Set in the beautiful Andalucian countryside, the Natural Horse Centre is home to an English woman who never says “neigh” to following her dreams
BY JANE LOVE
After being thrown from a horse in 1994 and sustaining life-threatening injuries, Tracy James could never have envisaged relocating to southern Spain to open a natural horse riding centre.
Born and bought up in Lancashire, England, Tracy, 46, ran several successful marketing companies in the UK and rode horses as a hobby. But, after her experience, her relationship with horses started to take centre stage. Having come so close to death, she wanted to learn about the psychology of horses to understand why the accident happened.
“A friend lent me a DVD about Monty Roberts, one of the world’s top ‘natural’ horsemen,” says Tracy. “Monty pioneered taming and training horses by gentle methods, which became known as ‘horse whispering’. It was inspirational and I knew I had to meet him.”
She contacted Monty in 1996 and was invited to visit him at his farm in California. Their meeting confirmed Tracy’s new direction in life and she went on to gain a certificate in Monty Roberts’ methods of horsemanship at Intelligent Horsemanship Ltd, run by Kelly Marks in England.
Inspired and keen to pass on her new skills, for a time Tracy ran courses based on the teachings of Monty and Kelly at her 40-acre farm in Lancashire.
“The farm had never really felt like my spiritual home though,” says Tracy. “It was time to move on and explore new places, new people and a new culture. I’d spent many happy holidays in southern Spain, and decided to relocate to Andalucia and open a natural horse centre.”
She sold her businesses and house, and arrived in Spain in 2002 with three dogs, two cats, a bird and four horses. “I was single and felt that, as long as I could take everything with me that I cared for, the move would be easy,” she says.
Finding the ranch which became the Natural Horse Centre was much easier than expected.
“The ranch was the first property I looked at and I fell in love with it immediately,” she says. “I hired a good solicitor, who sorted out all the paperwork for opening a business, and I exchanged contracts within six weeks of viewing the property. I honestly felt ‘home’ as soon as I arrived.
“The property was in poor repair but structurally sound, with 50 acres of land for the horses, spectacular mountain views and over 300 days of sunshine a year. It’s the perfect location.”
The Natural Horse Centre, where students are taught how to connect with horses and learn about life from the animal’s point of view, is an hour from Malaga.
“I never felt daunted, just excited,” says Tracy. “Although this is a rural area, where little English is spoken, I’ve never experienced anything but kindness and my Spanish has improved no end.
“We grow nearly all of our own organic vegetables and the ranch runs on well water. Living the dream in rural Spain can be tough, but it’s hugely rewarding.”
Seven years on and the Natural Horse Centre is thriving, welcoming visitors from around the world. Tracy’s animal family has also grown and now includes 17 horses, six dogs, eight cats and two pigs. Plus there’s another addition to Tracy’s life: partner Andrew. “Andrew was a childhood friend and we met again four years ago when he came here to buy land,” Tracy says.
“I would love all horses to benefit from the work we do, but challenging traditional methods isn’t always well received. I know I can make the world a better place for them, even if it’s one step at a time.”
The Natural Horse Centre, Bobadilla Estación, Antequera, Malaga, Spain; tel +34 (0)952 720 271, www.naturalhorseridinginspain.com
SO WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
Beginners and experienced riders are welcome at the Natural Horse Centre, where a week’s course includes four hours a day of natural horsemanship tuition, plus the opportunity to ride out through the olive groves and surrounding countryside. In the spring of 2010, Tracy will introduce Freedom Beyond Technique life-coaching courses to the centre, where accomplished life coach Beth Webb will teach students how to bring body, mind and soul together by taking inspiration from the horses.
“We teach people how to reconnect with themselves and how to get the best out of life by communicating with the horses,” says Tracy. “Spending time with the horses can be a life-changing and deeply emotional experience for visitors. Many people have completely re-evaluated their lives after a week or two with us. The horses at the Natural Horse Centre are the therapists and the people become the patients. Horses are non-judgemental and they give you clear, concise feedback about your feelings, which is highlighted in the new Freedom Beyond Technique courses, which are also aimed at non-horsey people and the corporate world.”
Prices for Freedom Beyond Technique courses start from £850 (€945) for a three-day weekend break.
GETTING THERE
Trot off to Malaga with bmibaby from Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands and Manchester from just £40.99 one-way, incl taxes. For more information log on to www.bmibaby.com
