Shelley Claxton BAHons, M.A.
I have been involved in education for over 40 years, leading Drama Depts in Secondary schools, also freelance Drama teaching in primary, post 16, University courses and more recently running eco and wildlife projects within schools and with Sustainable Penzance.
I am co founder of The Company of Horses along with Janine Falle and Sue Hill. This is a company that brings horses and performers together in an improvisational way that is both highly creative and is proving a rewarding experience for both species. We are currently engaged in developing an Equine Opera with Musician and Composer Mathew Thomasson and Choreographers Susie West and Rob Shaun Minnear.
Here are some shots by Greg Martin of an early workshop as part of the Falmouth International Arts Festival. It was a chance for David and Alison Zeund to bring their horses Joker and Mouse to meet the musicians and all get involved in the rehearsal process.
Below also some stills from the fundraising video filmed by Drew Graves, costume design by Meier Williams.
If you are interested in finding out more about this project, please email for further details
Myself & Chester at a Jayne Forster clinic
Working at Liberty
My journey for looking for better connection with my horse and the horses I worked with began when I first read Carolyn’s Resnick’s auto biography ‘Naked Liberty’. This opened a whole new window into relationships with horses for me.
I followed this up by taking her ’21 Day Chair Challenge’, which was a completely enlightening experience for me and showed how slowing down and dropping all expectations reveals the horse you are with in a whole new light.
I followed this up by attending live clinics and workshops by the lovely Resnick trained, Jayne Forster of ‘Liberty Connections’ who introduced me to ways of working with my horse at liberty. Here I am a few years ago working during a Waterhole Ritual and Liberty Dance Clinic at Jayne’s farm working with her, at the time, new rescue horse, the fabulous Chester.
Take a look at Jayne D Forster's website for information on Liberty
I co managed Cornwall Swimming Horses for 3yrs. Swimming with these wonderful sentient beings in our stunning Cornish ocean in front of St Michael's Mount, never ceased to amaze me and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to introduce others to this unforgettable experience. Here is a couple of photos of me by Greg Martin with my partner in brine Tao, a maremaid like no other.
Regeneration and Reciprocity
Since designing and building our straw bale home over 22 years ago, Luke and I have been involved in both education and the community in developing and promoting ecological and regenerative ways of working both in our careers and in our personal way of life.
After working for many years in education, teaching No Dig Growing techniques and well being through nature, to students, Luke is currently Community Engagement Officer for Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
Over the last few years, I have run Detox Festivals, Zero Waste Fayres, liaised with artists and students to create site specific exhibitions to encourage reflection on our relationship with nature, and collaborated to create films about The Children’s Fire and the importance of the Seventh Generation in developing long term thinking.
I most recently worked with Cornish Hedgers, Chris Hall and Harry Hudson to realise the designs of students in creating an outdoor granite classroom on the edge of a woodland.
How to create a positive impact for horse and planet with Equiculture Equine Land Management.
All of the above experiences have come together to develop my interest and involvement as an Affiliate of EquiCulture Central, a system established by Jane and Stuart Myers. This involves promoting their course ‘Healthy Land, Healthy Horse’. The course teaches horse owners to recognise the importance and responsibility of looking after the land that is grazed by our equines. It provides clear practical advice to develop ways of enriching the soil for the diverse grazing and browsing required for natural, healthy Horses whilst simultaneously supporting wildlife and carbon sequestration. You can book me to visit your Equine Land to offer personal, tailor made support on healthy land/horse management.
Check this link for more information