"I attended a taster in natural horsemanship experience with Bob in November 2024 after studying some courses in equine assisted psychotherapy and having a sound knowledge of horses, I had wanted to take my experience further. Bob was really knowledgeable and clearly incredibly talented with years of experience around horsemanship. He took the time to show me equipment, talk me through the basics and some techniques that I was encouraged to try. The space it was held in, deep in the north dorset countryside was a fantastic backdrop. Although only a taster session, I learnt quite a lot and am already ready to attend anymore workshops and training through Softhorse"

Leonie Drake , Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Counsellor.

We asked Bob over to help with our rescue gelding, who'd become abit bitey and defensive in his behaviour. He was resisting being groomed and sometimes stamping his back leg in irritation. As a groundwork horse, we wanted to learn how to build his confidence and get his willing cooperation; so we can have a meaningful partnership with him.

Bob got the measure of our boy pretty quick and was able to teach us some really nice techniques to focus him in a positive way. A lot of it involved using the right gestures and timings, to ensure we didn't give the wrong messages to him. He is a clever little horse and since then, has become quite the gentleman too. What we also have learned, is that you have to continue working at it regularly with your horse - it is not a one off thing. It has given us a strong foundation to build on and we are really enjoying a new partnership with him.

An added bonus was that when Bob had a few minutes with our two rescue mares, he was able to straighten out a couple of their little quirks too. They are "easier" ponies theoretically, but they can be abit cheeky occasionally. So we now have a couple of techniques up our sleeves to point them in the right direction as well.

Bob is very intuitive around horses and generous with supporting the owner to continue the positive work. We can enjoy our horses more confidently now and safely, so it's been a real game changer for us. Many thanks.

Mark and Georgette, Dorset.

We came to Bob with an ongoing issue with loading, it was becoming a nightmare and stopped us entering any competitions etc as we would always miss the start time however many hours early we seemed to begin the process!
We had no idea why it was happening, past issue etc as we'd only had Mouse a few months. Bob came to us onsite (as not sure we could get her tom him!) Bob was amazing to watch, I sat watching him from start to finish, it was a fascinating process watching the trust build and the unending patience he showed as he worked with her. When he finally handed me the lead rope and said... "your turn, walk her in", she just went in happily like a lamb, it still makes me almost well up just thinking about it. I can honestly say the whole experience was so beautiful to be a part of, I would certainly recommend Bob without hesitation.

Kathryn Haskins, Dorset

Tina Bowditch, Somerset
'Bob Has A Connection With Horses I Have Never Seen Before'


I heard great things about the man Bob Grave, local horse whisperer and natural horseman, who has an incredible understanding and connection with the horses, from colleagues and local horseman. I was told Bob can solve any horse problem and has a wonderful manner in the way he works. This is so true, and I was blown away by his patience, and how my horse looked at him with respect and asked for guidance. Bob has helped and supported me by giving me lessons on building a better bond with my horse on the ground, he's also helped me gainconfidence in hacking out on my own after I hadn't taken her out for a year following an accident. My horse became concerned about going in to the trailer and after less than an hour she was so relaxed in it, I had to encourage her to get out. To conclude Bob has a connection with horses I've never seen before. His teaching skills are formative and easy to follow and he definitely worked his magic on myself and Flo because I've never had such a bond with any of my previous horses as I have with her.
Thank you Bob, you're the best. 


Claire Ridewood, Horsey Farm, Somerset
'Kind, Gentle and Compassionate Horsemanship'


Thank you Bob, for such a fantastic service. It always a pleasure having you visit our yard and work with the ponies here as well as myself and our children. You have made such a difference to the lives of so many of our horses and been such a support in helping us develop kind, gentle and compassionate horsemanship amongst the children and adults here. Everyone here loves watching you work but I think for me seeing the thorough and respectful way in which you have started our precious youngster will always be one of my most treasured equine memories !! You really are the most humble and yet wonderful horseman I have come across and you have breathed so much joy in to our yard. Thank you again, and look forward to seeing you again in a couple of weeks. 


Mike and Marianne Lawson, Dorset, Unicorn Wedding
'If You Are Thinking of Hiring Bob [...] It Will Be One of the Best Decisions You can Make'


We hired Bob and his beautiful horse to make our dream wedding extra special, and we couldn't have been happier with the service Bob provided. Bob was very responsive to our communications throughout the process and couldn't have done more to make the day a success. He took every care to make sure he understood our requirements fully and visited the location well in advance of the date to make sure everything went smoothly.
His beautiful horse Amigo was the star of the show and all our quests remarked at how he made the day extra special for them. They all said they had never been to a wedding with a unicorn before and would never forget it. My wife Marianne and I can't thank Bob enough so if you are thinking of hiring him for your special event, you can rest assured it will be one of the best decisions you can make.


Neil Giddings , Animal Rescue Instructor
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
'Bob's Session Was Delivered in a Professional but Relaxed Style and Enabled The Crew To Build Their Confidence'


‘The Fire and rescue service are often called to emergency situations where horses are involved, sometimes it is as simple as a horse trapped in a stream or ditch, but can be more complicated such as road traffic collisions involving horses in transit. In these situations horses, as prey animals, usually revert to a natural behaviour rather than the lessons learnt in schooling.
I recently accompanied a small group of operational firefighters from Yeovil, many of whom had no prior experience of horses, to a session run by Bob Grave. Bob’s session was delivered in a professional but relaxed style and enabled the crew to build their confidence as the session progressed. Bob explained and demonstrated how a horse interacts with its environment and how it may react to certain situations or stimuli.
We were made to feel very welcome and the crew that attended certainly left the event with some really useful knowledge to apply at operational incidents.’


Helen Perris , Head Teacher, South Somerset Partnership School
'Bob is Not Only Skilled in Horsemanship but in Coaching and Mentoring'


‘I am delighted to work in partnership with Bob Grave to support our students. Bob is not only skilled in Horsemanship but in coaching and mentoring to support social and emotional aspects of learning.’


Fiona Lord, Dorset
'An Inspiration for Both Life and Horses'


I was fortunate enough to attend a private demonstration by Bob. A perfect setting for a small group to learn about horsemanship and watch Bob and his beautiful horses work together.
We were made to feel very welcome and the relaxed atmosphere is conducive to an enjoyable and educational demonstration, for humans and horses alike. Our mixed group of horsey and non-horsey people were intrigued by what Bob was showing us, and I think we all learnt something new.
Bob’s manner with the horses is wonderfully concise, calm and reassuring.  Their respect and trust in him is clear to see, as is his mutual respect for them. He does not ‘tell’ them to do something with any kind of force, he ‘asks’. The horse is given a choice as to how he behaves, but encouraged to make the right choice. It was amazing to see what Bob has achieved through his patience and understanding of the horses he works with. An inspiration for both life and horses!
I would highly recommend anyone who feels they or their horse would benefit from this style of horsemanship to get in to touch with Bob.
So thank-you Bob, Amigo and Curioso for a truly memorable afternoon!                     


Emma Langdon, Equus Somerset
'Exceptional, A Real Must For Anyone Who is Interested in the Psychological Wellbeing of Their Horses'


Phenomenal!! I thought I had a close bond with my horses before but after learning and putting to use the methods Bob has taught me, things are so much better! I feel that I now have a real partnership that is not only productive but much healthier for the horses, myself and the staff.
Exceptional, a real must for anyone who is interested in the psychological well being of their horses whilst getting the best out of them, whatever their job might be.
Many thanks to Bob  


Liz Butler, Somerset
'Bob's Way Of Working With The Horses is Fantastic'


I have watched Bob Grave’s demonstrations  with a lot of interest in the past year and when it was time for my 3yr old to be backed and ridden away, I didn’t have to think twice about who I was sending him to !
 Bob's way of working with the horses is fantastic, a lot of patience, positive reinforcement and an easy way for the horse to understand what is being asked of him.
I really enjoyed learning his techniques and I think my horse did too !! Everything was explained to me in a simple way that was easy to learn and understand .
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Bob to anybody in the future.  


 Julie Page, Somerset 
'Bob Has Helped Me To Understand My Horse [...] And He Has Given Me the Courage to Get Back on Dougal'


When I saw Bob’s horse demonstration at Buckham Fair I had more or less decided that I would have to sell my 5 year old 14.2 Cob as I had fallen off of him three times and had totally lost what little confidence I had, I am a mature lady so when I fall off it really hurts as you don’t bounce like you used to.
I emailed Bob and told him my issues and that I was an extremely nervous rider. We then talked on the phone and arranged for him to come over and do some work with Dougal, my horse and myself. Well to cut a long story short, Bob has helped me to understand my horse, to work with him and not against him and he has given me the courage to get back on Dougal and enjoy it.
I now feel in control and that I am progressing steadily every week. Dougal now has brakes and is a pleasure to ride. What I like about the way Bob teaches is that he explains everything and makes it look so simple. I look forward to my weekly lessons and long may they continue. I can’t recommend Bob highly enough as a teacher and a nice person. Well done Bob, you got this granny back in the saddle!


Dave and Isobel Harding - Ritson
'Bob Very Quickly Learns About The Horse, And Begins To Teach Both Him And Us The Basics Of Control And Mutual Understanding'


We are a couple of horse lovers bringing on youngsters in the best way we know.  We met Bob when he did a local horse show demonstration and were taken with his method of natural horsemanship.  We have covered all the usual horsemanship commercial routes and none have really jelled so we had always gone down our own route and have well-mannered youngsters.
A few months ago we asked Bob to start giving us lessons.  We have begun with a gawky young Clydesdale cross called William. The first lesson held us enthralled.  Bob very quickly learns about the horse, and begins to teach both him and us the basics of control and mutual understanding.  We are progressing rapidly although I think William learns faster than we do! 
I suspect we will still be learning in a year or three but look forward to every minute of it.  I cannot recommend Bob highly enough both for his skills and knowledge AND for the fact he is a good teacher and a very nice person!
Thanks Bob for opening our eyes and helping us to develop even better relationships with our cobs.


Jess Hyslop, Haselbury Plucknett ,Somerset
'Horse Lessons With Bob [...] Building a Fearless, More Responsive, Easier, Less Mare-ish, Relaxed, Safer and Happier Horse'


I have been having horse lessons with Bob and really enjoying building a 'fearless, more responsive, easier, less mare-ish, relaxed, safer and most importantly happier horse'. Bob will not only teach you to get the best from your own horse but teach you ideas to use successfully on all the horses you encounter in your life. I have read many things in books and watched DVDs on different/ kinder approaches to training horses but nothing compares to learning on your own horse with first hand help from Bob who is ready with troubleshooting techniques and ideas. The lessons are totally different than I have ever experienced - they are full of content, there is so much to learn and plenty of home work to keep you going until the next one.