gave us the green light to move on to being on his back Ultimately, we'd love to not get this reaction at all, and it's something we take into account when starting youngsters, so we plan the starting process step by step to avoid a negative reaction. But some breaking processes are quicker in getting the saddle on - and tight, and in some cases pull the muscles in the girth causing a lasting impression, which we surmise may be the case with Marty. He'll be getting a good going over by the bowen therapist as he continues his time with us and hopefully we're onto a new and sensible chapter of Marty's riding career!

16.01.2022 Today's ride - got one in and home just before the storm hit! Pip on the lovely relaxed River and me on Romeo for his second ride out and first in company. This fella has been a tough one as he's been resistant and slower to accept different stages. Still a little nervy and unsure, but we're finally out and about so a big accomplishment for him! When out, he's happy up in front, he relaxes, and is confident and quite forward moving which is nice. ... Not one to stand still for long so getting on and getting off takes time, but just another thing to work on for this boys starting process. See more

15.01.2022 Alina's first ride Her size and age definitely had me a little worried to take her first steps! But look at her go! What a dream! I really couldn't be any more pleased with this beautiful big girl. This honestly does show that she has been correctly handled and trained prior to coming here. It really all does come down to obtaining and maintaining trust and R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Taking on a 9 year old to break would usually be a big fat no. But talking to her owner prior, I got ...the understanding that she was all but backed and was well worth finishing her off. If Alina was disrespectful of her handler by this age, we'd definitely have struggled taking her any further. Respect on the ground is so important to taking the steps to on their back, this is again why I swear by groundwork! Couldn't be more proud of her! See more

15.01.2022 We will remember them. Lest We Forget.

15.01.2022 Young Belle went home yesterday along with the lovely Ruby also. Belle's journey has been a transformation from a head strong fast forward giraffe to a much more relaxed and sensible mare who will be an all rounder for her young little riders to grow up on. We focused mainly on getting her out and about and relaxing her, breaking through the stubbornness and getting more light control to assist with lessons with little hands in the future. Focusing too much on arena work for ...babies (and high energy bred horses) can essentially fizz them up and make it a despised area, so this video is one of the few times we worked in here! Upon arrival to her new home, she stepped off the float, and was taken straight into the agistment arena for a lunge and ridden demonstration, and she didn't bat an eyelid or look sideways at any of her new surroundings and new companions. As I've mentioned in the past, buying a young horse for young children to start on can be quite a gamble and a risk, but with continued training, respect maintenance and experienced guidance, this lovely girl was 100% worth it! See more

15.01.2022 The creatures you meet out the bush

14.01.2022 The other day we said goodbye to the beautiful River. This boy was an absolute pleasure to have around and work with, and a fella I think anyone would love to have sitting in their paddock! Having had his breaking process cut short previously we knew we'd take him back to the start, fill in some gaps on the ground and get him out the bush for miles and confidence, whilst putting a bit of flat work arena training in amongst it all. He's always taken everything on, except for w...ater crossings his first puddle experience took a lot longer and alot more effort than anticipated! But once we succeeded through the first it was all easy travelling from then on. In the arena I mainly worked on softness, working in frame - while keeping momentum - which proved easier said than done! But Riv gave all he had, starting to shape up lovely, setting up for some nice turns, soft on the hands and ending up with a ripper stop! The kids were down watching our final ride the other day so we offered a quick ride on him before he went home - giving Toby his first ever canter and Pip showing her acrobatic skills on this absolute legend of a horse! PLEASE NOTE: Before anyone jumps up and down we NEVER let the kids ride without a helmet and this was NOT planned and definitely a once off! But with River being such a trustworthy boy we knew they were in safe hands for the quick rides they had We can't wait to see what the future holds for this boy and his beautiful family!

14.01.2022 During the week we said goodbye to Romeo. As I've said on previous videos of this boy, he was a bit more of a tougher case and took longer than most breakers to come along. He's quite unsure on the ground, and forward progression was slower than others. So each day was a repeat of the day before and we'd slowly grow and take baby steps, trying to get him to accept things in a more positive and safe manner. Lunging he finally caught onto what I was asking and softened in my ha...nd rather than heading for the hills! Once on his back he was alot more relaxed and out the bush he was in his prime! We had a couple arena sessions, which I was pleasantly surprised with how well he came along there, starting to ride up into the bridle and hold frame. Green broke horses will always need continued work and maintenance training, but he's one who will definitely need things continued and repetition, repetition, repetition of ground work to get him more relaxed and accepting there, as I said to his owner, you can't fit 5 years of handling into 7 weeks, but with continued work and a lot of relaxed rewards this boy will come along and start to really trust, and with that movement, has the potential to make a lovely little man down the track!

13.01.2022 "My Father didn't tell me how to live. He lived and let me watch him do it." - - Clarence Budington Kelland Happy Fathers Day to all the wonderful dads and father figures out there!

13.01.2022 This pretty girl look familiar? Ruby - 5yo stockhorse is back for a refresher and tune up! She was with us in January, and has since been a super kids pony for a variety of kids at different levels. So while she was having a bit of a holiday over lockdown, she's come back to pull a few things back into line and get her mind back on track - something I find very important especially in a kids pony/horse and love that her owner recognises this also!... The beginning of the video is her first lunging session on her second day here last week. This lunging video was a total of 12 minutes, so just goes to show how important it is to set good solid foundations. She was fresh and a bit ignorant in the beginning which was to be expected, but it didn't take her long to start thinking, recognise her prior training, and finish up where I left her 8 months ago. The last half of the video is our ride out today. She was a bit looky and jumpy back out the bush, and bit matey leaving her friends, but all that is is freshness. It's so important to realise a fresh horse is going to be more reactive - whether that be in the roundyard, arena or bush. So get the fresh out, get the brain working and get a safer and enjoyable horse. A few more big rides and patience tying and we'll have the old chilled Rubes back!

13.01.2022 Mareeba - 3yo highland pony x anglo arab. When @beinnkaldyhighlandponies got in touch asking to start a filly for them, I have to admit I got a tad excited! I've been watching this stud for a while and love their quality highlands and crosses. This little (chunky) lady was dropped off Sunday, and we got stuck into some groundwork today. She was more interested in the stick and lead rather than what they're actually for, but she's already showing signs of being a quick and sensible learner.

12.01.2022 Romeo training session. Bit of a long video, but with Romeo I'm now working on fine tuning the mere basics and getting him to relax and accept every day requests and expectations. This may not seem like much, but he has improved out of sight and has come such a long way and I'm super pumped with today's session!

10.01.2022 It's ok to fall apart some times...tacos fall apart and we still love them Talk, listen, encourage, check in. R U OK?

08.01.2022 The beautiful Summer headed home today! But not before a good scrub up Summer's owner came up last weekend for a bush ride with me, just to confirm our confidence in her confidence We can't wait to see these 2 in the future...and being a Peninsula pair, we look forward to some beach outings!!

07.01.2022 Little busy Norma. This little mare is a pocket rocket with attitude and a busy mind! For a little horse she has some go and stamina but also a big heart. She loves getting out, marching out on the trails and bush bashing, and getting a good canter up the hills! When it comes to flat work she needs to get some freshness out first.... Never one to be dirty ever, but you can tell she's not happy about it all whenever we start off! We get the snorts, tail flicks, foot paddle trying to stomp the ground mid trot and bracing the bit! Instead of going round and round I try mixing it up around the cones and working in squares to establish some straight lines. Once she starts to conform and even out and listen, we can step it up. When cantering she wants to go, so I let her travel around the outside, still working my corners for squares to knock her down a gear and not allow too much speed gain, and once she starts travelling nicer and neater, I work inside the square and ask a little more head carriage and let her quit on some nice (more) steady circles. See more

07.01.2022 Twinning! I have to admit I have a bit of a soft spot for the black ponies! Nice relaxed ride out on Bandit and Mitey yesterday - both here for some miles and education

06.01.2022 Float training with Jiggy. We had this big girl over last week. She had some lasting bad experiences from the past and unfortunately - like so many others - relate the float to those. I went to her owners place twice prior and offered we take her for the week to get some consistent steady training - not just pile it into one hour sessions. We got her loading confidently on ours, first leading then self loading, and then moved her on to her owners.... Using ours for training first - especially for the heavy bred horses - allows a more spacious area to accept before moving into the more confined area of the standard float. Certain aspects were more of a challenge for her, she reacted in racing backwards and rearing in the beginning, and then once on she wasn't confident stepping back off the lip of ours, but once she processed and relaxed on each step, she accepted the whole process on both floats. See more

06.01.2022 Been a while since I've taken you along on a ride! Summer's ride out on this perfect day! Loving this warmer weather!! Winter may finally be on its way out!

06.01.2022 Horse power Roundyard and arena day today, with our dog looking like she's going to pop out her puppies at any minute, I'm staying close to home today! Here (once again) shows the importance of tying and patience. I bring them out of their paddocks, tie them up, and will alternate between them with either ground work or ridden, at whatever level they're at over the day.... We have a couple new (and old) faces in the line up here so introductions are to come! See more

04.01.2022 Bit of fun on this warm arvo! I've been slowly venturing out further and further in our dam and after testing the depths a bit more yesterday on Cleo we decided to head out for a dip to cool off this afternoon! Morgan the once sook of a little puddle took no time at all to take to the water and wasn't fazed being ridden bareback, and Rubes, well, she likes it a little too much and ended dunking me in at the end when she attempted to roll!

04.01.2022 Murphy - 5yo welsh x TB - breaker. This cool dude is a bit on the nervy side, and regularly reacts tensely to new things. But once he is allowed to process them, he takes a big breath and accepts. Thankfully very accepting of the saddle! Just sudden movements and different desensitisation techniques get him overreacting. So I'm taking things slower with him, doing alot of repetition on all things "scary" but also just reading when, where and what to introduce and how much, no...t to overload him. He's one (I believe) if taken too fast and forced to accept, would break down and completely lose trust. I've already seen a big improvement over the week so let's hope this continues throughout! See more

04.01.2022 Archie - Lunge Training. I've finally got around to editing the hours of lunge videos I have on this boy! When I first lunged Archie (or attempted to) I decided it would be a good idea to make up a transitional 'before and after' type video to show how some horses don't take to it as well as others - some choosing to completely blow up and not accept the process. This is just lack of ground control training, that results in lack of respect.... So I wanted to show how I work through the issues with this particular horse. As I mention, this boy was quite difficult to begin with on the ground, and as he didn't accept things easily, we had to work a lot harder than I'd hoped and planned! But over his time here, he's improved out of sight (thank God!) And as he's in his final week I thought I'd get this video together and will put up a final ridden video over the week. I've whittled it down to roughly 45 mins hence why it's on YouTube Grab a coffee and check it out if you feel like it! See more

03.01.2022 Wow wow WOW! I just realised that I missed our first birthday! On the 10th of August Lonesome Oak Horses turned 1!! What an amazing and rewarding first year it's been!! I thought I'd take today to thank everyone that has made this all possible!... Thank you to all our awesome clients sending your special equine friends for training and customers who have purchased horses, I thank you for your support and trusting a small new business. Thank you to those promoting and recommending our services, I am ever so grateful that you think of us to send over friends and acquaintances, either for training or sales. And a huge thank you to my awesome family - Scott, Pippa and Toby, you guys help so much more than you realise and I enjoy every minute working together! When starting this business, I really had no idea what to expect, or if it would even take off or succeed! We took on the name Lonesome Oak Horses as Scott came up with the property name of Lonesome Oak due to our big beautiful oak tree standing out alone and strong in the back paddock behind the arena. Our idea when starting up was to only break and train our own horses up for sale, aiming for good honest sales, (which we still pride ourselves on!) But when questioned if we'd take on a troubled horse for re-training, we agreed, never realising it would be the start of something big! We have and will continue to keep this a small family orientated business, not bringing in too many clients at one time - allowing the good respected amount of training per horse and not rushing them through - quality over quantity. And by setting and keeping these high standards, we hope to remain strong for years to come - just like our Oak. Thank you all again! - Blair A few photos of my early birthday pressie! Surprised by Scott and the kids, he told me today he was making shelves for the shed out of our lovely timber

03.01.2022 At the end of the day, remind yourself that you did the best you could today, and that is good enough. A ride on our Barkley to finish off my Thursday during the week.

02.01.2022 Archie, 5yo riding pony x welsh. Here to bring back under saddle after 12 months off. The day I led this fella down to the arena after being dropped off I knew I'd have my work cut out for me! He pushed and pulled and spun me round in a full circle nearly dislodging my shoulder and made a 2 minute stroll down there a 5 minute mission! ... So we've been working solely on groundwork - establishing some much needed manners, respect, patience and boundaries, so when we were to get on, he was not calling the shots. I will be doing some before and after vids down the track of his lunging transformation as I'm pretty pumped with how far he's come already!

01.01.2022 Nova on her first ride out of the roundyard and straight out the bush this morning before it got too hot! What - A - Legend As I said to her owner, it was as if I took out a 3yo breaker and come home with a 6yo. She took it all on so sensibly and just worked it all out as we went along. A bit hesitant to begin, but once she got marching out there was no stopping her!

01.01.2022 When the storm rolls in, the boys decide to play.