Meet Our Guest Instructors
Nancy Heiber
Horse Trainer
Nancy has been working with horses since 1999, with a strong focus on the nervous system as the foundation of movement, learning, behavior, and rehabilitation. Her work integrates horse training, neuroscience, and movement science to support horses in developing regulation, resilience, and healthy movement.
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At the core of her approach lies the understanding that meaningful change begins with the relationship between horse and human and the state of the nervous system—not with technique. Nancy helps riders, trainers, horse owners, and professionals learn to recognize where a horse truly is—mentally, physically, and emotionally—and how to adjust input, expectations, and handling accordingly.
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By translating scientific knowledge into clear, practical strategies, she supports sustainable learning and recovery that respect both the horse’s nature and the human–horse relationship. Nancy teaches clinics and workshops internationally in German and English and offers self-learning online courses for those who wish to deepen their understanding independently.
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Annette Gavin
- BA Honors, BHSii
Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter
USPC National Examiner -Through A Level
Annette was educated in the UK, attending City University in London where she graduated with a Politics and Law Degree. After University she concentrated on her passion of horses and competed in Three Day Level Eventing in the UK and Intermediare II in dressage. During this time she qualified through the British Horse Society’s Examinations as an Instructor and Rider taking and passing her Intermediate Instructor exams. Annette taught Pony Club in the UK and was an examiner at the B Level.
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After immigrating to the USA to a job as an Associate Professor in the Wilson College Equestrian program, she taught Pedagogy and Biomechanics classes as well as the practical and theoretical study of backing the young horse and riding classes. Annette went on to establish her own saddlery company and Qualified with the Society of Master Saddlers as a Qualified Saddle Fitter. Since then she has been fitting and doing saddle research in conjunction with the Novel company. Novel assists by providing a Pliance Pressure System to use under saddles. Research is also conducted using high speed camera analysis done with the Quintic system. This research is used to assist in product development, problem solving and increased awareness of Pliance. Annette also lectures for the VetPD, a provider of education for vets working in the field.
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In her spare time she still rides and schools her two event horses and enjoys gardening.
Rachael Argo
Master Saddler & Master Saddle Fitter
Rachael gained her qualifications through the SMS (UK) by completing a 4 year apprenticeship and also taking courses and sitting formal City and Guilds exams over three of those years at The Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury.
Before becoming a saddler Rachael worked for 12 years in equine welfare and rehabilitation for the ILPH at their centre in Scotland where she had the privilege of working alongside some of the leading equine vets, orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, farriers and saddlers in the UK.
During her time at ILPH Belwade farm Rachael became head groom and oversaw a yard of up to 100 equines and 8 grooms. It quickly became obvious that many welfare issues were caused or
exacerbated by poorly fitted and improperly used tack. In 1999 she was offered the chance to apprentice with SMS Master Saddler Andre Bubear and gained her first saddlery qualification in 2003.
Rachael also rides and owns three horses, 2 PREs and a Lusitano, at her home in Central Portugal.
Prior to moving to Portugal she lived in Canada where she ran a saddlery business, bred PRE horses and taught riding in her spare time.