does anyone know of any vacancies in the area for pony to go on a refresher course after long break from work (not enough time due to youngster and work)
The young lad who rides out for me might be able to take him/her from the end of January. He is very light and very competant! PM me if you would like his details - I highly recommend him!
I'd say be careful who you use and go on recommendation. If you have your own facilities (i.e. a school), I can recommend the guy who is doing some schooling with my mare on her canter. He is an excellent rider and my instructor (who he is a dressage pupil with, but he also works for himself schooling peoples horses) is putting him in for a BD dressage talent spotting thing this year.
A lot of freelance instructors will also school horses. Louise Smales takes horses for schooling, but her area of expertise is Eventing. It depends what you want specifically. Just, as I say, be careful who you use. There are several people who advertise locally who I would avoid - you want him schooled not ruined if you know what I mean!
I took a horse to Claire Pinkey (Westpark Equestrian Services), she has a very nice way with horses and I saw some others she had backed and they all looked very well done. My boy was there 3 weeks and was very well cared for.
She's an eventer/showjumper but the standard of flatwork I saw at the yard was excellent.
I contacted her from a recommendation off my equine physio.