First Do No Harm

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 relationship to each other plays a critical role to our success with our horse.

Some things are physical skills required to develop: balance, coordination, cuing of aids and application of the body in movement. And some of the things are who we are and who our horse is in relationship to us. We could do a physical skill perfectly and our horse can choose to say no. We can fudge and muddle our way through the application of an ask and our horse can say yes.

Timing is about knowing when to ask. When is the nervous system up and receptive to the ask. And when to back off. The nervous system has blocked us out or deemed us as a threat and the horse needs space to process and navigate this internal response to us.

Ready to learn how to establish a connection based training with your horse? Jump on our free masterclass: Say yes to a happy, willing horse

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 [email protected]

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 and responsibilities.

If this brings anything up for you you might want to see a psychologist.

In our holistic horse handling program, relaxation and who we are being in relationship to our horses are foundational to training and where we start from.

Ready to become a holistic horse rider? Check out our free webinar: say yes to a happy, willing horse.

https://www.equestrianmovement.com/sayyes

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 reality, leading to a challenging period of self-discovery. The absence of guidance made the journey harder, emphasizing the struggle of rewiring the nervous system without support.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

👉 The power of reframing limiting beliefs and rewiring the nervous system for personal and professional growth.

👉 The impact of early experiences on belief systems and the importance of addressing them for a fulfilling life.

👉 The role of horses in understanding and regulating the vagus nerve, offering insights into the speaker's personal journey with equine therapy.

👉 The connection between neural pathways, muscle conditioning, and the importance of taking time to build a strong foundation in horse riding.

In this insightful episode, we've explored the transformative journey of rewiring the nervous system, finding solace in equine therapy, and the profound impact horses can have on our well-being. Remember, the key lies in embracing discomfort, feeling the emotions, and allowing the nervous system to shift. 

LET’S CONNECT!

Website: https://www.equestrianmovement.com

https://www.equestrianmovement.com/holistichorsehandling

Find out more about Melissa and her work on her:

Website- https://www.melissajeanpt.com/peaceinthepaddock

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/melissajeanpt/

Ever wondered how the magic between horses and humans in therapeutic settings unfolds? How can our emotional states impact a horse's movement and, in turn, influence the well-being of both?

Often, we overlook the profound connection between our emotional states and the movements of horses, especially in therapeutic settings. Horses are intuitive beings, but our lack of awareness or misinterpretation can lead to missed opportunities for healing and growth.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of hippotherapy and equine-assisted activities with Melissa Jean, PT, a seasoned professional with 19 years of experience. Discover how horses can be powerful agents of change for individuals with various needs and how our emotional states play a crucial role in the success of these therapeutic interactions.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

👉 The transformative power of hippotherapy in enhancing physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

👉 The importance of emotional coherence between humans and horses for successful therapeutic outcomes.

👉 Strategies for maintaining equine welfare while providing therapeutic services.

👉 The surprising capabilities of Arabian horses in therapeutic settings and the significance of building a strong rapport with them.

Get ready to explore the intricate dance between humans and horses in the realm of therapy and discover the untapped potential for healing and connection. Melissa's insights will leave you with a new appreciation for the profound impact our emotional states can have on these magnificent creatures. Tune in for a journey into the heart of equine-assisted therapy.

LET’S CONNECT!

Website: https://www.equestrianmovement.com

https://www.equestrianmovement.com/holistichorsehandling

Find out more about Melissa and her work on her:

Website- https://www.melissajeanpt.com/peaceinthepaddock

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/melissajeanpt/

You likely hear a lot about how personal development is part of being an equestrian and how amazing equine therapy is. If you've listened to a lot of our catalogue of podcasts you will hear how we inevitably end up on a personal development topic. In this episode I will share how I see it relates to being an equestrian. If this brings anything up for you, please make sure to reach out to a professional for support

Books I'm enjoying and that are influencing my training at the moment:

Polyvagal exercises for safety and connection

Peak mind

Brene Browns podcast Dare to lead

Sensitising your horse to your aids is foundational to an easy ride that flows. Check out this episode for some tips and tricks on how to improve your horses responsitivity to aids.

Ready to become a holistic horse trainer and rider? Check out our online program: Holistic horse handling

Want to learn more about attention? Check out this book peak mind

Acceptance of contact and submission to the bit are not the same thing. Check out this episode where we tease apart the differences that allow the horse to move more functionally to build long term soundness.

Ready to become a holistic horse trainer and rider? Check out our online program: Holistic horse trainer

Check out Mills Consilient on facebook

Check out Dr Aline LaPierre's work neuroaffective touch

Check out Celestes work on nerve release therapy

How can we improve our communication with horses and develop a deeper understanding of their movement and behavior?

Many riders overlook the importance of mastering the walk and fail to recognize their own imbalances and limitations, which can significantly impact their horse's performance and well-being.

By focusing on mastering the walk, understanding the horse's body language, and acknowledging our own physical limitations, we can establish a more effective and harmonious partnership with our equine companions.

In this episode, Ainsley sheds light on a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of horse riding: the art of mastering the walk. Our conversation delves into the intricacies of equine communication, emphasizing the critical role the walk plays in building a strong foundation for both the horse and the rider.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

👉The significance of mastering the walk in horse riding and training.

👉How imbalances and limitations in the rider's body affect the horse's movement.

👉The importance of recognizing and addressing imbalances for both rider and horse.

👉Strategies for improving communication and developing a deeper connection with horses.

Join us in our commitment to becoming better listeners, both to our horses and to our own bodies. By embracing the transformative power of the walk, we pave the way for a fulfilling and respectful partnership with these magnificent animals.

LET’S CONNECT!

Website: https://www.equestrianmovement.com

Check our free resources here

Join the free mini course "Building Connection" 

Advanced therapy course:

https://sso.teachable.com/secure/1351168/checkout/4880671/advanced-therapy

Coupon code: save20

Find out more about ansley and her work on her:

- website - https://www.abequinetherapy.com/

- instagram - https://www.instagram.com/abequinetherapy/

- facebook - https://www.facebook.com/abequinetherapy/about/

And grab her free training about hyperflexion here: https://abequinetherapy.ck.page/65688e4886

Ready to join the movement? Jump on the link below for our masterclass as we dig in to the elements of working with our horses for emotional resilience.

⁠⁠www.equestrianmovement.com/sayyes⁠⁠

Ready to be a holistic horse rider? Check it out here. 

⁠https://www.equestrianmovement.com/holistichorsehandling⁠

Or reach out if you'd like more information about whether or not its the right fit for you by emailing me at [email protected].