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Mike and Sandi's beliefs and philosophy
Mike and Sandi Austin are British and American educators of both Equine and Human. We incorporate both styles of training and riding to achieve natural movement and confidence in both horses and people. We embrace the spirit of the horse. We believe that it is important to utilise the natural abilities of both horses and handler to achieve the desired goal. Many horses and people are rushed and forced to achieve what is necessary for a safe ride, whether just hacking out or in the show ring or even just halter training. We do not believe this to be necessary. The time you and your horse spend together, should be fun and easy for you both, and we take great care to achieve this. Using a different (and often easier) style of communication, this becomes a very attainable goal. Working together, we will show you and your horse how to relax, which makes learning much easier and a lot more fun. Our methods incorporate traditional and natural horsemanship, and years of tried and tested experience. Through horses you learn that you can never know everything, and that life is a continual upward learning curve. We continue to stay aware of alternative methods and incorporate some of these elements into our lives, that we feel will benefit ourselves, our clients and all our animals big and small. We endeavour to give our ‘training secrets’ away which allows you to have the knowledge to reach the sky, when it comes time to take your horse home or to maintain them from our facility. You will learn how to continue on your own, at our facility or in your own environment and with the facilities that you have available to you. You do not need a perfect school to work your horse at home. We strive for horse and human to be able to go home with a better understanding of each other, so learning does not continue to be a huge struggle...even when a difficult lesson comes up. |
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Our experience is vast in management and care and our previous clients are able to state how their time with us has helped them. We use both English and Western styles of traditional and natural horsemanship to fit your needs. We are centrally located and easy to find, so please come see for yourself. We got married in 1998 and worked from a DIY yard by Hickstead in Sussex, until we finally purchased Ailby House in October 1999. It is here that as a team, we work to share our passion with all walks of life and standards of ability. Ailby House farm has enabled us to create a facilty that we continue to build to our own specifications and standards. The farm has been a challenge for us, as it was a run down dairy farm, but today it is now a functional equestrian facilty that we are very proud of. The Farm has enabled us to give people of all standards, an oportunity to embrace this sport and past time, in whatever capacity they can, and for us to give all breeds of horses and ponies a chance to progress in their lives and enjoy their human companions. We work with English in-hand and ridden, and western pleasure in ridden and halter training for in-hand work, be it for showing or for a pleasure past time. We specilaise in working with youngstock. |
Ailby House-2003 So much has changed now you will just have to come and see!! |
 Sandi teaching at one of her clinics in Somerset
 Sandi (on the left) with head Trainer Larry Anderson, working racehorses in 1973 |
Sandi Austin
(Head Trainer)
I was raised on a 90 acre Thoroughbred racing farm in Washington State, USA which was one of the premier racing/training facilities on the West Coast of the USA. We often had 100 or more horses on the facility. We handled all aspects of training, breeding, surgery, grooming, and layed up of injured horses, whose need was to be kept in top condition at all times. I actively assisted with the surgery and then took on the recovery process which often went on for months. These horses were frightened and in pain, and I knew as a little girl, that I would spend my life helping horses feel safe and secure in a human environment. At the age of nine I trained my first pony 'Apache' and by the time I was 14 we had won hundreds of awards. I searched and found after amny months 'Lar Bar King' a Quarter Horse gelding, a Three Bars son off the King Ranch in Texas, and competed on the West Coast with many awards in all aspects of Western Riding. At 18, I was offered and took a training job with a very reputable Arabian farm in Oregon State. These animals also needed to be understood the same way because of their spirit and zest for life. At an early age, I began watching other trainers in their sessions, and found that their 'proper' and often brutal methods to get a horse to submit was, in my opinion, a matter of human ego rather than understanding the animal and its mental stability. A very keen part of what I love to teach to horses and owners alike, is that groundwork and careful communication are essential tools to a sound and stable progression. Even during a firm lesson, horses can learn and know absolutely that they are safe. My happiness comes from this basic truth and ability to communicate in horse terms. For every human that THINKS my methods will not work, there is another that KNOWS that they WILL AND DO WORK. These people give me the hope and strenght to continue, because they care about their horses and their well being which I believe is absolutely essential. |
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It was at this time that I opened my own personalised training facility at my home, and I worked many western pleasure prospects, trained advanced mountain and trail horses. This produced a very consistent gait and muscle control and all these horses proved to be very effective in the show ring and very light mouthed, steady and safe. This is my true love...the freedom of the mountains. These times were some of the most unforgettable years for me and I met many dear friends running my farm. Also at this time, I became a regular freelance trainer for a big client in Hawaii, where I worked with some amazing animals both unbroken and young, while also refreshing the older horses, which included breaking the main stallion on the farm, who was allowed to run free in the herd (Snow Prince, pictured below with Mike). |
 Sandi with Buck, a Champion Miniature Horse-in the USA
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 Mike and Sandi starting Gale(Tart Me Up), their then 3 year old Quarter Horse Mare - 2005
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Mike came to stay with me on my farm and helped set up an office and also proved to be an effective and reputable part of my training stable. I moved everything over to England and we got married on March 7th 1998. I freelanced for a while and then set up a training facility out of a DIY in Hassocks which proved very worthwhile and due to costs we decided that we wanted to put our money into our own property rather than someone else's and purchased after 2 years of looking, Ailby House which really was both of our dreams come true. My love and vast lifetime of experience with horses is impossible to detail in such a limited space(it could go on for ever!!) The core of true training can only be judged through experience and knowledge and I HAVE both. We now provide a service for everyone from all walks of life in order for them to truly appreciate the joy and passion of THE HORSE. It was for me, an opprtunity to incorporate all my skills as a horse communicator, on our own property, with many amazing results and with a flawless record. SOMETHING I AM VERY PROUD TO SAY AND UPHOLD. |
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Mike Austin
My life with horses has always been a major influence in providing me with direction and purpose as well as a unique sensitivity that has always given me guidance,strength and focus. My passion for a horse’s life began very early in my life under the careful eyes of very loving and supportive parents, who started me with riding lessons and hacks at six years old at Brendon Riding Establishment by the South Downs. At nine years old my father surprised me for my birthday, with my very own first pony called 'Arrow'. We moved him to Brendon Stables, which was easily accessible from our home in Hove. It was here that the basic principles of maintaining a horse were instilled. We heard about through recommendations and then decided to move to Captain Large's facility at Keymer (trainer of H. Lewellyn and Foxhunter) as this was more condusive to my individualism. The farm was very much a working environment, which introduced me to the complexities of farm life in all its forms. Captain large was responsible in providing a very sound and stable ground training, that was to be of major benefit in my future development. The essence of balance, co-ordination, safety and understanding of horses were frequent lessons that were drilled into me in no uncertain terms. This first pony 'Arrow' proved to be a rig but he taught me a valuable lesson in regard to incorrectly gelded horses. My parents decided that Arrow was too much for me to handle at this point, and so he was sold on for my next pony (to this day I still have all the brushes and equipment that my father had handgraved arrows into, as a memorial to my father, as much as to my first pony experience). 'Thelwell' came next and he aptly fitted his name. I regained my assurance and composure and progressed onto my next pony Laramie. I learnt to have fun and games with my animal especially being involved with the Pony Club. The South Downs proved to be an excellent area with which I could ride out and learn and hone my knowledge. Laramie was absolutely adorable and taught me a lot about horse behaviour and movement. |
Mike and trusted friend 'Spencer' (Blue Storm)
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Mike riding 'Blue Steel'
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Due to the Maslin’s farm being sold we moved to the Porters farm at Falking. Hilary Porter was a very understanding and patient teacher who gave me insight into the advantages of good groundwork and preparation of both horse and rider. Blue Steel was fantastic to learn the freedom and excitement of Cross Country along with the control and eloquence of Dressage. This was a very special period of time for me. It was at the Porters establishment that I found my love for The Thoroughbred horse in a young 16.2 chestnut Thoroughbred called 'Always Hopeful' This was a very special animal to me and one that I really will never forget. 'Always Hopeful' was a major step for me to take and I learnt patience and understanding of the young horse under the careful advice and guidance of Hilary Porter and Family with whom I shall always be very grateful to. Unfortunately due to academic and college pressures I had to move Ali closer to me but this proved even too much, and I had to sell him to some very good friends. A home where I knew he would be looked after the way he truly deserved. Even in college I frequently escaped to study in the tranquillity of the New Forest and the horses that roam freely there. It was educational to view these horses in a relatively free existence and to observe the interaction of the herd mentality. |
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I visited her home in Snohomish, Washington State, just close to Seattle. Our interests and ambitions were the same and this proved too exciting a proposition to refuse. Now, as a married couple living here in England, our hopes and dreams are to ensure a safe environment for our equine friends, so that people can hopefully learn to enjoy and benefit from the vast untapped spirit of the HORSE. Having purchased Ailby we have through hard work and strength of conviction, created a lovely and versitile facility, for all our clients and horses to enjoy and a great place for us to develope and expand as we get older. |
 Mike riding 'Snow Prince' stallion in Hawaii, USA 
Mike and Kasi near Sandi's home in Washington State, USA
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