All about ponies

When it comes to horses you would have to go a long way to find anybody with more experience than Marg Robinson. Marg, who has lived in the Wairarapa for thirty years, has been with horses all her life. In the 1990s her husband’s work took them to Malaysia where she obtained positions at stables and riding schools. These had extremely rich owners with really nice horses which were given the very best of care and attention. “I learned heaps” Marg commented. She also rode the horses competitively winning a world cup competition.

They them moved to the U.K. where Marg managed a combined riding school and livery. The next move was to Jordan, by then Marg had gained her Grade One Equine Qualification. The stable was owned by a Jordanian princess and catered for the Ambassadors stationed in Jordan and had ‘only the very best horses.’

On returning to New Zealand Marg studied for and gained a Degree in Fine Arts.

Marg’s equine philosophy is; “develop a harmonious partnership, a horse is always going to be a horse, it’s not a machine. You learn a lot about yourself, it’s about patience, about reading the horse, it’s about partnership with your horse – it’s a light bulb moment when you suddenly get it.

“A horse is a great teacher, you learn responsibility and self restraint, it’s no use having a meltdown and blaming the pony for doing wrong when the pony doesn’t know what you want it to do – that’s miscommunication”.

Marg has decided to share her skill and knowledge from her Te Maire Road property. “Primarily I focus on sitting properly, position is all important for the pony’s balance and for the ability to pass on what you as the rider wants it to do. It’s about developing patience, learning to read the horse “ she explains. The aim is to help both rider and horse, horse riding is about partnership. It’s about looking after the pony’s wellbeing as well as learning to ride correctly – and then moving on to acquiring further skills.

Some ponies tend to be slow learners, Marg is happy to take such horses for a period of patient schooling as well. “It’s no use being cruel when a pony isn’t understanding, as I have said, no matter a horse is still going to be a horse”. Anybody interested in what Marg has to offer or wanting further information can contact Marg at 021 189 6930 or Email: marg@robinson.net.nz