Derry VM

16/06/2026

Great post on CPGs ..

Central Pattern Generators (CPGs), what are they and why are they important to the VP.

CPGs are a cluster of nerves in the spinal column. They are like switches, they arrange the gaits so that they automatically work without having to think about each movement. The front talks to the back and the back gives feedback.
Decisions on movement are made in the front and the gaits are programmed in diagonal pairing. For example, the left fore communicates with the right hind.

Foals are born with imprinted gaits that enable them to quickly flee predation soon after birth.
Riding and training horses can highlight a difficulty with one diagonal pair when applying a leg aid and a poor response to a rein aid with another diagonal pair.

Why are they important to the VP? If the gaits are arranged in a pattern but the pattern is disrupted through lameness or restriction the VP has specific exercises to reintroduce and reinforce correct patterning.

02/06/2026

Are you building a connection ?

Every horse, every rider: The connection gap 🐴 Every horse, like every human, communicates uniquely. While scientific research e...

31/05/2026

I was interviewed for a podcast 😬🫣

I was super pleased to be asked to be interviewed for a podcast with Anne Axells - Horse & Health , unpacking the deeper connection between horse & rider, touching a small part of my journey with horses and sharing a brief insight to what my coaching looks like…

In this podcast we talk about,
🐴 my ABCS of working with horses and riders (Alignment, Balance, Confidence & Synergy )
🐴 ground work
🐴 horse & human relationships
🎠 simulator
🏇🏻riding and looking after hoses … and much more ..

Check out the full podcast on

https://youtu.be/Z5zgr7iQc84

Anne Axell - thank you for this opportunity.

28/05/2026

A little delayed but what a fab weekend!
My annual trip to base Potten Farm Equestrian- in Hertfordshire, to co-teach on a Ride With Your Mind course co-ordinated by led by Mary.

One of the amazing things about RWYM is the coaching community and the riders that the courses attract and the openness that everyone shares to learn and grow. Whether you’re riding, spectating or coaching everyone is included and part of the ‘clinic bubble’

Sad not to have Mabel with me this year but I had a lovely time supporting Mary deliver the course (we successfully managed to dodge the crazy heat 🥵)

Thanks to Ali, for hosting, Hannah for arranging (and for generally looking after me for the weekend) and Mary for her never ending insights. It was lovely to catch up with a group of the network coaches too.

A special thanks goes to the riders who I am humbled enough to work with over the course, trusting me to be part of their journey with their horses.

See you next year !

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25/05/2026

FREE POSTER ON HEATWAVE ADVICE

DOWNLOAD HI RES VERSION- drdavidmarlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/DM_HeatwavePoster_A4_high-2.pdf

23/05/2026

Day 1 at the amazing Potten Farm Equestrian - for the Hertfordshire Ride With Your Mind course focused on all things rider biomechanics. The course is lead by Mary Wanless and I’m super grateful to be invited to co-coach.

As always fabulous riders and horses. Thanks Hannah Griffiths & Alison Cahill for pulling all this together every year 🥰🥰

Just sad to not have Mabel here as a ridden participant- but the loving the coaching 🙌

Fun in the sun at Mary's Potten Farm Equestrian Ride With Your Mind clinic, with Derry VM and Lynda Davey co-coaching.

Clinic organised by Hannah
📸 Derry