Horse trainer has royal seal of approval
A CARMARTHENSHIRE horse trainer has been recognised by The Queen for her work in the equine industry.
Joanna Lowes, who is based at Coetir Bach farm at Maesybont near Cross Hands, was born and raised in Penarth.
Her work has seen her help veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress injuries or disorders.
She uses a method called ‘Join-up’ as an effective tool to help participants rediscover themselves through the eyes of the horse, helping them to deal more effectively with emotional trauma other issues.
She is a former Stanwell and Albert Road Primary student.
From a totally unhorsey family, Jo’s passion began at an early age, attending lessons at Downside and Cardiff Riding school.
“Despite attempting to follow advice to get a proper career and keep horses as a hobby, I ended up riding throughout uniand versity and later travelled extensively – taking up equestrian positions in far-flung places.”
Opportunity struck when Joanna was selected to become a personal assistant to world renowned Carlifornian “Horse Whisperer” Monty Roberts. She said: “He had a demanding schedule of international commitments, from public demonstrations of his non-violent horse training methods to public speaking at events and personally training young racehorses for high profile clients,”
Her talent was recognised by the master of horsemanship, and this resulted in a huge learning curve whilst journeying around the world.
Joanna said: “I was riding previously unridden horses in front of large audiences, in wonderful historic buildings like the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.
“I went on to complete my advanced exams to become a certified instructor, and became a coach for Horse Sense and Healing Clinics.”
This is only the second occasion in history that the British Crown has awarded certificates for influential equine protection work.
It had been planned to recognise these individuals in-person at Buckingham Palace, but the event was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Monty is now semiretired from travelling back in California, and Jo has moved from Penarth to a smallholding at Maesybont. Here she is able to provide an exemplary standard of horse training for both uneducated young horses and remedial behavioural issues, routinely working with horses labelled dangerous or having been failed by previous training attempts.
“At Maesybont we are providing horse training for both uneducated young horses and those with remedial behaviour issues,” she added. “We’re routinely working with horses thought to be dangerous.
“As Monty’s demo, I was regularly sitting safely on horses within half an hour in front of audiences worldwide. My aim is to pursue and develop the successful, ethical training techniques that I’ve learned to help as many horses and owners as possible.”