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 Any seasoned horseperson knows the importance of starting off young horses. If it is done correctly a horse can advance to a successful racing career. Alternatively, if it is done incorrectly, the bad habits or hang-ups that horses can develop can seriously hinder any chance of a successful career.
When Barbara Hutcheson talks about her freelance business she says that she specializes in the backing and training of young racehorses and show horses. She uses the term 'backing' rather than 'breaking' when working with young horses,"Backing them is not as harsh of a term," Barbara explains "You want to get the best out of them. You don't want to break their will or their spirit."
Her technique, which basically demands a lot of patience, has proven to be both effective and successful and Barbara has many long term clients who call on her every year to back and train their young horses.
"They are happy with the work I do." says Barbara, who travels to the various farms of her clients, "I provide personal care and I have integrity with my work."
Barbara believes that every horse is an individual and treats them as such stating that some horses are better suited to certain aspects of learning than others. Barbara explains that it usually takes a couple of weeks to know exactly what is best for an individual horse and it is during that time that she can determine a training and nutritional program which is best suited to that particular youngster.
Her knowledge and her ability with horses was developed over many years of training with some of the best in the business.
Barbara completed the Equine Studies Management course at Humber College and then ventured West to put her studies to use.
Working mainly with show horses, Barbara started in the process of backing horses at the Fohlenhof equestrian Academy in British Columbia. Her patience and sensitivity helped her to advance and she soon found her backing skills were in demand in the industry.
Barbara expanded her experience in Europe, where she taught and trained at the Capt. Mark Phillip's Equestrian Centre at Gleneagles in Scotland as well as the highly regarded Paul Schokemohle stable in Germany.
While in the South of England Barbara was given the task of re-training a Nijinsky 2 thoroughbred to be a show jumper. While working with the spirited individual, Barbara admits that she couln't resist the temptation to go out on the gallops with the horse. "I just had to try." said Barbara, recalling the experience, "It was such an adrenaline rush. I was hooked."
That was when she decided that she wanted to focus on backing and training thoroughbreds for racing and the show ring. She also wanted to relive the adrenaline rush and learn more about raceriding and soon found her way to Picov Downs where she spent a season as a freelance rider while continuing to back and train horses. The following year in 1997 is when she started Hutcheson Training, her freelance backing and training business which has flourished into a successful venture for the now 35 year old.
Barbara and her husband Jim and their 6-year-old son, Brandon, now live in the Campbellville area on their quiet 10.5 acre farm which they purchased and moved into last October.
Barbara plans to expand the current 6 stall barn to accommodate 15 or 20 stalls, a number which she feels will allow her to remain hands on and personal with each horse.
Her new farm allows her to back and train on the property while continuing her freelance business at clients' farms in the area. "I want to stay small to provide personal care." says Barbara, "I don't want to lose that personal touch."
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