Today we’d like to introduce you to Ross Cooper. Them and their team share their story with us below:
So, how did I end up as a horse trainer? Now that’s a question!
If you asked me in school if that’s what I would have been doing in 15 years’ time, I would never have believed you!
Just like most of us leaving school at 16, I was not really sure what I wanted to do. When I was in my final year, I began doing some modeling for a vintage clothing business, which I enjoyed, but I was also practical that this might not be a lasting thing, so I decided to follow further education in the path of something that I enjoyed. Since I can remember, that had always been, and always will be animals.
I thought, while I am unsure of what I want to do, I would like to pursue a career in something I get some fulfillment and enjoyment out of. I enrolled in a broad-spectrum animal management course and throughout my time there I began working within the boarding and rescue kennel industry at weekends (up until I was 8 I was petrified of dogs until my mum rescued one!). It was during my time at college I first sat on a horse; a 17.2hh ex-steeple chaser at 24 years old was the horse that I learned to ride on!. Even though I grew up loving animals, the only pets I had were rabbits due to my dad being highly allergic to cats and dogs. So when it came to horses, you could say I was a late starter; no shows or pony club at 4 years old, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way!
Through college, I continued horse riding as more of a hobby, as and when I could, riding the horses of the people I worked for. I enjoyed the hacking out, but I never really felt comfortable with the way things were taught; why tap them with a stick if they didn’t do something, why did we put metal in their mouth or strap their mouth shut? Therefore I naturally focused on the areas I was happier with, which was just being around or heading out with them. This was a reason I was pleased I came into horses later in life with a more open mind, I began looking at alternative, more natural ways to work with and communicate with horses, which ultimately led me to where I am today.
During this time, I continued to pursue modeling, eventually focusing a little more on the underwear side of the industry. When I finished college I had a year out from horses due to time, as I continued to work in dog rescue centers, but with how seasonal the work can be I decided to look into other areas and soon began as a trainee veterinary care assistant at a local vet. I soon found out this wasn’t for me! I have the utmost respect for those that work in animal healthcare, as some of my good friends do, but being as empathic as I am, it was a little heavy going for me. I found myself spending all my extra time helping friends with their horses (whether I was supposed to be officially at work or not!) It may not surprise you that I soon made the decision to leave; this is when I knew that horses are where it was at for me.
I was ringing around local stables when I came across a yard that had a breeding herd of American Quarter Horses they wanted training, and eventually selling. With a couple of halters, a few western saddles, and a herd of 17 horses to solely work with, that is where Rosca Horsemanship first began!
Now, seven years later, I am a full-time Horsemanship trainer, Equine Behavioural Consultant, and UKCC coach with multiple equine accreditations, including a specialist Level 2 UKCC in Western Riding. I now travel around the UK promoting ethical and compassionate training for horses and handlers and have been fortunate enough to visit the United States of America to teach and to be taught.
To complement my work with horses on an energetic level, I do a lot of spiritual self-development in my daily life and offer a range of holistic healing therapies, such as crystal therapy and reiki healing. This is alongside selling a small selection of my photographic prints, as when the time allows I also like to pursue a little wildlife photography; mindful and peaceful, just like all the other aspects of my working life!
Having three separate businesses which complement themselves in the way that they do is rare, but to make a living and profession doing something you put your heart and soul into because you enjoy it is even rarer.
Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When is any road worth driving ever smooth going?
Life is never going to be smooth. Each of us experiences obstacles and challenges that we all perceive differently, which affect us in different ways; that doesn’t make anything more or less challenging than another.
I’ve always had challenges on the way, whether they come in the form of traffic en route to work, or more personal things going on in my life.
My biggest obstacle has been supporting; I have always had people telling me to some degree what I can’t do and what I should be doing, whether it has been coming from the right place or not. Everything I have achieved I have done so off my own back; I have put the time, the work, the money, and the insight into what I have done, I have never had any help.
Looking where I am now, I didn’t need it to get where I am today, but it makes me consider if I would have gone further or quicker with extra support? But then would I have built the character and experienced the personal growth that I have? Probably not.
The bottom line of advice from me? Any obstacle can be challenged and there is never a set time to tackle it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Ross has a calm, kind nature which mirrors his unique and compassionate approach to working with equines, encompassing their behavior, psychology, and physiology as a whole; the essence of the natural horse. For Ross, the art of horsemanship is not a method, style, or defined by a discipline, it is a way of working in harmony with the horse.
As a certified Equine Behaviour Consultant (CHBC) with a complimentary Level 3 in Equine Psychology, Ross combines intuition with behavioral science to promote ethical interaction and mutual communication for a successful partnership. By developing awareness and honing skills, relationships can build on trust and understanding, achieving positive lasting results through effective communication in a way the horse can understand.
From foundation to advanced horsemanship, Ross works alongside various horses, from pleasure to performance, meeting the needs of the horse-human partnership by identifying the right program and approach that works for them through the integration of new-age natural horsemanship. As a UKCC Level 2 equestrian coach in both English and Western riding, Ross offers dynamic-ridden coaching for all ages, skill-sets, styles, and disciplines to achieve their full potential as individuals, riders, and equestrians.
Specializing in foundation horsemanship, behavioral rehabilitation, bitless training, and the young horse, a number of training, behavioral and coaching services are available with Ross, where each partnership is catered for as individuals. Ross approaches training in the absence of conventional and traditional methods; no fear, no force, no pain, challenging the conditioned way horses are treated to improve the world for all equines.
Based on the border of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, The Midlands, United Kingdom, Rosca Horsemanship commutes Nationwide to you for private and group sessions, clinics, demonstrations, and workshops.
Ross is a member and International Horse Agility Accredited Trainer (HAAT), a regular contributor to several of the UK’s leading equestrian magazines, including Horsemanship Journal/Western Horse UK. Your Horse Magazine, Horsemanship Magazine, and Midlands Horse Magazine, whilst offering a number of complementary equine energy healing therapies.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Don’t take no for an answer.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rosscooperofficial
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rosscooperhorsemanship
- Youtube: http://www.youtubecom/rosscooperofficial
