In the equestrian world, expertise and experience are fundamental qualities to be considered when evaluating a horse trainer. This is where Susanne Grun, a renowned horsemanship trainer from Germany, steps in. With a deep understanding of groundwork, horse riding (the traditional classical art of riding) and horse behavior, Susanne is poised to bring her unique skills to Dubai. I had the opportunity to talk with her about her journey, philosophy and the services she offers.
We have to wait for the horse. And we have to open our heart. And then we will feel the horse. Susanne Grun
Susanne’s Journey into horsemanship
Susanne and I met on Instagram, as do most people today that are interested in the same topic today. I was immediately fascinated by Susanne’s irradiant energy and we started chit chatting about horses and horsemanship.
Susanne: I first encountered horses when I was 9 years old, which was 35 years ago. I have been involved in various horse activities like riding and groundwork, which I taught myself over many years. At 20, I began taking private riding lessons and bought my first horse a year later. I enjoyed excellent riding lessons and forest rides with my horse.
However, one day we were in an accident with a car, which resulted in both my horse and I getting injured. From that day, we lost trust in each other and were overwhelmed by fear.
Determined not to give up, I started studying books on groundwork and liberty work, about 17 years ago. Back then, there weren’t many horsemanship trainers, YouTube, or similar resources. Nevertheless, I learned, and a year later, I was back in the saddle. This experience led to my motto: “Everything starts on the ground.” I worked as a leading executive in a bank from 9 to 5, and in the evenings and on weekends, I helped stable friends and other local horses. My second horse, a former harness racing horse, entered my life and I trained him to be a reliable riding horse.
Can you tell us about your journey into becoming a horsemanship trainer?
Susanne: In 2012, when I was pregnant, I entrusted both of my horses to their caretakers. However, I was eager to start a business involving horses. So, I began studying horse behavior and psychology while simultaneously creating social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram in 2013. Before completing my final exam for a diploma in horse behavior therapy and psychology, I already had many clients seeking help.
Thus, I established my horse business and continued learning from trainers like Alfonso Aguilar, Manuel Jorge de Oliveira, Bernd Hackl, and the Royal Riding School of Bückeburg, to name a few. I also studied the works of esteemed riding masters like Nuno Oliveira and Gustav Steinbrecht, among others. From these wise horsemen, I developed my own philosophy: Horselearning by Susn.
3 years old warmblood gelding. A horse must be allowed to retain its pride and expression. It must be allowed to develop its personality. That’s horse training for Susanne Grun. To be sincere.
Horsemanship philosophy and techniques
What is your core philosophy when it comes to training horses and riders?
Susanne: Every horse is unique, shaped by the people who have interacted with it from the start. Despite its breeding, it primarily acts on instinct. I don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, I’ve developed my own philosophy, Horselearning by Susn. Whether it’s a horse-human team wanting to improve communication or groundwork (such as classic manual work, free work, lunge work, loading training), or more challenging cases that have often faced adverse experiences, been passed through numerous hands, or have gradually developed undesirable behaviors (like aggression or fear) that weren’t addressed or were improperly managed. Sometimes, gaps in a horse’s training are overlooked, leading to a lack of foundational skills. I frequently encounter people who have deep-seated fears, worries, or even depression, which are clearly reflected in their horses, leading to problems. The concept of balance and equilibrium is central to my training methods. This includes not only physical balance but also mental equilibrium, both of which are immensely important.
Can you elaborate on your methods for groundwork and horse riding?
Susanne: First, I don’t adhere to any specific method. Isn’t achieving harmony with the horse the goal of every horse owner? We can only attain this harmony when both the physical and mental balance are achieved, and this applies to both the horse and the rider. In Germany, I work with a highly competent and empathetic equestrian team, comprising a co-trainer, yoga instructor, cranio body balance and health practitioner, experts in osteopathy and physiotherapy, hoof trimmers, and saddle fitters. This comprehensive horsemanship approach to the horse’s wellbeing allows me to care for, treat, and rehabilitate both the horse and rider more holistically. I believe that all horse training should start from the ground. Everything originates from the ground, just as nature does. In my view, the fundamentals of horse training are grounded in groundwork, whether it’s my self-developed “FollowMe”, gymnastics, or classical work in hand and work on the lunge. It all boils down to one concept. My guiding principle is clear: Everything starts on the ground. The horse and human become a team, comprising a leader and a follower.
What does it take to make a horse trust riders and to ensure safety while riding?
Susanne: While a friendship with the horse is pleasant, it’s crucial for safe handling and relaxed riding that we, as humans, become the leader and the horse, the follower. From the first encounter, a horse assesses a person as being of lower, equal, or higher rank. In horsemanship, we aim to establish ourselves as “higher ranked” than our horses without dominating or controlling them, in communication, groundwork, or liberty. The horse should voluntarily join us as a “human lead mare”. It’s important to be patient with the horse. I firmly believe that if something doesn’t work on the ground, it won’t work in the saddle either. Each horse and person is unique, making it essential to consider each team individually, with solutions tailored to their specific needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so I don’t adhere to a single method.
It’s important for me to identify the root cause of any undesirable behaviors, abnormalities, or issues such as muscle loss or insecurity in the horse, and to start from where you and your horse currently are. By conducting a detailed assessment and examining your horse’s living conditions, diet, equipment, and potential physical blockages, I can create a flexible training plan at your home stable. This plan aims to help you achieve your goals as a team. I have also found that competition and racing horses become more productive, balanced, agile, and motivated through ground work. I always work with horses in a calm, consistent, non-violent, loving, and gentle manner. My training considers each horse’s individual anatomy to maintain their health. I avoid the use of any auxiliary reins or locking straps. Naturally, I share my knowledge with the horse owner through lessons. I enjoy working with both young and competitive sport horses, often using a cavesson.
Are your methods tailored to any specific discipline, such as dressage or show jumping?
Susanne: No, the type of groundwork I practice isn’t limited to racehorses, show jumpers, or dressage horses. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. Every horse, whether it’s used in sports, in a riding school, or even if it’s a retired sport horse, can reap the benefits of ground-based gymnastics. Classical work in hand, for instance, fosters both mental and physical balance in the horse – a welcome change of pace. I can train every muscle group on the ground without the added weight of a rider. Groundwork is also crucial for preparing a horse for breaking in. As you can see, EVERY horse can benefit from it. And it’s advantageous for the rider too, as they become more active, more relaxed, and gain a better understanding of their horse’s movements from the ground.
Challenges and rewards in the horsemanship career
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work, and what do you find most rewarding?
Susanne: I often train horses that are physically or mentally impaired due to incorrect or premature training. These horses frequently exhibit aggression or other behavioral issues. Some are in such poor physical shape that I must begin gymnastics with them in very small steps. At times, the challenge lies with the person. If I can’t establish a strong trust relationship with the horse owner, it’s often difficult to provide long-term help. People are incredibly important to me.
Just this spring, I worked with a 19-year-old former trotting mare who was in very poor physical condition. Through gentle, intensive rehabilitation training on the ground, I gradually helped her recover. She now lives in a mixed herd, is in excellent condition, and at 20 years old, is being ridden again. I also had a gelding this summer with significant tension in his neck muscles and a lack of hindquarter muscles due to the improper use of auxiliary reins.
The most rewarding part of my horsemanship work is witnessing the positive transformation in the horses. Everything improves: their movement becomes more balanced, their expression shows pride and elegance, and their cooperation improves because they learn to think independently and receive feedback for their behavior. They develop and are encouraged. The fascinating nature of these wonderful animals never ceases to amaze me.
What are the most common struggles that you observe among horse owners and riders with their horses?
Susanne: Unfortunately, one of the most common issues I observe is the lack of expertise among riders. For instance, few realize that a horse does not have a collarbone connecting its spine to its shoulders, relying instead on muscles and ligaments to support its trunk. This is a crucial point. Many riders are unaware of how to develop a horse’s carrying capacity to ensure it can bear weight without harm. Often, they repeat things they’ve heard without truly understanding them. Additionally, few riders know how to properly warm up a horse. These are just a few examples.
When meeting a new horse and rider pair, I frequently notice a complete lack of foundational communication. The rider doesn’t understand the horse, and the horse doesn’t understand the rider. This misunderstanding often leads to the incorrect use of whips and spurs, which should refine, not reinforce, a rider’s commands. As a qualified expert in horse behavior, I have dedicated nearly 10 years to educating both people and horses, aiming to bring them closer together.
Another common issue is the lack of understanding about praise, or as I like to call it, “feedback.” Providing feedback is essential in horsemanship training as it builds the horse’s confidence and reinforces my role as a leader. Therefore, I give verbal praise when the horse performs well, and verbal reprimands when it doesn’t. This approach is fundamental to effective communication and training.
Riding is to be present all the time. And all starts from the ground. Susanne and the 12 years old Andalusian mare.
What motivates you to bring your services to the UAE?
Susanne: I visited the UAE 12 years ago and was deeply impressed by its unique atmosphere. For me, this country represents the “land of horses.” The Arabian horse, being one of the noblest and oldest breeds in the world, has greatly influenced other breeds. Moreover, as steppe animals, horses are naturally more suited to desert environments than the lush, green meadows of Germany. Here, we often encounter issues with horses becoming overweight. In contrast, the diet of horses in the UAE is likely more species-appropriate than in Europe.
There is significant interest in groundwork in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and I have achieved much success here. Besides training horses, I have written articles for major horse magazines and have been training other groundwork instructors since 2018. A few weeks ago, when I connected with some German horse enthusiasts in Dubai via social media, I realized the interest in groundwork here, but there is a scarcity of trainers specializing in this type of horse training. Therefore, I decided to try something new and share my knowledge and expertise in the UAE. For 2024, I plan to make several short trips to assist many horse-and-rider pairs. Regular, quality work with horses is important, so I should ideally visit as frequently as possible. 😀 Of course, to continue the training in my absence, I would need the assistance of either the horse owners, grooms, or staff.
What I personally observed here in Dubai is that we have many experienced horse riders, but the number of horsemen is significantly lower in comparison. It is still challenging to find horse owners who engage in groundwork, for example, and many of them appear confused when the horse doesn’t react as expected. Moreover, it is even more challenging to find individuals who incorporate positive reinforcement (R+) in their horse training. As a member of the UAE equestrian community, I wonder how we can bring about change in this regard.
Susanne: The quality and experience of riders here are very high, which is excellent! Groundwork, specifically gymnastic hand work and correct, supportive lunge training, is vital for balancing the needs of racehorses, show jumpers, and dressage horses. Often, lunge training is only used for relaxation, but it offers so much more. It enhances performance, improves concentration, gently shapes or corrects the body without the weight of a rider, and positively influences the horse’s behavior. In this process, the horse owner or rider gains a deeper understanding of their horse, recognizing why certain things may not work while riding. I’ve observed this over the years working mainly with competition horses (in dressage and jumping) and harness racing horses here in Germany. What you refer to as positive reinforcement, I call feedback, as I’ve mentioned in response to another question. Feedback is essentially communication. We need to increase awareness among riders in Dubai that they can achieve so much more with their horses. Groundwork, based on the principles of classical horsemanship, is the ultimate enhancement in horse training. Also, riding lateral movements (such as shoulder-in, haunches-in, renvers, and travers) benefits every sport horse by making them stronger.
Don’t we all want the best for our horses? We aim for their well-being without needing a therapist or vet every three months. We all love our horses, don’t we? If we have the opportunity to develop and enhance both ourselves and our horses, we should embrace it. We owe it to our beloved horses. After all, our goal is to ride them to maintain their health, right?
Services, pricing, and contact information
Could you list the services you offer, along with the pricing, and how can interested clients contact you?
Susanne: I would be honored to do that:
Work in hand/lunge lessons
To build the horse’s top line and general gymnastics. Individual coaching with your own horse, following the old classical principles of riding while considering the individuality of both horse and person. I can also work with the horse myself if desired.
1 session = approximately 45-60 minutes individual lesson
300 AED
Horse-human communication
Horse Behavior, communication, and body language training. Working on mutual understanding and empathy; consistency, security, and unity. Trust and motivation in individual coaching with your own horse.
1 session = approximately 45-60 minutes individual lesson
380 AED
Solving behavioral problems in horses.
This session includes working on issues such as kicking, shying away, biting, rearing, general nervousness. But also reluctance to be saddled or girthed, nervousness, fear, trauma, disobedience, lack of training, disinterest, lack of concentration, lack of motivation, dominance, and aggressiveness.
1 session = approximately 45-60 minutes individual lesson
500 AED
Susanne: In general, I would like to mention that a session with me lasts as long as necessary. Sometimes it might be just 30 minutes, but other times it could extend to 90 minutes.
I only offer individual lessons, not group lessons, but if you wish to organize a clinic, we can certainly do that.
1 day equestrian clinic
Choose any topic (topics as mentioned above), including 1 practical unit and a full day of learning through observation and asking questions.
Day course with a maximum of 6 horses
500 AED x horse
Interested clients are welcome to contact me via email at susanne@suto-online.de or through WhatsApp or iMessage at +49 176 23993072. You can also visit my website Horselearningbysusn.com.
I am looking forward to it!
Reserve your 2024 horsemanship sessions with Susanne Grun
Her expertise, honed in Germany and now available to the equestrian community of the UAE, promises to elevate the skills of both riders and their horses. With her planned visits, Susanne is set to become a significant contributor to the UAE’s equestrian scene.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience a personalized and insightful approach to horsemanship. Whether your goal is to refine your horsemanship skills or to foster a more joyful relationship with your horse, Susanne is ready to assist.
I highly recommend getting in touch with her to discuss your objectives and receive advice on the most effective strategies for you and your horse.
Also, stay tuned on horseek.ae for the latest updates on events and equestrian clinics in Dubai and the UAE.
Do you want to learn more about beginning groundwork training with your horse? Read this article where I explain the Parelli 7 Games, a simple set of exercises that form the foundation of solid horsemanship training with your horse.
