Jonathan Parrott Equestrian Services

Backing & Schooling

Jonathan has extensive experience backing and schooling young horses and has successfully backed horses intended for a variety of disciplines including race horses, show jumpers, eventers, show horses and general all-rounders.

Whilst backing a young horse Jonathan spends time ensuring they have established ground work before getting on their back, largely using long reining. This ensures the young horse understands verbal commands and is familiar with the use of the reins for steering. He works sympathetically and at the horse own pace ensuring they are comfortable with each phase of the process before taking the next step.

Since starting his business, Jonathan has backed horses of all shapes and sizes from a 13.2hh Fell Pony, to a traditional coloured stallion, a Highland pony, Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods and a variety of crosses - all destined for different disciplines.

The black and white traditional stallion seen in these two pictures was backed in November 2005 and the pictures were taken just 1 week after backing. Jonathan cannot guarantee such quick results with every horse, as each one is different, but it does demonstrate that whatever type of horse you breed or buy - Jonathan can back it to a very high standard.

The upper picture on the left is of a 4 year old Stallion, by Polling. This picture was taken just a couple of weeks after backing. Hector remains living with Jonathan and is starting his BSJA career.

The lower picture on the left is of a 5 year old warmblood bought by Jonathan, unbroken in September 2005. The picture was taken only a month after backing and the horse progressed to jumping affiliated British Novice/Discovery by December. Russ has now been sold to a talented young rider, coming off ponies, and he is quickly progressing with her through the classes, jumping 1.10m in early 2007 with great results.

Jonathan will also take horses for schooling. He will work on flat work, jumping or both. Although specialising in young horses, he will also consider re-schooling of older horses. Jonathan places particular emphasis on building a horse's confidence over show jumps and cross country fences as well as in their general schooling,

Whilst Jonathan is willing to school any horse, he is also keen that when the horse returns to its owner, they too should be able to continue the process and Jonathan will usually ask the rider/owner to come to the yard and ride the horse before it returns home. After all - there is little point in owning a horse that goes beautifully for someone else - but not for you.