Testimonials

Would you spot that my lovely chestnut horse, Finn has Cushing’s syndrome? The vet didn’t but Vicki suggested he might and when he was tested it was confirmed! Vicki is so much more than just a riding instructor. I booked her for a lesson after seeing an advert on the internet. Her support and advice has been invaluable to me over the last couple of years. She has vastly improved my daughter’s riding and relationship with her pony and that’s no easy task as my daughter has mild/moderate autism. She has improved my confidence no end and I would thoroughly recommend her to anyone. Even if you can’t afford regular lessons it is worth making a start with Vicki. She looks at the whole picture, not just your riding, and the things she teaches stay with you - you even get homework! She has helped me with lunging and long lining of my young horse and given me confidence there too; I know if I carry on using Vicki’s methods I will have a fantastic riding horse there soon. Unlike many freelance instructors, Vicki does not talk on her phone whilst she is teaching and does not cancel at the last minute; you and your horse have her undivided attention for the whole of your lesson which sometimes runs over but is never cut short. Paula King.

Vicky Jayne is hugely insightful and so encouraging, often identifying issues which block the relationship and other times confirming what I already know deep down but have (to my shame) chosen to ignore, thus impacting on the trusting relationship between me and Bee.
In a matter of 10 days since my last lesson, Bee now offers trot in self carriage, I believe Bee is quite relieved that the “penny has finally dropped” with me. The difference is astounding. There is no harsh riding, no pulling her into an outline, simply Bee responding to my verbal request. This is only one outcome from the 3 lessons I have had with Vicky Jayne, she has been to me, exactly as she styles herself: Inspirational. Thank you Vicky Jayne. Sue Thomas 

If anyone is thinking: Should I find out more about Natural Horsemanship? DO IT. Vicki is wonderful and has changed me and my beautiful Ibis so much since I met her. I can't praise her enough. Than you. Jacqueline Skey  

My horse JJ and I really enjoy working with Vicki Jayne - she has helped us make huge progress - JJ has gone from a stroppy, very large horse to one who is enjoying life and going out jumping British Novice classes. It is very important to follow up lessons with Vicki Jayne with hard work at home! Clare G Thompson

I met Vicki Jayne Maris 17 years ago when she was a young and very competent instructor at a riding school. I was nearing retirement age, and I arrived at the riding school as a hopeful first time rider, very nervous and apprehensive. Vicki Jayne took me in hand and soon opened up a new world for me. She found me the right horse and she worked with me at my pace (which was a bit slow). She helped me face up to my fears and address them and gradually I progressed through the various stages to being able to hack out on roads and through bridle paths and fields. Whenever I encounter a problem, as we all do when we are out, appropriate words from Vicki Jayne come back into my mind and I am able to get myself and my horse back under control.

Vicki Jayne is an inspirational teacher who understands horses and people. She works with skill and compassion for both, encouraging riders to work with their horses gently but firmly. She instructs clearly, succinctly, and stays along side, encouraging and explaining in easily understandable words – she doesn’t get “technical” until the rider fully comprehends the “language”. This was very helpful to me.  

Vicki Jayne has recently given me a course in Natural Horsemanship which is brilliant. This is a field which Vicki Jayne, as a freelance instructor, is very experienced and has achieved amazing results. 

I cannot speak too highly about Vicki Jayne and her teaching methods. She is an outstanding, very experienced and professional teacher – and she has a great sense of humour which is a tremendous help when life gets tricky. Betty Simpson

I started having lessons with Vicki over 12 months ago, myself and my horse Simba were stuck in a rut where we were both demotivated with me constantly having to nag him and work really hard to get him moving forward. Additionally we both hated schooling and avoided it like the plague. He was fed up, unwilling and getting little enjoyment out of our hacks.
 
Oh how things have changed! Vicki has revamped my attitude and riding completely resulting in a horse that now strides out, ears forward, takes an interest in everything that's going on - sometimes a little too much! And all with the minimum amount of effort from me, no more tired legs and red face.

Even in the school he is willing, anticipating the next instruction from me and genuinely trying with anything new that is put his way, I may even try a dressage test at some point, something I would never even have considered. On hacks his schoolwork really comes through, I think he knows how amazing he looks so likes to show off - that's the only conclusion I can come to because I don't even ask, he just offers. 

Well I have had the most brilliant lesson today with Vicki Jayne. Cheesy grin. Minimum effort, maximum results and a very happy pony! Genuinely cannot recommend this woman enough.....feel free to share with anyone needing a good instructor! Excellent natural horsemanship instructor - even in howling wind and horizontal rain Simba worked a treat at the weekend, these methods absolutely work. I can't recommend Vicki highly enough, she has patience and understanding in industrial quantities. Estelle Robinson

When I met Vicki Jayne I had owned my mare Grace for just under one year, never been to a show and hadn't got a lot of confidence in jumping, but jumping was what I really wanted to do. I knew very little about striding and the technical side of it and my mare, even though very experienced, would run around a course at home as fast as she could, knocking down the odd pole here and there with me holding on! Vicki Jayne spent time helping us to become a team, explaining to me why she may react in certain ways and helped me work out her striding. If she had not have helped us we would not have got to compete as soon as we did and I would not have found my confidence. Emily Marlow 

I decided to get in touch with Vicki Jayne because I wanted to ride Harvey in ‘a kinder way’. I really didn’t want to kick him anymore! For me my relationship with Harvey is all-important. Vicki Jayne really helps to strengthen this; both in the saddle and on the ground, really taking it to a different level; I’d say a true bond.  As a new rider Vicki Jayne has really helped me to gain in confidence and really have fun with Harvey. She never pushes you to do things you don’t want to but gives you courage to try things that perhaps you may not of thought of doing. After our lessons I come away thinking wow! Harvey has been struggling to work in an outline and have good head carriage but with lots of support from Vicki Jayne he is beginning to work it out! He is learning that it is more fun to have more go than whoa. Thanks a million Vicki Jayne. Louise Hunt and Harvey

We have had several lessons with Vicki and her advice and help have been invaluable, we have seen great improvements in a very short space of time. Our Thoroughbred ex racer Hero can be a bit spooky and Vicki has shown us techniques to help him and us overcome his and our nerves. She is extremely supportive and encouraging and has focused on helping us build a positive relationship with our horse. She has shown us new ways to ride which make for a much more relaxed time for us all! I can't recommend her training methods enough and we will be continuing with our lessons for a long time I am sure. Vicki always works at our pace and never pushes us to do anything out of our comfort zone, our horse loves her too and is always ready for a cuddle from her! Our lessons with Vicki are always fun and we always come away feeling very positive. Emma and Jon Barnes.  

You and your horse are never too old to learn something new. At 70 I have found my lessons with Vicki Jayne mentally stimulating. They have given me a new dynamic approach to riding. I have learnt to recognise and appreciate subtle responses from myself and my horse. This refinement and thoughtful style of riding is far more rewarding and it has strengthened the communication between me and my horse. My relationship with my horse is always put first. I can only thank this opportunity late in life to be taught by such a caring and supportive tutor. Marie Nock  

Vicki Jayne has played a big part in getting my Horse Branston back into work. I first noticed a problem when Branston started rearing when I tried to ride him. This was totally out of character. Vicki Jayne suggested that I should have a physiotherapist look at him before we tried to continue working him.  I was introduced to Katherine Welland of Oakland’s physiotherapy.

Katherine gave Branston a thorough examination. Well worth the money. I was advised by both Katherine and Vicki Jayne on how to work with Branston in order to correct the problems. Vicki Jayne also gave me plenty of ideas for ground work so that we both didn’t get too bored! Thank you so much for the help and support from you both. Two gems who I would recommend any time. Sarah Bradshaw

I purchased Guinness a very green cob in 2004. He didn’t know a thing e.g. leg aids or steering. I wouldn’t have purchased such a green horse if I hadn’t got Vicki’s support.  With regular lessons and encouragement from Vicki we started with the basics and from that Guinness and I have gone from strength to strength. We managed to put in a respectable performance doing dressage. We also enjoy jumping. I have learnt many new techniques. This includes groundwork she introduced me to natural horsemanship techniques and helped me to master lunging and long reining. My riding style is now refined and in tune with my horse. Guinness has become a responsive forward going willing partner. I also received valuable advice from Vicki on foot care, feeding and day to day stuff. You feel comfortable to ask any question. Sarah Weir 

I met Vicki about 12 months ago, when I was starting to think about riding again following a serious fall which resulted in a head and neck injury. My confidence was at an all-time low and I was a little bit at a loss with how I would keep Jake, my left brained introvert Irish Sports Horse occupied.

Vicki came out and agreed with my doctor’s opinion that riding again carried too much of a risk, but suggested I might like to try working with Jake on the ground, and learning Natural Horsemanship techniques. 12 months on we are having so much fun, devising new techniques to keep my ever inquisitive friend amused, along with working with my other three horses.

Vicki is friendly, professional and a great source of information for all of my horses problems, together we have worked to overcome my little Section A’s aversion to lunging and whips of any sort, my daughter’s Arab’s tendency to barge into you when you were trying to lunge him, and Vicki and my 13 year old granddaughter have now started my two year old colt on his journey toward being broken using Natural Horsemanship techniques.  She is honest and patient, and always gives so much of herself into our lessons. Thank you so much Vicki, without your help and advice I would probably have given in to pressure to sell my horses. Chris Hopkins

I became interested in natural horsemanship several years ago after a lifetime of using traditional methods. I was sure there must be a better way to train horses to want to be your partner rather than a forced relationship. I consider I have found the most wonderful tutor in Vicki Jayne. My highland mare Missy is now my partner she responds willingly and trusts me to be her leader. Vicki is a very patient and caring tutor and has help me in many areas in my life although I have only known her for a year what would I do without her. Thank you so much Vicki. Margaret Warner.