Tea Time with Elsa

Chatting about: Supporting vs Affirming…

In this episode we talk about the two different ways I interact with horses to encourage them to use their brain and sensory system. Supporting is generally going to refer to the actions we take around the horse that they cannot ignore, helping them use their senses better. Affirming is generally going to refer to the simple pauses we can take when accidental improvements of the brain and sensory system occur in the horse.

Originally aired on: October 1st, 2024

Chatting about: Which is better, intrinsic or extrinsic motivation?

In this episode we talk about the differences between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation; Where they touch on a spectrum and what the benefits might be of leaning more towards one or the other. Freedom Based Training® leans toward intrinsic motivation, but there are some things we do that range up the scale toward extrinsic motivation.

Originally aired on: September 24th, 2024

Chatting about: Letting Things Be As They Are…

In this episode we talk about our human desire to always be pushing for growth or change in our horses. When might it be appropriate to let them be as they are without trying to change them?

Originally aired on: September 18th, 2024

Chatting about: Who Can Teach Freedom Based Training®? 

In this episode we talk about what Freedom Based Training® means and while it is trademarked by me, it is coming up in conversations between more and more trainers around the world. This is a beautiful thing. In reality only the horses can teach us Freedom Based Training®, but I will encourage humans to talk about it and share ideas about it, perpetually opening the doors for more humans to listen to horses.

Originally aired on: September 10th, 2024

Chatting about: The Beauty in The Boring…

In this episode we talk about how the greatest power in training exists within the beauty of the boring moments. Specifically when it comes to herd integration and bonding. Every problem you ever have with a horse comes from a hyper-focus on a problem. If the horse can develop habits of changing focus out of hyper-focus, this solves problems before they occur. Developing the resiliency of focus changes is built in the boring and beautiful moments between horses, and between horses and humans.

Originally aired on: September 3rd, 2024

Chatting about: Developing a Bond…

In this episode we talk about what it looks like to develop a bond with a horse. Ari and I have been through a few challenges this week in our bond and this has helped me think about the parts of the puzzle that may need some attention in our relationship.

Originally aired on: August 27th, 2024

Chatting about: Action or Pressure…

In this episode we talk about the spectrum between Action and Pressure. I believe we can replace pressure with action if we have enough time to take training slowly. If we want horses to develop more quickly we can choose what type of pressure might provide the best contrast for training.

Originally aired on: August 20th, 2024

Chatting about: Stepping in Someone Else’s Footsteps…

In this episode we talk about my adventures in Mongolia and Iceland and my take away learning points from my travels. Each year I take some time to step outside of my normal life patterns into someone else’s perspective. This generally leaves me more grateful than ever for the life I get to come home to. 

Originally aired on: August 13th, 2024

Chatting about: The Illusion of Control…

In this episode we talk about understanding control. “Stress is no more and no less than the inability to control and shape the forces that shape our lives” Teaching horses to control their own senses (where they look ,listen ,feel ,smell and taste) gives them a stress regulation system that they can always count on.

Originally aired on: June 18th, 2024

Chatting about: The Wisdom of Timing…

In this episode we talk about time and timing. Do you have the time to break each skill down to the smallest step, allowing horses to process the learning of a skill a little at a time? Or do you choose the right tool for teaching so the horse can be held in a situation long enough to adapt to their new skill faster? This is a choice worth considering. I prefer the slower road of training without the tools, and I appreciate that I have the luxury to choose that option.

Originally aired on: June 11th, 2024