Johanna Paxton

Johanna brings with her over 45 years experience with horses, not only as a very successful competitor, past breeder of Andalusian Horses, past judge and current NCAS Level 1 Dressage Coach, but also from training and working with other highly regarded professionals such as Manolo Mendez - her first mentor into the art of riding and training young horses, Nuno Oliviera (a couple of lessons before his passing), Jose Mendez, Matthew Ryan for Show Jumping, Rosie Ryan for competitive dressage training, Garry Clarke (ex-student of Nuno) to refine the art of classical training & riding, Peter Shaw “A” level Dressage Judge & Lvl 3 Coach, Pip & John Cooper and several international trainers. She also holds a Diploma in Equine Therapeutic Acupuncture and is an accredited Massage Therapist, Reflexologist and Reiki Level 2 practitioner.
 

With Johanna’s never ending thirst for knowledge, she began to study the biomechanics of equine and human movement more closely and when combined with the Classical training of horse and rider the partnership becomes whole and produces lightness and ease of movement. Johanna is able to help horse riders develop a better seat and a better understanding of their equine partners by teaching them how to be more observant when they interact with their horses. She also teaches students how to prepare their horses and themselves with simple suppling and stretching exercises before and after they ride, using some simple and easy to learn stretching exercises to help prepare the neck for downward and lateral flexion as well as transitions, circles and lateral exercises. By helping the rider to learn visual cues they are better able to maintain rhythm, bend and flex autonomously. By making the whole experience of connection with the horse a pleasant one the partnership becomes united and the arguments become less and less.

When first studying for her Diploma in Equine Acupuncture she was able to practice many of the treatments on her own dressage horse following an injury to his deep digital flexor tendon and was able to remedy the potential lifelong lameness. She has been able to treat and assist many riders and their horses with recovery and return to competition successfully. Johanna believes it is important that training is not aimed at rapidly achieving the execution of a particular movement without a progressive plan set out from week to week to improve flexibility, strength and extent of movement in both horse and rider so that they can both achieve the essence of suppleness. The arching of the neck in a ‘supple’ horse allows bit contact, but without properly conditioned lateral muscles, forced arching of the neck will result in tightening of the shoulders, chest and back muscles, creating excessive tension and resistant behaviour.

Johanna also believes that horses benefit greatly from an ongoing maintenance program whether it is having regular lessons or with acupuncture and massage treatments several times a year just to tune up their systems, even if no injuries have occurred during this period. It is always a good measuring tool to have outside eyes on your horse over time as riders are all too often too close to the subject to be objective in their training and posture. By teaching the rider to feel movement, sitting quietly and feeling she is able to create a picture of understanding with the rider on how the horse is feeling making a connection of being a rider rather than being a passenger. In partnership with her husband Ian (Business Manager & Consultant), they have established Karalben Riding School & Stables and a Complementary & Alternative Health Services Practice which is developing a strong private client base. The practice encompasses Classical Training of Horse & Rider from beginner to advanced, Horse agistment, Equine Acupuncture & Body Work, Therapeutic Massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Reiki.

With an holistic approach to equine training/therapy and human therapy they understand the importance of working in harmony with other qualified professionals such as veterinarians, farriers, equine body workers, human TCM Acupuncturists and Naturopaths in an overall approach to good health for man and beast. “Harmony between the body, mind and spirit is essential as no single element can work alone”