Meet Our Think Like a Pony Instructors
Emma Shirley
Location - Nottinghamshire
My name is Emma Shirley and since meeting Lynn and discovering the Think Like a Pony concept in 2008 my ‘horsey feet’ have not touched the ground! My experience with horses started at 11 with my first pony Jaffa and since then there has not been a point in my life where horses haven’t been involved.
My professional career started in 2007 with Gilliyan Carter of Equi-Therapy UK gaining my diploma in Equine Sports Massage Therapy. Whilst working as a therapist it was becoming apparent just how many people struggle with so many every day issues on everything from training through to foot care. This pushed me to take the next step in developing my skills enabling me to offer a more comprehensive service to my clients. There were many things I could have chosen to pursue but I figured we all share the same goal when it came to our horses - to be able to ride and achieve a trusting, safe and enjoyable partnership with them. Teaching horsemanship skills and riding became the next obvious thing to do.
In the early days I was taught to ride very ‘traditionally’ and if I’m being honest, never truly always made sense of what I was doing and more to the point why, I just got on with it and whilst ever the rosettes came in I figured nothing could be ‘too wrong’... It wasn’t until looking at it through the eyes of a therapist I realised just at what cost these rosettes were being achieved not only physically but mentally and emotionally too.
I discovered the Think Like a Pony concept back in 2008 and immediately loved everything about it; just watching one of Lynn’s demonstrations answered so many questions. I was so surprised how much I was unaware of on such a basic level, things that are now so obvious and simply second nature. I especially loved the way that so much information on everything from nutrition to correct saddle fitting was covered and delivered in a way that was accessible and understandable to everyone. I wasted no time and was working my way through the instructor levels immediately and even after the first day of my level one course things were changing for me, the ‘whys’ were being answered and I was so inspired! I was simply ‘thinking like a pony’ and starting to achieve with my horses a relationship and level of understanding I never thought possible.
Being an instructor and spreading the ‘Think Like a Pony’ word as far and wide as I can means the world to me. The growth I’ve made personally and the growth I see in others and their relationships with their horses and ponies makes me so happy and I’m honoured to be involved and flying the Think Like a Pony banner in my area. All I hope is that more people take the time to stop and think like a pony just as I did as it will truly rock your horsey world!
Contact Emma
Email: emmalshirley@btinternet.com - Tel: 07724 538 227
