New Equido Study Centre
This year Equido will soon be part of the Argyll College curriculum and students on the West Coast will be able to study at both the College and a new Equitation Centre soon to be opening.
Latest news is that Equido will also be launched this year in Spain as an alternative qualification and we are looking forwards to working with our Spanish contacts to develop the system in their country. Recent press coverage includes the following:-
“The Courier, 4th August 2009″
Equine centre opening defies downturn
SCOTLAND’S LEADING natural horsemanship yard will be offering students yet another opportunity to study Equido on the West Coast of Scotland.
Industry-accredited Ross Dhu Equestrian, which has its original base in Larkhall, helps horses overcome their emotional and behavioural problems and is not letting the economic downturn affect its success as its waiting list of clients increases and staff recruitment is at an all time high.
Defying the recession, the company has increased from just one member of staff in 2004 to five today, and has worked alongside and trained major organisations such as Scotland’s animal welfare charity the Scottish SPCA on how to handle large animals.
Enjoying a reputation as the leading rehabilitation yard from the home of Super Vets, the veterinary centre in Liphook, Ross Dhu work to provide an environment for horses recovering from severe injuries, as well as training equestrian owners on how to communicate with their animals.
Built five years ago by best-selling author, Morag Higgins and her husband Mark, the centre offers an opportunity for horses to be housed and students to study a comprehensive training method and system that has been tailored by Ross Dhu Equestrian’s 30 years of experience to bridge the language barrier between horse and rider.
Catering for beginner and advanced levels, a fast track level one option has recently been set up due to high demand, which helps eager students qualify in a short space of time, particularly useful if they are in full-time employment and can only study during holiday periods.
The system teaches how to use control and balance to influence a horse’s movements and state of mind. Two of Ross Dhu’s students have recently fully qualified as Equido level fourtrainers. Fifty students are enrolled on the course and two colleges and universities have shown interest in taking on Equido as part of their curriculum.
Morag said, “The further opportunities to study Equido at different centres throughout Scotland is a response to the long waiting list we currently have and is definitely a good strategic step for the business. “Ross Dhu was built with the sole aim of meeting the needs of the horses and their owners and we have set the standards for natural horsemanship yardswe’re thrilled with the progress we’ve made from being a small business to getting to where we are today and just hope the students keep coming.”
Looking forward to the future, Ross Dhu will be carrying out training clinics around Scotland to demonstrate their methods and techniques. Morag has been recognized as top alternative professional trainer and has been involved in lecturing trainee vets from the Royal Dick Veterinary Hospital.
Equido is a detailed and comprehensive training methodology and system designed and developed by Ross Dhu Equestrian.
This system gives the student the unique chance to qualify in an alternative training system based on Natural Horsemanship philosophy.
Equido is open to all students irrespective of their learning capeablilities or physical challenges. We endevour to cater for any special learning requirements and our courses can be customised to the students needs. For Example you can qualfiy under the following categories:-
Equido Academic - Theory based only with little or no practical handling skills required (ideal for physically impared students).
Equido Groundwork Instructor - Full qualification for non-riding students ideal for those students who do not wish to be advanced riders.
Equido Full Instructor - Full qualification including ridden requirements to an advanced level for chosen discipline.
We also understand that flexability is required when it comes to offering study times for students, to this end we at Equido are available to you the student seven days a week from 9.00am - 5.00pm and we can also arrange evening training from 6.00pm - 9.00pm at a date and time that suits you.
Other Services Offered
We also have mobile instructors who are able to travel to you and your horse to assist with your training needs. This does not need to be related to Equido but can be geared towards specific requirements i.e. difficult to catch, load, lead, etc.
We also have very limited availablity for your horse to come to us to be trained using Equido methods.

