Breaking & Schooling
Experienced in horse breaking and schooling, John and Matthew Leigh at Pocket Nook Farm have 70 years combined experience in training a wide variety of horses. Drawing from this wealth of skill and knowledge, your horse will receive a gentle and un-rushed education, perfectly tailored to his or her individuality and needs. Offering professionalism and friendliness in equal measure, John and Matthew use sensitive training techniques and incremental lessons to allow you to ultimately enjoy the full potential of your horse.
Want to hear what our clients have to say, read our testimonials here.
Equine Behavioural Experts
No two horses are the same and neither are the behavioural issues your horse may present. Over the decades we’ve handled an array of different and challenging issues, as well as commonly occurring behaviours.
Understanding why your horse behaves the way they do is essential to changing their behaviour. Maybe your horse won’t load on the trailer or reacts badly when you ride, John and Matthew will work carefully with you and your horse to help overcome these issues and equip you with the knowledge and techniques to transform once stressful scenarios.
We utilise our extensive past experience to correct a range of different behavioural ‘problems’. Whether your horse is displaying a learned behaviour, or it is the result of circumstance, find out how John and Matthew can help restore the trust and confidence between you and your horse.
Our Approach
We do not believe in rushing the process or over-facing your horse at Pocket Nook Farm. Our approach to horse breaking is rooted in training without fear, pain and stress. John and Matthew use gentle techniques, incremental lessons and appropriate progressions to yield effective results. Our training encompasses everything from desensitisation to sole hacking, to varying weather conditions and encounters that may ‘spook’ your horse, so that when he or she returns, you can eliminate the stress and begin to enjoy your horse again.
We’ll personally keep you updated regularly with text messages, photographs, emails and videos throughout the entire process. We also encourage you to come for a guided first ride when your horse is ready where we’ll be on hand to answer any questions you may have. We are always available to offer expert support and guidance, even after your horse has left us.
The Leigh family have been working with horses at Pocket Nook for three generations. We draw upon our wealth of experience, skill and knowledge to provide you with trusted, honest and highly skilled service.
John Leigh pictured as a boy
Our Facilities
We have an extensive range of facilities at Pocket Nook Farm, making it the ideal setting for training your young or problem horse. Located in the North-West of England situated within easy reach of Manchester, Liverpool, Warrington, Wigan and St Helens, your horse will be in the very best care in our capable hands. As we live on site, frequent, regular and late night checks come as standard at our small, friendly and stress-free yard.
The welfare, comfort and security of your horse is of the utmost importance while they are in our care. At Pocket Nook Farm there is someone on site 24/7 (including our on-site equine vet) along with CCTV and well-maintained stables. We are confident your horse will settle within no time, even if he or she has never been stabled before.
As your horse will be working hard both mentally and physically, we ensure his or her needs are met with the appropriate amount of food. We source our hay from our local farmer and with regular deliveries it never sits around for long. If your horse has specific requirements, speak to us and we’ll be happy to help accommodate these for you.
A Family Business
We pride ourselves on our excellent reputation and honest, transparent service. That’s why we’ll never outsource the working of your horse to any other rider. All horses are worked exclusively by John and Matthew Leigh, both of whom will provide regular progress updates and expert advice throughout. As a small and friendly family business, your horse will be looked after like one of our own, so you can relax knowing he or she is receiving the best possible care and attention.