About Morag Higgins

Hi, my name is Morag Higgins and I wish to bring to the people of Scotland a new and exciting concept in horse training. I was the Intelligent Horsemanship’s Recommended Associate for Scotland for four years and now I have developed an independent system that builds on the principles of Natural Horsemanship.

I have been riding now for over 34yrs and teaching for 26 of those years. I have had the privilege to have known and worked with many, many horses in my career and although I have always felt that they was something new to learn from every horse, it was only recently that I found a path to follow where I could for once truly listen to what they were saying.

I have had a very varied riding career, having participated in several disciplines such as jumping, dressage, one day eventing, showing and now western riding. I look back at the horses I have known and feel humble to have been taught by them.

I had a very traditional training and was myself a very traditional trainer and rider. This held me in good stead for the years of competition in strict disciplines, but through it all I felt I was always seeking more. When my old horse died I vowed I would never have another horse nor ride again, the pain I felt at her passing after being her constant companion for 20yrs was almost too much to bear. However, all those who knew me knew different.

A year after Bruja died my husband bought a sweet and cocky little 2yr old coloured cob who changed my life forever. This little guy was bursting with attitude and had a fiery temper to boot. I knew he would be a super little competition horse, but also knew that his temper, if provoked could make him volatile and explosive.

A couple of weeks after Brogan arrived I was watching a QED program about a Cowboy called Monty Roberts. I was amazed by what I saw. I immediately contacted his organisation and asked where I could learn his methods. He immediately put me in touch with Kelly Marks and the Intelligent Horsemanship Association and so I started on the journey of Natural Horsemanship. I began my studies with the Intelligent Horsemanship Association in 1999 and qualified 2yrs later becoming the first person in Scotland to do so. I was made the Recommended Associate for Scotland in 2002 and continued in this role for four years.

Over the years I learned so much from the troubled horses I was working with and I began to build on and expand the techniques I had been shown. The moment of real revelation came when I had the really good fortune to ride on a clinic with top American trainer Mr Mark Rashid in 2005. I was truley inspired. Mark Rashid is not only an exceptional horseman but human being as well. A fellow Martial Artist, I instantly understood his ethos and he has been the real inspiration that has guided me down the path leading to the development of the Equido Training system.

I have taken the next step in this incredible journey by opening my yard in Hamilton. This has allowed me to work with horses in a custom built environment designed for their safety and for the optimum learning experience.

I have now developed a complete system that builds on those principles laid down by Natural Horsemanship and takes it to the next level by developing Equido.

This system is easy to learn and available to all who wish to attend. It has the full backing and support of Mark Rashid and has been endorsed by the LANTRA and is therefore a recognised qualification.

I know that those of you who set out on this journey will all grow as human beings and riders by applying these principles and I look forward to meeting you all in the near future.