Focus, clarity and comfort
Discovering Horsemanship
Softhorse stables can be found amongst the West Dorset hills in an AONB. This unique, tranquil and welcoming setting offers the perfect place to develop your horsemanship skills and understand more about the horse’s nature.
Our mission at Softhorse is to provide a healthy and safe environment for both horse and human and to mutually benefit from the presence of one another.
We approach everything here at Softhorse with ‘soft eyes’ opening our minds to take everything in and be more aware of the horse’s needs. We recognise our actions and make any necessary changes to enable a meaningful and successful partnership with the horse. The emotional and physical needs of the horse are held ’high’ above anything else. We work towards mental and physical ‘straightness’, developing our timing and clarity to enable the horse to respond comfortably.
Softhorse is a family run horsemanship stables specialising in a mindful and gentle approach to training. My name is Bob Grave and I live at Softhorse with my wife Fran and our three children.
Our horses are Spanish PRE’s ( Pura Rasa Espanola) and Criollos (South American Ranch Horses) all of which have Spanish bloodlines
We prepare the horses mentally and physically blending Ranch, Natural Horsemanship, Classical Dressage and Californian Bridle Horse principles.
As a horseman I have been committed to expand my knowledge and skills over the years maintaining ethical principles of training. I have had coaching from horseman such as Harry Whitney, Joe Wolter and Jeff Derby over the years and have a good knowledge and ability in a number of different areas of horsemanship.
These include problem solving, trailer loading, colt starting, bitless riding, groundwork and liberty, classical dressage, and more recently the californian bridle horse tradition which has classical roots.
I have performed with the horses at local country shows, family activity farms, street fairs, parties, weddings and charity events
THE EXPERIENCES AND COURSES
Services
Groundwork Coaching
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Our goal is to improve a horses mental and physical strength through groundwork, developing our timing, focus and clarity. We adopt a calm, supportive and patient approach, empowering both humans and horses.
We have horses available for groundwork
We set the program to each individual and their requirements and are sometimes guided by “what happens in the moment.”
What we cover …
unique groundwork , handling the tools, finding confidence, problems solving, straightness and balance.
please contact me for more info
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£ 40 / HR ( at Softhorse)
TRAVEL OFFSITE 0.60p /mile
Clinics
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At Softhorse, we provide specialised horsemanship clinics that are intended to improve a persons abilities at all levels and foster a strong bond between the rider and the horse. Classical, Ranch and Natural horsemanship concepts are the main focus of our clinics, which promote mutual respect, trust, and open communication. We also partner and host guest clinicians nationally and internationally.
If you are interested in arranging personal group clinic please get in touch.
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POA
Trailer loading
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I offer horse loading services within a 20 mile radius of Beaminster but am prepared to travel further (see prices)
This service aims to coach and equip the owner with skills to overcome the issues with loading.
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Dorset, at £40/hr with 0.60p/mile mileage. Additional travel costs apply.
Horse stays
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Softhorse offers a unique getaway experience for horse enthusiasts, combining hands-on horsemanship with comfortable accommodation in a tranquil, rural setting.
Our Horse Stays are ideal for riders looking to spend quality time with their own horse, while enjoying a relaxing and immersive retreat.
Coaching is also available during the stay ! Check out the ‘Experiences’ page to book yours.
Guests can ‘ride out’ and discover the many beautiful bridleways of the West Dorset countryside or even box up and explore the bridleways around the Jurassic Coast.
Guests without horses can book a non ridden horsemanship experience (some call it ‘horse whispering’ ) during their stay where they can learn the more natural and alternative methods of working with a horse through ‘ groundwork’.
Please check the ‘Experiences ‘page to book during your stay !
Displays
Sit, Relax, around the arena with a glass or two with the beautiful Dorset hills in the background and be entertained by Bob and his horses for an hour !
Accommodation
For the ‘guest horse’ accommodation we provide a field sheltered and paddock. Hay can be purchased if required.
The ‘guest human’ accommodation is in our modern and stylish Cattlebarn which you can check out the link on the Airbnb link below https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/885452511542789707?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=901ed3e7-1748-42fc-a35a-e8da329b950a
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Prices
Book accommodation and horsemanship experience through airbnb
SOFTEYES Horsemanship Coaching
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The SOFTEYES horsemanship program offers educational and therapeutic sessions for individuals and organizations, including schools, charities, and homeschool students.
Courses will be available over a period of sessions in blocks or prearranged times to suit individuals or small groups.
Additionally, we offer tailored coaching for school pupils and PRU students throughout the school term, based on key elements of the program.
Our focus is on building the relationship and training of horses. The sessions cover a range of topics including, understanding the horse's nature, setting boundaries, clarity, listening, quietness, embracing change, fostering strong bonds, moving forward, controlling thoughts, considering actions, and practicing forgiveness.
The course incorporates six coaching dimensions: three authoritative and three facilitative, guiding both the horse and participant through challenges.
Our horses are sensitive, gentle, and well-natured, thanks to our commitment to excellent husbandry and care in their training.
Sessions take place in the outdoor sand arena or the barn, which features a small sand surface.
Accommodation is also available at Softhorse.
For more information, please contact me.
To change eye colour to orange, follow these steps based on your starting material and tools. Pick the method that matches what you have: digital photo editing, mobile app, or in-camera (contact lenses).
Digital photo editing (Photoshop or similar)
Open the image and duplicate the layer.
Zoom in on the eyes and use a selection tool (Lasso, Elliptical Marquee, or Pen) to select the iris of each eye. Feather the selection by 1–3 px to soften edges.
Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer with the selection as a mask. Tick Colourize. Set Hue to around 30–40 for orange; increase Saturation to 40–80 depending on intensity; adjust Lightness to match the photo.
If the result looks flat, add a new layer set to Overlay (or Soft Light). Sample a mid-orange and paint gently over the irises with a low-opacity soft brush (10–30%).
Preserve natural highlights and reflections: ensure the highlights remain bright by painting them back on a new Normal layer with a soft white brush at low opacity, then erase any overlap where it should be transparent.
Fine-tune edges and colour bleed with a small soft eraser on the mask and reduce opacity of adjustment layers until it looks natural.
Optionally add slight radial gradient within the iris (darker at edge, lighter towards centre) to mimic depth. Use Multiply for darker rim and Screen for central brightness.
Flatten or export as required.
Mobile apps (Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, FaceTune)
Open the photo and zoom to the eyes.
Use selective or brush tool. Select the iris area and increase warmth/tint towards orange, or use a colour brush set to an orange hue and paint with low opacity.
Reduce saturation of surrounding areas if colour spills. Use the healing/erase tool to clean edges.
Use adjustment sliders (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) to refine until the orange looks natural. Preserve highlights by lowering brush opacity on highlight areas.
Non-digital — contact lenses
Consult an optician to ensure safety and correct prescription.
Purchase high-quality cosmetic orange lenses from a reputable provider.
Follow hygienic insertion, removal and care instructions to avoid eye injury or infection.
Tips for realism
Keep natural iris texture visible; avoid flat colour fills.
Maintain catchlights (reflections) to keep eyes alive.
Match ambient lighting: warmer scene lighting suits stronger orange; cool lighting needs milder adjustment.
Don’t over-saturate; extreme orange can look fake unless intentionally stylised.
Ensure symmetrical colour and intensity between both eyes.
If you tell me which tool or app you’re using and can share the image details (lighting, natural eye colour), I can give step-by-step settings tailored to that case.
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The price depends on whether it is a group or a individual
Please contact us for more information
Demonstrations
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We offer a unique blend of Classical, Natural Horsemanship and the Vaquero tradition in live demonstrations perfect for groups, clubs, and special events. These demonstrations showcase how these two rich traditions can complement each other, offering valuable lessons in horse-rider communication, trust, and the art of training.
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POA
Facilities at Softhorse
Accommodation
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Barn
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Arena 40m x 25m
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Grazing
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Field Shelter
SCHEDULE A VISIT
