Tea Time with Elsa

Chatting about: Stacking the Wins!

In this episode we talk about noticing the quality of each interaction we have with our horse. When we adjust the level of difficulty correctly for the horse on that day, in that environment, then the horse is able to feel like their wins stack up from moment to moment. Once we have stacked enough wins we can start asking the horse to stretch a bit more or try to do a bit better than usual (emotionally, mentally or physically). Stacking the wins is usually an emotional experience that builds the foundation for any challenges that may follow.

Originally aired on: December 3rd, 2025

Chatting about: Training Obedience versus Training Interest…

In this episode we talk about how we might look at training on a spectrum between obedience and interest in the horse. While we can train to have both in the horse, we probably have to prioritize one or the other in each moment of practice. Each side of the spectrum comes with different benefits and challenges.

Originally aired on: November 18th, 2025

Chatting about: The 13th Rabbit…

In this episode we talk about the story of the thirteenth rabbit and how anxiety, or fear, or anger stacks if we don’t notice it and take the time to allow a horse to fully process it. Not everything needs to be fully processed as it happens, but it is good if we know our horses and how much stacking they can handle before we need to take time for processing.

Originally aired on: November 12th, 2025

Chatting about: Associations…

In this episode we talk about building positive associations in horses. The tendency is to wait for something to go wrong, the horse to feel overwhelmed, and then ask how to solve the problem. This is of course something we can do, but it is so much better if we build positive associations with novelty and change before we put them in new situations. Studying what we can do right ahead of time, so that things don’t go wrong later is a beautiful art to play with.

Originally aired on: November 5th, 2025

Chatting about: Optimism and Pessimism…

In this episode we talk about the factors that make a horse more optimistic or more pessimistic. Once we can see the ingredients that go into developing optimism we can improve a horse’s quality of life.

Originally aired on: October 10th, 2025

Chatting about: Sensitization, Desensitization, Flooding and Learned Helplessness…

In this episode we look at the spectrum of possibilities we have when helping horses live well in a human world. Seeing possibilities as options with positive and negative aspects helps us to make the best decisions for each horse in each moment. While most of us will not choose the more extreme options of training, it is good to be aware of what they are.

Originally aired on: October 21st, 2025

Chatting about: Watching…

In this episode I talk about the power of watching our horses, and what exactly it is that I am watching for. There is so much to learn before we attempt to interact well with horses. When we understand each one as an individual while also seeing them part of a bigger environment, we then can become the partner they need.

Originally aired on: October 14th, 2025

Chatting about: Escalating Pressure…

In this episode I talk about the different ways we can see and understand escalating pressure. While I may personally choose the most gentle types of pressure I can find, I appreciate there are interesting pros and cons to every choice we make in our relationships with horses.

Originally aired on: October 7th, 2025

Chatting about: Less Is More…

In this episode I share a very personal growth experience with my herd. I am often torn between satisfying the public expectation of proving I can teach horses to do many normal domestic horse tasks with less pressure than most, and my desire to do less in favor of learning more from the horses. We can replace dominance with awareness if we are willing to take the time to do so. When my desire to do less and learn more wins out over meeting public expectations, the results are often better than I could ever expect.

Originally aired on: September 30th, 2025

Chatting about: What Is A Challenge…

In this episode we talk about an exercise I do with horses to figure out what may or may not feel like a challenge for them in the environment they are in. Then when we know where the edges of their comfort zone are, how we might stretch them in a way the horse is interested in developing. 

Originally aired on: September 23rd, 2025