Real-life 'whisperer' shows riders how

Kelly Marks, star of BBC-1's Barking Mad, was at the Osbaldeston Hall Farm Riding Centre, in Osbaldeston Lane, Osbaldeston, emulating the work of her mentor, the real-life horse whisperer Monty Roberts, who inspired the film starring Robert Redford.

Kelly said: "Since The Horse Whisperer became a household name, I've been trying to de-mystify the ideology and open the adventure up to anyone who wants to experience it.

"Although I'll be dealing with some of the most dangerous and difficult horses I can find as part of this UK tour, I'll be passing on secrets of the horse whisperer for all to use, with horses or not. I want to challenge the audience to think of themselves as students so as to get the best out of the evening."

Horse owners from all over Lancashire came to test Kelly's skills, with four horses chosen to take part -- Sassy, a three-year-old grey who had never worn a saddle; Milly, a four-and-a-half-year-old black who has a fear of the farrier and once kicked her rider unconscious; Kevin, a six-year-old big Apaloosa Clydesdale who bucks; and Chelsea, 13, who would not go into her horse box willingly. She nearly didn't arrive after refusing to load earlier in the day, which resulted in Kelly sending some of her students to lend a hand.

But first it was a demonstration with an older "horse" -- Kelly's assistant Ian -- to show people what signs to look for when training their horses, which range from the lowering of the head, to licking and chewing, to the horse "giving his ear" to the trainer. She then showed Monty's technique of "taking the shoulder by," where you break eye contact and move away from the horse to bring it to you, then circle it until it follows you.

The first real participant was a rather nervous Sassy, owned by Lisa Irvine of Garstang. After a few minutes of strokes Sassy had warmed to Kelly. To get the horse moving she whipped her long line on the ground. Kelly made eye contact with her and keep taking it away until she responded. On the fifth attempt, Sassy followed.

Throughout the evening Kelly coaxed all the horses using a unique style of making noises and flapping arms, mixed in with copious rubs, to gain the horses' trust.

After about 15 minutes Kelly had managed to get the saddle on to Sassy, but decided to use a head collar instead of a bridle. With rider Grant, she then demonstrated how to get a horse used to be mounted and soon Sassy was trotting round the demo area with Grant on her back, with the long line still attached.

Kelly said: "I have never done this with a long line in a demo before. It's a great learning experience, but you must do what's best for the horse."

Owner Lisa, who was accompanied by young son James, was delighted with the change in her horse.Next up was Milly, a four-and-a-half-year-old black, owned by Natalie Spall, 16, of Wigan. Milly was scared of farriers and badly injured Natalie two years ago when she kicked out and knocked her unconscious. Despite suffering broken ribs, a broken nose, cuts and bruises, Natalie refused to go to hospital until her beloved horse was recaptured. But Milly's fear of the farrier has got so bad that she tries to bolt if one visits the stables. Natalie said: "It's so bad now we cannot shoe her unless she is sedated, and it isn't healthy to keep doing that."

Kelly said: "I'm hoping to show techniques anyone can use to erase Milly's fear of having her hooves touched, so she doesn't need to be scared of the farrier in the future. Then, Milly's owner needs to find a sympathetic farrier that will take on board her fears."

After a few minutes of coaxing Milly using her techniques, Kelly had cracked it, and was able to lift the horse's feet again and again without it showing any signs of stress.

Natalie said: "I am absolutely gobsmacked. I just can't believe it."

Third was Kevin, ownd by Emma Mayor, of Wigan. She said: "Kevin likes to get his own way and bucks quite a lot." Kelly added: "This horse has major issues with bucking, particularly when you want him to go foward." On the night though, Kevin decided that bucking was not on the agenda, and just kept squealing when he had a rider on his back. Emma, though, was happy with the advice Kelly gave her on how to handle him in the future.

Last up was Chelsea, who at 13 was the oldest horse and would not willingly go into her box. Owner Janet Fenna, of Bolton, has had her for five years. Kelly showed Janet excercises for her to do with Chelsea. Janet said: "I've struggled with her since I got her and even had trouble getting her here because she wouldn't load. Kelly, though, had her walking in and out of her box without a care.Kelly said: " Problems like this occur sometimes when a horse is hit from behind with a stick. The old school tend to think that as horses are big animals you just hit them to get them to do what you want. But that is not the way."

Afterwards, Janet said: "I am really chuffed. Hopefully now I will be able to start showing Chelsea again. I highly recommend Kelly's methods."

The Intelligent Horsemanship team, set up by Kelly, has now taught over 3,000 students and the experience brings insight to the world of horses.

Her successes range from child showjumper to European championship jockey, representing Britain nine times and winning Ladies European Champion Jockey in Vienna in 1995; from teacher to horse whisperer and, more recently, writer to TV celebrity.

She has featured on Barking Mad for three years, as well as being the subject of a National Geographic documentary where programme makers challenged her to tame and ride a wild horse in just two days. She succeeded in one.

Kelly has also been a regular feature writer for two of the UK's largest equine publications, Horse and Rider and Pony, as well as publishing two of her own titles, including Creating a Bond with your Horse. Her third, which she is currently in the process of writing, promises to be her biggest and best yet.