Sarah Willies - Affinité Équine
-
About me :
My name is Sarah Willies.
My passion for horses started in 2015 when my mom adopted a 21 year old retired Mérens. I got on without hesitation. I took riding lessons and started galloping in the forest. It was that feeling of freedom that made me fall in love with horses.
I soon realized that riding with a bit and not having a real relationship with my horse was not what I wanted.
In 2016, I was lucky enough to get my first horse, Forest. Together we embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. With him, I discovered the Parelli Method and strengthened my knowledge of horses.
In 2017, I met my second horse, Shadow who was left wild with his herd until 18 months old when we had the opportunity to save him from going to the butcher. He taught be a lot on how to first observe before acting and to be more patient.
Later that year I immersed myself more deeply in ethology by attending several courses.
One of my first workshops was with Ludovic Fournet; an incredible experience. He encouraged me to pursue my desire to learn more about the true relationship between the horse and his partner. This is how I developed the desire to help others discover this special relationship with their horse, one of mutual harmony, trust and respect.
At the other workshops, I met Pauline Beulze, Matthias Geyson, and I was also fortunate enough to meet and learn from David Lichman and Andy Booth!
My family and I now live on our 6 hectare (14 acre) small holding where we have a sand school, paddock paradise system and soon a mountain trail.
It is in this calm and peaceful environment, as well as going to others that I have the pleasure of helping owners who may be experiencing difficulties, or who simply want to deepen their relationship with their horse.
I continue to work on improving my skills and knowledge by means of experience and education thru professional training with Maddison Shambaugh to further my knowledge in positive reinforcement and target training. I have already passed my Savoir 2 and am currently working on the next Savoir levels.
.jpg)
-
My Approach:
My approach with horses is to build a solid relationship based on trust, respect and love. Communication, knowledge of the horse's needs, observation and understanding are at the center of my actions so that the horse is respectful, calm and confident.
Therefore, my method is called ethological or horsemanship, I adapt according to the various behaviors that horses will develop by nature, I always work at their pace. For example, as humans, we have to be careful not to look like a predator who wants to seize a prey.
I look for each horse to express itself in its personality and to flourish in its relationship with humans. I leave the choice to the horses.
Harmony exists if the horse has learned the right behaviors, especially at a young age.
It is good to ask yourself: what kind of person do I have to be for my horse to want to be with me?
What I do is only part of his well-being. Indeed, it will be necessary to take into account the whole of the factors around him: way of life, food, physical care.
It is above all a questioning of our part!