training services
Rosca Horsemanship
Recognised as one of the most intuitive horsemen in the UK, Ross’s dynamic approach to horsemanship centres around helping horses navigate the world of people while mentoring owners to better understand their horse for improved training, management and welfare.
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Central to his philosophy of the whole-horse dynamic is promoting behavioural and biomechanical integrity for soundness in both body and mind. Ross has a unique ability to maintain the integrity of the horse while cultivating partnerships between horse and owner, encouraging ethical interaction, open communication, and enhancing awareness. Training for for long-term functionality, he achieves positive lasting results in a way the horse can understand. Ross bridges the gap between skill and soul to embody true connection through communication.
As a specialist in equine behaviour and a certified Equine Behaviour Consultant (EBC) with a complementary Level 3 in Equine Psychology, Ross blends an evidence-informed approach with natural feel to support progressive equine development and behavioural challenges —whether emotional, physical, or environmental—while giving owners the awareness and skills to build relationships founded in trust and understanding. Within his teachings, Ross places equal importance on the horse-human dynamic and our influence on the relationship, working with owners who wish to deepen their connection, refine communication, and both expand and develop their skill set.​
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With a diverse background in natural, western and classical horsemanship with the application of different behavioural modalities, Rosca Horsemanship does prescribe to a method, but guided by principles of ethical training, education, and understanding. For Ross, the art of horsemanship is not a method, style, or defined by a discipline, it is a lifelong search of finding harmony with the horse.​
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Based on the Derbyshire–Nottinghamshire border in the Midlands, UK, Rosca Horsemanship offers nationwide private and group sessions, clinics, demonstrations, talks, and workshops.
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In addition, Ross is a International Horse Agility Accredited Trainer (HAAT), British Working Equitation (BWE) Approved Instructor, and a regular contributor to leading equestrian publications including Your Horse Magazine, Horsemanship Journal, Western Horse UK, and Midlands Horse Magazine.
Training Services
Behavioural Rehabilitation
At Rosca Horsemanship, behavioural rehabilitation focuses on helping horses work through challenges that often arise from fear, pain, trauma or misunderstanding. These may include sessions focused on improving separation anxiety, loading difficulties, handling, problem solving or ridden anxieties.
Ross prioritises behavioural integrity and works alongside you to uncover the root causes of these behaviours, rather than suppressing them, by combining his experience in equine psychology, behaviour, biomechanics, looking at both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. His ethical training application will help horses regain confidence, softness, and balance.
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Equally important to Ross is mentoring owners, giving them the tools and awareness to understand their horse’s behaviour and build a more trusting and understanding partnership.
Groundwork
For Rosca Horsemanship, groundwork is the foundation of every successful horse–human partnership. Groundwork not only develops trust, communication, and balance but prepares the horse mentally, physically and emotionally for future education.
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Groundwork with Rosca Horsemanship prioritises clear communication, allowing softness and confidence in themselves and their handler. Groundwork sessions encompass everything we do with our horses on the ground, and sessions may include: foal handling, halter starting, leading, developing functional skills, body manoeuvrability, in-hand and lateral work, liberty, obstacle training or Whether you are looking to create a foundation or refine the skills of a more advanced partnership, groundwork builds the language that carries into everything else.
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Just as importantly, Ross mentors owners in how to use groundwork effectively, so they gain the skills to better understand their horse’s needs and create a relationship based on trust and mutual understanding.
Young Horses
The focus on young horses is to provide them with the best possible start — one that sets them up for long-term soundness, confidence, and partnership with people.
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Ross takes a patient, progressive approach to working with young horses, whether this be starting horses under saddle or introducing the first halter, ensuring they develop clarity, trust, and functional movement through groundwork. By introducing each new stage appropriate for their age with softness and understanding, he helps young horses learn without fear, pressure, or confusion.
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This foundation creates horses that are not only safe and willing, but also balanced in both body and mind, ready to succeed in whichever discipline their future holds. Owners are actively involved throughout the process, gaining the tools to continue their horse’s education with confidence and consistency.
Coaching & Ridden Development
With Rosca Horsemanship, ridden coaching and development is centred is centred on creating harmony, balance and understanding between horse and rider; key factors to improving performance.
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Ross works alongside riders of all levels, disciplines, and backgrounds to build confidence, improve communication, and develop a deeper awareness of how their position, aids, and energy influence the horse. As a UKCC Level 2 coach specialising in bitless riding, sessions are tailored to the needs of both horse and rider, whether that’s overcoming specific challenges, building foundations, or progressing to more advanced work.
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The focus is always on long-term functionality, wellbeing and an environment that both horse and rider feel safe to learn. By combining biomechanics, behavioural awareness, and clear communication, Ross helps riders achieve softness, responsiveness, and partnership in the saddle in a dynamic, fun and empowering way.
Western Riding
At Rosca Horsemanship, western riding is taught as both a discipline and a mindset — one that values softness, balance, and effective communication between horse and rider.
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As A UKCC Level 2 coaching in Western Riding, Ross works with riders of all levels to introduce and develop the key principles of western riding, from foundation skills and body control to refinement in manoeuvres. His coaching focuses on clarity, softness, and mutual understanding, helping both horse and rider achieve greater confidence and balance.
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Whether supporting those new to western riding or helping experienced riders progress, Ross blends biomechanics, behavioural awareness, and ethical training methods to create partnerships that are functional, adaptable, and enjoyable.
Starting Under Saddle
Ross takes a kind, progressive and patient approach to working with horses under saddle, be this starting horses under saddle when they of an appropriate age, or advancing education from the saddle.
Ross values each horse as an individual as they are guided through the ridden exercises of backing process, always at their own pace, beginning after establishing a reliable foundation of education through groundwork.
A progressive approach to starting is done over months and years with,
not days and weeks, with Ross ensuring physical, emotional and psychological readiness as we move through each phase, providing long-term reliability, functionality and confidence for the ridden horse.
This foundation creates horses that are not only safe and willing, but also balanced in both body and mind, ready to succeed in whichever discipline their future holds. Owners are actively involved throughout the process, gaining the tools to continue their horse’s education with confidence and consistency.
Horse Agility & Obstacle Training
The integration of obstacles are a fun and educational addition to a training or enrichment session.
Creating a new dynamic within a session that instils confidence for the horse in themselves and their handler, the integration of the wide variety of obstacles benefit phycological and physical development.
Ross Cooper is also a Horse Agility Accredited Trainer with The International Horse Agility Club, and offers private sessions and public clinics of the sport of horse agility, both in person and on-line.
