Aquila Farm teaches your horse how to learn

Mid-October 2019 we met Aurélie de Mévius in her stables. Aquila Farm was created to propose something different. Based in Beauvechain, Belgium, between Wavre and Louvain, the stables core values are freedom, respect and authenticity. Horses and riders are welcome here to learn more about themselves and about the relationship between them two, with their own strengths and limitations.

Teaching humans and horses how to have a better relationship is the fundamental of horsemanship. “In order to be a good partner for your horse, you have to see the world a bit more like him.” The goal is easy: getting your horse ready to learn. But the path takes a bit longer. Using the Parelli’s method, Aurélie starts on the ground when meeting a new horse/rider to get to know them and their reactions a bit more. It is also a good way to calm the horse before riding. “I like to think about my horses as students in a classroom. If my students are afraid of me, they won’t listen to me and I won’t be able to teach them anything. It’s the same thing if they are bored because they have done this exercise a million times. This method is really compatible with any kind of riding because it gives you a horse that is ready to learn. Plus, it teaches humans a lot of feel, thanks to the work on the ground.”

The environment also helps a lot. Aquila Farm was designed for horses’ comfort. You can find fields, inside and outside arenas and a paddock paradise for a herd of about 15 horses. The stables also have 20 stalls with a paddock where each horse can go whenever he wants. “When horses arrive here, they are sometimes very anxious in the beginning. But we put them in these open stalls, and they start interacting with their neighbors, they re-discover their horse lives and by 3 days they are usually way calmer. These stables are actually a tool for me, because anxiety problems are usually linked to the environment.” Allowing horses to go out several times a day and having social interactions put them in good conditions when it comes to training.

Discover Aurélie de Mévius’ interview.