Introducing a bit and bridle to a young or green horse doesn’t have to be a wrestling match, a drama scene, or something you “just get done.” When done thoughtfully, it can be a calm, easy, even curious experience for the horse — and that first impression sets the tone for their entire future with bridling. Here’s the simple, treat‑charged, horse‑friendly method I used with my youngster.(It took us under five minutes to get the bit in for the first time, and now he literally

Looking for a way to keep your horse mentally stimulated and physically active without leaving your property? Building fun obstacles at home is a great way to strengthen your bond, improve your horse’s confidence, and add variety to your training sessions. Best of all, many obstacles can be made with simple, affordable materials. Why DIY Obstacles Are Great for Horses Mental Engagement: Horses love challenges! Obstacles encourage problem-solving and boost confidence. Physica

Humans Need to be the Horse's Psychiatrist and Listen to Troubleshoot When a horse shows anger, it’s not about defiance or dominance—it’s a cry for help. Horses are prey animals, hardwired for survival, and their behaviour is a reflection of how safe and understood they feel. Anger is often a sign that something in their world isn’t right. As horse owners and trainers, it’s our job to listen. What Does “Angry” Look Like in a Horse? Anger in horses can show up in subtle and ob

Ever heard someone say, “You need more feel” ? It sounds mysterious, almost magical—but feel isn’t magic . It’s an art, supported by science. The science explains biomechanics, learning theory, and how horses respond to pressure and release. The art is knowing when to apply an aid, how much , and when to soften . That’s where experience, awareness, and empathy come in. What Is ‘Feel’? Feel is the ability to sense and respond to what your horse needs in the moment. It’s knowi

From 14–17 May, Maestro, Thor and I attended The Mindful Rider Canberra clinic — a biannual highlight made even more special as I help organise these events locally. This time, we were immersed in not one, but two consecutive 2-day intensive clinics with Ann Montgomery, and once again, the experience proved just how powerful her coaching approach truly is. A Setting Designed for Learning Our journey took us to the stunning Kalaragan Equine property near Murrumbateman, NSW. Ho

Why Hip-Opening Matters Tight hips can lead to discomfort, reduced mobility, and even impact your posture. The good news? You don’t need an hour-long yoga session to start improving flexibility. These two simple stretches take less than five minutes and can make a noticeable difference when done consistently. Stretch 1: Modified Child’s Pose How to Do It: Kneel on the floor with your knees wider than hip-width. Sit back toward your heels and extend your arms forward, lowering

Overloaded with Courses and Conflicting Advice? We’ve all been there—one quick search for “how to improve my horse’s canter” turns into hours of scrolling through videos, blogs, and online courses. Suddenly, you’ve signed up for five different training programs, each promising miracles. The result? Confusion for you and your horse. I get it! We want to educate ourselves to be the best for our horse's and their welfare. However, it is a slippery slope to ride. We are only huma

The Weight Factor: Smart Buying and Training Tips When choosing a horse or planning a training program, understanding breed categories and their functional movement is essential. Horses are generally grouped into light, medium, and heavyweight breeds, each with unique biomechanics, strengths, and challenges. Lightweight Breeds Agile, quick, and naturally forward-thinking. Ideal for speed and endurance disciplines. Easier to achieve uphill balance but can be sensitive and reac

“Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” This phrase has followed me through many parts of my life, but nowhere does it feel more relevant—or more misunderstood—than in horse training. We often hear slow down as the antidote to rushing, tension, and confusion. And yes, rushing can absolutely create brace. But I want to open a deeper conversation around this idea: 👉 Can moving too slowly also create brace? 👉 And are we sometimes mistaking stillness and micro‑control for quality

The other day I had the loveliest brunch with some horse gal pals—good food, great company, and (of course) deep horse chat. At one point someone asked a deceptively simple question: “Do you need a bit to get collection?” What followed was a genuinely fascinating conversation, with a whole range of perspectives and experiences shared around the table. It stayed with me long after the last coffee, and I realised it was something I really wanted to write about—and hear your tho

Post-Bodyworker Return-to-Work You’ve booked the bodyworker, given your horse a couple of rest days, and now you’re ready to ride. But instead of feeling supple and balanced, your horse moves like six different drunk horses in one body. Sound familiar? Here’s why—and what to do about it. Why It Happens Bodywork releases tension and restores mobility, but it also changes how your horse feels in its own skin. Muscles that were tight are now freer, and old compensations have shi

Every horse and rider combination is unique — but progression should never be random. Equine Awareness Training is not about rushing to advanced movements or chasing milestones; it’s about building clear communication, physical understanding, and emotional security step by step. Skipping foundations doesn’t make progress faster — it makes it fragile. This pathway outlines a logical progression from basic handling to advanced ridden work, ensuring both horse and rider develop

How to Spot Hidden Tension, Why It Blocks Forward Energy, and Simple Tips to Create Awareness and Flow Ever wonder why your horse feels sluggish or resistant, even when you’re asking for forward? The culprit might not be your horse—it could be you bracing through your legs . This subtle tension can block your horse’s movement and create confusion in your aids. Let’s break down how to spot it and what to do about it. Why Leg Bracing Stops Forward Movement When you brace throug

With you on either side of them! And why leading and casting ahead are only the beginning... Once your horse confidently leads forward, yields softly, and understands how to cast ahead (moving their feet forward while you stay grounded at their shoulder), it’s tempting to think your float loading education is “done”. After all, they walk straight on, stand quietly, and travel well—what more could you need? Plenty, as it turns out. One often overlooked but critically importan

Here's to the Overthinkers and "Try Hards"... I’ll be the first to admit it: I’m an overthinker AND try-hard. Not the casual kind—the world-class, Olympic‑level kind. And while overthinking is sometimes useful in life, when it comes to training horses… well, it can turn a perfectly good ride into a mental pretzel. Over time, I’ve realised something important: horses don’t live in our heads—they live in the moment. And when we don’t, the disconnect becomes obvious. When Over

Why Learning with Horses is so Humbling Learning horse riding or handling often feels like a rollercoaster. You grasp a new skill, feel confident, then suddenly hit a wall where nothing seems to work. This back-and-forth between understanding and confusion can be frustrating. Yet, this experience is a natural part of the learning process. Imagine it like Newton’s pendulum, where the balls swing back and forth, gradually losing energy until they come to rest. Your progress in

Riders often struggle with learning feel when riding! It is an interesting and light bulb moment if you pursue this approach (this is all part of my equine awareness training methodologies). Read on as I think I can help you get that inkling of unlocking finding/teaching the right feel ! Developing an independent seat and subtle, effective leg aids starts with understanding what feel actually means in your own body. Many riders are told to “wrap the leg on,” “guard with the

There’s something about Australian summers—humid, sticky, deceptively cloudy—that tricks you into thinking, “It’s not that hot today.” And that’s exactly when the heat can catch you off guard. I learned that the hard way. I’m usually organised when I’m at the paddock: my big water bottles, electrolytes, cooling towel—the whole routine. But for once, I forgot my usual set‑up. No large water bottles. No reminder to sip consistently. No plan for the humidity that was already si

The Challenge We All Face I’ll be honest—I struggle with this too. I think in this day-and-age, where technology has enabled things to be instantaneous, an environment has been created where we multi-task or handle a lot of things all at once—making us flounder and sometimes get overwhelmed. I think this also translates into the equine world too! When I’m in-hand or riding, I sometimes give too many cues : a rope wiggle here, a rein adjustment there, a leg aid that overlaps w

Why Does Bracing Happen? If your horse feels stiff or resistant on one side of their body, it’s often due to asymmetry in flexibility, strength, or balance . This can show up as difficulty bending, falling in or out on circles, or resisting lateral aids. The goal isn’t to force softness—it’s to encourage equal bend and relaxation . ✅ In-Hand Exercises Lateral Flexion at the Poll and Neck: Stand at the girth and gently ask for bend toward the softer side first, then the stiffe