Helping a Shutdown Horse https://youtu.be/x3W9y00D6Qg This session captures a quiet but powerful shift in Sally’s emotional state. In earlier work, she tended to freeze or dissociate under pressure - giving the “right” answer without truly feeling it. Today, we see the beginning of something new: subtle engagement, thoughtful tries, and real-time communication through movement. It’sContinue reading "Sally & Freya – Session 5.1"
Why I Share Full, Unedited Horse Training Sessions – and Why You Should Watch Them
Discover why full, unedited horse training sessions are the best way to learn timing, feel, and connection with real examples you can apply.
Elke & Lola – Session 2
Restarting a Sensitive OTTB Mare https://youtu.be/AKzwRy-BxBI In this session, I continue working with Lola - a sensitive, intelligent, and sometimes overreactive Thoroughbred mare. With Elke still unwell, I took the opportunity to revisit and gently progress the work we started in Session 1. My focus for this session was on refining Lola’s response to steadyContinue reading "Elke & Lola – Session 2"
Sally & Freya – Session 4
Helping a Shutdown Horse https://youtu.be/Y09u9Up8qPs This session marks a real turning point in Sally’s training journey. While earlier sessions focused on building trust, connection, and giving Sally choice, we’re now laying down real foundations: consistency, communication, clarity, and essential groundwork skills. It's still slow and thoughtful, but now we're laying bricks instead of just clearingContinue reading "Sally & Freya – Session 4"
Sally & Freya – Session 3
Helping a Shutdown Horse https://youtu.be/43XRMdWBlgo In this solo EquiTrain session without Freya, I spent time deeply observing and exploring where Sally is truly at. This session became a rich opportunity to gather data, reflect, and meet her honestly in the moment. What unfolded confirmed something I’ve been sensing: while confidence-building is still on the horizon,Continue reading "Sally & Freya – Session 3"
Sally & Freya – Session 2
Helping a Shutdown Horse https://youtu.be/gttsDIp02tA In Session 2 of Sally’s 8-week EquiKinder journey, I dive deeper into her subtle responses to pressure, emotional shutdown, and signs of a possible fawn response. As Freya and I work through groundwork basics like steady pressure, rhythmic motion, and confidence-building exercises, I begin to question whether Sally’s initial shutdownContinue reading "Sally & Freya – Session 2"
Elke & Lola – Session 1
Restarting a Sensitive OTTB Mare https://youtu.be/YRDzswpYSvk This is the first solo groundwork session I had with Lola, a sweet, reactive off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) mare. With her teenage rider Elke away, this session gave me space to return to the basics and gently stretch Lola beyond her emotional comfort zone. Lola is not a “problem horse.”Continue reading "Elke & Lola – Session 1"
Sally & Freya – Session 1
Helping a Shutdown Horse https://youtu.be/KeIS8NKx0Dg Welcome to the first session of our EquiKinder journey with Sally, a sensitive, shutdown Brumby mare who often retreats inward when life gets overwhelming. In this episode, we begin building trust through simple, repeatable exercises designed to gently spark her curiosity and awareness without pushing her into shut down. TogetherContinue reading "Sally & Freya – Session 1"
Red Flags in Riding Instructors: What Every Parent and Teen Should Know
Because how we treat riders is just as important as how we treat horses. When “Just Do It” Doesn’t Feel Right There’s a moment many riders remember: when something felt off, but they went along with it anyway. Maybe they were nervous. Maybe the horse was, too. But the trainer said, “Just do it.” SoContinue reading "Red Flags in Riding Instructors: What Every Parent and Teen Should Know"
Rider Training Scale Explained: How EquiKinder Builds Confident Young Riders
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v1LVohpUhjekf7hrJd7xA?si=VlV-uhrERtOYJEIqRj_ITg In this episode of the EquiKinder Audio Journal, I explore how we teach beginner riding lessons using the Rider’s Training Scale - a step-by-step framework that prioritizes connection, balance, feel, and horsemanship. You’ll hear how this scale helps young riders grow into confident, relaxed, and aware horse people, while supporting the wellbeing of ourContinue reading "Rider Training Scale Explained: How EquiKinder Builds Confident Young Riders"
