Where it began....

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AJ Equine – Ethical Horsemanship began in 2018 as a boutique riding school offering lessons, breaking and training services, agistment, and personalised education for horse owners. Founded and operated by husband‑and‑wife team Andrew and Apryl Swan, the business quickly became known for its ethical approach and genuine care for both horses and riders.

In 2021, a relocation created the opportunity for Andrew to pursue his long‑held passion for farming and breeding cattle. Since then, Apryl has continued AJEEH as a solo operator, refining the business into what it is today: a specialised confidence‑building and horsemanship coaching service focused on creating true two‑way trust between horse and human.

Apryl’s teaching approach is unique. She begins by working directly with the horse to understand its needs, mindset, and current level of clarity. Once the horse is settled and communicating honestly, she brings the owner into the process—explaining what the horse requires and teaching the skills, awareness, and mindset needed to meet those needs.

This method creates a powerful partnership. Riders learn not just what to do, but why their horse responds the way it does. Children and adults alike develop a deeper awareness of the horse’s perspective, gaining the understanding necessary for safe, smooth, and enjoyable progress in any equine pursuit.

At AJEEH, the goal is simple: build confidence, create clarity, and foster genuine connection—so every horse and rider can thrive together.

A bit about Apryl!

I’ve been involved with horses for most of my life. I was that classic town kid who somehow arrived in the world completely horse‑obsessed, despite coming from a family who knew nothing about them. From the age of three, my Grandma took my sister and me on week‑long Farmstay holidays every year, where we spent our days riding trail horses and soaking up every moment in the saddle. Those trips continued right up until the age of twelve, when my Grandma gifted me my first horse, Missy — a moment that changed everything.

At thirteen, I began working as a trail guide, learning invaluable horsemanship skills from my boss, who bred and started most of the horses we used. I also attended the local pony club with Missy, who had more than her fair share of behavioural challenges — no doubt the combination of a very green rider paired with a very green five‑year‑old horse. Those early years taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of understanding the horse beneath you.

When I was around nineteen or twenty, Missy suffered a serious paddock accident and was put to sleep. Losing her was devastating.

For a while, I stepped away from personal horse ownership and worked as a strapper in the racing industry. Eventually, with my dog Kirra, my swag, and a tough old Hilux ute, I headed out of town chasing adventure, not entirely sure where I’d end up — only that I had itchy feet and a hunger for experience.

Over the next few years, I travelled and worked across South‑East Queensland as a trail guide and riding instructor, strapped at another racing stable on the Gold Coast, and completed two seasons as a jillaroo in North Queensland and the Northern Territory.

It was during this time that I had my first taste of campdrafting and discovered yet another side of the horse world. Every role offered new lessons in equine management, handling, and riding — each one shaping the horsemanship coach I would eventually become.

I later settled in coastal North Queensland, where my two children were born. During those years, horses took a quieter place in my life. Although I kept them, they spent a fair bit of time simply being paddock ornaments while motherhood took centre stage.

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My journey into an ethical style of horsemanship began after moving back to NSW.

I started attending clinics, taking lessons, and absorbing as much knowledge as I could. Seeing horses every day with behavioural issues — and witnessing how people were trying to manage them — sparked something in me.

I realised how deeply I cared about helping horses and their owners understand one another. Problem‑solving has always been a passion of mine, and horsemanship gave me the perfect way to combine that passion with my love for horses.

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That inspiration is what ultimately led me to become a horsemanship coach: someone who helps people build genuine communication, clarity, and trust with their horses, so both can thrive together

 

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