Equstar training and Karraba Arabian stud are located in the "Garden of Eden", beautiful Kent in the UK. On a 850 estate near Royal Tunbridge Wells, surrounded by mature trees and hedgerows.

Here horses are turned out all year and actually live out the majority of the time. Something that is encouraged by Michelle and Phil the force behind "Equstar".

They feel strongly that allowing the horses to fulfil their natural desires to  graze, trickle feed, and move freely results in happier, fitter, healthier and mentally well-balanced individuals. Such a lifestyle in return vastly reduces so many of the problems that permeate the equine world such as lameness, colic and many so called stable vices such as cribbing, weaving, wind-sucking and box-walking.

A place where as one client has commented: "Horses are allowed to be Horses"

A Young Professional

Our training methods are based upon commonsense, experience and understanding and empathy with how horses perceive the world.

We tailor our training to each horses needs, taking into account issues such as individual character and previous life experiences, using quiet sympathetic methods and proceeding at a pace appropriate to each horse.

We do not believe that stringently adhering to a set methodology is appropriate, as such blinkered, dogmatic approaches cause problems for so many horses. The result being that the horse is seen to be at fault for not complying with a method of training as apposed to the method of training being examined and found to be at fault.

Happy, horse confident with his handler

The foundation of all training is on the ground, horses look to us for Confidence, and we must be clear in the signals that we give them. Distinguishing between fear, lack of confidence, and misunderstanding what is required.

Or, on the other hand "naughtiness" and challenging behaviour is crucial, it is the inability to determine this that leads to many problems crucially a confused horse.

We train horses at all stages, from youngsters requiring basic handling to backing, schooling on, teaching them to jump through to those who need rehabilitation.

We believe that all processes should be interesting and fun as well as educational, allowing horses to be partners in the training process not merely the subject. Willing pupils who make positive choices for themselves will become happy communicative individuals as opposed to automatons who merely go through the motions.

Spending time with your horse in their environment is crucial in the development of a trusting partnership, merely "being" with them as opposed to always doing something to soon.

We do not believe in taking short cuts or the use of "gadgets". Items such as draw reins, pressure halters and the vast array of "training systems" that pull and push horses into an artificial outline can be incredibly detrimental.

Having "put right" many horses who have been subjected to such methods we have a great understanding of the physical and psychological damage that they can do.

In reality they are only quick fixes, and items such as pressure halters do not make for an intelligent approach to horsemanship.

Our training methods centre around, communication, trust, partnership and common sense - clear training.

Violence, aggressive and force under any guise should never be tolerated.

Even Your Little Ones Can Train To Ride