Akila – Session 1

Starting an Untouched Colt

What happens when a young, untouched colt learns that humans don’t always mean pressure or fear? This episode captures the very first steps of connection – the moment trust begins to replace instinctive self-protection.

In this foundational groundwork session, I work with Akila, a one-year-old colt who has had little to no handling. The focus is not on technique for its own sake, but on creating emotional safety and clear communication. You’ll see what it looks like to build confidence through steady energy, soft boundaries, and honest timing. The smallest gestures – a breath, a pause, a touch – become language.

This session shows how pressure and release, feel, and leadership without domination can turn uncertainty into curiosity. It’s raw, unfiltered horsemanship – no shortcuts, just patience and presence.

What you’ll see in this session:

• Introducing touch to an untouched yearling and reading subtle thresholds
• Setting gentle but clear personal-space boundaries to balance curiosity and respect
• Working through mouthiness and defensive behaviours without creating fear
• Using body position and the drive line to redirect flight into engagement
• Replacing avoidance with draw – that first “he chose to come in” moment
• Exploring whether (and when) to use a rope, and why trust must come first
• Recognising emotional releases: blinking, licking, breathing, and softening

Perfect for anyone working with a young or unhandled horse, or for riders wanting to understand how to begin groundwork before breaking-in.
If you’ve ever wondered how to create trust instead of control, or felt unsure how to handle a defensive colt with calm authority, this episode will speak to you.

Every horse remembers its first human experiences. When we choose patience over pressure, we’re not just training skills – we’re shaping a mindset. This session is about more than groundwork; it’s about redefining leadership as safety, clarity, and compassion.
For me, this is the essence of connection-based horsemanship: building a partnership where trust comes before training, and curiosity becomes the bridge between fear and willingness.

🎥 No quick fixes. No fancy edits. Just honest, real-time horse training exactly as it happens.

📍 Filmed on the Mid North Coast of NSW, Australia.

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