First Do No Harm

A mantra in our school is to stop on a positive note feeling like you could've done more. As type A achiever equestrians we tend to feel something amazing when riding and keep chasing that feeling. I want it again, I want it more, I want it better!! However, quite often what we are feeling is our horses best effort. If we don't stop and reward for effort and drill for perfect behaviours ou...

Join us in this episode, the first of 6 in this mini series on developing willingness and overcoming resistance. In this episode we discuss one of the mistakes we make as a horse rider if our only tool in the tool box is to escalate pressure. Ready to become a holistic equestrian? Jump on our free webinar https://www.equestrianmovement.com/sayyes

Can you truly connect with your horse and understand its unique needs? If you're struggling with traditional horse training methods, feeling the tension between structure and connection, or simply want to create a deeper bond with your horse, this episode is for you. In this final part of our podcast interview with Susan, we explore the world of acupressure and the five-element approach to hor...

Are you struggling with outdated training methods that seem to create more stress than harmony with your horse? Many riders and trainers get caught in a cycle of forceful or fear-based training without realizing the toll it takes on their horses' well-being. You might be getting results, but are they really worth it if they're breaking down the communication and trust between you and your...

Do you struggle to connect with your horse in a way that respects their autonomy and honors their unique personality? Many horse trainers and owners find themselves relying on high-pressure tactics, leading to tension, resistance, and a lack of genuine connection. It doesn't have to be this way. If you've ever felt like your horse was resisting you or exhibiting behavioral issues, it might...

How Can You Improve Communication with Your Horse Without Resorting to Aggression? As a horse owner or student of horsemanship, you might find it difficult to communicate with your horse without resorting to aggressive methods. In this episode, our guest Kerri, an equine expert, explores the common pitfalls in horse training and why forceful techniques often lead to more problems than solutions. A...

Ever wondered how natural therapies can help anxious and stressed animals? Many of us know that managing stress and anxiety in our pets, especially horses and dogs, can be challenging. The fear, the nervousness, the inability to learn or focus – it’s enough to drive any animal owner up the wall. What if you could reduce that stress and anxiety without resorting to harsh medications? Today's gu...

In this episode we cover foundational training principles that need to layer on top of each other to describe bend to a horse so that improves their balance on turns and allows you to do tighter turns with more balance and speed. We go into the training theory of it and how that will influence the horses ability to execute the ask or create resistance. Take the first step towards becoming a holist...

Join us in this episode as we discuss the different types of communication that can be happening with our horse and how that translates through to the saddle and their ability to progress under saddle. Take the first step towards becoming a holistic horse riding and join our free webinar "say yes to a happy, willing horse"

Join us in this episode as we unpack a training problem that came up with one of our students recently with one of our school horses. In this episode we dig into the different elements that I worked through with the student for her to gain the confidence to manage the problem. Want to test the waters of becoming a Holistic Horse Handler? Jump on our free webinar "Say yes to a happy, willing h...

Curious about how traditional methods of horse training might affect the welfare of these magnificent animals? Many riders and trainers, driven by the desire to impress judges and win competitions, often resort to training techniques that prioritize aesthetics over the well-being of the horse. But what if I told you that these practices could be harming the horses, leading to physical and mental d...

Ever wondered about the secrets behind successful horse training? If you've ever found yourself frustrated by your horse's seeming inability to grasp certain concepts or behaviors, you're not alone. In today's episode, we're joined by Andrew, an esteemed equestrian trainer with years of experience in understanding and harnessing the power of equine memory and learning. Andrew w...

Have you ever wondered why some horse training methods seem to work like magic while others leave you feeling frustrated and confused? If you're struggling to understand the intricacies of horse training or find yourself facing a lot of fear and experiencing a lot of injuries in your interactions with horses, you're not alone. Many equestrians face these challenges and wonder if there'...

Join us in this episode as we go through some of the things I am looking at with the horses to gauge their happy, willing participation in their work. Check out our free masterclass, say yes to a happy willing horse and take the first step to developing your confidence in intuitive horse communication here: https://www.equestrianmovement.com/sayyes

In this episode we go into a question we had recently with one of our students horses having resistance to mounting. In this episode I will share with you the experiences that I have had with problems with mounting and a couple of things I had to learn to have a horse that invited me in to the saddle. If you are ready to start you holistic horse handling journey, take the first step and join us in...

Join up with us (lol see what I did there ;)) in this episode where I share my experiences with using join up. I introduced join up to my breaking process and while we can have it as a handy tool up our sleeve it can leave a nasty mark on our horses when not implemented with compassion. In this episode I share how a stallion picked me up by the throat and threw me to the ground while doing join up...

Ever wondered why horses seem to reflect our inner struggles so accurately? Are you finding yourself frustrated with your horse's behavior, only to realize the root cause lies within you? Discover how facing your internal conflicts can revolutionize your approach to horse training and foster deeper connections with your equine companions. Today, we are honored to have Kate, a seasoned horse tr...

Have you ever wondered why some riders seem to effortlessly connect with their horses, while others struggle with communication and control? If you've experienced frustration in your riding journey, feeling stuck, or relying solely on mechanical aids like bits to control your horse, you're not alone. Many riders face challenges in developing a true connection with their equine partners. Bu...

Ever wondered how you can address pain-related behavior in your horse without resorting to forceful methods? Are you unintentionally pushing your horse through pain-related behaviors without realizing the long-term consequences? In today's episode, Katie from Equestrian Movement dives deep into a conversation with Kate McGauly, a PEMF Certified Trained Practitioner, shedding light on the often...

Respect has become a bit of a dirty word in the industry. In this episode I talk about how we perceive the word respect and plot twist, it doesn't mean submission based, dominance and power over training! Oh the shock horror of it all!! Check out this episode for where I see respect most commonly misinterpreted as submission based power over training. Ready to delve into willingness and connec...

Are you reacting or responding to your horse? Are you giving your horse the space they need to process their internal experience of you, their environment and their training? As we learn more about the brain and the nervous system we can start to understand that even though we are doing everything "right" in training, because we are working with a living, emotive being, how we are in rel...

School starts this week and I am sharing what considerations come in to play bringing the horses back into work after a 5 week holiday. Want support with conditioning your horse? Email me on katie@equestrianmovement.com Ready to be a holistic horse rider? Check out our free masterclass: Say yes to a happy willing horse

Being the most adult adult in the room can mean that the nervous system state we take in to our training session with our horses is not the most conducive to connection and a positive training experience. Body awareness for tension holding is a key skill for communicating to our horses it is safe to relax. However, it is not always a comfortable experience! Especially when we have a lot of stress...

Join us in this episode as we discuss working with professionals and problem solving ongoing health and behavioural issues with our horses. The is the foundation of our first do no harm philosophy and how we implement it with our herd of horses. Ready to be a holistic equestrian? Join our program and get life time access: https://www.equestrianmovement.com/holistichorsehandling

Have you ever felt disconnected from reality, stuck in limiting beliefs, or struggled to rewire your nervous system? In this episode, we explore a personal journey of navigating belief systems, nervous system rewiring, and the profound impact it can have on personal and professional growth. Melissa shares a pivotal experience in her early 20s, realizing that her beliefs didn't align with reali...