Amber’s horsemanship style revolves around understanding and honouring the horse’s nature as a prey animal. She believes that to be a skilled horseman, you must first comprehend that the horse’s wariness and caution stem from its instinct for survival. “His fear is part of his instinct to survive,” Amber emphasises, underscoring the importance of empathy in working with horses. Understanding this fundamental aspect of the horse’s nature is key to developing a meaningful and productive partnership.
So, heading into the round pen at EQUITANA Melbourne for The Way Of The Horse, these are going to be her core focuses.
ALLOWING HER HORSE AND HERSELF TIME TO START FROM THE BEGINNING
Amber’s approach will start with recognising that every horse is unique, with individual strengths and challenges, and uncovering these will be at the core of her first session. “Each horse is unique and individual. I’ll Let him tell me where he’s good, where he’s bad, and where he needs help,” she explains. This philosophy of listening to the horse is at the core of her training. Instead of imposing a rigid method, she encourages letting the horse guide the process, working with it rather than against it.
Her training philosophy is grounded in patience and presence. For Amber, building a solid partnership with this horse is not about rushing the process, but rather about being mindful and allowing the horse to learn and respond at its own pace. “Be patient and present with your horse,” she says, always emphasising the importance of real-time learning, where both horse and trainer engage in a continuous dialogue.
FOCUS ON THE HORSE’S NEEDS
One of the hallmarks of Amber’s horsemanship is her ability to stay attuned to the horse’s needs. She explains that she is constantly “working on myself for my horse,” recognizing that personal growth and self-awareness as a trainer are essential to the horse’s progress. She will apply a hands-on approach that helps her horse take their first step on the TWOTH journey, ensuring that they feel supported and understood.
Amber’s focus on movement is also central in her approach. She believes that “moving the feet first” helps a horse physically and mentally step into this new experience of learning something new and overcoming this challenge. Through this method, the horse becomes an active participant in its training, rather than a passive follower.
SHE’LL LET HER HORSE TEACH HER
A striking aspect of Amber’s philosophy is her belief in the horse’s ability to teach the trainer as much as the trainer teaches the horse. “Let the horse teach and tell you as much as you will ever teach or tell them,” she explains. This reciprocal relationship between the horse and trainer is essential for creating the trust and harmony we will see on display between Amber and her horse.
BUILDING TRUST AND A PARTNERSHIP
During TWOTH, Amber will focus on building trust and a partnership with the horse she works with. She stresses the importance of establishing a solid foundation early, before moving onto more advanced training. “For me at EQUITANA, it will be working on getting the horses to trust me, building on that partnership, and working together to get a solid foundation,” she notes.
In each session, Amber’s goal is for the horse to remain focussed on her, even when distractions arise. Rather than disciplining the horse if it becomes distracted, she offers an alternative. “If he gets distracted, instead of disciplining him, I give him something to do. Change things and always allow him time to think and respond.” This adaptive approach keeps the horse engaged and willing, helping to create a positive learning environment.
Amber’s final message is one of patience and continuous learning. “Always take your time to learn from the horse,” she advises. By giving the horse time to think and respond, she fosters a learning environment that prioritises mutual respect and understanding. Through her work, Amber Scriven exemplifies the philosophy that true horsemanship is not about control, but about partnership, patience, and trust.
