Who am I ?

Using the love of travel to serve the passion for horses.

Maud Cappelle - Equinhelp (Normandy)

Maud,
horse behaviorist

French Stud Book

Originally from Normandy (France), I have been immersed in the equestrian universe for over 37 years and now I work remotely from Melbourne, Australia

Particularly attracted to horses

I commenced my entrepreneurship in 2018, training as an equine behaviourist after learning the Parelli‘s Method along with different Eventing and Show Jumping riders. I like to assist horse owners in educating or re-training their horse(s)

  • Teaching them to pick up their feet;
  • Trailer/float loading;
  • Starting with basic ground skills to prepare for work under saddle;
  • Gentle breaking.

In addition to all this support, I occasionally relocate horses for international transport companies, most often with HGV.

Thanks to all the small tasks with horses that I took on before deciding what to do with my life, I quickly realized that the equestrian world can be a difficult place for a woman; I was convinced it would be wise to go with a more secure career.

My route to natural horsemanship

A compromise between passion and reason

After finishing my Business studies, the opportunities available saw me evolve into computer science, where I still am today. Despite these setbacks, neither Business School nor my Functional Consultant career have prevented me from continuing to live my equine passion. I have always managed to pursue opportunities that hone my skills and water my love of these animals, persistently aiming towards becoming a “horsewoman”.

In order to keep improving, I stopped my main activity twice:

  • First in 2005 when I had the opportunity to be with one of the UK’s best steeplechase trainers in David Pipe.
  • Then in 2014 split between working as a student of “horse whispering” in the United States on South Carolina’s Eventing naturally, and in New Zealand with Kate Hewlett & Tim Featherstone.

The breaking point

It was after discovering and finally knowing these so-called “natural horsemanship” methods – I created my own business to share my knowledge and help fellow horse owners. My goal is not to show all the possible and imaginable exercises but to direct and assist towards those which apply best to the issues encountered. 

Running free, or under saddle, we forget all too often, the movements we should make; what we need to observe or correct in the horse, and how hard to push according to the defined goals.

The amazing people I met and what I learnt out of them

Various experiences overseas incredibly rich

Drawn by travelling and foreign languages, I was delighted by my first big trip to Australia at the tender age of 15. 

I discovered very diverse worlds: whilst visiting a hotel in Andalusia, South Spain (Hotel de la Sierpe) where I rode Pure Spanish bred horses as their guest; likewise at the prestigious Thoroughbred Stud Farms in Ireland (Tally Ho Stud) where my colleague was directly from the Spanish Riding School.

What better place to learn natural horsemanship than the United States, with a former apprentice of Pat & Linda (an Linda) Parelli, who was willing to share her knowledge based on theories built from scientific studies of animal behavior (ethology).

My ultimate accomplishment was to be able to jump bridleless with 2 sticks in place of the standard string, a moment that I will keep in memory forever.

Soon after, I was off to New Zealand with two show jump riders: all their horses barefoot, ridden in halter (except in competition) and managed in herds. In addition to the breath-taking landscapes in NZ, I enjoyed learning how to ride a horse with the perfect rein pressure, even whilst in halter. This was priceless!

What are my goals today?

How natural horsemanship completely transformed me

These discoveries and experiences have definitely transformed me. 

Now I am capable of:

  • Distinguishing leadership from authority; 
  • Controlling my emotions and demeanor to improve one’s body language;
  • Ensuring messages I send are clear;
  • Overcoming frustration and anger.
Hunter and natural horsemanship